The Ocala evening star., 1922-04-15
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HARRIET
and the
PIPER
BY
Kathleen Norris
Illustrations BY
Irwin Myers
IIlIIIIIIIIIIIIIiiIIIiIiIIITITIIITIIiIIIi
Copyright by Kathieen Norris

Il broke an engagement with nef at
the club" the other man assured him.
I'VE will probably meet at the Bel
lamys', at dinner this evening"
''Ah, it was about that l wished to
speak" Richard paused, and Blondin
watched him with polite interest
You have held your knowledge of Mrs.
Carter as sort of weapon for some
months" Richard said, presently, Ito
use it when you saw fit. I have al
ways been in my wife's confidence"
He paused, but for no reason that
Blondin could divine. AS matter Of
fact, it gave Richard sudden and un-
expected pleasure to speak of her so,
to realize that he really might give the
most wonderful title in the world to
this beautiful and spirited woman.
And l have also talked with Nina
this morning." he went on. Il regret
to say that her intentions have not al
tered"
"A loyal little heart!" Blondin said,
gravely and contentedly. Il knew l
could depend upon her!"
Il said l wanted to see you on busi-
ness, Mr. Blondin,' Richard continued,
trying to keep impatience and con-
tempt out of his voice, land Wen keep
to business. / don't know what your
circumstances are, of course"
He hesitated, and Blondin looked
at him with a faint interest.
Il live simply" he said. "Nina's
money will be all her own"
nina will have no money, not one
five-cent piece, for exactly three
! years :" Richard said.
Blondin shrugged.
"She is quite willing to try It'll" he
reminded her father.
81 know she is. But how about
you?" Richard asked. You are not a
boy, you have some idea of what mar
riage means. For three years you
must take care of her. dress her,
| amuse her, satisfy her that she has
| not made a mistake. Then she does
come into her money-yes. But three
years is a long time in which to keep
her certain that the wiseSt thing she
| can do is turn it over to you"
He paused; Blondin smoked imper-
| turbably.
"The marriage must be a notorious
| one, in any case" Richard pursued.
| For | intend to make my stand too
lear ever to permit of a retraction. l
| shall forbid it-let the world know
| that l forbid it. 1 shall forbid my
| daughter the house, and her wedding
gift will be simply the clothes she hap
| pens to have. From Tuesday-her
| eighteenth birthday-she will turn to
| you for her actual pocket money, for
her theater tickets and cab fares"
| II understand that perfectly !"
| Royal said. serenely. But underneath
| while not moved from his intention, he
! felt his customary assurance shaken.
"She is extravagant, naturally" her
] father said "She will want new
| gowns, want to display her new i'm
| portance a little. Those bills will
come to you, Mr.. Blondin. All the
world will know as well as you do
that I have washed my hands of the
whole affair."
| Blondin had no money, and lived
with an extravaganza that kept him
| perpetually worried for money. His
credit would receive an immediate as
sistance from a marriage with Rich
ard Carter's daughter, to be sure, but
| to sustain a credit for three years
upon that shadowy footing would be
extremely trying.
He liked Nina; despite his contempt
for the girl, there was a certain pity
ing affection for her stubborn loyalty
and simplicity. But he knew exactly
what hideous scenes must follow upon
his marriage with her What could he
do with her, even suppose him to have
borrowed money enough to make their
honeymoon a success? He imagined
her dawdling about his studio, imag-
ined his social standing as necessarily
affected, imagined Mr.. and Mrs. Royal
Blondin attempting to reach an agree
ment as to which invitations would be
accepted and which rejected. Rail-
way fares, luncheons downtown, all
these cost money-lots of money. Nina
would want to entertain "the girls.
And Royal had at present several seri-
Gus debts
This was not a cheerful outlook
! with which to begin three years OF
penniless matrfmony. Royal, suavely
smiling, and smoking on the terrace,
j wondered suddenly if old Madame
Carter. who had always been his cham
pion, would help out.
But Richard seemed to read his
thought.
nina has appealed to her grand
mother" he said. land / know my
mother sympathizes, and would be
glad to help you But her affairs are
in my hands. She preferred it so,
when l offered her some securities
4 years ago, and il has always been so.
Her bank account receives monthly