The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1922-02-24
CHAPTER XIV.

The curtains at the French windows
in the library at Crownlands stirred
| In the breeze of the warm summer
night, the pendulum Of the big clock
behind Richard Carter moved to and
fro, but for long time there was no
other sound In the library. Richard
had dropped his eyes, was idly staring
at the blank sheet of paper before
him. Royal Blondin, who had folded
his arms, for a moment studied Har-
riet between half-closed lids. but pres
emily his eyes fell, too. and with a
rather troubled expression he studied
the pattern Of the great oriental rug.
Harriet stood motionless, turned to
stone. If there was anything to be
said In her behalf. she could not say
it now. For the first time the full
measure of her responsibility and the
full measure of her deceit smote her.
and In utter sickness of spirit she
could advance no excuse. 1t was not
that she had failed Blondin, or that
she had failed Richard, but the extent
of her failure toward herself appalled,
her. She was not the good, brave. cul-
tivated woman she had liked to think
herself; she was one more egotlst,
with Nina, and Isabelle. and Ida. un-
scrupulously playing her own game
for her own ends.
I'm extremely sorry" Richard said
presently, in somewhat lifeless tone.
II imagine that If my daughter had
known this, she might have been
spared some suffering and some hui
initiation. But we needn't consider
that now" He was silent, frowning
family. He put up fine hand and
adjusted his eyeglasses with little
impatient muscular twitching of his
whole face that Harriet knew to be
characteristic of his worried moods.
"Mr Blondin," he said, YEARLY and
politely, 81 have had a great deal ON
my mind. lately, and have perhaps
been hasty In my condemnation of you.
However. this does not particularly
help your cause with my daughter.
There are great many aspects to the
matter. and IL must take time to con-
slider them. Nina must be my first
consideration, poor child Her mother
failed her-we have all failed her
Che has a right to know of this con-
versation-"
Harriet stirred, and his eyes moved
to her. Without a word, and with
stricken look In her beautiful, ashen |
face, she turned. and went 81 WHY
Al. Oh.
1t, she steadled herself second by
one fine hand against the |
dark wood, then she opened II and was |
gone.
I'm very sorry" Blondin said hest |
when the men were alone.
Mrs. Carter" Richard said, get
ting to his feet, and very definitely |
indicating an end to the conversation,
before she consented to the-arrange-
ment into which we entered, of course
took me into her confidence in this
"She-she did?" Royal stammered.
Certainly she did" Richard said,
harshly. And locking at him the other
man saw that his face looked haggarG
and colorless. "She did not mention
your name l presume out Of a sense /
Of generosity to you. | could have
he added. that you had been
generous, and had seen fit
20 leave her, and leave my daughter
alone. ] think I must ask you to ex-
use me-" said Richard at the door.
His tone was one OF absolute suffoca
ion. II can see no object in your
'rankness tonight. unless to distress
md humiliate Mrs. Carter My daugh-
er, and not myself, is the one entitled
o your confidence, and you are well
ware Of my feeling where she is con-
,erned would 10 God" said Rich
lrd, with bitterness, that had never
een your facet Mrs. Carter has been
useful-and indispensable member
II this famil-- for many years; IL there
vas In her -ust some unpleasant and 7
,ainful event, that is her own ar
air"
mot when she marrles a man who