Mexico weekly ledger., 1922-02-16

them. And the dinner was eaten In
warm, sticky half-darkness on a hotel
porch, with horrible music making a
horrible racket, according to the same
authority. Saunders and Amy held
hands all the way home, too. and Nina
thought 1t was disgusting; everyone
was too tired to talk, they bounced
along silently and GROSSLY.
And upon getting home. Miss Har-
riet came out Of the shadows on the
porch. looking perfectly exquisite in
her new gown, sweetly interested and
cheerful. She said that she was 80
sorry the dinner was poor, they had
had such a nice dinner at home. and
that she had had q talk with their
father. and they were to 60 back to
Crownlands next week. Nina did not
see Blondin; for the first time IN her
life she cried herself to sleep.
Harriet had assuredly triumphed.
but It was on terms that for more
than one reason did not entirely
please her. Richard, finding the
pretty secretary prettier than eve In
her blue gown, and warmed by q re-
Taxed day at the club and q mood Of
friendliness, had specifically Instruct
ed her that she was to dine with the
family on all occasions. and to dress
az the others did, and to regard her
self as "a member OF the family" And
this, Harriet was quick to realize,
placed her in a peculiar position. made
difficult by Richards kindly cham
pioning no less than his mothers hos
tility. by the adoring sympathy Of the
servants, and the affectionate famil-
iarities Of the Carter children. Rich
ards friends took their enc from him,
as was natural, and In the first early
winter dinner parties at C~rownlands
Harriet could not but sparkle and
lead; she had reached her own level
at last.
A sense of well-being and happiness
began to envelop Richard Carter for
the first time in many years. He was
conscious of a desire to express his
appreciation to Miss Field. It was
natural that this should take the form
Of money !: a little present, In the form
Of a check. She had i sister who was
not rich she would IKE to go home
with laden hands But the question
was, how much7
He was musing over this very point
and other matters Of deeper moment
one morning when Harriet herself
came in. She returned his smile with
her usual bright nod, but he thought
she looked pale and troubled.
"Mr. Carter" she said, bravely going
to the point, do you. think Nina is
able. with your mothers help, to man.
age your hOuse?"
Richard looked at her silently for
perhaps two minutes Then hs said
quietly: ~. S"-F -
"Mr. Blondin, ehf" " Rt$
The girl looked b~ewAdered. =
MY mother has given me q hint, In
deed I've seen. that he would want to
take you away from u.s." Richard said.
Harriet, without any show of emo.
ton, looked down, and was silent In
her turn. But 1t was not, he saw with
surprise. the silence Of confusion. On
the contrary, she seemed simply b
little thoughtful and puzzled.
"Mr. Carter" she said presently, II
have reason to believe that MFR. Blon'
din would be a very bad husband fol
Nina. I had no scruple in--in divert
ing his thoughts. But If he was thu
only man in the world"-and to hi
surprise. she slowly got to her feet
and spoke as IL to herself, her eyei
fixed far away-T would o n xii
him than marry himl" she said,
Richard sat genuinely d~umfOunded
Her beauty, her assurance, and tn
cl%everness with which she had mar
aged that Blondin's allegiance Shout,
be temporarily shifted from his owl
daughter, held him mute. It was wit,
the charm of watching perfect actin
that he followed this extremely anus
ing and unexpected woman.
s., II confess that I am glad to hea
It'll" he said, dryly.
"Nina is very angry at me-" Harrie
. said. "Well, l have to stand thatp
: And she gave Nina's father a whiu
sical and friendly look.
"But what thenT Richard aske'
Harriet Immediately became seriou
again.
"But this" she said, "you know you
. mother is right. You're all too kin
to me; / am really a member of Ii
, family. I love it. / love to dress II
. dinner, and order the car, and chare
things to your accounts Butt
' not possible. You see that?"
, Richard was quietly looking dow
! Now he made several parallel lin'
. with a pencil before he looked up.
\ "No. I don't see thatp
"Mary--Mrs. Putnam. for lnstanc
q who is very fond Of me, and Mrs. ia
They want to ask me to dinner
i Christmas p~arties-and they're n
quite comfortable about 1t. I am n,
! q member Of your family even thoul
4 you are kind enough to treat me
|, one. I am q paid employee, and Ma
|, anne Carter naturally resents the
treating me as anything else. b
4 most Of ALL" said Harriet, seeing tn
q she was not making headway, tits m
self. Nina, and your mother. and Mi
a Tabor-it's just a hint here and there
!, nothing at ALL But 1t undermines n
. position. I dress. / entertain yol
! friends, / Join you in town II max
I talk. And / CAN'T can't
She stood up and turned her ba,
!. On him proudly, and he knew that 81
was crying.
"Just a minute" Richard said, FIN