The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1922-06-15

me say next, Wnere wonid lie moVs
her eyes. Oh Inv her white hand. I'LL
wondered. When she murnaured To Iii
mother II il UNDERGONE, he tried ID
catch the words.
Did you have i good sleepf'' Rich-
ard asked. she flashed him an sIo-
quent look.
aOh-the most delightful DC M
whole lifei Eight hours without stir.
ring l!r' fss#
The Hoyts arrived; 4 handsome
mother and two equally handsome
daughters. Harriet went to them
gracefully Richard saw that she WINS
accepting good wishes. She took the
callers TO his mother, and filled their
cups herself.
She certainly Is ~wonderfuii' Rich
ard said. He perfectly realized his
own suddenly deepening feeling Tor
her, but he dared not analyze 1t vet.
When Mrs. Hoyt limited at 4 dinner, he
took part lii the conversation. Thurs
day7 Why not, Harriet? We have no
engagement Tor Thursdayf =
She flushed brightly, signaling to
him that She had already indicated an
excuse. They had never dined to-
gether away from home. He need not
think, said Harriet's anxious manner,
that he need carry the appearance Of
marriage 50 far. N
sBut--but aren't Nina and I to be
In town Thursday" she ventured.
shopping. You can make that next
week." Richard said. He loved her
confusion.
.".Then we surely Win Thank yyou,s'
she said to Mrs. Hoyt. \
Thursday, then, at eight" the
caller. said, departing. Richard saaun-
tered with them to their car, and re-
turned to- find Harriet half-scandal-
lied, half-laughing. III ES
ssBut do syou want to dine with
them?" she asked. zs i:
sWhy notf" Fits smile challenged
her, and she laughed hardly
II suppose there Is no reason why
NOT, MI. Carter" -
""You can wear"-he gestured-"the
black and goldy thing. They'll all be
watching you!
"Oh,"" she said, considering earnest
", Il have a much handsomer one than
that. Blue and silver. You've not seen
It."
"Blue and silver, them Richard
felt a distinct regret when the men he
expected appeared. There was but one
figure of any interest to him on the
shady, hower-scented terrace, and that
was a Woman's figure In a white gown.
For two or three days he was con-
scious Of q constant interest in her ap-
p~earances and disappearance, a con-
slant desire to please her. He was con-
scious of one mastering curiosity: he
wanted to know just how Harriet re-
garded him. 1t seemed suddenly of
supreme Importance. He thought Of 1t
In his Office, and smiled to himself dur
ing Important business conferences
wondering about 1t. It seemed incred
ible to him, now, that his experiences
Of the past year had been SO largely
concerned with Harriet. His wife,
companion, his daughters g~overness
his own capable and dignified house
keeper, the woman he had SO hastil!
married, all seemed a different person
a quite visionary person, with whom
just such businesslike arrangement
had been possible.
But Harriet was beginning to seen
to him a stranger who possessed a
once the most mysterious and child
like, the most beautiful and the mos
battling personality that he had evel
known. He made excuses to go home
early, just to catch glimpses Of THU
wife who was not his wife. That b,
had ever taken a fatherly, advisor.
tone with: this woman vas unbeliev
able; her mere approach made hin
catch his breath and lose his coheren
cy. He had walked into her room---ht
had patronized her-he had asked hel
casually to marry him as IL she hat
been fifty, and as plain ais she wal
lovely ID. sS#a4 M < 1
Richard shuddered as he thought 81
it He made constant efforts to en-
gage her in personalities, but she evad
ed him. There was Q real THRU To-
him In the quiet dinner at the Hoyts'
Mrs. Carter, said slow old bewhiskeret
John .Hoyt, was an extremely prett.
woman. my wifen-Richard In answer
ing called her that-.looks particular.
we'll In an evening gown Indeed sh,
looked exquisite III the blue and silyel
dress, laughing-stm with that ador
able mist OF strangeness and shynes'
about HEREWITH her neighbors at th,
table, and afterward In the drawn,
room, waving her silver fan slowl.
while Freda Hoyt, who quite obvious1.
adored her. whispered her long conf
dences.
Coming home In the limousine the.
had neighbors with them. old Doctnl
and Mrs. Carmichael, so he might no
have the word alone with her for which
he had been longing all evening. Blu
hestopped her 81 the wide. dim hall
why when they reached Crownlands.
''Tiredg n he said. ai the foot of III,
stairs.
Not 4 bitl' There was an enchant
ing vitality about her She has
slipped the thin wrap from her shout
ders. and she turned to him her lovely
happy face. Did you want me
# wanted 20 say something 10 you
Richard said, feeling awkward Is
boy.
"In there7 I" She nodded, suddenl,
alert, toward the library.
why In there1n he asked, with
Sfaf+ia h.akv tna1uh uYa nno fvts..nnlau