American Fork citizen. [volume] (American Fork, Utah) 1912-1979, 1922-04-08
.Geevv;eht ~ keIhlee5 Norrs :!

aSeevv'ahs ~ kosh'seH Norri :
The storm came at Good Ground ,
and they all had to scramble with cur
tains, smelly curtains, Nina called
them. And the dinner was eaten In
warm. sticky half.darkness on a hotel
porch. with horrible music making
horrible racket. according to the same
authority. Saunders and Amy held
hands all the way home, too. and Nina
thought Il 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 30
sorry the dinner was poor. they had
had such q 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
So Blondin: for the first time In her
lifs she cried herseif t0 sleep.
Harriet had assuredly triumphed.
but II was on terms that for more
than one reason did not entirely
please her. Richard, finding the
pretty secretary prettier than ever In
her blue gown. and warmed BY . re.
Taxed day at the club and a mood Of
friendliness, had specifically instruct
ed her that she was to dine with the
family on all occasions, and to dress
40 the others did, and to regard her
self as "a member Of the family" And
this. Harriet was quick to realize,
placed her In q 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 fainil-
iarities Of the Carter children. Rich
ards friends took their cue from him.
a. was natural, and In the lrst early
winter dinner parties ut Cr0wnlands
Harriet could not but sparkle and
lead; she had reached her own level
ut last.
A sense Of weil.belng and happiness
began to envelop Richard Carter for
the flrst time In many years. He was
conscious of desire to express his
appreciation to Miss Field. II was
natural that this should take the form
Of money little present, In the form
Of check, She had sister who was
not rich; she would like to go home
with laden hands But the question
was. how muchf
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.
mfr. Carter" she said. bravely going
to the point, do you think Nina ID
able, with your mothers help, to man.
age your hOuser'
| Richard looked at her silently fol
perhaps two minutes. Then he said
quietly:
"Mr. Blondin. chr
The girl looked bewildered.
my mother has given me n hint, IN
deed Eve seen, that he would want e
take you away from us" Richard said
Harriet. without any show OF emo
ton. looked down, and was silent Il
her turn. hut Il was not. he saw with
surprise. the silence Of confusion. Or
the contrary. she seemed simply
little thoughtful and puzzled.
"Mr. Carter" she said presently. :"
have reason to believe that Mr.. Blon
din would be a very bad husband TO
Nina. I had no scruple in--in divert
Ing his thoughts. But II he was tn
only man In the world"-and to hi
surprise. she slowly got to her feet
and spoke as II to herself. her eye
fixed far away-"I would sooner xii
him than marry him !" she said.
| Richard sat genuinely dumfounded
Her beauty, her assurance, and tn
cleverness with which she had man
aged that Bl0ndin's allegiance shoul
be temporarily shifted from his ow
daughter. held him mute. II was wit
the charm of watching perfect actin
that he followed this extremely anus
ing and unexpected woman.
II confess that ! am glad to hea
itr he said. dryly.
"Nina is very angry at me-" Harrls
said. swell, I have to stand that!"
| And she gave Nlna's father whin
steal and friendly look.
but what thenf" Richard asked
Harriet Immediately became seriou
again.
"Bui this" she said, "you know you
mother Is right. You're all too kin
to me; am really member Of ii
family. love 1t. love to dress II
dinner. and order the car, and chars
things 10 your accounts Built
moi possible. You see that?"
Richard was quietly looking dow
Now he made several parallel lint
win pencil before he looked up.
No. don't see that !"
"AInry--Mrs. Putnam, for instanc
Who is very fond Of me, and Mrs. ia
They want to ask me TO dinner
Christmas parties--snd they're n
quite comfortable about IL. ! am n
-.