Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-12-16
SIXTH ~INSTALLMENT.

1ARW0OD knew well enough ! that
there, are many ranks. Or castles. in
IL the hierarchy OF finance, and that, it
is characteristic of those in any one
caste to exchange condolences freely about
those in castles below. Among themselves
the dukes discussed the affairs of the barons
fifth the greatest freedom and the barons
likewise talked over the affairs of the knights.
He was only a baron, really, while Mrs.
Pelknap belonged to the ducal rank. He
could fairly hear Bryan Holt, chairman Of
le Consolidated Bank, or John Tillitson say.
fg casually NO Mrs. Belknap, Eyes, Har->
woods been getting in wrong lately on so
and SO and so"-with full details. That was
finegar to the rawest spot in his pride-his
Essential inferiority to the dukes of finance.
He was penetrated by the idea that Lolita
knew all about his financial misadventures.
Eut Mrs. Belknap was tossing another hand
:.uls Of faggots on the fire: =.
Il knew Mathilde very, well. That's why
She and I would get on like two peas in, a
pod. She has great respect fole<me. Ma
hide inherited q great deal~of her charac-
: Ter from her grandfather Cutter. She isn't
sentimental. She'll be wanting to know one
81 these days. st..
That was all, but it was enough. Mathilde,
of course, was the legal owner of two:thirds
Of that Cutter smoney which >he had made
ducks and brakes of. In due time she would
want to know exactly what became Of it.
For at least two years Harwood had been
mournfully aware that his daughter was
>, ~ - tF -. lite a.a - - ~ -.
will was crossed. (
I'm sorry, he repeated. Truly I am.
hope you'll forgive me. All I can BAY is, I
lever meant tit just happened"
She took "a moment to absorb that repeti.
ion. Her dark eyes-which were about all
hat remained of former beauty-seemed to.
, soften somewhat-her tone subtly changed
.lso: 80 #& :"
you've made me look suc6>a fool. Lett
la Belknap, aged fforty-four, weighing n
; hundred and sixty, in the role Of lorn maiden,
lifted by her lover! You CAM wonder it
l1iuses all my friends so much. I suppose
. We all have to-, be fools about something.
Maybe I was a fool about you. b
81 meant to marry again, for I found that
lot having a husband was a worse bore than
having one. You pleased me much better
han anybody else. I think it's because
,ou're such a nice boy-always. bright and
,leasant and wonderfully. sensible-andh yet
Without having much sense at bottom. I
,ould LOOK around behind and see that you
we're just a nice boy playing at being Won
lerfully sensible" She laughed with a kind
Sf fondness. you pleased me much better
han anybody else. ! didn't want any beau.
:, iful colt, to get dotty over and finally have
ny ribs kicked IN for my pains. I wanted q
rood partner. We were both honest about it
--zneither of US quoting Romeo and Juliet
hat we'd looked up in the book half an
iour before" IL.
Her dark eyes >held his, with composed
,ower, for q monent and she added:
r 1t was all honest. If you've decided to
,oss it in the waste BASKET, there's nothing
nore to be said. But. you'll get into q mess
= With this girl. For one thing, you like money
tremendously, but haven't the knack OF get.
eng it. At any rate. Iscould do that for
ou." Z.
He perceived that she was, tentatively,
ET!lolding open a door-or, at least, indicating
yhere the door was, She was ready-he.
cit sure--to renew the betrothal. kindly.
ut with decision, he said:
J. It's settled, Letitia. I wouldn't be hon.
st with you II l said less. I've treated you
adly, and I'm sorry. But I'd be treating
gu worse If I didn't say now that it's set.
led. ("
> THAT seemed final enough. and she so/ac.
spted 1t, waiting only a momentsthen rising
"a saying in a tone as composed and polite
sslsthat with which she greeted him:
...Then there's nothing more to be said ex.
opt good.by. II would be pleasanter Il. I
puld get out Of townlfor this winter. But,
no good at running away. IllSstayl and
ice the music. # you hear that I've acted
lie ascatf here and there. you'll know why;
Ihhey'll presently give up scratching me-"
ne was 4miling a1ittle as she said II.
lHarwood's position was intensely uncorn-
brtable, He'd let her in--a proud woman
s. q humiliating sexperience. Fataously he
nmbled: