The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1922-05-11
CHAPTER xi.

Morning found them half-buried in
bright dazzle Of snow, the midwin-
ter miracle that sets the most faded
heart singing ana the weariest blood
70 moving more quickly Harriet was
through with her housekeeping and
her luncheon, and meditiGlng a letter
to Linda. when Ida Tabor fiuttered In.
Harriet heard the gay voice at the
foot Of the stairs: "Oh. sweetheart
Where's my little girl7"
Mrs. Tabor looked trlfie dashed
when only Harriet responded. although
she Immediately assured Miss Field
cordi .Iy with bright insincerity that
She had known Of her return. and was
so glad"
I've been sort Of big sister here"
she said. Iaughingly, 'and. my Lord,
these Kids have managed things won
derfully! But / suppose sooner or
later the machinery would have
stalled without your fine italian
hand :"
Mr. Carter asked me 10 come
back" Harriet stated, simply She
thought the truth her best weapon.
but Mrs. Tabor was ready for her.
MARY Putnam told us that you
were just resting and looking about"
she said, innocently. "and Dick-gen-
erous that he is-couldn't feel COM
Portable about IT, I supposer
Richard had telephoned Harriet
at three o'clock that the morning pa
pers would have 1.-THE news" and that
he was coming home to tell his chill
dren Of their mothers death, tonight
But she must get rid of this woman
now. somehow. II would be fatal to
have Ida Tarbor here when Richard
Carter returned.
II might run up now and see the old
ladyl" said Mrs. Tabor. who had flung
Off her furs. and beautified herself at
her handbag mirror. She pressed her
lips together for the red coloring. Mr.
Carter be here toniGht?'' she asked.
casually.
Bottomley caused an Interruption
Harriet turned 70 him with relief. But
unfortunately he answered the very
question she was irving TO evade.
"Mr. Carter had just teiephoned IN.
and says that ell be ere at about six.
mi"
"Oh. thank you. Bcttomley!" Harriet
turned back to Ida. TO see her compla-
Gently looosening outer wraps.
II came In the Wsrrens' car" said
she: they were to run over to say
Merry Christmas to the Bellamys, and
then pick me up. Buff I won't be
In the way!-perhaps / might stay and
see Nina; we've become great chuns.
i suppose I'd better go to the room
always havef Then I'll ran up and
get the latest news of the Battle Of
Shiloh from Madame Carter"
IL was now or never; Harriets heart
began to beat. Madame Carter has
gone driving" she said. "She may be
In at any moment, but before she
comes, | want to speak to you. We've
had terrible news here. Mrs. Tabor.
Mr.. Carter is coming home to tell the
children and his mother tonight. Mr..
Pope cabled from Paris on Christmas
eve that Mrs. Carter suddenly died
that dayI"
Ida Tabor never felt anything very
deeply, but her emotions were accessi-
Bile enough. and violent while they
lasted She grew white. gasped, some
how reached a chair. and burst into
honest tears. Isabelle Why, they
had been friends for yearsl Why. she
had been SO wonderfully well and
strongl
Nobody knows IT," Harriet said
And not quite innocently she added:
The Fordyces. the Bellamys-every-
one who knew her-are In total ignor-
ance Of I'll II you do tell them, Mn.