Vernon Parish Democrat., 1922-05-18
CHAPTER XII.

Morning found them half-buried in
bright dazzle Of snow, the midwin-
ter miracle that sets the most jaded
heart singing and the weariest blood
to moving more quickly. Harriet was
through with her housekeeping and
her luncheon, and meditating a letter
to Linda, when Ida Tabor futtered in.
Harriet heard the gay voice at the
foot of the stairs: "Oh, sweetheart
Where's my little girlP"
Mrs. Tabor looked a trifle dashed
when only Harriet responded, although
she Immediately assured Miss Field
cordially with bright insincerity that
she had known Of her return, and was
$50 gladI"
''Tve been a sort of big sister here"
she said, laughingly, "and, my Lord,
these kids have managed things won
derfully! But suppose sooner OF
later the machinery would have
stalled without your fine italian
hand!"
r"Mr. Carter asked me to 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 1t, I suppose ~
Richard had telephoned Harriet
at three o'clock that the morning pa
pers would have "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. 1t would be fatal to
have Ida Tarbor here when Richard
Garter returned.
II might run up now and see the old
ladyl" said Mrs. Tabor, who had flung
off her furs, and beautifed 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 to him with relief. But
unfortunately he answered the very
question she was trying to evade
"Mr. Carter had just telephoned IN,
and says that ELL be ERE at about six,
! mi"
"Oh, thank you, BottOmleyP Harriet
turned back to Ida, to see her compla-
Gently looosening outer wraps.
II came in the Warrens' car" said
she; "they were to run over to say
Merry Christmas to the Bellamys, and
then pick me up. Buff won't be
in the way perhaps might stay and
see Nina we've become great chums.
1 suppose I'd better go to the room I
always have? Then I'll run up and
get the latest news Of the Battle of
Shiloh from Madame CarterW
1t was now or never; Harriet's heart
began to beat. Madame Carter has
gone driving" she said. "She may be
in at any moment, but before she
comes, 1 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
thSt day!"
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 years 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 1t II you do ten them, Mrs.
TabOr-Rnd there is no reason why
you shouldn't"
"oh, / shall stay here with Nina to-
night, anyway" the visitor said, de-
cidedly. "SheIl need me, of cOursel
Poor little thingl"
ut seems too bad to spoil your New
Years plans" Harriet said, smiling,
''but you know Nina She viii put
those long arms of hers about you
and she won't hear of your leaving her
fey daysl With Nina" Harriet pur-
sued, thoughtfully, st isn't so much
that one can't find a good excuse, as
that she won't hear Of excuses at all
l remember when Mrs. Carter first
went away, there were days Of it.
weeks OF itl-just talk, tears, and talk
my arm used to ache from the weight
Of Nina's arm Mr.. Carter intends to
leave for Chicago tomorrow, Ward
win probably go up to the Eatons'--"
Harriet rambled on, not unconscious
that she was making an impression.
Anyway" she finished, "we shall be
fearfully quiet and alone here, and
your being here would simply save the
day for Nina !"
| "oh, I really couldn't stay over New