The herald., 1922-04-06

were Just resting and looking about"
she said, innocently, land Dick-gen-
erOus that he SHOULDN'T feel COM
Portable about ii, ] 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
| Carter returned.
II might run up now and see the old
| LADY," 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. MIR.
| Carter be here tonight?" she asked,
casually.
| BottOmley caused an interruption.
Harriet turned 10 him with relief. But
unfortunately he answered the very
question she was trying TO evade.
"Mr. Carter had just telephoned m.
and says that ell be ere al about six,
m"
"Oh. thank you, Bottomley!" 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 l won't be
in the way perhaps l might stay and
see Nina; we've become great chums.
always have? Then I'll run up and
get the latest news Of the Battle Of
Shiloh from Madame Carter"
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, want 10 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 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
strong!
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 It! If you do tell them, Mrs
? Tabor-and there Is no reason why
I you shouldn't"
, "Oh. I shall stay here with Nina to
e night, anyway" the visitor said. de
cidedly. shell need me. Of course
Z Poor little thing!"
}. 1T seems too bad to spoil your New
9 Years plans" Harriet said, smiling
y but you know Nina! She will pu
those long arms of hers about you
A and she won't hear Of your leaving he
= for DAYS! With Nina" Harriet pur
sued. thoughtfully, ut isn't so mucl
,, that one can't find a good excuse, a
:. that she won't hear of excuses at all
I remember when Mrs. Carter frs
= went away, there we're days Of it
= weeks Of itl-just talk, tears. and tai
my arm used to ache from the weigh
:, of Nina's arml Mr.. Carter intends t
= leave for Chicago tomorrow, War
: will probably go up to the Eatons'-
a., Harriet rambled on, not unconsciou
. that she was making an impression
" Anyway" she finished, 1--WE shall b
fearfully quiet and alone here, an
q YOUR being here would simply save tn
- day for Nina!"
II "Oh, I really couldn't stay over Me-
% Years." Mrs. Tabor. looking slight
D. discounted, said slowly. "You see, tn
D. Fordyces-" She looked undecided
~ and bit her ,under-lip.
zone wopaers-?" she said, musini
"a ". "Of coLsse, shouldn't want to IL
N trude tonight-it would be merely
II have them feel that I was here"
IN "Mr. Carter has asked me to see thu
l. the family is alone tonight" Harri'
said. courageously, but Of course
as may feel that you are an exception
ig she added, with the impersonal air
g. a mere employee. II only want to
able to tell him that I repeated b
ut request. and told you the reason for
tn That,s"-and she smiled pleasantly
q, that is as far as my authority goe
w of course. l shall say simply that "
ut know Of his wishes. and II you renal
MT I know / can say that 1t was to plea
III Nina!"
And now the two women exchange
ct
- AOk~@ 0cYS@