The herald., 1922-04-13


from a basket-shaded lamp, rose pre-
cipitately. and stood looking at him
with widened eyes and parted lips,
without speaking. She was plainly
frightened, though she made herself
smile. The beautiful room was full of
shadows; at the wide-open windows
thin curtains stirred in the cool night
air.
brighten your" Richard said.
as there something's Her eyes
were those of a deer that is afraid 10
turn.
"Why, / wanted TO suggest that we
tell our little piece of news to the
family" Richard suggested, after a
momentary search for suitable sub
ject. 81 came very close to telling my
mother. Just now. Is there any good
reason for further delayT
"Why, no. l DON'T don't suppose
there is" Harriet stammered. There
will be talk"
81 suppose so," he answered, simply.
after all. shall explain TO my moth
er that for us both 1t seemed prac-
teal and a-well, not unpleasant So
luton. There need he no change here,
but you will simply have a more as
sured position"
She had been watching him, with
all June in her face. But as he went
on the color slowly drained away, and
about her beautiful eyes a look of
strain and even of something like
shame gradually deepened. When she
spoke, it was as If the muscles of her
throat were CONSTRUCTED.
"Yes. see. Certainly, see. We
will have to let them talk. This is
simply the best arrangement possible
under the circumstances
"It is an arrangement that a man
perhaps has no right to ask of a won
an" Richard said. Love means
great deal in girls life, and 1 sup
pose there is nothing else that make:
I'D for the lack of it. But you are
not an ordinary woman, and / assure
you that in every way that l can
mean to prove to you how deeply
appreciate what you are doing for u
all"
THANK you Harriet said, almos
inaudibly.
simply change your name on you
cheeks" Richard said, thoughtfully
'I shall have Fox step into the banl
with the authenticated signature. AM
II there is anything else, use your owl
Judgment. Perhaps. If tell my moth
er, you would like to write to certain
friends? You can continue to draw
on the Corn Exchange, that's simplest
and / hope you'll remember that yo
have a large personal credit there" b
added. with a smile. at occurred (
me tonight that you-you mustn't lie
your sister worry about that ne,
house. If you want your own car"
"Oh, good heavens, Mr.. Carter
Harriet said, suffocating.
ask me anything that puzzles you,
the man said. And with brief goot
night he was gone. Harriet, who ha
dropped back into her chair, sat absC
lutely motionless for long, long TIM
Her eyes were fixed on space; sh
hardly breathed; it almost seemed q
If her heart was stopped.
Richard went downstairs, surprise
to feel still vaguely unsatisfied. 81
had had his word with Harriet, ha
said indeed much that he had not e.
pected to say. However. 1t was muc
better to let the world know their n
, lationship; he was perfectly Statistic
| to have II so. But still, as he settle
himself to an hours reading, ii
, plaguing little impulse persisted. 3
would like to go upstairs again; /
missed her companionship.
There was something very appea
, ing about this woman, thought Ricl
ard, suddenly closing his book. HI
beauty, her silences, her complete SUI
jugation Of her own interests to hi
/ he found strangely fascinating.
"By George, she has made a mo
interesting woman of herselfw Ric
ard decided. opening his book agai
, "She ought to be right in the midd
? of things, that girl"
t A day or two later Madame Cart
r came out to the terrace at elevt
o'clock, beautifully groomed al
!, gowned. and with an imperative har
: arrested Harriet, who was tumble
{ and sunburned from the tennis cou
and was going toward the house.
C "Just a moment, Miss Field" sa
q she, magnificently. Harriet obedier
ly stood still, and watched MADAM
( Carriers magnificence settle itse
( slowly In a basket chair. The old La