Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1922-03-09

separate the thought OF him from the /
thought OF what my life az his wife
would gain"
"Be careful how you play your hand
alonel" the man said. "Half comb i
dence isn't much more than none at |
ALL"
A moment later they parted; the
woman entering the house for cup
of coffee, and some conference with
butler and housekeeper, and the man
starting of briskly for his early walk.
But Blondin was smiling, as he went
upon his way, and Harriet was white
with anger and impotence.
spn put everything else have In
thfs world In the balance, Royl" she
said to herself, in the sunshiny silence
Of the breakfast room. "But I'll hold
no more stolen conversations with
youl TIL break my engagement with
Ward, I'll go to Richard Carter and
humiliate myself. I'll 60 back to Lin
da's house without a penny In the
world--but I'll be done with you
Thank God, however the story may
sound, especially with your interpre
tations on 1t, you haven't my honor
In your keeping, though you may seem
to haver
The house was absolutely quiet
the clock on the stairs struck silvery
seven. Harriet went noiselessly to her
own room; Nina was sleeping heavily.
She flung OFF her clothes, sank into
bed. And now at last sleep came,
deep, delicious, satisfying.
A day or two later there was fam
lily conference In the library, and Har-
riet realized more clearly than ever
that II was impossible to forecast the
march of events. Richard announced
that after consideration he had de
cided that 1t would be wiser for the
family to weather the storm of talk
that would follow Isabelle's disappear
ance in some neighborhood less con-
nected with her. He had therefore
leased an establishment on Long
Island, where the children could have
their swimming and tennis, and his
mother her usual nearness to town, but
where they would be comparatively
inaccessible to a curious press and
public, and might disappear for a
grateful interval. The life at Hunting
ton would be less formal than at
Or0wnlands, but the house he had
taken was comfortable and roomy !;
there would be plenty Of room for
Nina's girl friends and Wards guests.
Miss Field, Bottomley and Hansen
would please see to II that the move
was made with all possible expedition.
II have explained to my mother and
the children" he said, quietly, to HaF.
riet, that Mrs Carter has asked for
divorce, which will, Of course, be
Immediately arranged. Now, Miss
Field, you will understand that you
are in charge from now on. My mother
will-Well. you know how to handle
her She Is old-enJoys her little bit
of mischief sometimesl Anything un-
usual you can refer to me; shall be
there every week, anyway
He paused and ruffled the scattered
papers that were on the fiat-topped
desk before him. Harriet watched
him anxiously. She thought he looked
tired and old, and her heart ached at
the troubled attempt ne was making
to simplify the tragedy for them all.
He was not handsome. she reflected,
but surely there had never been
keener or pleasanter gray eyes, and a
mouth so strong when 1t was In repose,
so honest when it smiled. Not like
| Wards ready and incessant laughter,
not like Royal Blondln's carefully cal
culated amusement.
Reaching this point In her thought,
facing him with her whole beautiful
face alive with emotion and interest,
Harriet smiled herself, involuntarily
and family. 1t was q smile of almost
daughterly sympathy and comrade-
ship, friendly and innocent, and wholly
irresistible.
Richard, catching the look. was per
haps unconsciouAly cheered by 1t.
Even at sforty-four, and under his
present difficulties and harassments
he must have been dead not to be
refreshed by the vision Of earnest
yosth and beauty that was so near
him in the tempered summer light OF
the great library.
"Thank your he said, as II she had
spoken. .srhere Is one more thing,
Miss Field" he added, idly rumpling
his papers again, and then moving his
fine hand to his thick brown hair
whose shining order he rumpled too
About this man Blondin. Do you
know anything about himfn
A more direct shot at her innermost
Businesses could hardly have been
made. Robbed of breath and senses
by the suddenness of It, and with dry
lips, Harriet could only falter q repe.
] tltion:
"KnoW anything about himY'
II don't know much. and what dc
| knnW don't llka . Richard con tinaaaa