Vernon Parish Democrat., 1922-04-27
CHAPTER vIII-contlnued.


A day or two later there was fam
fly conference in the library, and Har-
rlet realized more clearly than ever
that it was impossible to forecast the
march Of events. Richard announced
that after consideration he had de-
cided that it 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
M Ner her usual nearness to town, but
4 tAe they would be comparatively
y accessible to a curious press and
public, and might disappear for a
grateful interval. The life at Hunting
ton would be less formal than at
Crownlands, 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 it that the move
was made with all possible expedition.
81 have explained to my mother and
the children" he said, quietly, to Har-
riet, "that Mrs. Carter has asked for
a 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
herl 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 rufied the scattered
papers that were on the fat-topped
desk before him. Harriet watched
him anxiously. She thought he looked
tired and old, and her heart ached CT
the troubled attempt he 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 Blondin's carefully cal
culated amusement.
Reaching this point in her thought,
sa2Ag him with her whole beautiful
face alive with emotion and interest,
Harriet smiled herself, inVoluntarily
and family. It was a smile Of almost
daughterly sympathy and comrade-
ship, friendly and innocent, and wholly
irresistible.
Richard, catching the look, was per-
haps unconsciously cheered by It.
Even at forty-fOur, and under his
present difficulties and harassments,
he must have been dead not to be
refreshed by the vision Of earnest
youth and beauty that was so near
him in the tempered summer light Of
the great library.
''Thank your he said, as IL she had
spoken. There is one more thing,
Miss Field" he added, idly rumpling
his papers again, and then moving his
nne hand to his thick brown hair,
whkse shining order he rumpled too.
"About this man BlOndin. Do you
know anything about hlm?"
A more direct shot at her innermost
Businesses could hardly have been
made. Robbed Of breath and senses
by the suddenness Of 1t, and with dry
lips, Harriet could only falter repe-
tltion:
"KnOw anything about himr
'T don't know much, and what do
know / don't like" Richard continued
noticing nothing amiss In her manner
sAperhaps because he was so deeply alb
sorbed In what he was saying. "He'i
q handsome fellow; he knows his sub