The Elk Mountain pilot., 1922-02-23

nave lua IarDOr mere Wnen Ricnar0
Carter returned.
81 might run up now and see the old
lrdy!' said Mrs. Tabor. who had flung
of her furs, and beautified herself at
her handbag mirror. She pressed her
lips together for the red coloring. "Mr.
Carter be here tonight2" she asked,
casually.
Harriet turned to him with reMef. But
unfortunately he answered the very
question she was trying TO evade.
"Mr. Carter had Just telephoned IN.
and says that 'e'n be ere at about sis,
'mT'
"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 won't be
In the way perhaps l might stay and
see Nina; we've become great chums.
I suppose I'd better go to the room !
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 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
that day."
Ida Tabor never felt anything very
deeply, but her emotions were accessf-
BILE enough, and violent while they
lasted. She grew white. gasped, some
how reached chair, and burst into
honest tears. isabelle Why, they
had been friends for yearsl 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 It'll If you do tell them. Mrs.
Tabor-and there is no reason why
you shouldn't"
"Oh, 1 shall stay here with Nina to-
night, anyway" the visitor said, de-
cidedly. "She1l need me, of course /!
Poor little thing!"
ut seems too bad to spoil your New
Years plans" Harriet said, smiling.
"but you know Nina! She will put
those long arms Of hers about you
and she won't hear of your leaving her
for days! With Nina" Harriet pur-
sued. thoughtfully. ut isn't so much
that one can't find a good excuse. as
that she won't hear Of excuses at all I
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 arml Mr.. Carter intends to
leave for Chicago tomorrow. Ward
will probably go up to the Eatons'@"
Harriet rambled on, not unconscious
that she was making an impression.
Anyway" she finished, I'VE shall be
fearfully quiet and alone here. and
your being here would simply save the
day for Nina!"
"Oh, really couldn't stay over New
Years." Mrs. Tabor, looking slightly
discounted, said slowly. "You see, the
Fordyces-'' She looked undecided,
and bit her under-lip.
"One wonders-?" she said, musing-
ly. "Of course shouldn't want to In
trude tonight-it would be merely to
have them feel that was here"
"Mr. Carter has asked me to see that
the family is alone tonight" Harriet
said, courageously, "but of course he
may feel that you are an exception"
she added. with the impersonal air Of
mere employee. II only want to be
able to tell him that I repeated his
request, and told you the reason for 1t.
That's''-and she smiled pleasantly
that is as far as my authority goes,
of course. l shall say simply that you
know of his wishes. and If you remain,
know l can say that it was to please
Nina !"
And now the two women exchanged
an open glance that needed no pretense
and no concealment, and it was a
Glance of enmity.
'when l visit this house 1t is not at
your invitation, Miss Fieldl" said Mrs.
Tabor. frankly.
II am aware of that" Harriet said,
simply.
"Will you be so kind as to tell Nina
and Madame Carter" the visitor was
resumlng her wraps, and arranging her
handsome hat and veil, that i VIII be
hero tomorrow. and that anything can
do | VIII he so glad to do lis that
Mrs. Warren's car, Bottonleyf Thank
you. Good afternoon. Miss Field J!
Good afternoon. Mrs. Taborl' Har-
rlet followed her to the hall door, and