The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1922-03-31


separate the thought Of him from rne
thought Of what my life as HIS wife
would gain
BE careful how you play your hand
alone" the man said. Half conf
dence isn't much more than none at
AMI"
! A moment later they parted; the
woman entering the house for a 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.
,"Tn put everything else I have In
this world In the balance, Roy" she
said to herself, In the sunshiny silence
of the breakfast room. But I'll hold
no more stolen conversations with
you'll I'll break my engagement with
Ward, I'll 90 to Richard Carter and
huniliate myself, TIL go back to Lin
da's house without a penny in the
world-but TIL be done With youi
Thank God, however the story may
sound, especially with your interpre-
tations on II, you haven't my honor
In your keeping, though you may seem
to havei"
The house was absolutely quiet !:
the clock on the stairs struck a silvery
seven. Harriet went noiselessly to her
own room; Nina was sleeping heavily.
She flung of her clothes, sank into
bed. And now at last sleep came
deep, delicious, satisfying.
A day or two later there was a fam
lily conference in the library, and Har-
riet realized more clearly than ever
that 1t was impossible TO forecast the
| march of events. Richard announced
that after consideration he had de-
cided that it would he 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 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.
~ have explained to my mother and
the children" he said, quietly, to Har-
riet, "that Mrs. Carter has asked Tor
q 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 sometimes! Anything I'M
usual you can refer to me; shall be
there every week, anyway"
He paused and ruffied 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 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 it was in repose,
so honest when it smiled. Not like
Wards ready and incessant laughter
not like Royal Blondins 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, Involuntary
and family. 1t was 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 neal
him In the tempered summer light Of
the great library.
THANK you'll" he said, as If she hat
spoken. There is one more thing
Miss Field" he added, idly rumplinl
his papers again, and then moving hi!
fine hand to his thick brown hair
whose shining order he rumpied too
about this man Blondin. Do yol
know anything about him?"
A more direct shot at her innermos
Businesses could hardly have beer
made. Robbed of breath and sense
by the suddenness of 1t, and with DIR.
lips, Harriet could only falter a repe
tition:
!. know anything about him?'
IT don't know much, and what I d,
know I don't like" Richard continued
, noticing nothing amiss in her manner
l perhaps because he was so deeply ab
| gorbed In what he was saying. He
q handsome fellow; he knows his sub
ject, guess. But I don't like hin
Now, don't know how he feels t
Nina, or she to him, but as you know
she will come into her uncle's forum
In a few months, unless the trustee
who In myself, decides to defer pay
ment for another three years. / mere
ly want to say that it might be as wei