The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1922-04-17
HARRIET
and the
PIPER
BY
Kathleen Norris
Illustrations BY
Irwin Myers

Copyright by Kathleen Norris

transparent, simple; there were coral
beads about her firm young throat.
The dew Of her deep sleep made her
blue eyes wonderful; her cheeks were
as pink as baby's.
Aren't the June days delicious ?'
she said Richard studied her, smiling
ly, without answering. What would
she say next, where would she move
her eyes, or lay her white hand, he
mother in an undertone, he tried to
catch the words.
did you have good Sleep" Rich
ard asked. She flashed him an elo-
Quent look.
"Oh-the most delightful of my
whole life! Eight hours without stir
ringi'
The HOyts arrived; a handsome
mother and two equally handsome
daughters Harriet went to them
gracefully; Richard saw that she was
accepting good wishes. She took the
callers to his mother, and filed their
cups herself.
"She certainly Is wonderful !" Rich
ard said. He perfectly realized his
own suddenly deepening feeling for
her, but he dared not analyze 1t yet.
When Mrs. HOyt limited at a dinner he
took part in the conversation. Thurs
day? Why not, Harriet? We have no
engagement for Thursday"
She flushed brightly, signaling to
him that she had already indicated an
excuse. They had never 'dined to-
gether away from home. He need not
think, said Harriet's anxious manner,
that he need carry the appearance of
marriage so far.
"But-but aren't Nina and l to be
in town Thursday?" she ventured.
shopping. You can make that next
week. Richard said. He loved her
confusion.
''Then we surely will! Thank you"
she said to Mrs. Hoyt.
Thursday, then, at eight! 7" the
caller said, departing. Richard saun-
tered with them to their car, and re-
turned to find Harriet half-scandal-
lied, half-laughing
But do you want to dine with
themT she asked.
"Why not?' His smile challenged
her, and she laughed hardly.
81 suppose there is no reason why
not, Mr.. Carter!"
"You can wear"-he gestured-"the
black and goldy thing. They'll all be
watching your
"Oh," she said, considering earnest
ly, 81 have much handsomer one than
that Blue and silver. You've not seen
it."
"Blue and silver, then" Richard
felt distinct regret when the men he
expected appeared. There was but one
figure of any interest to him on the
shady, flower-scented terrace, and that
was a woman's figure In white gown.
For two or three days he was con-
scious of constant interest In her ap-
pearances and disappearances, a con-
slant desire to please her. He was con-
scious of one mastering curiosity: he
wanted 10 know just how Harriet re-
garded him. 1t seemed suddenly of
supreme Importance. He thought Of It
In his office, and smiled to himself dur
ing important business conferences,
wondering about 1t. 1t seemed incred-
ible to him, now, that HIS experiences
of the past year had been SO largely
concerned with Harriet. His wife's
companion, his daughters governess,
his own capable and dignified house
keeper. the woman he had so hastily
married, all seemed a different person,
a quite visionary person, with whom
just such business-like arrangements
had been possible.
But Harriet was beginning. to seem
to him a stranger who possessed at
once the most mysterious and child
like, the most beautiful and the most
battling personality that he had ever
known. He made excuses to go home
early, just to catch glimpses Of this
wife who was not his wife. That he
had ever taken a fatherly, advisory
tone with this woman was unbeliev-
able: her mere approach made him
catch his breath and lose his coseren-
cy. He had walked into her room-he
had patroniZed her-he had asked her
casually to marry him as If she had
been fifty, and as plain as she was
lovely!
Richard shuddered as he thought of
1t. He made constant efforts TO en-
gage her In personalities, but she evad-
ed him. There was a real thrill for
him In the quiet dinner at the Hoyts'.
Mrs. Carter. said slow old bewhiskered
John Hoyt, was an extremely pretty
woman. MY wife'-Richard in answer
ing called her that-"loOks particularly
well in an evening gown" Indeed she
looked exquisite in the blue and silver
dress. Iaughing-still with that ador-
able mist of strangeness and shyness
about herewith her neighbors at the
tahle- and afterward In the drawing