The Elk Mountain pilot., 1922-02-16


poor old boy ~ said Corey, affectionate-
ly. Wards mad about his mother,
tool Well, say, what do you know
about that? Wen beat it. Miss Field
Nixon andI. We came In my car, and
| wen go to the Jays for dinner Say
that is tough, though. isn't it?"
twas not eloquent, but it was sin
cere, and Harriet made her thanks so
personal and SO fiattering that the
young man could only fervently push
his plans for departure, swearing Sc
crecy, and evidently touched by being
taken into her confidence, The fast.
nesses were yielding one after anoth-
er; Harriet could have laughed as she
left him Mt the foot Of the stairs Bot
tomley, the butler, respectfully ad-
dressed her as she turned back into
the hall:
Miss Field, wonder If you'd be so
good"
She nodded, and accompanied him
instantly into the pantry, where they
could be alone.
ITS Madame" said Bottomley, bit
terly, she's just 'ad me up there agine,
u Tthiiy tTylu Int Wldt IL ~.
It's tryin'!"
"Now. just wait one moment, Bot
tomley," Harriet said, soothingly. II
want to talk to you and Pilgrim. Is
she in her room? Suppose we go
| there?"
Pleased with the consideration In
her manner, the outraged Bottomley
led the way. The hOusekeeper was
enjoying solitary cup of tea; she
bustled Hospitality for more cups.
II want to tell you that your comm
has taken a load off my SOUL" said
Pilgrim, gray, round-visaged woman
who had sentimental heart, "and so
said to Mr.. Carter not three days
since! It's been very bad. indeed,
Miss, since you went, as we was tellin'
you a bit back. Impudence. orders
this way and that, confusion and
what not, and Mr.. Ward very wild.
really very wild, and so at last Bot
tomley said he couldn't stand It."
I'm hoping he will reconsider
that" Harriet said, pleasantly. with
a glance at the face Bottomley tried
to make inflexible. For I'm going to
tell you two old friends some news"
With no further preamble Harriet an
nounced Isabelle's death.
The servants were naturally
shocked. There were few moments
Of ejaculatory and sorrowful surprise
When this had died away, Harriet
had more news.
I'm going to tell you two some
thing" she began. you are the very
first to know, and I know you'll be
glad. Before left the house last Oc-
tober, Mr.. Carter did me the-the
great honor to ask me toto marry
him."
It gave her inward delight even to
voice it; 1t made the miracle seem
more real. Bottomley and Pilgrim ex-
changed stupefied glances in dead
silence.
81 met him at eleven o'clock today"
Harriet finished, simply, "and we
drove to Greenwich in Connecticut,
and we were married at one o'clock"
Bottomley and Pilgrim glanced
again at each other. glanced at Har-
riet. opened their mouths slowly.
"To think of you bein' Mrs Carter"
Pilgrim marveled in whisper.
"Oh, sh-sh-sh You mustn't say 1t
evenr' Harriet caught both their
hands. mo one must know. I only
told you so that you would help me,
so that you would understand! There
will be no change, anywhere"
| Bottomley shook a dazed head; but
Pilgrim looked at the other woman
| with kindly eyes, and presently said:
you'd have been very silly girl
not to take him, and-as / always tell
the girls-love'll come fast enough aft
erward ~
The words came back to Harriet,
hours later, when the house was quiet,
and when. comfortably wrapped in a
loose silk robe. she was musing be-
side her fire. Nina was asleep; to
Ward, who was headachy and fever
ish she had paid late visit. Madame
Carter had not come down to dinner.
and when Harriet had sent in n mes
sage. had asked to be excused from
any calls. even from Nina and Miss
Field, this evening.
l Nina lad ciiattercd constantly dur
iI.s the. meal. Granny had had ter
-ihle time with them all. And Ward
and Mia and "Roynl''-the name sud.
deiily leancd between them again
had been arrested for speeding. And
Daddy hail threatened Nina with a
horrims school, and Granny had
crisd.
"iSl ere is ,tr. Blondln now, Nina y
tarrict had asked.
oh. h < rGLLdl' Nina had snid,
lirily. al suppose you put Daddy up
osavinr HAT wasn't to see SO much
i hinil'' she had added, with her
'orl,,ly Mise Llrawl.
''Snt at NIL" Harriet had said.