Vernon Parish Democrat., 1922-06-01
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
cHAPTER XII-contInued.


Harriet had not dared to hope that
they would accept the situation so
quietly, or that the world would
There were callers on the terrace
every afternoon, there were pleasant
congratulations and good Wishes
there were a few paragraphs in the
social weeklies. Richard had for
years been too busy for mere enter
tanning, and the dinner parties and
luncheons to the new Mrs Carter, it
was generally felt, must wait until
next season.
To glance at the gold ring on her
finger made Harriet feel as If a hap
piness almost shameful was barred to
view. Her new position, mOdestly as
she filed ii, was yet a high position.
She saw Richards growing affection
and trust, if he did not. She could
afford to wait
''But when are you and Dick Carter
going to dine with us?" Mary Putnam
said, one afternoon, at tea Madame
Carter, whose Victorian ideal of ro-
nance was not at all dissatisfied with
the idea Of the employer marrying his
daughters beautiful governess, smiled
significantly.
They're very odd lovers, my DEAR"
she said to Mary with an eloquent
glance. Mary laughed, and looked at
Harriet, whose face was suddenly
crimson, though she tried to laugh,
too. The visitor, with instant kind
ness, covered the little break.
whenever they're ready, they're
going to dine with me" she said, pat
ting Harriet's hand with real affection
and understanding. But Mary was free
to reflect. She had the eyes of a con-
tented woman, freed from her own
problem for those Of others. "And Har-
riet is certainly mad about Richard"
Mary mused.
But with the rest Of the world she
had to decide that there was something
in the affair that she did not under
stand.
When everyone else had gone from
the terrace, and the late afternoon
light was throwing clear shadows
across the warm red bricks, Nina and
Ida Tabor remained, talking. "And
now we positively must go in, Nina 70
Ida said. "We've wasted this whole
afternOonl | have to get packed If
I'm going to the Jays'i"
"But you're net going to the Jays"
Nina said in soft, sweet, confident re-
minder.
"But 1 must, darlingp
"No, you mustn't!"
'But, dearest, l truly have to"
'But, Ladybird," Nina laughed hap
PLY, II sent them message this af-
ternOon that you were staying with
me! So now" she finished trium-
phantly, that's settled And Wen go to
bed early, with books, and talk, and
maybe creep down for something to
cot about eleven, as we did that other
night"
'Nina," Mrs. Tabor said, in a new
voice, interrupting her, ''you didn't tel
ephOne Mrs. Jay, did your?
'Indeed / did"
swell, then, you were extremely Inn
pertinent and officious," said a new
voice, that Nina hardly recognized.
Poor Nina Harriet found her sob
bing on her bed, half an hour later,
and took 1t for a sign that the wound
would cure, that Nina did not resent
her sympathy and comfort. Nina was
still heaving with deep sobs, albeit
taking steps toward a hot bath and a
becoming gown, when Ida went away.
Her fareweAs were made only to the
composed interlOper, who went with
her pleasantly to the hall door, and
turned back with some remark for
BOttOmley that was in the perfect tone
Of the mistress. Ida's heart was hot
within her as she looked her last at
CrOwnlands, in the mellow light Of the
summer twilight.