The Elk Mountain pilot., 1922-01-26

laughing and confusing things. Blon-
din watched the performance lazily
from a basket chair on the porch, but
when Nina called him half-laughing,
half-daring. We're ready, Mr. Blon-
DIM" he. sauntered down to the car
with his pleasantest expression, but
with the regretful statement that he
was not going: a vicious headache had
developed since luncheon.
Whatever the effect,on Amy and the
young men, to Nina this was stag
gering blow. She had triumphed all
through luncheon, had laughed and
chattered. had made Ward telephone
a dinner reservation for five, and had
assumed hundred coQuettish airs.
Now all this crumpled. faded away,
and Harriet knew, as she stood be-
side the car looking down at the folded
light rug on her arm. that she was
ready to cry.
mo, you'll have a far nicer time
without me-" said Royal, throwing
away his cigarette, and resting one
arm on the car. II wouldn't Interfere,
because l knew you'd all give it upl
You just all have perfectly wonder
full time, and I'll be down next week
end and hear about i'll"
Nina stood irresolute; too choked
with sudden disappointment to risk
her voice. It was all hateful, madden
ing. horrible! Those two boys and
Amy-ah, there would be no "fun"
now! She loathed Amy, getting in 80
briskly. and saying, Come on. Nina I"
She hated Ward, she wished that they
were all dead, and herself. too. A
The storm came at Good Ground,
and they all had to scramble with cur
tains. smelly" curtains, Nina called
them. And the dinner was eaten in
warm, sticky half-darkness on a hotel
porch. with horrible music making q
horrible racket. according to the same
authority. Saunders and Amy held
hands all the way home, too. and Nina
thought it was disgusting; everyone
was too tired to talk, they bounced
along silently and Grossly.
And upon getting home, Miss Har.
riet came out Of the shadows on the
porch, looking perfectly exquisite in
her new gown, sweetly interested and
cheerful. She said that she was so
sorry the dinner was poor, they had
had such a nice dinner at home, and
that she had had a talk with their
father, and they were to go back to
Crownlands next week. Nina did not
see Blondin; for the first time in her
life she cried herself to sleep.
t1% hHI
but it was on terms that for more
than one reason did not entirely
please her. Richard, finding the
pretty secretary prettier than ever in
her blue gown, and warmed by a re-
laxed day at the club and a mood of
friendliness, had specifically instruct
ed her that she was to dine with the
family on all occasions, and to dress
as the others did, and to regard her.
self as "a member of the family" And
this, Harriet was quick to realize,
placed her in peculiar position, made
difficult by Richards kindly cham
pioning no less than his mothers hos
tility, by the adOring sympathy of the
servants, and the affectionate famil-
iarities Of the Carter children. Rich
ards friends took their cue from him,
as was natural, and In the first early
winter dinner parties at Crownlands
Harriet could not but sparkle and
lead; she had reached her own level
at last.
A sense of well-being and happiness
began to envelop Richard Carter for
the first time in many years. He was
conscious Of desire to express his
appreciation to Miss Field. 1t was
natural that this should take the form
Of money; little present, in the form
Of a check. She had a sister who was
not rich; she would like to go home
with laden hands. But the question
was, how much?
He was musing over this very point
and other matters of deeper moment
one morning when Harriet herself
came In. She returned his smile with
her usual bright nod, but he thought
she looked pale and troubled.
''Mr- Carter" she said, bravely going
to the point, "do you think Nina is
able, with your mothers help to man.
age your house?"
Richard looked at her silently for
perhaps two minutes. Then he said,
quietly:
"Mr. Blondin, eh?"
The girl looked bewildered.
'My mother has given me a hint, In
deed I've seen, that he would want to
take you away from us ~ Richard said.
Harriet. without any show of emo
tion, looked down, and was silent in
her turn. But 1t was not, he saw with
surprise. the silence of confusion. On
the contrary, she seemed simply
little thoughtful and puzzled.
'Mr. Carter" she said presently, II
have reason to believe that Mr.. Blon-
din would be very bad husband for
Nina 1 had no scruple in-in divert