Mountain Home Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1915-1946, 1922-04-22
CHAPTER xv--continucd.

per rev nlgntS ago. Iaue0 itttl'
pleasant woman of fifty, patheticall.
grateful for his casual politeness II
her strangeness and shyness. He hat
CHANGED, quite idly and accidentally
to make an impression on her. Sh'
had promised to come to the studio
and look at his rugs.
Royal wondered why she dressed sc
badly; she needed simple materials
and flowing lines. He heard himself
telling her 50.
Richard sat on, on the terrace
thinking, and presently his mother
came out and Joined him. Wasn't he
the old lady asked deliberately, going
to the club? II was almost five
o'clock, her son reminded her. Two
or three of his business associates
were coming to dinner; Hansen was
to drive them ali into the city later.
Now. he just felt lazy.
mo tea today2' he asked presently.
People usually went to the club on
Sunday, said his mother. She added,
irreievantly, that Harriet was asleep.
Richard said that she had looked tired
this morning; sleep was the best thing
for her.
But suddenly life became significant
and thrilling again; he heard her
voice, her laugh. She came swiftly
and quietly out to them, smiling at
Ira hn Stn ~ hn
side his mother. She wore white
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
wondered. When she murmured to his
mother In an undertone, he tried to
catch the words.
did you have good sleepf' Rich
ard asked. She flashed him an elo-
"Oh-the most delightful of my
whole life hight hours without stir
ringp
The Hoyts arrived; 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 filled 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 dinner he
took part In the conversation. Thurs.
day? Why not, Harriet? We have no
engagement for ThursdayT
She flushed brightly, signaling to
him that she had already indicated an
excuse. They had never dlned 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 to be
In town Thursdayf' 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" the
caller said. departing. Richard saun- |
tere0 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 7
her, and she laughed hardly.
II suppose there is no reason why /
not, Mr.. Carterr' /
"You can wear"-he gestured-"th |
black and goldy thing. They'll all be 1
you'll"
"Oh," she said, considering earnest
y, Il have d much handsomer one than /
hat. Blue and silver. You've not seen d
C." O
BLUE and silver then" Richard a
'elt a distinct regret when the men he G
appeared. There was but one h
lgure of any interest to him on the S
shady, flower-scented terrace, and that Il
vas woman's figure In white gown. e
For two or three days he was con- Il
Icious Of constant interest In her an e
,earances and dIsappearahces, con- o
tant desire to please her. He was con- "
cious of one mastering curiosity: he
wanted to know just how Harriet re- bl
,arded him. 1t seemed suddenly Of d,
upreme Importance, He thought of 1t al
n his Office, and smiled to himself dur q
ne important business conferences, h
wondering about 1t. 1t seemed incred- hi
Bile to him, now, that his experiences W
4 the past year had been so largely ri
oncerned with Harriet. His wife's cl
his daughters governess, to
is own capable and dgnified house W
eeper the woman he had so hastily m
larried, all seemed a different person, "
c.H'te visionary person, with whom pc
ISL such busInesslike arrangements dc
nd been possible. er
But Harriet was beginning to seem
, him stranger who possessed at tu
nee the most mysterious and child ri
Ike, the most beautiful and the most M