Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1922-03-30

din watched the performance laZily
from basket chair on the porch, but
when Nina called him half-laughing,
! half-daring, Were ready, Mr.. BlOn-
din" he sauntered down to the car
with his pleasantest expression, but
with the regretful statement that he
was not going: vicious headache had
developed since luncheon.
Whatever the effect on Amy and the
! young men, to Nina this was a stag
gering blow. She had triumphed all
through luncheon, had laughed and
| chattered, had made Ward telephone
dinner reservation for five, and had
assumed a hundred coquettish airs.
Now all this cruIhpled. 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 81 wouldn't interfere,
because l knew you'd all give it up !!
You just all have a perfectly wonder
full time, and I'll be down next week
end and hear about it tl'
Nina stood irresoiute; too choked
with sudden disappointment to risk
her voice. 1t was all hateful, madden
ing, horrible! Those two boys and
Amy-ah, there would be no fun"
now! She loathed Amy, getting in so
briskly, and saying, Come on. Nina %
She hated Ward, she wished that they
were all dead, and herself, too
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 botel
porch, with horrible music making a
horrible racket, according to the same
authority. Saunders and Amy held
hands all the way home. too, and Nina
thought it was disgusting;s 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
|
cheerful. She said that she vas 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.
| Horript had aSSurp1Iu friu
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.
IL.
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 ano
lead; she had reached her own Level
at last.
A sense of well-being and happiness
began to envelOp Richard Carter TO,
the first time in many years. He was
conscious of a 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 will
her usual bright nod, hut he thought
she looked pale and troubled.
mir. Carter" she said, bravely goin.
to the point, do you think Nina i.
able, with your mothers help, to man
! age your house"
Richard looked at her silently 70,
J 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 t,
take you away from us !" Richard said
/ Harriet. without any show of emo
ton, looked down. and was silent il
, her turn. But it was not, he saw will
surprise. the silence of confusion. o.
the contrary, she seemed simply
little thoughtful and puzzled.
, "Mr. Carter" she said presently, "
have reason to believe that Mr.. BIon
din would be a very bad husband TO
Nina. I had no scruple in--in divert
ing his thoughts. But if he was tn
only man in the world"-and to hi
} surprise, she slowly got to her feet
: and spoke as if to herself, her eye
t fixed far away-"I would sooner xii
: him than marry him J" she said.
e Richard sat genuinely dumfounded
2 Her beauty, her assurance, and tn
| cleverness with which she had man
: aged that Blondin's allegiance shoul,
e be temporarily shifted from his owl
e daughter. held him mute. 1t was wit
the charm of watching perfect actin
: that he followed this extremely anus
0 ing and unexpected woman.
j 81 confess that 1 am glad to hea
A it," he said, dryly.
e nina is very angry at me-" Harrie
b said. "Well have to stand that!'
And she gave Ninas father whim
|. sical and friendly look.
S "But what then?" Richard asked
Harriet Immediately became seriou
n again.