, 1922-06-14
CHAPTER vIII-continued

A day or two later there was a fam
lily conference In the library, and Har-
niet realized more clearly than aver
that it was impossible to forecast the
march of events. Richard %nnounce
h a after consideration he had de-
cided that 1t would be wiser for the
family to weather the storm of talk
that would follow Isabelle's disappear
ance in some neighborhood less con-
nected with her. He had therefore
leased an establishment on Long
Island. where the children could have
their swimming and tennis, and his
mother her usual nearness to town. but
where they would be comparatively
inaccessible to a curious press and
public, and might disappear for a
grateful interval. The life at Hunting
ton would be less formal than at
Crownlands, but the house he had
taken was comfortable and roomy
there would be plenty of room for
Nina's girl friends and Wards guests.
Miss Field, Bottomley and Hansen
would please see to 1t that the move
was made with all possible expedition.
Il have explained to my mother and
h children" he said, quietly, to Har-
riet, that Mrs. Carter has asked for
a divorce. which will, of course, be
Immediately arranged. Now, Miss
Field, you will understand that you
are in charge from now on. My mother
wtll-well, o know how to handle
her! She Is old-enjoys her little bit
OF mischief sometimes Anything UNI
usual you can refer to me; l shall be
there every week, anyway"
He paused and ruffled the scattered
papers that were on the fl~at-topped
desk before him. Harriet watched
him anxiousIy. She thought he looked
tired and old, and her heart ached at
h troubled attempt he was making
to simplify the tragedy for them all.
He was not handsome, she reflected,
but surely there had never beer
keener or pleasanter gray eyes, II a
mouth so strong when it was in repose.
so honest when it smiled. Not like
Wards ready and incessant laughter,
not like Royal Blondln's carefully cal
culated amusement.
Reaching this point in her thought,
AaNilS MN WIFI ntT MllAsS DenlIl1ul
face alive with emotion and interest,
Harriet smiled herself, i%nvoluntarily
N family. 1t was a smile of almost
daughterly sympathy and comrade-
ship, friendly and innocent, and wholly
irresistible.
Richard, catching the look, was per-
haps unconsciously cheered by 1t.
Even at forty-four, and under his
present difficulties and harassments,
he must have been dead not to be
refreshed by the vision of earnest
youth N beauty that was so near
him In the tempered summer light of
the great library.
Thank you - he said. as If she had
spoken. There is one more thing,
Miss Field" he added, idly rumpling
his papers again, and then moving his
fine hand to his thick brown hair.
whose shining order he rumpled too.
About this man Blondin. Do you
know anything about hlm?"
A more direct shot ut her innermost
Businesses could hardly have been
made. Robbed of breath and senses
by the ~suddsnness of it, and with dry
lips, Harriet could only falter a repe-
tition:
Know anything about him?"
Il don't know much, and what | do
know l don't like" Richard continued,
noticing nothing amiss In her manner,
perhaps because he was so deeply abb
CORDED In what he was saying. Hes
a handsome fellow; he knows his sub
. r.