Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1922-03-02

mysterious thoughts, and Richard
Carter
Harriet's thoughts, none too COM
Portable up to this point, stopped here,
and she flushed. She would not enjoy
telling Richard that she was to marry
his son. Those keen eyes would read
her through and through, and while
her father-in-law might love her, and
see her beauty and charm with all
the rest of the world. Harriet knew
that she must begin an actual cam
palgn for his esteem on her wedding
day. The prospect had an unexpect-
ed piquancy. She had little fear of
Carter a wife for whom his father
must come to feel genuine gratitude
and devotion. There would be chill
dren, there would be hospitality and
music and q garden. And Ward
should seriously settle down to his
business, whatever it might be, and
show himself a worthy son Of his
clever father.
''Why not-why not?" Harriet asked
herself, as she reached Madame Car
ter's pretentious apartment house, and
was whisked upstairs. She was to
meet Nina here, and she glanced about
for the big limousine at the curb, as an
indication that the old lady might be
ready to accompany them back to
Crownlands. But there was no car in
sight. The maids first statement was
that Miss Carter had gone home with
her brother, and then Madame Carter
came magnificently into the room.
'Well, our bird has flown !" said the
old lady. Harriet could see that she
was pleased about something.
"Gone home with Ward" Harriet
asked. Madame Carter never shook
hands with her; there was conscious
superiority in the little omission. She
sank into a chair, and Harriet sat
down.
Ward and his friend, this Mr. Blon-
din," Madame Carter said. "a very
interesting most unusual man. A
very good family, too-excellent old
family. Yes. Nina assured us that she
had to wait and go home with her
Daddy, but that" Madame Carter
gave Harriet deeply significant smile
but that didn't seem to please
Somebody very much!" she added. $50
1 told Nina thought Granny would be
able to make it all right with Daddy,
and off the young people went"
She rocked, with a benignly tri-
umphant expression, and complacent
rustic of sIlken skirts. Harriet, be-
meath an automatic smile, hid a trou-
bled heart. Royal was losing no time,
Ward his innocent instrument, and this
fatuous old lady of course playing his
game for him
Harriet saw that she was pleased
and flattered by an older mans appar-
ent admiration of Nina; and that she
would further the girls first definite
affair in every way that lay in her
power. 1t was maddening; it was ex-
asperating beyond words. An honest
warning would have merely flattered
her with its implication of her impor-
tance; ah, no, Isabelle and Harriet
might try to hold the child back-but
Granny knew girl nature better than
either of them
Well then, / must follow them
home" Harriet said, pleasantly. "You
don't come back tonight?"
To this Madame Carter very point
edly made no answer; her plans were
not Miss Fields business.
"The child is growing up" the old
lady said, smiling at some thought.
"Well, we must look for love affairs
now !"
Harriet felt that there was small
profit in following this line of conver-
sation. She glanced at her twisted
wrist.
II think will make that two o'clock
train, Madame Carter. unless there is
some errand might do for you?" she
said respectfully.
This courtesy, from a beautiful
young woman to an old one, always an
tagonized Madame Carter. Harriet
knew that she was casting about for
some honeyed and venomous farewell.
when the muffled thrill Of the bell
came to them, and the footsteps Of
Ella were heard. Immediately after
ward Richard Carter came quickly in.
He met Harriet at the door.
How, are you. Miss Field? Tell
Nina to hurry; I've got about five min
utes!" he said, pleasantly.
Don't keep Miss Field she is max
ing her train !' said his mother, COM