, 1922-07-05
CHAPTER XII.

moiuluS louuu tHem n"uil-DuTieu III
a bright dazzle of snow. the midwin-
ter miracle that sets the most jaded
heart singing and the weariest blood
to moving more quickly. Harriet was
through with her housekeeping and
her luncheon. n meditating a letter
to Linda, when Ida Tabor fiuttered in.
Harriet heard the gay voice at the
foot of the stairs: "Oh, sweetheart
Where's my little girl?"
Mrs. Tabor looked a trifle dashed
when only Harriet responded. although
she Immediately assured Miss Field
cordially with bright i%nsincerity that
she had known of her return, and was
80 gladr"
1--WE been a sort of big sister here
she said, laughingly. "and. my Lord,
these kid have managed things won
derfullyl But 1 suppose sooner or
later the machinery would have
stalled without your fine Italian
hand !"
"Mr. Carter asked me to come
back" Harriet stated, simply. She
thought the truthxlier best weapon.
but Mrs. Tabor was ready for her.
"Mary Putnam told us that you
were just resting and looking about
she said, innocently, ''and Dick7gen-
erous that he SHOULDN'T feel COM
Portable about 1t. l supposed /"
Richard had telephoned Harriet
at three o'clock that the morning pa
pers would have "the news and that
he was coming home to tell his chill
dran % fh0f- -,1%l,1.rc lo,%t. .-.t-t.
Blu she must get rid of this woman
now. somehow. 1t would be fatal to
have Ida Tarbor here wheE Richard
Carter returned.
81 might run up now and see the old
lady !" said Mrs. Tabor, who had flung
off her furs, and beautified herself at
her handbag mirror. She pressed her
lips together for the red coloring. "AIr.
Carter be here tonight?y she asked.
casually.
B~ottomley caused an interruption.
Harriet turned TO him with relief. But
unfortunately he answered the very
question she was trying TO evade.
Mr.. Carter had just telephoned IN.
and says that ELL be ere at about six.
IN !"
"Oh, thank you. Bottomleyr' Harriet
turned back to Ida, to see her compla-
Gently l~ooosening outer wraps.
Il came in the Warrens' carr said
she; they were to run over to say
Merry Christmas to the Bellamys, and
then pick me up. Buff 1 won't be
in the way l-perhaps ! might stay and
see Nina we've become great chums.
l suppose I'd better go to the room I
always have? Then I'll run up and
get the latest news of the Battle of
Shiloh from Madame Carterp
1t was now or never; Harriet's heart
began to beat. Madame Carter has
gone driving" she said. "She may be
in al any moment, but before she
comes, l want to speak to you. we've
had terrible news here, Mrs. Tabor.
Mr.. Carter is coming home to tell the
children and his mother tonight. Mr..
Pope cabled from Paris on Christmas
eve that Mrs. Carter suddenly died
thai day."
Ida Tabor never felt anything very
deeply, but her emotions were accessi-
BILE enough, and violent while they
lasted. She grew white, gasped, some-
how reached a chair. and burst into
honest tears. Isabelle-i Why, they
had been friends for yearsl Why, she
had been SO wonderfully well and
strong!
Nobody knows It," Harriet said.
And not quite innocently she added:
'The Fordyces, the Bellamys-every-
one who knew her-are in total ignor-
ance of Ill If you do tell them, Mrs.
Tabor-and there is no reason why
you shouldn't"
"Oh, l shall stay here with Nina to-
night, anyway the visitor said, de-
cidedly. shell need me, of course
Poor little thlngi
st seems too bad to spoil FOUR New
Years plans" Harriet said, smiling,
but you know Ninal She will put
those long arms of hers about you
and h won't hear of your leaving her
for daysl With Nina Harriet pur-
sued. thoughtfully. ut isn't so much
that n can't find a good excuse. as
that she won't hear of excuses at all
l remember when Mrs. Carter first
went away, there were days Of it.
weeks of 1t l-just talk, tears, and talk
my arm used to ache from the weight
of Nina's arm Mr.. Carter intends to
leave for Chicago tomorrow, Ward
Will probably go up to the Eatons'-"
Harriet rambled on. not unconscious
that she was making an impression.
Anyway" she finished, 1--WE shall be
fearfully quiet and alone here. and
your being here Would simply save the
day for Ninai"
"Oh. l really couldn't stay over New