The Elk Mountain pilot., 1922-03-23

But-my God. my dear girl
spoke Of you rs his wifei" Richnt
said.
''IIe said had been. Not that l wa
now"
The man looked at her looked AVA,
at the river. and shrugged his shoul
ders as if he We're mystified by the
ways of women.
''But-you were never his wife?" he
said, fatty.
''Oh. no, You didn't think" Harriet
said. hurt. "that would have married
you. or anyone else. If | had beeni'
you let him hackma, you for
that?' Richard further marveled.
81 knew-in my own mind. of course,
that was not to blame" the girl said,
anxiously. "Hut it sounded horrible"
Richard bit his lower lip, looked
critically nj his racket. slowly shook
his head.
"T didn't mind what any one
thought" Harriet said reading his
thought. "Eut they did,"
"They;" Richard repeated. patiently
Everyone" she supplied. promptly.
"Your wife, your mother. Mary Put
nam Even Mrs. TABOR.
II suppose so,' Ae conceded after q
pause. And beneath his breath he add
ed, "Isabelle-Ida Tabori"
His tone was all she asked of ex-
quisite reinsurance.
81 hoped you wouldn't" she said
standing m with clasped hands and
sudden Frightening of her tired and col
nrln f.tr ri
make myself believe you would feell
wanted so to leave all behind. thoughr
he had gone, that It was all over, that
what it was mattered more than what
it sounded like | thought could save
Nina better, with what knew, than
any one else But last night" Harriet
added, proved to me that had been
all wrong. I've been so worried" she
added. with utter faith In his decision.
81 don't know what you think we had
better do"
For full minute Richard watched
her in silence. Then he said, mildly:
about Nina. you mean?"
"About everything!" Harriet sudden
ly laughed gaily, like child. Life
seemed once more straight and pleas
ant in this exquisite June morning :;
she felt puzzled, but somehow no long
er afraid. The menacing horrors of all
the years, the vague uneasiness that
she had never quite dared to face. We're
fluttering about her awakening spirit
like Alice's pack of cards.
nina will come into line her fa-
ther said, thoughtfully; "she doesn't
| 10 7 wis is,
he loved hcrl" he added. with faint
frOwn. I'll see him about it again.
Wen take her to Rio. She'll get over
it."
And Harriet stopped, and began
again: "And do you want things to &C
on just as they are?" she asked.
For answer Richard smiled at her in
silence.
mo" he said. finally. 81 can't say
that l do. l want you to worry less,
and to buy yourself some new gowns,
and to begin to enjoy life Shake
speare had you down fine when he
talked about conscience making cow
ards of us all, What did you do it for ?
A young. capable, good-looking girl
scared by lot of old womenI Now,
we'll take up this Nina question, later
| on. You'd better go up and get your
self some coffee. and go to bed for
awhile. Better plan to be In town for
day or two, for you'll both need
clothes for the steamer"
you're very kind" the girl said. eyes
averted, voice almost inaudible. They
were both standing now. Harriet's head
turned aside. so that he could not see
her face. but her soft fingers resting in
his.
with rather confused laugh. He pat
ted her hand encouragingly. ''The sea
trip will shake both you and Nina up,
and do you world Of good !" he said.
you think" Harriet raised the
soft, dark lashes. and her splendid,
weary eyes met his. "You really aren't
worried about Nina"
And she tried by very faint stirring
Of her fingers to free them and. finding
them held. dropped her eyes again.
II think have Blondin's number" :"
Richard said. with more force than elo-
quence. Then. with little laugh that
was partly amused and partly embar-
rassed. he let her 60.
He watched the young. slender fig
ure and the shining, bare head until
they disappeared among the great
.rees about the house.
Ito be continued)