The Jasper news., 1922-03-23
CHAPTER xI.

Morning found them half-burIed In
a bright dazzle Of snow, tie mIdwln-
! ter miracle that sets the most iadcd
heart singing and the. wearlest blood
TO moving more quickly. Harriet was
through with her housekeeping and
her luncheon, and meditnting a letter
to Linda, when Ida Tabor fluttered In.
Harriet heard the gay voice at the
foot OF the stairs: 'Oh, sweetheart |!
Where's my little glri?'
| Mrs. Tabor looked trlnc dashed
when only Harriet responded. although
she Immediately assured Miss Field
cordially with bright inslncerlty that
she Ind known OF her return. and was
80 glad r.
"rve been sort 0f big sister here
she said, laughlngJy. "and. my Lord,
these kids have managed things Won
derfully! But ! suppose sooner or
later the machinery would have
stalled without your FINE IteIinn
hand!"
mir. Carter asked me Ia come
back" Harriet stated simply. She
thought the truth her hest weapon.
but Mrs. Tabor was rendy Tor her
"Mary Putnam told us that You
were just resting and looking about"
she said, innocenily. "and Dlck--gcn-
erous that he is--couldn't feel com.
Portable about II. J Suppose!''
| Richard had aieiepioned ilarrlet
nt three O'clock that the morr Ing pa
Ders would have ''the news" and thar
he wns coming hume to tell his chill
dren Of their mothers leat,, tonight.
But she must get rid Of ;ihs woman
now. somehow. II would be fatal TO
have Ida Tnrbor here when Richard
Carter returned.
II might run UP now and see the old
lady I" said Mrs. Tabor, who had flung
of her furs, and beautlfied herself Mt
her handbag mirror. She pressed her
lips together for the red coloring. "Mr.
Carter be here tonight7" she asked,
casually.
Bottomley caused an interruption.
Harriet turned to him with relief. But
unfortunately he answered the very
question she wns trying TO evnde.
"Mr. Carter had just telephoned IN,
and says that 'ell be ere at about six.
mp
"oh. thank you. Bottomieyl" Harriet
turned back to Ida. to see her compIa.
Gently looosenlng onter wraps.
II came In the Warrens' car" said
she; they were to run over to say
Merry Christmas TO the Beilamys, and
then pick me up. Buff won't be
In the @ny i--perhaps might stay and
see Nina; we've become great chums.
I suppose I'd better go to the room !
always have7 Then I'll run up and
get the latest news OF the Battle Of
Shiloh from Madame Carter"
II was now or never; Harriet's heart
began to beat. Madame Carter has
gone driving" she said. "She may be
In at any moment, but before she
comes, 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
that day!"
Ida Tabor never felt anything very
deeply, but her emotions were accessl.
BILE enough, and violent while they
lasted. She grew white. gasped, some.
how reached chair. and burst Into
honest tears, Isabelle-i why, they
had been friends for years. Why, she
had been so wonderfully well and
gtrongf
Nobody knows IT," Harriet said
And not quite innocently she added
''The Fordyces. the Bellamys--every-
one who knew her-are In total lgnor.
nnce of I'll II you do tell them. Mrs
Tabor--and there Is no reason why
you shouldn't--r
"oh, shall stay here with Nina 20.
night, anyway" the visitor said, de-
cidedIy. She'll need me, OF course
Poor little thingl"
ut seems too bad to spoil your New
Years plans," Harriet said. smiling
s'but you know Nlnal She viii pul
those long arms Of hers about you
and she won't hear Of your leaving he's