The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1922-03-29

hair. while the other held him at
erm's-length. Dear! Please"
II WIS no use. soul anu senses we're
enveloped again, and close to her ear
she heard him whisper: I'm mad
about you! Do you know that? I'm
mad about you!
II think you are.' she stammered,
breathless and laughing. You mustn't
do that! You mustn't do that! Why,
we might be seen, ~
Breathless. too, he flung back his
hair, and stopped to pick up her para
sol.
do you think 1 care!" he painted,
fndifferentIy Il wouldn't care If the
whole world saw"
"Sh-sh," BY the magic only
known to youth and womanhood Har-
riet had gathered herself into trim
ness and calm again. She took her
parasol composedly. Her eyes told
him the whole story. Nina and Royal
Blondin were two hundred feet away,
coming up from the tennis court
You foOl-fool-foOl!" she said to
herself. What had they seen? What
new twist to the situation would
Nina's suspicious afford? Richard
Carter trusted her; this was no time
to tell him that she loved his son.
Did she love WARRIOR with his keen
and kindly eyes would Wards father
see exactly what she saw in the mar
riage? Caught kissing in the woods
like Rosa or Germaine; it was I'M
thinkable! How she had weakened
her position here! How she had
risked-her heart contracted with
pain-Severing of her association with
Crownlands.
Luncheon. under its veneer OF
gaiety and foolishness, offered fresh
terrors. For old Madame Carter had
come down. and it occurred to Harriet
that If Nina had seen anything in the
wood, she might naturally interest
her grandmother with an account Of
it. The old lady would go instantly
to her son. And Richard-Harriet
could imagine him. tired. harassed,
heartsick over the recent inexplicable
weakness of his wife, having to face
another wopan's treachery. having to
listen to the demure announcement OF
the little secretary's engagement to
his son.
He was experiencing the most over
whelming shock of all his life now;
he must shortly be exposed to all the
whirl of scandal: the silenced gossip,
the averted eyes of his world. the
weekIies with their muddy insinua-
tions. the staring fact headlined above
his breakfast bacon. This was her
time to efface herself and the house
hold, to help him to lift the load.
I'm afraid I wasn't listening, Mr..
Blondin?"
"Miss Nina and l want to know
what day we may have our party"
Royal repeated.
1.-The studio party"
1.-THE of-garden party. We're 60
ing to have 1t from half-past six to
half-past seven only, because then 1t
won't be too hot"
"Why not have it at night, with lam
terns?" Harriet said, quite involun-
tarily- And again a pang of self-con-
tempt swept over her. 1t was hateful,
1t was incredible but she was playing
his game as, calmly as II doubts and
reluctance had never entered her
heart.
At four O'Clock Richard came home,
and the instant Harriet saw his face
she realized. with shock even sharp
er than the original moment of in
credulity, that he had had no success
in his search He was alone. His
face was drawn and gray. he looked
more he who had always been the
pink of well-groomed perfection
looked old He asked Bottomley
briefly IL Madame Carter was in her
room, and, being informed that she
was, went hastily upstairs.
It was to the old lady's beautiful
sitting room that Harriet was sum-
moned a few minutes later. She knew
at once that he had told his mother
all he knew and feared.
Madame Carter was shockingly agi-
tated She had a deep sense Of the
dramatic, but she was not entirely act
ing now Her face was pale under its
rouge, and the painful tears of age
stood In her eyes
Miss Fieldl'' said Madame Carter
1--WE have Just had a most Terrible
most unexpected-blow!
Harriet simulated expectancy.
There is every reason TO believe
pursued Madame Carter, majestically
that my unfortunate daughter-in-law
Mr.. Carriers wife, Isabelle, has yield
ed to the passion of her lover, No
let me talk, Richard she interrupted
herself, as the man raised haggard
eyes to watch her impersonally, 'fal
better TO face the facts, my deari My
son tells me, Miss Field the-the
well-nigh incredible statement that
forgetting the honor of womanhood
and the tender claims of maternity
Miss Field" Richard did not have
the manner of interruption, but his
quiet voice dominated the other voice
none the less. Madame Carter fell ST.
lent, and watched him with mournfu
pride. Miss Field" he said, ave
want your help. The facts are these
Williams had all the roads watched
they did not go by motor. Mrs. Car
ter reached New London at five o'cIoct
yesterday: Pope's boat, the Geisha
pulled out at haif-past six. From
49, Mn ar he