Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1922-03-09

see them. He ran down the shallow
steps and sprang into his car, which
scattered a spray of gravel as he
jerked it madly about, and was gone
before she and Nina haG ended their
look of surprise. Harriet went slowly
upstairs, with dim foreboding fal
back in her heart.
At about three, when Harriet and
Nina were idling on the shady ter
zines, and their books, Hansen brought
one of the small closed cars to the
side door. Five minutes later Isabelle
in a thin white coat, a yelled white
hat, and with gorgeous white-furred
wrap over her arm, came out. Ger
maine was with her, carrying two
shiny black suitcases. Isabelle, Har-
riet thought, looked superbly hand
some, but Germaine had evidently
been scolded, and had red eyes.
Isabelle came over to give her
daughter a farewell kiss.
Mrs. Webb has telephoned for me
ducky. Your father isn't coming home
tonight, but have happy time with
Miss Harriet, and I'll be back in a
day or two. Good-by, both of you.
All right. Hansen /"
They swept away, leaving Harriet
with a strange sense of nervousness
and suspense. The summer air seemed
| charged with menace, and the silence
that followed the noise of the car odd
/ ly ominous.
| Madame Carter was on the terrace
when they came back at five from an
idle trip TO the club, reporting that
her son had just returned unexpect-
edly from the city, and had gone in
to change for golf.
Nothing alarming here, vet Harriet
experienced sick thrill of apprehen-
sion. Something abnormal seemed to
be the matter with them all this after
noon
did you call me, Mr.. Carter?" She
hardly knew her own voice, as he
came down the three broad steps from
the house. Her hands felt cold, and
she was trembling.
OO yOu hdppCh " hiIO" "AiOA z
Hansen is, Miss Field"
Driving Mrs. Carter to the Webbs'
at Great Darlington" the girl an
swered, readily. Mrs. Carter left in
a hurry. She did not expect you to-
night. Hansen ought to be back at
about seven. should think"
He was not listening to her; alb
ruptly left her. When Harriet went
into the house she saw nothing of
him. She made her usual little round,
spoke briefly to a maid about some
fallen daisy petals, consulted with the
covers A man was to come and
measure those covers this very after
noon-perhaps this was he, modestly
waiting at the side door.
But no, this man briefly and sim
ply asked to be shown to Mr.. Carter,
remarking that he was expected. He
disappeared into the library; Harriet
saw no more of him for an hour when
he silently appeared beside her, and
asked to see the chauffeur Hansen
as soon as he came.
Richard brought the strange man
to the dinner table; but there was
nothing in that to make the dinner
so unnatural. To be sure Richard ate
little, and spoke hardly at all; but
this Mr.. WilliamSwas quite entertain
ing, and the old lady in good spirits
At eight Hansen was back, present
ing himself in his dusty road-coat !;
Mr.. Carter Immediately drew him with
Williams into the library. Nina
loitered up to bed, but the old lady
and Harriet remained downstairs.
They did not like, but they some
times amused, each other. Sudden
ly came the summons: would Miss
Field please step into the library?
Hansen was going out as she came
in; Richard was at the big fiat
topped desk, the man Williams stand
ing somewhat in shadow. Harriet's
heart leaped; they were g :ng to ask
her about Royal
Just moment, Miss Field" Rich
ard said: will you sit DOWN. And
as Harriet, looking at him in fright
ened curiosity, did so, he began quiet
ly: 1--WE are in some trouble here,
Miss Field. / hardly know how to
tell you what we fear. Did you no.
tice anything strange about-Mrs.
| Carter's-manner today?"
II thought did," Harriet admitted
"Did you think Of any reason for
itT
Harriet gave the stranger a glance
that made him an eavesdropper.
II fancied that 1t was connected
with-with what distressed her last
night, Mr.. Carter"
you may speak before Mr.. VIII.
liams," Richard said. He looked
down; was silent. 81 asked him tc
help me-" he added, slowly. "Was
young Mr.. Pope here todayT
This morning, l don't know how
long," Harriet said, with a great light
or darkness, breaking in upon hel
mind, "he was leaving when Nina ant
l came home"
do you know who took the tele
phone call from Mrs. WebbY
mo. because nobody did. No per
son named Webb called from Grea'
harrington, or anywhere else, today
said Williams, breaking in decidedly
his voice contrast to Richards hesi
tating tones. "As a matter of fact
Hansen didn't drive to Great Barring
ton. Two miles from your gate here
Mrs. Carter gave him other direc
tions"
what directiOns?" Harriet asked
antagonized by his manner, and feel
ing her cheeks get red. The man evi
IDENTIFY had small respect for woman
hood.
"He drove to New london" Richart
supplied. "Pope's yacht is there"
His manner was very quiet, he spok'
almost wearily, but Harriet felt as i
a cannon had exploded in the study.
1--WE had New London on the wire,
said Mr.. Williams. "Mr. Pope had beer
getting ready for cruise. Tht
chances are that they have alread.