The Jasper news., 1922-03-23

| "I'm hoping he VIII reconsider
Ithat," Harriet said, pleasantly, with
a glance at the face Bottomley tried
TO make infiexlble. "For I'm going to
tell you two old friends some news"
/ with no further preamble Harriet an
nounced Isnbelle's death.
The servants were naturally
shocked. There were few moments
/ Of ejaculatory and sorrowfui surprise.
When this had died away, Hnrriet
had more news.
'I'm going to tell you two some
thing" she began. you are tho very
first to know, and know you'll be
glad. Before l left the house last DC.
tober, Mr.. Carter did me the-the
great honor TO ask me toto marry
him"
II gave her inward delight even to
voice Il; II made the miracle seem
more real. Bottomley ana Pilgrim ex-
changed stupehed. glances IN a dead
! silence.
Il met him at eleven O'Clock today"
Harriet finished. simply, "aud we
drove to Greenwich In Connecticut,
und we were married at one O'Clock"
Dottomley and Pilgrim glanced
ugain at each other, glanced at Har-
riet. opened their mouths slowly.
"To think OF you bein' Mrs Carter I"
Pilgrim marveled IN whisper.
"Oh, sh-sh-shl You mustn't say II
cven!" Iarrie. caught both their
hands. mo one must know. only
told you so that you would help me.
so that you would understand There
will be no change, anywhere"
Bottomley shook dazed head; but
Pilgrim looked at the other woman
with kindly eyes, and presently said:
You'd have been very silly girl
not TO take him, and-as ! always tell
the girls-love1l come fast enough aft
erwardl"
| The words came back to Harriet,
hours later, when the house was quiet,
md when, comfortably wrapped In
loose silk robe, she was musing- be-
side her fire. Nina was asleep; to
Ward, who was headachy and fever
ish, she had paid late visit. Madame
Carter had not come down TO dinner,
and when Harriet had sent IN a mes
sage, had asked to be excused from
any calls, even from Nina and Miss
Field. this evening.
Nina had Chartered constantly dur
ing the meal. Granny had had ter
ribie time with them all. And Ward
and Nina and "Royal'--the name sud-
denly leaped between them again
had been arrested for speeding. And
Daddy had threatened Nina with
boarding school, and Granny had
cried.
| Where is Mr.. BloiitlIn now. Nina p
Harriet had asked.
"Oh, he's roundi" Nina had said,
nirily. Il suppose you put Daddy up
TO saying that wasn't TO see so much
of him! J" she had added. with her
worldly wise ilrawl.
"Not at ALL" Harriet had said.
"Ladybird and / are planning
trip" Nina had further. confided. 81
shall be eighteen In February, you
know, and we want TO go round the
world. Wouldn't It be wonderful to
go with her, for she's been about fifty
times -"
WONDERFUL" Harriet had been
obliged 10 cOncede.
"But, dearest child, what does your
father think7"
Father" Nina had shrugged re-
gretfully. But shall be of ugo !"
she had reminded her companion.
"Yes, know, dear. but Fathers
ward for another three years, you
know !"
"Why. Ladyblrd says"-the girl had
been ready. and had spoken with
flushed cheeks-"Ladybird says that
in that case Wen go anyway, and
she'll pay all expenses! That's the
kind OF friend she isl"
Lowell come fast enough after
ward !" Pilgrim had said and Harriet
thought Pilgrim was rather a wise
woman, In her homely way. The girl
stirred the fire and settled herself to
watch II.
After whatl Well. certainly not
after anything so short. simple and
unconyincing as that three minutes
with the clergyman today. The utter
unreality of that had seemed to blend
With the silent. snowy day. and with
the dulled and dreamy condition OF
her own brain. Snow was falling
softly when she had met Richard Car
ter at the Office, at half,past ten, and
dfsnow llsped against the windows Of