The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1922-04-01

| less bulk Ward had preceded ner by
| full minute, Richard was half a
| glorious boasting from the men, they
/ all rested there before the homeward
| swim. Harriet hardly spoke, her cup
/ was full to the brim with a mysterious
/ felicity born of the summer hour, the
! heaving waters, and the joyous mood
! Of father and son. When Richard
| praised her swimming she flushed in
| the severe blue cap, and the blue eyes
met his with the shy pleasure Of
| child. 1t was while she was hastily
dressing, In the hot bathhouse q little
later, that sudden thought came to
| her, and flushed the lovely face again,
and brought her TO a sudden pause
tremendous thought, that made
her breast rise suddenly, and her eyes
fix themselves vaguely on space for
a long, long minute. Her palms were
| damp, and she put them over her hot
cheeks. But that-she whispered In
| the deeps Of her soul, that was nom
sense!
Blondin had been waiting for Har-
| riet at the church door. Coming out,
she had indicated without q word that
he might walk beside her. The serv-
ice had been Unattended, and the few
women who drifted away from 1t did
not walk in their direction, so they
found themselves alone.
Harriet opened the conversation
with frank yet reluctant confession.
I'm so sorry, Roy!> But 1t Is only
fair to you to say that I've changed.
You will have to do what you think
fit about it, of course But I can't
pretend that rm-Tm playing your
game any longer"
What game" Blondin. falling into
graceful step beside her, asked pleas
antly.
Il mean any possible-idea you
might have of Nina!" Harriet said,
bravely.
"Oh, Nina!" he shrugged his shoul-
ders lightly. Don't take me too seri-
ously, Harriet" he said. "Why, when
ever we are alone together, should you
| pt oIhplAS DcSlh u CIOSS-QuCSlIOA Uuc
about that little personf'
Harriet made a faint, impatient
ejaculation
well, anyway, you know where
standi" she said.
and you know where do" he an
swered, after pause. II can see Car
ter has no particular enthusiasm for
mel suppose that's your work."
"You know where I stand" she
could only repeat. They had reached
the garden now, and were at the foot
of the steps.
81 don't quite see how you can take
that Tone" Blondin limited. "Do you
expect to marry the boyT
Harriet did not answer, except by
a faint shrug. Her heart was sick
with fright, but there was no reason
why he should be informed that she
had definitely broken with Ward. But
he had never come so near threat
before
"Of course 1 am entirely at your
mercy" she said, simply. Blondin
watched her for full moment Of ST.
lence before he said suddenly:
Look here. I'll make a bargain
with you. If you will consent not to
q make any allusion towel, to ten
years ago, I'll do the same. I'll give
you my solemn promise on it. Say
e what you please about me now. You're
a under no bond to protect me. can
t hold my own. But the past Is dead
Neither you nor 1 will speak Of II
t without agreeing to do so. How about
it,"
She hesitated, the black lashet
l. dropped, her restless hands twisting
s and tOrturing her handkerchief. II
l. protected her, she thought. while leav
h ing her free to oppose him.
), 'I'll agree" she said, finally.
S "Promise?"
r ooh, promise % She bit her lip, and
e frowned, as If she would add some
s thing more. But no words came, onl!
If her troubled eyes met his fully ant
It splendidly for second.
d Then with a brief, familiar nod sh,
RI turned, and without another wort
r went into the house.
g The morning dragged. It was dr..
e and hot, with promise Of a storm
later.
4. Madame Carriers breakfast had beel
d sent upstairs, and Mrs. Tabor ha'
D. joined her, for when the old lady sen
a message to Harriet, the two wome
N were together, in elaborate negliget
ID and a litter of Sunday papers wa
o. scattered about the beautiful bedroom
ID Upon Harriet's entrance Mrs. Tabo
gracefully rose to go, but she pause
Or for a pleasant good morning.
d. Alone with her determined old eI
Of envy, Harriet assumed her usual al
ID of respectful readiness. Madame Cal
t. ter had sent for herr
1e "Yes," said the old lady. lookin
aimlessly> about her before gatherin
IT, her garments together, and sinkin
into a chair. 81 wanted you to kno'
d. that the young people propose
drive to Easthampton, at about tw
|" o'clock-my granddaughter has bee
70 here, teasing Granny for the plan, an
10 I have consented. They will dir
there and be back at about-wel
IN after dinner"