The Holbrook news., 1922-02-10


 when Nina called him half-laughing, half-daring, We're ready, Mir. Blon- din,' he sauntered down to the car with his pleasantest expression, but with the regretful statement that he was not going: vicious headache had developed since luncheon.
 Whatever the effect on Amy and the young men, to Nina this was a stag gering blow. She had triumphed all through luncheon, had laughed and chattered, had made Ward telephone dinner reservation for five, and had assumed a hundred coquettish airs. Now all this crumpled, faded away, and Harriet knew, as she stood be- side the car looking down at the folded light rug on her arm, that she was ready to cry.
 No, you'll have a far nicer time without n,e," said Royal, throwing away his cigarette, and resting one arm on the car "I wouldn't interfere, because I knew you'd all give 1t upl You just all have perfectly wonder full time, and I'll be down next week end and hear about it"
 Nina stood irresolute; too choked with sudden disappointment to risk her voice. It was all hateful, madden ing, horrible! Those two boys and Amy-ah, there would be no fun" now. She loathed Amy, getting in so briskly, and saying, Come on, Nina '" She hated Ward, she wished that the. were all dead, and herself, too.
 The storm came at Good Ground, and they all had to scramble with cur tains, smelly" curtains, Nina called them. And the dinner was eaten in warm, sticky half-darkness on a hotel porch, with horrible music making horrible racket, according to the same authority. Saunders and Amy held hands all the way home, too, and Nina thought it was disgusting; everyone was too tired to talk, they bounced slong silently and grossly.
 And upon getting home, Miss Har- rjet came out of the shadows on the porch. looking perfectly exquisite In her new gown, sweetly interested and cheerful She said that she was so sorry the dinner was poor, they had had such nice dinner at home, and that she had had talk with their father, and they were to go back to Crownlands next week. Nina did not see Blondin; for the first time in her life she cried herself to sleep.
 Harriet had assuredly triumphed. but it was on terms that for more than one reason did not entirely please her. Richard, finding the pretty secretary prettier than ever in her blue gown, and warmed by re- faxed day at the club and a mood of friendliness, had specifically instruct ed her that she was to dine with the family on all occasions, and to dress as the others did, and to regard her self as "a member of the family" And this. Harriet was quick to realize, placed her in a peculiar position, made difficult by Richards kindly cham pioning no less than his mothers hos tility, by the adoring sympathy of the servants, and the affectiOnate famil- iarities of the Carter children. Rich ards friends took their cue from him, as was natural, and in the first early winter dinner parties at Crownlands Harriet could not but sparkle and lead; she had reached her own level at last.
 A sense of well-being and happiness the first time in many years. He was conscious of a desire to express his appreciation to Miss Field. IL was natural that this should take the form of money; little present, in the form of a check. She had sister who was not rich; she would like to go home with laden hands. But the question was, how much?
 He was musing over this very point and other matters of deeper moment one morning when Harriet herself came in. She returned his smile with her usual bright nod. but he thought she looked pale and troubled.
 "Mr. Carter" she said, bravely going to the point, do you think Nina Is able, with your mothers help, to man. age your house?"
 Richard looked at her silently for perhaps two minutes. Then he said, quietly:
 "Mr. Blondin, eh?'
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 My mother has given me hint, h. deed I've seen, that he would want to take you away from us :" Richard said.
 Harriet, without any show of emo- ton, looked down, and was silent in her turn. But it was not, he saw with surprise the silence of confusion. On the contrary she seemed simply a little thoughtful and puzzled.
 "Mr. Carter" she said presently, q have reason to believe that Mir. RlOn- din would he very bad husband for Nina. I had no scruple in-in divert ing his thoughts. But if he was the only man in the wOrld"-and to his surprise. she slowly got to her feet, and spoke as if to herself her eyes fixed far away-"I would sooner kill him than marry him." she said.
 Richard sat genuinely dumfOunded. Her beauty, her assurance, and the cleverness with which she had man. aged that Blondin's allegiance should be temporarily shifted from his own daughter, held him mute. It was with the charm of watching perfect acting that he followed this extremely anus ing and unexpected woman.
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