The Elk Mountain pilot., 1922-04-13
CHAPTER XVI.

fact that their secret was all their own
was all the more enchanting TO the
domestic. staff, to the children, to the
smooth way. Mr.. Carter would be in
town tonight, Mr.. Carter was detained
ut the Office, Mrs. Carter was chaperon-
ing the young people. there We're flow
ers for Mrs. Carter. That was all Bot
tomley and Pilgrim and Ward and Nj
ma saw.
But to Harriet and Richard the de-
licious, secret game of hide-and- -go-seek
made everything else in the world III
significant. Harriet opened the boxes
of flowers he sent her with heart suf-
focating with Joy. Richard consented
to be absent from the dinner table
over which she presided with an NJ.
ony of remuneration that almost made
him feel i'll. When he CHANGED one dae
to meet her with Nina, in breezy.
awninged summer restaurant, the
sight of the slender figure thrilled hini
as he had never been thrilled by ali,
woman he had ever known. He was
day he bought her shoes :; In the shop
she looked at him for approval. he
thought the shoes, low shoes with
buckles, that showed the slik-clad an
kle, very suitable and pretty. He was
thrown into sudden confusion when
the shoe clerk turned to him with a
murmured mention of the price
Ten dollars? Richard fumbled for
his purse. He had met her walking
alone in the Avenue; she had said that
she must get shoes. Hundreds Of other
men were presumably buying their
wives shoes, up and down the bril-
liant street. But Richard found the
adventure shaking to the soul.
They're lovely Shoes" Harriet said,
as they walked out into the sunshine.
She told him that she was to meet
Nina at his mothers at five. Richard.
with sudden eagerness, wondered If
she would spend the interval in hav-
ing tea somewhere, but instead they
went into bookshop, and she carried
a new book triumphantly away. ITS
a frightful day In town." Harriet said
land If we're a little early we may
all get away. to the country that much
soOner!"
She established herself contentedly
beside him when they did finally start
for Crownlands. Ward, beside Han
sen. did most Of the talking; Nina was
silent. and Harriet noticed that she
was very pale. Richard was repeat
ing to himself one phrase all the way
phrase that he found SO thrilling
and absorbing that 1t was enough to
keep him from speaking aloud, or lis
tening to what the others said
81 love her-I love her-I love her!"
thought Richard. And sometimes he
glanced sidewise at her, her beautiful
hair rippllng in thick waves under the
thin veil, her face little pale from
the heat of the day. her glorious eyes
family shadowed. When the swift
movement of the car brought her
shoulder against his, their eyes met
for smiling second. and it seemed to
Richard that his heart brimmed with
the most delicious emotion that he~had
ever known.
Nina complained of headache
when they reached home, and went
early to bed. Harriet, when she had
tubbed and changed to an evening
gown. glanced in at Nina, and thought
the girl asleep. There were men
guests for dinner, and afterward there
was bridge. Harriet sat with Madame
Carter for awhile, for the old lady had
also dined upstairs. went about the
house upon her usual errands, and,
going to her own room, found Nina
reading. at about ten o'clock. Nina
did not look up or speak as Harriet
came In.
The door that led to Richards room
was not only unlocked, but actually
niar Harriet gave 1t surprised
glance. and spoke to Nina. In the next
room.
Nina. did you unlock this doorT
what door?" Nina called. "Oh,
yes :" she added. 81 did"
"Oh," Harriet murmured. And she
stepped to the door. and looked into
Richards room.
1t was n sort of upstairs sitting
room. furnished simply, in man
fashion, with deep leather chairs on
each side of the fireplace. broad tables
carrying only the essential lamps and
ashtrays. n shabby desk where Rich
ard kept personal papers. and book
shelves crammod with novels. Har-
'iet. making a. tlmid round. saw Bal
'nc and Dickens. Dumas and Fielding.
several Shnkespearcs and complete
Meredith. iostlng elbows with modern
novels in bright Jackets. and yellow
French romances losing their paper
.nNsrs.
Suddenly her heart turned to water;
some tiny sound in the silence warn
n. her that some one had entered