Ellsworth American., 1922-05-31
THE OTHER MAN
BY JOAN N. GRAY
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|
Marie wanted the man Harriet loved
and Marie worked until she got him
| Mare was Harriets best friend and
| mad ali the opportunities in the world
and used them Harriet had liked
| the man very much and they had been
| inseparable for years. He had been
everything to her since her mothers
| death and she had taken 1t for granted
that they would always be everything
| to each other.
| She returned Unexpectedly from
visit to a dance at the Country club
and found them there together She
| packed her things and went to live
with Aunt Harriet.
Aunt Harriet invited her husbands
nephew out for weekend, knowing
| that heart can be caught ON the re-
bound
Harriet met Richard and Richard
| fell III love with Harriet. She ac-
cepted it all with maddening half
smile plainly showing that she didn't
| believe it.
Don't smile like tnat,. Harriet" he
| pleaded. You're too sweet to be cyni-
| cal'
I'm not cynical I'm just very, very
| careful" she returned. Il do not in
| tend to let you make me think you
love me and then nave you leave me
for the first attractive girl who smiles
| at you"
Look at me-" he SAID. someone
has done something to turn you against
everything. It's not pose and it's
not broken heart you're hiding. It's
wounded pride Harriet, give me
chance!"
Its not wounded pride and don't
want to talk to you again.
But you are going to Mrs. Her
ricks dance with meY'
Dick was wonderful dancer "Well,
Ae-es,' said Harriet, "but l don't want
to see you again until then,' and left
him staring moodily at the fire.
When Harriet came down the stairs
dressed for the dance, it was decided
ly pleasant to have Dick waiting for
her and to hear him say that she
looked lovely in her crisp little rose
frock. She shut her heart to all soft
ness and kept the conversation on
safe basis.
They entered Myra Herrick's pretty
living room, now stripped bare for
dancing, and greeted her. With a
shock Harriet saw Marie and the man.
She passed them with little nod and
introduced Dick to a group of friends
amid the amused glances of many
eyes She would show them!
The evening wore on and Marie and
the man were outcasts as far as Har-
riet and Dick were concerned.
Harriet suddenly became aware that
Marie was smiling at Dick and that
Dick was not aloef.
Lets go out and sit on the stairs"
she said to Dick. The stairs were
shadowy. Dicks heart leaped.
"Would you like an ice?" he asked
as she dropped down near the top. She
nodded wearily and he went down to
fetch one. She got up and walked
along the palm-embowered balcony,
looking down upon the dancers passing
the door. Suddenly she stitfened.
Richard was dancing with Mare
She dropped into a chair, her face
white. Suddenly the man stood before
her Harriet" he said softly, 'you
don't think much Of me, do your
81 did" she said duly.
"Dear little girl" the IN ex-
claimed, "do you love this splendid
Dick? 1t was l made him dance with
Marie! l wanted this talk with you.
"You mean-he knows about us?'
mo. l had hoped you'd take me
back-and tell him yourself. Harriet.
think I've missed you horribly. Won't
you take me back?"
mo. not" she cried. They're COM
ing up the stairs. Go and take Marie
away"
The man looked at her strangely
moment and turned away and left her.
She saw him laugh moment with
Dick and turn away with Marie. Dick
came to her with white face and grim
mouth.
Harriet. what is that man to your
"Oh. Dick he-he-"
"Tell me, Harriet"
"Dick, he's my fatherr' she said
tragically.
"Your Father!" Dick answered.
ooh, Dick, loved my dad and he
loved me, and he loved mother so.
How could he let Marie take her place?
He was the only dad had and I was
the only child he had and yet he's let
me be so lonely! Can't you under
stand?"
Eyes, dear. You're the one it's hard
on. Your father and Marie seem hap
py."
"They are-selfishly."
!, "Marie, perhaps, but not your faith
er. He wants your forgiveness ter
| ribly."
They sat together side by side.
/ Harriet" Dick said, will you mar
ry me?"
Dick had never seen this tremulous