The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1922-04-27


developed since luncheon.
Whatever the erect on Amy and the
eoun- Iuei. 10 Niua this was stag
-oriu- blow. She had triumphed all
through luncheon. had laughed and
-hailalcd lad made Ward telephone
dinner reservation for I'VE. and had
assumed hundred coquetJiSh airs.
Now AN this crumpled. faded away,
and Harriet knew. as she stood be-
side the ear looking down at the folded
light rug ON her arm, that she was
ready 10 cry.
no. you'u have "A far nicer time
without me" said Royal, throwing
away his cigarette and resting one
arm ON the car. Il wouldn't Interfere.
/ because I knew you'd all give Il up
I You just all have perfectly wonder
ful time and I'm be down next week
+ end and hear about ~"
Nina stood irresolute; too choked
with sudden disappointment To risk
I her voice. II was all hateful. madden
ing. horrible, Those two boys and
Auy--ah. there would be no fun"
nowi She ioathed Amy, getting IN So
/ briskly. and saying. Come on, Nina :"
I She hated Ward, she wished that they
\ were ai dead, and herself. too.
The storm came at Good Ground.
! and they all hal 20 scramble with cur
\ taius. smelly" curtains, Nina called
/ them. And the dinner was eaten In
warm. sticky half darkness on "A hotel
I porch. with horrible music making
/ horrible racket. according 10 the same
I authority. saunders and Amy held
I hands all the way home. too. and Nina
I thought IL was disgusting; everyone
/ was too tired 10 talk. they bounced
along silently and GROSSLY.
And upon getting home, Miss Har-
I riet came out Of the shadows on the
por h. looking perfectly exquisite In
/ D.. new gown. sWeytiy interested and
| ,Is ruL She sail that she was so
sorry the dinner was poor. they had
Lad such "A nire dinner AT home. and
that she had had "A talk with their
! father and they were 10 90 back to
| Crownlands next week. Nina did not
see Blondin: for the first time in her
life She cried herself 10 sleep.
Harriet had assuredly triumphed.
hut IL 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 a re
Taxed day az the club and a mood Of
fricndlmess. had specifically instruct
I'd her that she was 70 dine with the
family ON all occasions. and 70 dress
rs the others did. and TO regard her
-.
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 afTectionate famil-
iarities Of the Carter children Rich
ards friends took their enc from him.
as was natural. and In the first early
winter dinner parties al CrOwnlands
Harriet could not but sparkle and
lead; she had reached her own level
at last.
A sense Of well-being and happiness
began 10 envelop Richard Carter for
the first time In many years. He was
conscious OF a desire 10 express his
appreciation 10 Miss Field. II was
natural that this should take the form
of money; a little present in the form
of a check. She had a sister who was
not rich; she would like to go home
with laden hands. But the question
! was. how much7
He was musing over this very point
! and other matters of deeper moment
one morning when Harriet herself
4 IN ha cd 10 xsvftf
] her usual bright nod but he thought
she looked pale and troubled.
mir. Carter" she said, bravely coins
\ to the point, "do you think Nina II
able. with your mothers help, to man
i age your hOuse7"
Richard looked at her silently fo
perhaps two minutes. Then he said
quietly:
'Mr. Blondin. eh7'
The girl looked bewildered
q "My mother has given me hint. In
4 deed I've seen. that he would want q
8 take you away from u.s." Richard said
q Harriet. without any show of emo
4 ton, looked down, and was silent 4
p her turn. But II was not. he saw wit
y surprise. the silence OF confusion. o.
- the contrary. she seemed simply
little thoughtful and puzzled.
"Mr. Carter" she said presently.
have reason 10 believe that Mr.. Blor
din would be very bad husband 10
Nina. / had no scrupIe in--in diver
Ing his thoughts But II he was IN
only man in the world"-and To hi
surprise. she slowly got to her fee
and spoke as If 10 herself. her eye
fixed far away-'I would sooner ki
him than marry him." she said.
Richard sat genuinely dumfOunde'
Her beauty her assurance. and n
clevernesS with which she had mai
aged that Blondin's allegiance shoul
he temporarily shifted from his ov
daughter. held him mute. II was wit
the charm Of watching perfect actin
that he followed this extremely anu
ing and unexpected woman