The Elk Mountain pilot., 1922-02-09

told the children this; they have lot
of young people there over Christmas.
My mother and Nina are planning
some entertainment for New Years
night, and suppose this will end all
that; should suppose that Nina and
her brother must have a period of
mourning. 1 am deeply involved in
big project in Brazil, committee meet
ings all through january can't
swing 1t, that's all.
''Now, when we last talked of the
subject together" Richard pursued in
businesslike way, you objected to
the suggestion of marriage, because
my wife was then still alive. Am l
correct?"
"Yes, that's correct!" Harriet said,
voicelessly. She felt herself beginning
to tremble.
my purpose in coming today was
to suggest that, If that was your sole
objection" the man continued, pains
takingly, you might feel the situation
changed now. need you. We all do.
II it is my mother who makes it i'm
possible, or some other thing that L
cannot change-why, must get along
as best can. But my proposition Is
that you and 1 are quietly married
tomorrow; you come back tomorrow
night and announce 1t whenever you
see At. 1 may seem little matter-of
fact about this, Miss Field. but / am
hoping you understand. I am making
you an unsentimental business offer.
1 need you In my life and offer you
certain advantages which 1t would be
silly and schoolboyish for me to deny
possess. have n certain standing
in the community which even Mrs.
Carter's madness has not seemed to
impair seriously. The boy and the
girl both love you, and you have my
warmest friendship. Your position in
my household will be as free and in
dependent as was Isabelle's. do not
know whether you will consider this
a fair return for what 1 ask, for after
all you are giving your services for
life to the Carter household
"Now, this is of course entirely sub
ject to what pleases you In the mat
ter" he broke off, to say, emphatically.
II merely throw 1t out as a sugges-
ton. 1t would please me very much.
l would draw long breath of relief
to have 1t settled. Mrs. Tabor is
there-stays there; takes the head of
my table. I spent last night at the
club; l had cabled Pope-and expected
an answer, but my mother telephoned
me at three O'Clock this morning to
say that Ward and some of his friends
had gone out ice-skating. Wards
been dropped from his university.
can't have that sort of thing. you
known
"When-did you want me" Harriet
brought her beautiful eyes back from,
some far vista.
81 thought that If you could meet
me at my Office tomorrow would
have all the arrangements made
Nina is to be at the Hawkes.; SEND
the car for her at three. l thought
that you and she could go home to
gether to Crownlands. I'll have to he
in town that night"
"Home-to Crownlands" Suddenly
Harriet's lip quivered and her eyes
brimmed with tears. "I'll be very
glad to go back" she said In low
voice.
"Good" he said. II needn't tell
you how I feel about 1t; it helps me
out tremendously. Now, about tomor-
row. how would you like that to be?''
"Well," she laughed desperately
through her tears. Were Church of
England" She laughed again when
he took out his notebook and wrote
the words down.
"Once it's DONE" he said, reassur-
ingly, you'll see my mother and all
the rest of them come into line! 1t
puts you in definite position, and
although / may seem to be rushing and
confusing you now, there is more
peaceful time to cOme-well hope -
he added grimly. Here's Hansen
now. Lovely children" he added, of
the young Davenports and some init
mates who were tumbling out of the
car, lovely mother"
you'll not speak of this YETI" Har-
riet said, suddenly thinking Of David
and Linda. my sister might thinl.
1t lacked deliberation-so close upon
Mrs. Carter's death. I'd rather have
little time get things Strengthened
out"
"Oh, certainly-certainly!' She
could see he was relieved, was in
deed in cheerful spirits, as he gave
his furred hand to the children's nit
tened ones. They thanked him shrilly
and Hansen smiled warmly upon Har-
riet as he touched his cap. Then they
were gone. Linda, watching from the
window, thought that the chauffeur's
impressive. She came to the porch,
and Richard waved his farewell TO
them en- masse.