, 1922-06-21

gan, on a fresh track, 'that you and
the boy might fancy each other. I'm
not satisfied with Ward. He needs an
anchor. That would be a solution for
us ALL" 1t was a random shot. but
to his surprise she flushed brightly.
Ward knows that there is no
chance of that" she said. quickly,
dearly as / owe him I"
Richards eyes .widened with whim-
steal amusement again.
$50 you've refused Ward. have
you"
"Long ago" she answered simply.
The mar laughed but a moment later
his face grew dark and troubled again
as he said
II hardly know what to dol The
girl is the first consideration, of
course. and She needs you. l feel that
she is not only safe. but happy, when
you are here. I've unfortunately
reached a place where I've got to feel
free. You've heard us all talk of this
new asbestos merger-my deal girl.
that will keep me going like a slave
for months. perhaps yearsl 1 won't
know when / am to be home, or what
l shall have to cancel. l suppose I
can't convince you how badly we need
you. My mother-well, she has always
taken life that way she can't change
now. / shall have Ida Tabor as a fix
ture here. l suppose, Nina running
wild. Ward never homel You-you
give me exactly what / want herel
Good dinners, fires, hospitality, a good
report from Nina and Ward; 1 can
bring men home, l can" He unused,
with a smile touching his fine, tired
face. ain short, l wish there was some
fortunate young man somewhere to
make you Mrs. Smith or Jones, Miss
Field, and let you come back to the
Carriers Immediately again"
Harriet laughed. sighed sharply i'm
mediately upon the laugh.
Unfortunately, there isn't such a
man." she said. And she added, Even
a widow, sometimes, is vulnerable"
Richard smiled, but some sudden
thought made the smile but an absent
one, and he sat quite obviously plunged
in meditation for a long minute.
Here's another suggestion. Miss
EiCib, hC ohiu 6uouCiilJt uD4
II don't know how this viii strike
you; 1t has occurred to me before.
Gardiner limited tor / thought he
did. and the more | think of 1t the
more possible 1t seems You are a
business woman and / am a business
man. You know exactly what I am,
exactly what occurred In my married
life, after twenty-five years. That
that sort of thing Is oyer, of course.
But there is that way of settling it. If
you care TO consider it"
He paused, with a questioning look
of encouragement, embarrassment and
affectionate interest. Harriet had
grown pale and had fixed her eyes
upon his as IL under a spell.
"You Her voice failed
her.
II mean marriage. / mean thai you
n l shall quietly get married in a
few weeks. when / am Free" ne an
swered. 81 have just indicated to you
what 1t would mean to me. l hope"
he added. watching her closely, as she
sat stunned and silent, 81 hope that 1t
would also have its advantages to you.
Your position hen would be q
tionable, my mother-Nina-the world.
would have nothing to say. Your In
iuence on Ward is the one thing that
may save he boy. OF Nina we've
already spoken. My mother-I know
her would Immediately become the
champion of her sons wife. There
would be a three days buzzing-that
would end i'll"
The swift uprushing of JOY in Har-
rlet's heart was accompanied with the
first agonies of remuneration, was per-
haps all the more poignantly sweet
because of them. She had not come
to this hour without knowing what he
meant to her, this quiet man with the
/ splendid mouth and the keen gray
eyes. and she trembled now with an
exquisite emotion hat seemed to
drown out all the past and all the flu
ture-everythIng except that she loved
him and he needed herl But when she
spoke 1t was as coolly as he:
"Mr. Carter-what of your wife?"
His eyes met hers YEARLY.
divorce proceedings were insti-
tuted Immediately 1t was definitely es-
tablished she had gone with young
Pope. The decree win be absolute"
But that will not-cannot alter the
situation Harriet faltered.
"You mean" the man hesItated,
you mean you-that you regard me
as married stiliT"
Harriet, mute with emotions abso-
lutely overpowerlng. nodded without
speaking.
"Will you-will you let me think
about itT" she faltered. A sudden
brightness came into his face. nYou
know how ! was brought up to think
OF divorce" she went on pleadingly.
"Pve made plenty Of mistakes in my
life, but I've never deliberately done
vvbat I colt ~ ,rroruu