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

affectionate interest. Harriet had
grown pale and had Fixed her eyes
upon his a. II under d spell.
You mean" Her voice failed
her
II mean marriage. | mean that you
and / shall quietly get married in ii
few weeks. when | am free" he an
swered Il have just indicated 10 you
what it would mean TO me. l hope"
he added. watching her closely, as she
sat stunned and silent. 81 hope that IL
would also have it's advantages 70 you.
Your position then would be unques-
tiOuable my Nina-the world,
would have nothing 10 say. Your in
fuence on Ward is the one thing that
may save the boy. or Nina we've
already spoken. My mother know
her would Immediately become the
champion OF her sons wife. There
would be three days buzZing-that
would end IT."
The swift uprushing OF JOY In Har-
riet'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 trenbled now with an
exquisite emotion that seemed TO
drown out all the past and all the fu-
ture-everything except that she loved
him and he needed herl But when she
spoke IL was as coolly as he:
MFR. Carter-what of your wifeY'
His eyes met hers YEARLY.
Divorce proceedings We're insti-
tuted Immediately 1t was definitely es-
tabliShed she had gone with young
pope The decree will 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 stillT'
Harriet, mute with emotions abso-
lutely oyerpowering, nodded without
speaking.
"Will you-will you let me think
about it?" she faltered. A sudden
brightness came into his face. You
know how / was brought up TO think
of divorce" she went on pleadingly.
I've made plenty OF mistakes in my
life, but I've never deliberately done
what felt was wrong"
"And this would beg Richard asked
slowly
we'll haven't thought about II ~
she answered slowly. My people
my sister and her husband-would
say so II would have said SO OF
some other woman
This would not be an ordinary
| marriage; you would be entirely youl
own mistress" Richard said. witt
| quiet significance. 1T would be &
marriage only in the eyes OF th'
| world"
| II see" She said Il must hav
time To think about 20
"As long as you likei' She hat
risen. and now he rose, too, and wen
with her to the library door ant
! opened II for her when you decide
come and tell me-" he said. bowling.
She turned to give him a partin
smile. with desperate wish 10 tel
him half the honor and Joy she woul'
feel In taking his name. in sharing hi
responsibilities, but the pleasantly i'm
personal nod he gave her chilled tn
words unspoken. Harriet fed to he
room.
"My chance" she whispered. press
Ing her cold finger tips TO her no
| cheeks. my chance at lasf-and
can't take IT. No. can't take it
don't care what his world does c
thinks-my world doesn't permit 1t
No-I can't. Not a divorced man, NJ
q man with a living wifel I've bee
fool-Tve been wrong. plenty c
times. but I've never committed ny
self TO folly and wrongl"
She stared blindly ahead of he
After a while she spoke again, hal
aloud:
"Oh. but why does II have to /
this way! II could go TO him, re
him what he means TO me, II we wei
poor-if we could take little plaS
next TO Linda-never to see Nina {
his mother or Ward or Roy again
| Oh. what heaven! How / should 10,
; IL, planning for things together, 4
Linda and Fred did, having him con
home 10 me every night!
But It isn't that way" Harriet su
denly recalled herself sensibly, 'ar
IL Is folly even to think about It'll
Is a rich man, and a married ma
and that ends II. That ends IT."
A great desolation swept her spirt
She fell from bitter musing to weake
ing. The law permitted It. after a
Plenty OF good women had shown h
the way. The family needed her; 81
!, might do good here. And above a
i she loved him.
She heard stirring I'm the be
room.
what time Is IL, Rosa?' she Gale
suddenly aware of weakness al
fatigue.
= MY goodness, how you frighten
me. Miss Field, It's just noon"
a do you happen TO know If Mr.. ca
n ter is still dOwnstairs?"
"Yes'm, he Is; he's expecting n
q Fox to come"
II | Horr;a, crnnnfbad har tnrOhipd his