Vernon Parish Democrat., 1922-05-04

gan, on a fresh track, shat 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 allw Il 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 l love himP
Richards eyes widened with whim-
sical amusement again.
$50 you've refused Ward, have
your"
Long ago." she answered simply.
The man laughed; but 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. 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-rhy dear girl,
that will keep me going like a slave
for months. perhaps years won't
know when am to be home, or what
shall have to cancel. l suppose
can't convince you how badly we need
you. My mother-weil she has always
taken life that way; she can't change
now. 1 shall have Ida Tabor as a fix
ture here, suppose, Nina running
wild, Ward never homel You-you
! give me exactly what / want herel
Good dinners, fires, hospitality, good
report from Nina and Ward; can
bring men home, can" He mused,
with a smile touching his fine, tired
face. "In short, 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 againT"
Harriet laughed, sighed sharply i'm
mediately upon the laugh.
Unfortunately, there isn't such
man." she said. And she added, Gwen
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
Field" he said suddenly, looking up.
II don't know how this will strike
you; it has occurred to me before
Gardiner limited it-or I thought he
did, and the more think Of it the
more possible 1t seems. You are a
business woman and I am a business
man. You know exactly what l am,
exactly what occurred In my married
life, after twenty-five years. That
that sort of thing is over, 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 If under a spell.
"You mean" Her voice failed
her.
II mean marriage. mean that you
and I shall quietly get married in a
few weeks, when 1 am Free" he an
swered. 81 have just indicated to you
what it would mean to me. hope"
he added, watching her closely, as she
sat stunned and silent, II hope that it
would also have it's advantages to you.
Your position then would be unques-
tionable, my mother-Nina-th world,
would have nothing to say. Your in
fluence on Ward is the one thing that
may save the 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 1t !"
The swift uprushing Of Joy in Har-
riet's heart was accompanied with the
first agonies Of renunciation, 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 that seemed to
drown out all the past and all the fu-
ture- everything except that she loved
him and he needed her But when she
spoke it was as cOOlly as he:
'NIr. Carter-what Of your wifeT'
His eyes met hers wearIly.
"Divorce proceedings were insti-
tuted Immediately 1t was definitely es-
tabllshed 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 hesltated,
"you mean you-that You regard me
as married stinP'
Harriet, mute with emotions abso-
lutely OverpOwering, nodded without
speaking,
"WIll you-win you let me think
about itT she faltered. A sudden
brightness came into his face. "You
know how I was brought up to think
of divorce" she went on pleadingIy
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