The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1922-05-18

4
| Harriet. smiling as she slipped her iel'
arm about Nina. and gave the free
| hand 10 NIna's father She was APP
parently cool and unself-conscious; III
waFdly she felt feverish. frightened
and excited and happy. all at once
Richard was ia evening dress. too; ne
looked his best his dark hair brushed
10 . shining crest. and his gray eyes
fun Of pleasure
We'll Miss Field" he said. III
tie breathlessly. Well Your vaea-
ton hasn't done you any harm -
I'VE had 10 make all occasion or
our coming home :" Harriet said. with
a nervous laugh. trying not TO see the
admiration in his eyes.
You look wonderful 80 Nina said.
why. YOU saw this gown at Mas
sau." Harriet protested.
"LOuise-or whoever she was OF
Prussia. or whatever you call H.
turned In the family vault when you
walked down these stairs 80 Ward
said. "OO-oo-csught you under the
mistletOe-OO-oo. you wOuld" he
added with al effort to enyelOp her
In his embrace
Ward. behave yourselff' Harriet
said. evading him. and walking toward
the dining room with his grandmother.
who came downstairs in her turn. and
Joined them.
Richard Carter watched her. the IN
carnation OF young and beautiful
womanhOod. Clever ne knew her to
be. capable and conscientious but to-
night she was In a new role. He liked
10 see her there at ths other end OF
the table: he realized that she was the
center OF things. here In his house.
and that he had missed her
After dinner II CHANGED that Bot
tomiey called her to the telephone,
and that a -loment later she passed
the call on 10 Richard.
"It's MIR Gardiner. Mr.. Carter. He
didn't know that you were here, but
ne would rather speak TO you" Har-
riet said. Richard went 10 the tele-
phone. and as she moved to make
room for him, and gave him the re-
ceiyer. he had sudden breath OF the
sweetness and freshness OF her, Of
rustling satin gown. and the little
handkerchief that she dropped, and
that he picked up for her. He smiled
as he gave II. and flushed inexplicably,
aud his first few words 10 the bewu-
dered Gardiner were little shaken
and breathless. But Richard was quite
himself again an hour or two later.
when he sent for Miss Field. and she
came into the library.
"I needn't say that I'm entirely
pleased with the way matters have
gone. Harriet" said Richard. when she
had seated herself on the opposite
side OF his big fiat desk, and locking
her white hands ON the shining sur
face. had fixed her magnificent eyes on
him. Nina seems In fine shape. and
i have never seen my mother better.
aging the Carriers. I'm seriously con-
sidering an offer from Gardiner; he's
got 10 take his boy out 10 Nevada for
his health. Ward wants 10 60 and
would very probably like II when he
got there. I hope he will try IL any
how So that leaves Nina. who r.
safe enough with you. and my mother.
who seems perfectly we'll and happy.
Meanwhile while you've been gone
we've gotten the Brazilian cOmpan,
well started. so that l shall have a III
lie more freedom than I've had for
years.
you look as IL you needed IT," Har-
net observed.
You look wonderful" Richard re-
turned. simply. Wonderful Is that
J new gown
well. had II made last November
lust before ! went away Mrs. Carter
gave NE the material q year ago"
glanced down at herself and
,miled.
You might wear pearls-or some
IT." Richard said. do you
ike pearlsr'
IL was astonishing to see the color
rome up In her dusky skin her eyes
net his almost pieadingly.
"Why-I never thoughti' she said.
n some confusion.
Il suppose a man may ask his wife
4 she likes pearisr'' Richard said. i'm
oelled by some feeling he did not de-
Inc. He had leaned back In his chair.
md halr-closed his eyes. as he studied
her
.Oh-please Harriet said IN an
agony. She gave Mortified glance
about. but the library Was closed and
silent. "Some one might fsar you"
she whispered. And q moment later
she rose TO her feet. and eyed him
quietly. WAS that all. Mr. Carterr
she asked. 1t was Richards turn to
ook a trihe confused.
That's all-my dear!" he said.
The term made her flush
again He was still smiling when she
closed the dO0r