The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1922-06-01

took his chair again and reached
toward the bell that would have
brought Bottomley to summon Nina
in turn. But halfway 10 the bell his
resolution wavered disappeared. In
stead, he rested his elbows on the
table, and his head in his hands, and
there sounded from his chest great
sigh that was almost grOan.
on. he was tired-he was tired-he
was tired 1t was all mess-the boy.
the girl, their mother. his own ar
ranGements for their protection and
safety. All mess.
She had been beautiful, that girl,
with her golden hair IN the lamplight.
and her white arms little raised TO
rest her locked hands on the chair.
Like some superb actress of tragedy
sons splendid and sullen prisoner at
the bar. The slender figure in the dull
Wrapping of satin, and the white bos-
ON, had looked So young. so virginia..
the blue eyes were so honestly fright
ened and ashamed. And she had been
that Founders wife-in his armsi Di-
vorced. Harriet Field? Poor girl.
cOrnered by this INSCRIPTIONS scoun-
dragged up like the muddy bottom of
a river. staining and clouding the
clear waters And what a look she
had given him, there under the lamp,
Its a funny code" he unused. Bar
barians, that's what we are, when IL
comes to women. Nina, Ida, Isabelle,
Harriet-all of them pay for the man
made rule! / shouldn't have forced
her hand In this business marriage !;
IL was taking an advantage of her No
woman wants TO marry for anything
but love. and If she had married for
love, she would have made a clean
breast of this old affair of course. I
didn't exact that. We've made a nice
mess of It, all aroundi
II mustn't let her work herself into
fever over all this !" he fo&nd him
self thinking
But Nina must be the first consider
alton. He must plan for Nina. He
brought his thoughts back resolutely-
his daughter must break her engage
ment now, there was that much gained.
And for the journey TO Rio
But why didn't she tell met" he
interrupted himself, suddenly. The
reference was not to Nina. Again he
saw the superb white shoulders in the
soft flood of lamplght, and the flash
of the blue eyes that turned toward
Blondin
"She could have killed himi" Rich
ard said. MY God how she Will love
when she does IOve!"
~
bitterest hour OF her life She had
reached a crossroads, and with steady
| fingers and an anguished heart she
| prepared for the only step that to her
| whirling brain and shamed soul
seemed possible. She must disappear
| There was no alternative.
She had harmed them all, they could
only think of her now as an unscrupu
lous and mischievous woman who haC
| by chance entered their lives wheI
! they were all in desperate need Of wis
dom and guidance. who had played
her own contemplate game, and added
one more hurt to the hurt reputation
OF the house of Carter.
| Harriet got out of her evening gown
and into loose wrapper. She went
about somewhat aiInlessly. yet the
suitcases, spread open on the bed
were gradually filed. and her per
sonal possessions gradually disap
peared from tables and walls. Now
and then she stopped short, heartsici
and trembling; once her lips quivered
and her eyes filed. but for the most
part she did not pause.
| Nina at about eleven had come t(
the door between their rooms, and
opened Ii. The girl was undressed
and for a few moments she watched
Harriet scowlingly, with narrowed
eyes.
"Are you going awayf" she said
presently. Harriet brought heavy
eyes TO meet hers, and stood consider
Ing a minute. as II bringing heI
thoughts back long distance.
"I-goiag away? Yes" she said
slowly. Yes, / may"
| Nina stood watching, which seemed
vaguely to trouble Harriet, who gave
her a restless glance now and then as
she went to and fro. Presently she
spoke to Nina again.
Goodnight. Nina"
Goodnight" snapped Nina, and
| the door slammed.
Harriet continued to move about fol
| perhaps half an hour before Nlna'i
odd manner required to her, on a wave
OF memory, and she seemed to hear
again Nina's ungracious tone.
He told herr she said, suddenly
"She saw Royal and he told her Poor