The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1922-06-08


ah, we'll, l couldn't
But when Fred's brother, David,
who was in dental college then. began
to like me, then they began TO make
light of it, Harriet remembered.
There had been no marriage. Of
course, either in law or in fact They
all knew that. And l suppose II had
married David II might have been hap
pier for me. But rs II was, L angered
them. l didn't want to marry David.
And so IL was what folly girls got
themselves into-what the world
thought of girl who had been talked
about'-what the least breath of scan
dial meanti'
'And you went back to Blondin?"
Richard suggested.
Il? No, l never saw him again until
a year ago in this garden" Harriet
said
You never saw him again 70 the man
CALCULATED.
Not for nine years 90
''But-my God. my dear girl, he
spoke of you as his wife," Richard
said.
HE said 1 had been. Not that was
now"
The man looked at her, looked away
at the river, and shrugged his Shout
ders as If he were mystified by the
ways of women.
"But-you were never his wife?" he
said. fatty.
"Oh. no! You didn't think" Harriet
said, hurt, that would have married
you. or anyone else, II had been,"
You let him blackmail you for
thatT' Richard further marveled.
81 knew-in my own mind, of course,
that l was not TO blame" the girl said,
anxfously. But II sounded-horrible."
Richard bit his lower lip, looked
critically at his racket, slowly shook
his head.
II didn't mind what any one
thought" Harriet said. reading his
thought. but they did! I"
'-They?" Richard repeated. patiently.
Everyone" she supplied. promptly.
your wife. your mother, Mary Put
naml Even Mrs Tabor"
81 suppose so I" he conceded, after a
pause. And beneath his breath he add
ed. "Isabelle-Ida Tabor !"
His tone was all she asked of ex-
quisite reinsurance.
81 hoped you wouldn'tl' she said,
standing up with clasped hands and
sudden Frightening Of her tired and col
Orless face. That's what i tried to
make myself believe you would feel
wanted so to leave all behind. / thought
he had gone, that IL was all over, that
what IL was mattered more than what
II -~1ded like / thought / could save
Nina better, with what / knew, than
any one elseI But last night" Harriet
added, proved to me that / had been
all wrong. I've been so worried" she
added, with utter farh In his decision.
81 don't know what you think we had
better do"
For a full minute Richard watched
her In silence. Then he said. mildly
about Nina. you mean?"
about everythingi" Harriet sudden
ly laughed gaily. ike a child. Life
seemed once more straight Esnd pleas
ant in this exquisite June morning /;
she felt puzzled. but somehow no long
er afraid. The menacing horrors Of all
the years. the vague uneasiness that
she had never quite dared to face. were
futtering about her awakening spirit
Ike AIice's pack of cards.
nina will come into line" her ia
ther said, thoughtfully; "she doesn't
know what she wants. l wish-I wish
he loved heri" he added, with a faint
fro~rn. "I'Il see him about 1t again.
Well take her to Rio. She'll get over
It."
"And-" Harriet stopped, and began
again: "And do you want things to go
on just as they are?" she asked.
For answer Richard smiled at her In
silence.
mo" he said. finally. "I can't say
that / do. / want you to worry less.
and to buy yourself some new gowns.
and to begin to enjoy life! Shake
speare had you down fine when he
talked about conscience making cow
ards of us all. What did you do IT fort
A young. capable. good-looking gil
scared by a lot of old womeni Now,
wen take up this Nina question. later
on. You'd better go up and get your
self some coffee. and go to bed for
awhile. Better plan to be I'm town for
q day or two, Tor your Dotn neeo
clothes for the steamer"
you're very kind" the girl said. eyes
averted, voice almost inaudible. They
were both standing now. Harriet's head
turned aside, so that he could not see
her face, but her soft fingers resting In
his.
I'm not kind at all!" Richard said.
with a rather confused laugh. He pat
ted her hand encouragingly. 1.-The sea
trip will shake both you and Nina up.
and do you a world of good." he said.
"You think" Harriet raised the
soft. dark lashes. and her splendid,
weary eyes met his. you really aren't
worried about Ninar
And she tried by very faint stirring
If her fingers to free them and. finding
them held. dropped her eyes again.