The Elk Mountain pilot., 1922-03-02

the whole thing was. and just how
clearly she had foreseen Ii. She WIS
still listening respectfully. If trife
confusrdly, when Wnrd bounded from
the house. and. give her an effusve
embrace h -l sls4 f
Hello. Mamma :" Ward said. Har-
riet laughed. as she pushed away the
filial arm. Hardly knowing what she
said or did she r,a,ic her way to the
house. and up to lier own room.
But here in N'nu's room. were Nina
and Mrs. Tabor and from their eyes,
rs she came in, she knew that they
knew. Nina got uI,, and came for
ward with s"rt of sulky gracious
ness.
Il hope you'll he very happy, Miss
Harriet suppos" I ouuhfn't to call
you Miss Ilnrriet nny more" Nina
$ lid. with an effort to smile that Har-
riet thought quite yi,nstly She gave
Harriet one Of her hig hands, and hesi-
tated over II kiss But they did not
kiss each other.
At luncheon everything was exactly
as usual; Richard had gone to the
city, not to return for night or two.
and several social engagements dis
tracted the young people from the con
temptation Of their fathers affairs.
Harriet had not dared to hope that
they would accept the situation so
quietly, or that the world would
There were callers on the terrace
every afternoon, there were pleasant
congratulations and good wishes,
there were few paragraphs in the
social weeklies. Richard had for
years been too busy for mere enter
tanning, and the dinner parties and
luncheons to the new Mrs. Carter, It
was generally felt, must wait until
next season.
To glance at the gold ring on her
finger made Harriet feel as II hap
piness almost shameful was barred to
view. Her new position. modestly as
she filled it, was yet high position.
She saw Richards growing affection
and trust, If he did not. She could
afford to wait.
"But when are you and Dick Carter
going to dine with us?" Mary Putnam
said, one afternoon, at tea. Madame
Carter. whose Victorian ideal of ro-
nance was not Mt all dissatisfied with
the idea Of the employer marrying his
daughters beautiful governess, smiled
significantly.
''They're very odd lovers, my dear"
she said to Mary with an eloquent
glance. Mary laughed, and looked at
Harriet. whose face VAS suddenly
crimson, though she tried to laugh,
too. The visitor, vi it'll instant kind
ness, covered the little break.
whenever they're ready, they're
going to dine with mel" she said. pat
ting Harriet's hand with real affection
and understanding. But Mary was free
to reflect. She had the eyes of a con
tented woman, freed from her OWL
problem for those of others. "And Har.
riet is certainly mad about Richard y
Mary mused.
But with the rest of the world she
had to decide that there was something
in the affair that she did not under
stand.
- ss
When everyone else had gone from
the terrace. and the late afternoon
light was throwing clear shadows
across the warm red bricks, Nina and
Ida Tabor remained, talking. "And
now We positively must go In. Nina r.
Ida said. We've wasted this whole
afternoon! have to get packed II
I'm going to the Jays'i"
"But you're not going to the Jays'r'
Nina said In soft, sweet, confident re-
minder. s
But must, dariingr" i'
mo, you mustn't r. IHr.iIal
but, dearest. truly have to-"
but, Ladybird." Nina laughed hap
PLY. II sent them message this af-
ternoon that you were staying with
me! So now" she finished 'trium-
phantly. that's settled And well go to
bed early, with books. and talk, and
maybe creep down for something to
eat about eleven. as we did that other
night"
"Nina." Mrs. Tabor said, in q new
voice. interrupting her, "you didn't tel
ephone Mrs. Jay. did your" 3'
Indeed didi"
well, then, you were extremely i'm
pertinent and Ofiicious." said a new
voice, that Nina hardly recognized.
Poor NInai Harriet found her sob
bing on her bed half an hour later.
and took 1t for sign that the wound
would cure. that Nina did not resent
her sympathy and comfort. Nina was
still heavIng with deep sobs, albeit
taking steps toward hot bath and a
becoming gown, when Ida went away
Her farewells were made only to the
composed interloper. who went with
her pleasantly to the hall door, and
turned back with some remark for
Bottomley that was in the perfect tone
of the mistress. Ida's heart was hot
within her as she looked her last at
Crownlnnds, in the mellow light of the