The Holbrook news., 1922-02-24

"Oh, thank you, bottomley" ]" HarricI turned back to Ida, to see her compla gently looosening outer wraps.
 T came in the Warrens' car" said she; they were to run over to say Merry Christmas to the Bellamys, and then pick me up. Buff I won't be in the way !-perhaps l might stay and see Nina; we've become great chums l suppose I'd better go to the room always have? Then I'll run up and get the latest news of the Battle of Shiloh from Madame Carterr'
 It was now or never; Harriet's heart began to beat. Madame Carter has gone driving" she said. "She may be in at any moment, but before she comes. l want to speak to you. We've had terrible news here, Mrs. Tabor. Mir. Carter Is coming home to tell the children and his mother tonight. Mir. Pope cabled from Paris on Christmas eve that Mrs. Carter suddenly died that day."
 Ida Tabor never felt anything very deeply, but her emotions were accessi- ble enough, and violent while they lasted. She grew white, gasped, some how reached a chair. and burst into honest tears. Isabelle! Why, they had been friends for years! Why, she had been 80 wonderfully well and strong!
 Nobody knows It," Harriet said And not quite innocenuy she added :: ''The Fordyces, the Bellamys-every- one who knew her-are in total ignor- ance of itl If you do tell them, Mrs. Tabor-and there Is no reason why you shouldn't"
 ''Oh, l shall stay here with Nina to- night. anyway" the visitor said de- cidedly. Shell need me, of course Poor little thing!"
 1t seems too bad to spoil your New Years plans," Harriet said, smiling. "but you know Nina. She will put those long arms of hers about you and she won't hear of your leaving her for days. With Nina," Harriet pur- sued. thoughtfully, it isn't so much that one cant find a good excuse, as that she won't hear of excuses at all !! I remember when Mrs. Carter first weeks of 1t t,-just talk, tears, and talk my arm used to ache from the weight of Nlna's arm. Mir. Carter intends to leave for Chicago tomorrow, Ward will probably go up to the EatOns-" Harriet rambled on, not unconscious that she was making an impression. Anyway" she finished, i've shall be fearfully quiet and alone here, and your being here would simply save the day for Nina !"
 ''Oh, really couldn't stay over New Years" Mrs. Tabor, looking slightly discomfited, said slowly. "YOu see, the FOrdyces-" She looked undecided, and bit her under-lip.
 "One wOnders-?" she said, musing- ly. 'Of course, shouldn't want to in- trude tonight-it would be merely to have them feel that was here"
 "Mr. Carter has asked me to see that the family Is alene tonight" Harriet said, cOurageOusly, ''but of course he may feel that you are an exception" she added. with the impersonal air of a mere employee. II only want to be able to tell him that I repeated his request, and told you the reason for 1t. That's"-7and she smiled pleasantly that is ss far as my authority goes, of course. 1 shall say simply that you know of his wishes, and if you remain, I know l can say that 1t was to please Nina!"
 And now the two women exchanged an open glance that needed no pretense and no concealment, and 1t was glance of enmity.
 "When l visit this house 1t Is not at