The herald., 1922-03-23
]. HARRIET and tie PIPER
By KATHLEEN NORRIS
By KATHLEEN NORRIS


while she was dressing a new idea
came to her. For a few minutes she
shook her head, stood thinking, with
face of distaste.
81 could do that" she said aloud.
And she picked up the Bingham dress
that she had laid ON the bed.
But there was prettier dress in
Harriet's wardrobe, a gift from Isa-
belle, that she had never worn. II
was lowered silk of null, of a soft
deep blue that was exactly the color
of Harriet's eyes, and at the throat
and wrists 1t had frills of transparent
lace. The soft ruffies that made the
skirt were cunningly edged with black.
and there was a great open pink rose
mt the belt.
Harriet put on this enchanting gar
ment, and as she did so she felt some
half-forgOtten power rise strong with
in her. There was one trump in her
hand that she had never thought to
play in a game with Nina Carter, but
she was glad to find 1t now.
At half-past two o'clock the car was
at the side door, and Nina and Amy
came downstairs with their wraps,
and Saunders and Ward ran about
laughing and confusing things. BlOn-
din watched the performance lazily
from basket chair on the porch. but
when Nina called him a half-laughing,
| half-daring, "We're ready, Mr.. Blon-
dinw he sauntered down to the car
with his pleasantest expression, but
with the regretful statement that he
was not going: a vicious headache had
developed since luncheon.
Whatever the effect on Amy and the
young men, to Nina this was q stag
] gering blow. She had triumphed all
through luncheon, had laughed and
chartered, had made Ward telephone
dinner reservation for five, and had
assumed a hundred coquettish airs
Now all this crumpled, faded away
and Harriet knew, as she stood be-
side the car looking down at the folded
light rug on her arm, that she was
ready to cry.
mo, you'll have a far nicer time
without me-" said Royal, throwing
away his cigarette, and resting one
arm on the car. II wouldn't interfere
because l knew you'd all give II up
You just all have a perfectly wonder
full time, and I'll be down next week
end and hear about 1t ]"
Nina stood irresolute; too choket
with sudden disappointment to risi
her voice. 1t was all hateful, madden
ing, horrible! Those two boys ant
Amy-ah, there would be no 'fun'
now! She loathed Amy, getting In Sc
briskly, and saying, "Come on. Nina =
She hated Ward. she wished that they
were all dead, and herself, too.
The storm came at Good Ground
and they all had to scramble with cur
tains, smelly" curtains, Nina called
them. And the dinner was eaten II
warm, sticky half-darkness on hote
porch, with horrible music making {
horrible racket, according to the same
authority. Saunders and Amy helt
hands all the way home, too, and Nins
thought it was disgusting; everyone
was too tired to talk. they bounced
along silently and GROSSLY.
And upon getting home, Miss Har
riet came out of the shadows on tn,
porch, looking perfectly exquisite II
her new gown, sweetly interested ant
cheerful. She said that she was s,
sorry the dinner was poor, they hat
had such a nice dinner at home, an,
that she had had a talk with thei
father, and they were to 60 back Il
CrOwnlands next week. Nina did no
see Blondin; for the first time in he
life she cried herself to sleep.
Harriet had assuredly triumphed
but it was on terms that for NOR
than one reason did not entirel.
please her. Richard, finding TIL
pretty secretary prettier than ever II
her blue gown, and warmed by re
Taxed day at the club and mood o
friendliness, had specifically instruct
ed her that she was to dine with tn
family on all occasions, and to dres
as the others did, and to regard her
self as "a member of the family" An
this, Harriet was quick to realize
placed her in a peculiar position, mad
difficult by Richards kindly cham
pioning no less than his mothers hos
tility, by the adoring sympathy oe tn
servants, and the affectiOnate famil
iarities of the Carter children. Rich
ards friends took their cue from him
as was natural, and in the first earl
winter dinner parties at Crownland
Harriet could not but sparkle an
lead: she had reached her own leve
at last.
A sense Of well-being and happines
began to envelop Richard Carter 70
the first time in many years. He wa
conscious of a desire to express hi
appreciation to Miss Field. 1t wa
natural that this should take the forr
of money; little present in the forr
r of check. She had a sister who wa
, not rich; she would like to go HON
, with laden hands. But the Questio
was, how much?
, He was musing over this very poin
: and other matters of deeper momen
. one morning when Harriet hersel