The Holbrook news., 1922-02-17

and when. comfortably wrapped in q loose silk robe, she was musing be- side her fire. Nina was asleep; to Ward, who was headachy and fever ish, she had paid late visit. Madame Carter had not come down to dinner, and when Harriet had sent in a mes- sage, had asked to be excused from Field, this evening.
 Nina had chattered constantly dur ing the meal. Granny had had a ter rible tiIue with them all. And Ward and Nina and "Royar'-the name sud denly leaped between them again had been arrested for speeding. And Daddy had threatened Nina with a boarding school, and Granny had cried.
 Where Is Mir. Blondin now, Nina? Harriet had asked.
 "Oh, he's round" :" Nina had said airily. "I suppose you put Daddy up to saying that l wasn't to see so much of him" she had added, with her worldly wise drawl.
 Not at all," Harriet had said.
 "Ladybird and 1 are planning a trip" Nina had further confided. q shall be eighteen in February, you know, and we want to go round the world. Wouldn't it be wonderful to go with her, for she's been about fifty times !"
 Wonderful" Harriet had been obliged to cOncede
 But, dearest child, what does your father think?"
 "Father-" Nina had shrugged re- gretfully. But I shall be of age p she had reminded her companion.
 'Yes, I know. dear, but Fathers ward for another three years, you knOww
 "Why. Ladybird says"-the girl had been ready. and had spoken with flushed cheeks says that in that case we'll go anyway, and she'll pay all expenses! That's the kind of friend she is '"
 
 'LOvell come fast enough after ward!' Pilgrim had said, and Harriet thought Pilgrim was rather a wise woman, in her homely way. The girl stirred the fire and settled herself to watch 1t.
 After what7 Well, certainly not after anything so short, simple and unconvincing as that three minutes with the clergyman today. The utter unreality of that had seemed to blend with the silent, snowy day, and with the dulled and dreamy condition of her own brain. Snow was falling softly when she had met Richard Car ter at the office. at halt-past ten, and snow lisped against the windows of the limousine as they two, with Irving Fox, Richards kindly, middle aged, confidential clerk, were whirled out of the city, and on and on through the bare little wintry towns. Fox had had some papers to which they occa- sionally referred; the old clerk was
  riet warmly when the brief and be. wildering business was over and she had her wedding ring. It was alone with Fox that she made the return trip. Richard came back by train saving an hour, and was at the office when they got there. Harriet did not see him again; he was in conference and presently she quietly got back into the mOtorcar, and on her way tC meet Nina she slipped the plain circle of gold into her handbag.
 She had 1t out tonight, and put il on her bare, pretty hand, and held il to the fire, and slowly the events of the bewlldering and tiring day wheeled before her, and only the reality of the ring assured her that it was not all 8 confused dream. MarriedI And all alone before the glowing cOals, weary from hostile encounters, on her mar riage night!
 She had intended to write to Linda tonight; Linda was vexed with her and small wonder! For Harriet had left the little New Jersey house al most without farewells, had come down to an earlier breakfast even than Fred's, and had said briefly that she was returning to the Carters, and would see them all soon.
 Why hadn't she told Linda? Well for one reason, she had hardly be lieved her own memory of the talk or Christmas day with Richard. Then