The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1922-03-24
CHAPTER v.

Harriet slept In the room with Julia
and Josephine that night, or rather
tossed and lay wakefui there At
about two O'Clock the wind streamed
mercifully In, hot and thick. but
prophetic Of rain, and Harriet, wan
dering about to make windows fast,
encountered Linda, On the same er-
rand. When the worst OF the crack
ling and flashing was over, the girl
glanced at her watch. Three o'clock,
but she could sleep now. She sank
deeply into dreams. not to stir until
Linda's alarm clock, hastily smoth-
cred, thrilled Mt seven, and the small
girls rose with cheerful noise, to let
streams Of hot sunshine upon her face
Immediately after breakfast the
two small girls attacked their Satur-
day mornings work with q philosophic
vigor that rather touched their aunt.
Fred had hurried away after his hasty
meal; the boys were turned out into
the backyard, which Pip was expected
to rake while he watched his small
brother.
Harriet's heart ached deeply for
them all as she watched the Jersey
marshes from the car window a few
hours later. Josephine was to be
stenographer when she finished high
school, and little Julia had expressed
an angelic ambition to teach a kinder
garten class some day. Nina, at their
ages, had her pony, her finishing
school, her little silk stockings, and
her monogrammed ivory toilet set.
her trip to England and France and
Italy with her mother and brother
and grandmother.
Suppose that she, Harriet, was right
In suspecting that Wards feeling was
more than the passing gallantry Of
q light-hearted boyr It would be
nine-days' wonder, his marriage at
twenty-five with his mothers secre-
tary, more than four years his senior.
But after thatf After that there
would be nothing to say or do. Young
Mr.. and Mrs. Ward Carter would es-
tablish themselves comfortably. and
the elder Carriers would visit them
Isabelle absorbed N usual In her own
mysterious thoughts, and Richard
Carter
Harrietss thoughts, none too COM
Portable up to this point, stopped here,
and she flushed. She would not enjoy
telling Richard that she was to marry
his son. Those keen eyes would read
her through and through, and while
her father-in-law might love her, and
see her beauty and charm with all
the rest Of the world, Harriet knew
that she must begin an actual cam
paign for his esteem on her wedding
day. The prospect had an unexpect-
ed piquancy. She had little fear OF
its outcome. She would make Ward
Carter a wife for whom his father
must come to feel genuine gratitude
and devotion. There would be chill
dren, there would be hospitality and
music and q garden. And Ward
should seriously settle down to his
business, whatever II might be, and
show himself q worthy son Of his
clever father.
"Why not-why mott" Harriet asked
herself, as she reached Madame Car
ter's pretentious apartment house, and
was whisked upstairs. She was to
meet Nina here, and she glanced about
for the big limousine Mt the curb, as an
indication that the old Lady might be
ready to accompany them back to
Crownlands. But there was no car In
sight. The maids first statement was
that Miss Carter had gone home with
her brother, and then Madame Garter
came magnincsntly into the room.
"Wen, our bird has flown" said the
old lady. Harriet could see that she
was pleased about something.
"Gone home with WardT Harriet
asked. Madame Carter never shook
hands with her; there was conscious
superiority In the little omission. She
sank into q chair, and Harriet sat
down.
"Ward and his friend, this MIR. Blon-
din," Madame Carter said. "a very
interesting-a most unusual man. A
very good family, too-excellent old
family. Yes. Nina assured rs that she
had to wait and 60 home with her
Daddy, but that" Madame Carter
gave Harriet q deeply significant smile
-'but that didn't seem to please
Somebody very much I" she added. Csc
told Nina thought Granny would be
able to make 1t all right with Daddy
and OF the young people went"
She rocked, with q benignly tri
umphant expression, and complaceni
rustic Of silken skirts. Harriet, be
meath an automatic smile, hid trou.
bled heart. Royal was losing no time
Ward his innocent instrument, and this
fatuous old lady Of course playing his
game for himl
Harriet saw that she was pleased
and nattered BY an older mans appar-
emit admiration Of Nina and that she
would further the girls first definite
affair In every way that lay In her
power. It was maddsning; 1t was ex-
aspsrating beyond words. An honest
warning would have merely fiattered
hsr with its Implication Of her impor'
lance: ali, no, Isabelle and Harriet
might try to hold the child back-but
Granny knew girl nature better than
either Of theml
"wen, then, I must follow them
home" Harriet said, pleasantly. You
don't come back tonightr
To this Madame Carter very point