Mountain Home Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1915-1946, 1922-02-25
CHAPTER vlIl--continued.
20


A day or two later there was fam
lily conference In the library, and Har-
riet realized more clearly than ever
that 1t was impossible to forecast the
march Of events. Richard announced
that after consideration he had de-
cided that 1t would be wiser for the
family to weather the storm Of talk
that would follow Isabelle's disappear
ance in some neighborhood less con-
nected with her. He had therefore
leased an establishment on Long
Island, where the children could have
their swimming and tennis, and his
mother'her usual nearness to town, but
where they would be comparatively
inaccessible to a curious press and
public and might disappear for a
grateful interval The life at Hunting
ton would be less formal than at
Crownlands, but the house he had
taken was comfortable and roomy
there would be plenty OF room for
Nina's girl friends and Wards guests.
Miss Field, Bottomley and Hansen
would please see to 1t that the move
was made with all possible expedition.
II have explained to my mother and
the children" he said, quietly to Har-
riet that Mrs. Carter has asked for
divorce, which will. of course, be
Immediately arranged. Now, Miss
Field, you will understand that you
are In charge from now on, My mother
wil--well, you know how to handle
her She is old--enjoys her little bit
Of mischief sometimes Anything I'M
usual you can refer to me; | shall be
there every week, anyway"
He paused and rufIled the scattered
papers that were on the fat-topped
desk before him. Harriet watched
him anXiously, She thought he looked
tired and old, and her heart ached at
the troubled attempt he was making
to simplify the tragedy for them all.
He was not handsome, she reflected,
but surely there had never been
keener or pleasanter gray eyes, and
mouth so strong when 1t was in repose,
so honest when 1t smiled Not like
Wards ready and lncessant laughter,
not like Royal Blondln's carefully cal
culatcd amusement.
Reaching this point In her thought,
facing him with her whole beautiful
face alive with emotion and interest,
Harriet smiled herself, involuntarily
and family. 1t was smile of almost
daugllterly sympathy and comrade-
ship friendly and innocent. and wholly
Irresistible.
Richard. catching the look. was per-
haps uaconsciously cheered by It.
Even ut forty-four, and under his
prcseiit difficulties and harassments,
he must lave been dead not to be
refreshed by the vision of earnest
youth aud beauty that was so near
him III Tie tempered summer light of
the gFAat library.
''r.ailA your he said, as If she had
spOke,,. There is one more thing,
Miss fltii' he added. Idly rumpling
his i4Sefs again. ard then moving his
hne hand to Ills thick brown hair,
whose shining order he rumpled too.
About this man Blondin. Do you
Lnow anything about him?"
A more direct shot at her innermost
Businesses could hardly have been
made Robbed of breath and senses
by the suddenness Of 1t, and with dry
lips, Harriet could only fater repe-
eition;
Know anything about himg'
II don't know much. and what do
know don't like" Richard continued,
noticing nothing amiss In her manner,
perhaps because he was so deeply alb
sorbed II what he was saying. Hes
bsp5snme fellow, he knows his sub