The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1922-01-27
/ HARRIET and the PIPER
By KATHLEEN NORRIS



| until the next day. Them as the seren'
hours moved by, and there was NJ
word and no sign from Richard. thu
! possibilities began to suggest them
selves. 1t seemed to her incredible
that any woman would risk all tina
Isabelle had for the sake OF a fer!
boys first love, and yet, on the Other
hand, there was the memory Of lisa
bellies suffering two nights ago, an(
here were the amazing facts to prove
1t.
1t was for few women to enjoy the
popularity Isabelle had known. But
any woman might run away with rich
admirer. Harriet's admiration for the
cleverness with which Isabelle con
Quoted this pretty playing with Gre
disappeared, and in Its place came the
sharp conviction that old-fashioned
women like Linda had some justlfica-
ton. after all; 1t was dangerous" II
did lead to SIM Il could indeed -hap-
pen once too Often"
Harriet felt her own lapsing moral
ity regaining Its standard. Just now.
when Nina most needed her mother.
when Richard was struggling with diff
ficult business conditions, when Ward
was engaged
She interrupted her thoughts here,
and tried to make herself feel like a
woman engaged to be married. Some
how the fact persisted In battling her.
There WAS an unreality about 1t that
prevented her from tasting the full
sweet Engaged-to a rfch man, and a
rich mans son. Well. perhaps when
Ward came back, It would seem more
believable.
She had been standing at one Of the
hall windows, a window deep set in
the brick wall, and commanding
through elms and beeches the path to
the tennis court. Hands pressed her
eyes tight, she came back to the pres
ent moment with start Ward Car
ter was behind her. He laughed at her
confusion, and they sat down on the
window seat together. Yes, he was
going back to the Bellamys. and so
was Blondin. but they had both come
In Just for lunch and the drive.
Instantly he brought reinsurance to
her. Ward was such dearl OF
course she loved him
But you weren't very good boy
last night !" she said. Their hands were
when he would have kissed her.
''Rottenl' he confessed, easily. Il
played poker. too. No man ought to
do that when he's edged. Sorry-sor-
ry-sory. Listen. When we're mar
RED it's all of. No smoking. drinking.
gambling, wine. women. or song.
vhatT'
you may not know it, but you never
spoke truer word !" the girl said. His
,hout Of laughter was pleasant to hear.
Listen. Does Mother know lit
About US, meanr7
'Oh. Ward-nobody knows It |
1ushl" His mention Of his mother
brought back realization with a rush, |
md she added uncomfortably. ~She's
t Great harrington"
'he wrote me, and told me she loved
ne, and that she didn't think she had
een very good mother to mel" He
aughed, youthfully. with bewildered
Of his eyes. Il thought she
vas sick Well maybe we can stop
here going back
where did you leave Mr.. Blen- !.
inr'
HE beat It down to the tennis
curt. Say. listen, fs there chance
hat he's stuck on Ninai 1t looks to
10 like what the watch comes Ini-
Harriet glanced at her wrist before
he answered him. Her heart was
lex within her. Close upon her radi-
Mt dream had come this shadow, far
lore a shadow now, when her respon-
bility had Infinitely increased, and
hen she had had proof Of the love
nd respect In which they held her
ere
Il don't think sol" she said. briefly.
ri find Bottomley. and have lunch
ut ahead"
you don't like him - Ward said.
atching her closely.
Il don't like him for Nina I" she
nended.
The boy followed her while she gave
n order. Then they went out into
e blazing day together.
Nina Isn't going to have more