The Holbrook news., 1922-03-03

went about his house like a smiling worker of miracles, and Richard watched her. When she went home to her sister for day or two he missed her strangely, and wandered about the empty rooms with a deso- late sense of loss.
 She was presently back, and amused the young people at the dinner table with spirited account of her sisters move into new hOuse-"really an old house." that she and her family had been watching for years.
 Nina and Amy and Ward had rushed from the dinner table to an early dance at the club. and Richard, after n talk with his mother on the terrace, had wandered about with a vague hope of finding Harriet somewhere with her book. But she was not downstairs.
 He went back, and presently accom- panied his mother to her door. The old lady stopped outside of Nina's open door, from wiiich a subdued light streamed.
 "Oh. Miss Field" said Madame Carter.
 "YeS. Madame Carter." The rich, ready voice responded instantly. Rich ard hoped she would come to the door. but his mothers message was delIv- cred too quickly to make 1t necessary.
 You're waiting up for Nina?"
 "Oh. yes. Madame Carter," Harriet answered The two exchanged good nights Richard lOitered into his moth- CTS room. left her in her maids hands. and went back into the dimly lighted, spacious upper hall. He felt oddly stirred: there were letters downstairs. his usual books and amuSements, but he felt curiously impelled to try for one more word with Miss Field.
 He opened the door of Nina's room, and went in, and knocked on the half open door within that connected it with Harriet's room.
 "COme in. Is 1t you, Pilgrim?" the pleasant. quiet voice said. Richard stepped to the doorway.
 HNatCh III DdShtl chair, under the soft flood of light from a basket-shaded lamp, rose pre- cipitately, and stood looking at hm with widened eyes and parted lips. without speaking. She was plainly frightened. though she made herself smile The beautiful room was full of x-r,a l rr .lr .,~Np p1.,txr thin curtains stirred in the cool night air.
 Brighten you?" Richard said.
 ''Is there something-?" Her eyes were those of deer that Is afraid to turn.
 "Why, I wanted to suggest that we tell our little piece of news to the family Richard suggested. after a momentary search for suitable sub ject. 'I came very close to telling my mother, just now. Is there any Food reason for further delay?'
 "Why. no, I don't-I don't suppose there is,' Harriet stammered. There will he talk"
 'I suppose sO." he answered, simply. But what We do is our own affair, after all. I shall explain to my mOth- CT that for us both 1t seemed prac- tical and a-well, not unpleasant so- lution. There need he no charge here, but you will simply have more as sured position"
 She had been watching him. with all June in her face. But as he went on the color slowly drained away. and about her beautiful eyes look of strain and even of something like shame gradually deepened. When she throat were cOnstricted.
 "Yes. I sec. Certainly, I see. We will have to let them talk. This is simply the best arrangement possible under the circumstances
 Tt is an arrangement that man perhaps has no right to ask Of wom- an," Richard said. Love means great deal in girls life, and I SUD- pose there is nothing else that makes up for the lack of 1t. But you are not an ordinary woman, and 1 assure you that fin every way that I can mean to prove to you how deeply appreciate what you are doing for us all."
 Thank you" Harriet said, almost inaudibly.
 Simply change your name on your cheeks" Richard said, thoughtfully. T shall have Fox step into the bank with the authenticated signature. And If there is anything else, use your own judgment Perhaps, if I tell my moth- CT, you would like to write to certain friends? You can continue to draw on the Corn Exchange. that's simplest, and I hope you'll remember that you have large personal credit there." he added, with a smile. Tt occurred to me tonight that yOu-you mustn't let your sister worry about that new house. If you want your own car"
 "Oh, good heavens. Mir. Carteri" Harriet said. suffocating.
 Ask me anything that puzzles you" the man said. And with briet good night he was gone. Harriet, who had dropped back into her chair, sat abso- lutely motionless for long. long time. Her eyes were fixed on space; she hardly breathed; it almost seemed as If her heart was stopped.
 Richard went downstairs, surprised to feel still vaguely unsatisfied. He had had his word with Harriet, had said indeed much that he had not eX- pected to say. However, 1t was much better to let the world know their re- L. .,n,.fnl.tl.. tiSf...l