The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1922-05-18
CHAPTER xi,

Morning found them h%alfIburied In
a bright dazzle Of snow, the midwin-
ter miracle that sets the most faded
heart singing and the weariest blood
to moving more quickly. Harriet was
through with her housekeeping and
her luncheon, and meditating q letter
to Linda, when Ida Tabor f1uttered in.
Harriet heard the gay voice at the
foot Of the stairs: "Oh, sweetheart I
Where's my little grit"
Mrs. Tabor looked q trife dashed
when only Harriet responded, although
she Immediately assured Miss Field
cordially with bright i%nsincerity that
she had known Of her return, and was
$50 glad!"
tive been a sort Of big sister here"
she said, l%aughingly, land, my Lord,
these kids have managed things Won
derfully! But I suppose sooner or
later the machinery would have
stalled without your fine italian
,handl"
"Mr. Carter asked me to come
back" Harriet stated, simply. She
thought the truth her best weapon,
but Mrs. Tabor was ready for her.
"Mary Putnam told US that you
were just resting apd. looking about"
she said, innocentlxSssa Dick-gen-
srous that he is-dculdn't feel COM
Portable about 1t, I suppose"
Richard had telephoned Harriet
at three o'clock that the morning pa
pers would have "the news" and that
he was coming home to tell his chill
dren of their mothers death, tonight.
But she must get rid of this woman
now, somehow. It would be fatal to
have Ida Tarbor here when Richard
Carter returned.
II might run up now and see the old
lady," said Mrs. Tabor, who had flung
OF her furs, and beautifed herself at
her handbag mirror. She pressed her
lips together for the red coloring. "Mr.
Carter be. here tonight?" she asked,
casually. a.
Bottomley caused an interruption.
Harriet turned to him with relief. But
unfortunately he answered the very
question she was trying to evade.
"Mr. Carter had just telephoned m.
and says that ell be ere at about six,
mi" ..-.:y %. .. 49, -!
o. "Oh, thank you, Bottomlsy |" Harriet
turned back to Ida, to e her compla-
Gently looosening outer wraps.
Il II came In the Warrens' car" said
she; "they were to run over to say
Merry Christmas to the Bellamys, and
/ then pick mesup. Buff I won't. be
f the way perhaps 7 might stay ana
. Nina we've become great chums.
I suppose I'd better 60 TO the room I
always havef Then I'll run up and
get the latest news Of the Battle Of
Shiloh from Madame CarterI"
It was now Of never Harriet's heart
began to beat. Madame Carter has
gone driving she said. "She may be
In ut any moment, but before she
comes, ! want to speak to you. We've
had terrible news here, Mrs. Tabor.
MI. Carter Is coming home to tell the
children and his mother tonight. Mr..
Pope cabied from Paris on Christmas
eve that Mrs. Carter suddenly died
that day r
Ida Tabor never felt anything very
deeply, but her emotions were accessi-
BILE enough, and violent while they
lasted. She grew white. gasped, some
how reached 4 chair, and hurst Into
honest tears. ~Isabellei Why, they
had been friends for years! why, she
had been q wonderfully wen and
strongI
.Nobody knows IL" Harriet said.
And not quite ~innocently she added:
III Fordyces, the Beliamys-every-
one who knew her--are M total ignor-
ance ~ itl If you do tell them, Mrs
Tabor-and there . no reason why
you shouldn't
I shall stay here with Mimi to-
night, anyway r. the visitor said. All
cidedly.as.She1l need me, of conrsol
Poor little thing Y
ssIt seems too bad to spoil your New
Years Plans Harriet said, smiling.
s'but You know Nina She win put
those long arms be hers about you