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


he might walk beside her. The serv
ice had been Unattended, and the few
women who drifted away from it dlt
not walk in their direction, so the.
found themselves alone.
Harriet opened the conversation
with frank yet reluctant confession
I'm so sorry, Roy But 1t Is onl.
fair to you to say that I've changed
You will have to do what you thinl
fit about 1t, of course. But cam
pretend that Tm-rm playing you
game any longer"
what game?" Blondln, falling int,
graceful step beside her, asked pleas
antly.
Il mean any possible 70,
might have of Ninal'' Harriet said
bravely.
"Oh, Nina! !" he shrugged his shout
ders lightly. "Don't take me too seri
ously, Harriet" he said. ''Why, when
ever we are alone together, should yot
promptly begin to cross-question me
about that little person?"
Harriet made faint, impatieni
ejaculation.
"Well, anyway, you know where
stand !" she said.
"And you know where / do" he an
swered, after pause. II can see Car
far hos No partfr,1Jor apth,,cto cru fn,
mel suppose that's your work"
'You know where stand" SHE
could only repeat. They had reached
the garden now, and were at the foot
Of the steps.
Il don't quite see how you can take
that tone" Blondln limited. do yet
expect to marry the boy?"
Harriet did not answer, except by
o. faint shrug. Her heart was sick
with fright, but there was no reason
why he should be informed that she
had definitely broken with Ward. But
he had never come SO near threat
before.
"Of course am entirely at your
mercy" she said, simply. Blondin
watched her for full moment Of ST.
lence before he said suddenly:
look here. I'll make bargain
with you. If you will consent not to
make any allusion to--well, to ten
years ago, I'll do the same. I'll give
you my solemn promise on 1t. Say
what you please about me now. You're
under no bond to protect me. / can
hold my own. But the past Is dead
Neither you nor will speak of II
without agreeing to do SO. How about
itY
She hesitated, the black lashes
dropped, her restless hands twisting
and torturing her handkerchief. II
protected her, she thought, while leav.
ing her free to oppose him.
"Tll agree" she said, finally.
"Promise?"
"Oh, promiser' She bit her lip, and
frowned, as If she would add some.
thing more. But no words came, only
her troubled eyes met his fully and
splendidly for a second.
Then with brief, familiar nod she
turned, and without another word
went into the house.
The morning dragged. 1t was dry
and hot, with promise Of storm
later.
Madame Carriers breakfast had been
sent upstairs, and Mrs. Tabor had
joined her, for when the old lady sent
message to Harriet, the two women
were together, in elaborate negligee,
and a litter of Sunday papers was
scattered about the beautiful bedroom.
Upon Harriet's entrance Mrs. Tabor
gracefully rose to go, but she paused
for a pleasant good morning.
Alone with her determined old en-.
envy, Harriet assumed her usual air
of respectful readiness. Madame Car.
ter had sent for herr
"Yes," said the old lady, looking
aimlessly about her before gathering
her garments together, and sinking
into a chair. II wanted you to know
that the young people propose to
drive to Easthampton, at about two
o'clock-my granddaughter has been
here, teasing Granny for the plan, and
i have consented. They win dine
there and be back at about-well,
after dinner"
But won't that tire your Harriet
asked.
II? Oh, / shall not go. Ward VIII
chaperon his sister, and Nina, Amy
Mr.. Blondin will see that they get
home in time. It's quite all right, Miss
Field; am entirely satisfied. They"
But, Madame Carter" Harriet In.
terrupted her as she had expected to
be interrupted. Surely 1t would be
better"
1--WE won't discuss 1t, please, Miss
Fieldw
Harriet's cheeks Redeemed; she was
silent.