The Jasper news., 1922-02-16


man vnnts with Nina? She tells me
he suggested some sort OF summer
party in his roof garden; I don't know
quite what It is. But her Ieart is set
On It, They seem to understand each
oiher-I always felt that when Nina's
affairs did begin. she would pick out
freaks like this Don't" Germaine
had gone 10 the bathroom for hot
towel, and Isabelle dropped her voice.
almost nffectionately-"don worry
about this little scene, Harriet 1t will
be quite all right!"
"Oh. surely!" The companions
voice was light and cheerful; she
went upstuirs only pleasantly excited
and thrilled. And Mt the breakfast
tnble next morning Harriet could show
the head of the house the same bright
assurance. Richard had come down.
stairs early, and they had their coffee
alone.
"Nina ?" asked her father.
"She comes hack today" Harriet
said. "Mrs. Carter Is going to have
her masseuse. so she won't be down.
She asked you to remember that you
are dining at the Jays tomorrow.
There's TO he tennis at about four"
FINALS" he said, nodding, and went
out TO his car apparently well pleased
with himself and his life. Harriet
started for the Hawkes. with a philo-
sophie reflection or two as TO the
cphemeral quality OF married quar-.
rels.
She brought Nina back at noon, q
garrulous and complHcent Nina. who
could pity the elder Hawkes. as girls
who "never had admirers" When
they reached the driveway OF Crown.
lands, Harriet recognized the car that
was already there. and said to her
self that Anthony Pope would Join
them for luncheon. But Just as she
and Nina were about TO enter the
cool, wide, dark doorway. Anthony
himself passed them. He was al
most running. and apparently did not
see them. He ran down the shallow
steps and sprang into his car, which
scattered a spray Of gravel rs he
terked II madiy abaut, and was gone
before she and Nina haC ended their
look of surprise. Harriet went slowly
upstairs, with dim forebOdinS far
back in her heart.
At about three. when Harriet and
Nina were idling on the shady ter.
race, with the hound, the new maga-
zines, and their books. Hansen brought
ono Of the small closed cars TO the
side door. Five minutes later Isabelle
| In thin white coat. veiled white
! hat, and with n gorgeous white-furred
wrap over her arm. came out. Ger
maine was with her. carrying two
shiny black suitcnses. Isabelle, Har-
riet thought. looked superbly hand
some. but Germaine had evidently
been scoIded. and had red eyes.
Isabelle came over to give her
daughter a farewell kiss.
MRS. Webb has telephoned for me,
ducky. Your father isn't coming home
tonight, but have a happy time with
Miss Harriet, and I'll be shack ia a
day or two. Good-by, both of you
All right. Hansenr'
They swept away. leaving Harriet
with\a strange sense OF nervousness
and suspense. The summer air seemed
charged with menace. and the silence
that followed the noise of the car odd
ly ominous.
Madame Carter was on the terrace
when they came back at five from ar
idle trip TO the club, reporting thai
her son had Just returned unexpect
edly from the city, and had gone II
TO change for golf.
Nothing alarming here, yet Harrie
experienced q sick thrill OF npprehen
sion. Something abnormal seemed 4
be the matter with them all this after
nooni
"DId you call me. Mr.. Carter?" Sh'
hardly knew her own voice, as h,
came down the three broad steps fron
tho house, Her hands felt cold. ant
she was trembling.
"Do you happen TO know wher
Hansen Is. Miss FieldT"
"DrIving Mrs Carter TO the Webbs
nj Great harrington" the girl m
: swered, readily. "Airs. Carter left 4
n hurry. She did not expect you tC
, night. Hansen ought to be back q
, /, about seven. / should think"
, He was not listening TO her; AT
: ruptiy left her. When Harriet wen
into the house she saw nothing q
: him. She made her usual little roun'
, spoke briefly to maid about som
|, fallen daisy petals. consulted with IN
i housekeeper as 10 the new cretonu
1 covers. A man was to come an
measure those covers this very aftei