The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1922-04-08

she said. 1aughingly, sand. my Lord,
these kids have managed things won
derfuliy. But 1 suppose sooner or
later tie machinery would have
=talled without your fine Italian
Il nd ~
Mr. Ca-.ar az'ed me to come
..rf-' ''a '>'. ~+"-"1 simply. She
ought The tr-uth her best weapon.
= Mrs. TaloE was ready for her.
MARY Putnam told us that you
ere Just resting and loxEing about"
lie said. innncently, "and Dick-gen-
nrous that he is-couldn't feel COM
saTtable about 1t. 1 supposed"
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. 1t would be fatal to
have Ida Tarbor here when Richard
Carter returned.
Il might run up now and see the old
lady!" said Mrs. Tabor, who had flung
off her furs, and beautified herself at
her handbag mirror. She pressed her
lips together for the red coloring. "Mr.
Carter be bere tonight?" she asked,
CASUALLY
Bottoniey caused an interrurtson.
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,
mr.
"Oh, thank you, Bottomley!" Harriet
turned back to Ida, to see her compla-
Gently lOoOsening outer wraps.
81 came in the Warrens' car" said
she; they were to run over to say
Merry Christmas to the Bellamys, and
then pick me up. Buff | won't be
in the way perhaps might stay and
| suppose I'd better go to the room I
always have? Then I'll run up and
get the latest news of the Battle of
Shiloh from Madame Carter
1t was now or never: Harriet's heart
began to beat. Madame Carter has
gone driving" she said. "She may be
in at any moment, but before she
comes, l want to speak to you. We've
had terrible news here, Mrs. Tabor.
Mr.. Carter is coming home to tell the
children and his mother tonight Mr.
Pope cabled from Paris on Christmas
eve that Mrs. Carter suddenly died
that day."
Ida Tabor never felt anything very
deeply, but her emotions we're accessi-
bic enough, and violent while they
lasted. She grew white, gasped, some
how reached a chair, and burst into
honest tears. Isabelle! Why, they
had been friends for years! Why, she
had been so wonderfully well and
strong!
Nobody knows It," Harriet said.
And not quite innocently she added:
1.-The FOrdyces, the Bellamys-every-
one who knew her-are in total ignor-
ance Of it! If you do tell them, Mrs.
Tabor-and there is no reason why
you shouldn't"
"Oh, / shall stay here with Nina to-
night, anyway" the visitor said, de-
cidedly. She'll need me, Of course
Poor little thing!"
SIT seems too bad to spoil your New
Years plans" Harriet said, smiling,
"but you know Nina! She will put
those long arms of hers about you
and she won't hear Of your leaving her
for days! With Nina" Harriet pur-
sued, thoughtfully, sit isn't so much
that one can't find good excuse, as
that she won't hear of excuses at all
remember when Mrs. Carter first
went away, there were days Of it
weeks Of it Just talk, tears, and talk
my arm used to ache from the weight
Of Nina's arm! Mr.. Carter intends to
leave for Chicago tomorrow, Ward
will probably 60 up to the Eatons'-"
Harriet rambled on, not unconscious
that she was making an impression.
Anyway" she finished, 1--WE shall be
tearfully quiet and alone here, and
your being here would simply save the
day for Nina"
ooh, really couldn't stay over New
Years." Mrs. Tabor, looking slightly
discounted, said slowly. "You see, the
Fordyces-" She looked undecided,
and bit her under-lip.
Zone wonders" she said, musing-
ly. "Of course, l shouldn't want to in
trude tOnight-it would be merely to
have them feel that I was here"
Mr. Carter has asked me to see that
the family is alone tonight" Harriet
said, courageously, 'but of course he
may feel that you are an exception"
she added, with the impersonal air OF
a mere employee. Il only want TO be
! able to tell him that / repeated his
+ request, and told you the reason for it.
| That's'-and she smiled pleasantly
that is as far as my authority goes,
| of course. I shall say simply that you
| know of his wishes. and IL you remain,
! l know I can say that 1t was to please
| Nina ~
And now the two women exchanged
an open glance that needed no nretensa