Mexico weekly ledger., 1922-02-16

and brought her Go a sudden pause.
A tremendous thought, that made
her breast rise suddenly, and her eyes
fix themselves vaguely on space for
a long, long minute. Her palms were
damp. and she put them over her hot
checks. But that-she whispered In
the deeps OF her soul. that was nom
sensei
Blondln had been waiting for Har-
rief at the church door. Coming out,
she had indicated without a word that
he might walk beside her. The serv-
ice had been Unattended, and the few
women who drifted away from It did
not walk In their direction, 10 they
found themselves alone.
Harriet opened the conversation
with n frank yet reluctant confession.
"Tm so sorry. Royi But II Is only
fair to you to say that I've changed.
You will have to do what you think
az about II, Of course, But / can't
pretend that rm-I'm playing your
game any longer"
"what gameT" Blondin, falling into
graceful step beside her, asked pleas
antly.
Il mean any posslble-Idea you
might have Of Nina I" Harriet said,
hravely.
'oh, NinaT" he shrugged his Shout
ders lightly. Don't take me too seri-
ously, Harriet" he said. "Why. when
ever we are alone together. should you
promptly begin to cross-Question me
about that little personT'
Harriet made a faint, impatient
ejaculation.
swell, anyway, you know where !
stand" she said.
And you know where ! do" he an
swered. after a pause. II a see Car
ter has no particular enthusiasm for
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,
II don't quite see how you car take
that tone" Blondin limited. "Do you
expect to marry the bOyT'
Harriet did not answer, except by
q 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 nea a threat
before.
"of course l am entirely at your
mercy" she said, simply. Blondir
watched her for q full moment Of 81
lence before he said suddenly:
Look here. I'll make a bargain
with you. II you will consent not t.
/ make any allusiOn towel, to ter
years ago, I'll do the same. I'll giv'
you my solemn promise on 1t. Sa!
what you please about me now. YOUR,
under no bond to protect me. / cal
hold my own. But the past Is dead
Neither you nor l will speak Of !
without agreeing to do so. How abou
~" nd. 1854 -
She ~hesltated, the black lashe
dropped, her restless hands twistin
and t~orturing her handkerchief. ]
protected her, she thought. while leav
ing her free to oppose him.
'Ill agree" she said, finally.
"PromlseT a,E..,.&g
''Oh, I promised" She bit her lip, an,
frowned, as II she would add some
thing more. But no words came, onl
her troubled eyes met his fully an
splendidly for a second.
Then with a brief, familiar nod sh
turned, and without another wor
went into the house.
The morning dragged. 1t was DR.
and hot, with promise of a stort
later.
Madame Carter's breakfast had bee
sent upstairs, and Mrs. Tabor ha
Joined her, for when the old lady sci
a message to Harriet, the two womt
were together, In elaborate neglige
and a litter of Sunday papers WI
scattered about the beautiful bedrool
Upon Harriet's entrance Mrs. Tab
gracefully rose to go, but she paus'
for q pleasant good morning.
Alone with her determined old e
envy, Harriet assumed her usual 9
Of respectful readiness. Madame Ca
ter had sent for herr
eyes" said the old lady, looki
aimlessly about her before gatheri
her garments together, and sinki
into a chair. II wanted you to knC
that the young people propose
drive to Easthampton, at about t.
o'clock-my granddaughter has be
here, teasing Granny for the plan, Al
I have consented. They will oil
! there and be back at about-wt
after dinner"
"But won't that tire your" Harri
asked.
81? Oh, I shall not 60. Ward W
chaperon, his sister, and Nina, An
Mr.. Blendin win see that they
home in time. It's quite all right, NJ
Field; / am entirely satisfied. They
"But, Madame Carter" Harriet
terrupted her as she had expected
> be interrupted. Surely 1t would
better
I'VE won't discuss II, please, M
! Ffeldl"
HaEriet's cheeks Redeemed she "
silent.
sYour devotion to my son and
family is extremely praiseworth,
said Madame Carter, colby. "But,
. Mrs. Tabor. who Is Of course q won
: Of the world, and comes Of a very 4
family - she was q Kingdom, I
Charleston f~amily-as Mrs. Tabor v
: saying, Richard is just the sort
chivalrous. splendid man who 10 p
!, fectly helpless in his WI housed"
III / MZ - 81 -. -. ~