The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1922-05-03
CHAPTER XIV.

Inc curtains at the french WINDOWS
in the library at Crownlands stirred
in the breeze Of the warm summer
night, the pendulum OF the big clock
behind Richard Carter moved to and
fro, but for a long time there was no
other sound In the library. Richard
had dropped his eyes, was idly staring
at the blank sheet OF paper before
him. Royal Blondin, who had folded
his arms, for a moment studied Har-
riet between half-closed lids. but pres
emily his eyes fell, too, and with a
| rather troubled expression he studied
the pattern Of the great oriental rug.
Harriet stood m~otionless, turned to
stone. If there was anything to be
| said In her behalf. she could not say
1t now. For the first time the full
measure Of her responsibility and the
full measur OF her deceit smote her.
and In utter sickness of spirit she
| could advance no excuse. 1t was not
| that she had failed Blondin. or that
she had failed Richard, but the extent
Of her failure toward herself appalled,
her. She was not the good, brave, cul-
tivated woman she had liked to think
herself: she was n more egotist,
with Nina, and Isabelle, and Ida, n
scrupulously playing her own game
for her own ends.
Tn extremely SORRY" Richard said,
| presently, In a somewhat lifeless tone.
II imagine that II my daughter had
o--.~ Al;- h~ ,l~hA Hnv,~ hnn~
| spared some suffering and some hu-
! initiation. But we needn't consider
that now" He was silent, frowning
family. He put up a fine hand and
adjusted his eyeglasses with q little
impatient muscular twitching Of his
characteristic OF his worried moods.
mr.. Blondin." he said, YEARLY and
| politely, II have had q great deal on
my mind. lately, and have perhaps
been hasty In my condemnation Of you.
However. this does not particularly
help your cause with my daughter.
There are a great many aspects to the
matter. and IL must take cine to con-
| slider them. Nina must be my first
consideration. poor child! Her mother
failed her-we have all failed her !!
She has a right to know Of this con-
versation-"
Harriet stirred, and his eyes moved
to her. Without a word, and with a
stricken look In her beautiful, ashen
face. she turned. and went slowly
| toward the door. When she reached
1t, she steadied herself a second by
pressing one fine hand against the
dark wood, then she opened 1t and was
gone.
I'm very sorry Blondin said hest
tatingly. when the men were alone.
Mrs. Carter" Richard said, get
ting to his feet, and very definitely
indicating an end to the conversation,
before she consented to the-arrange-
ment into which We entered, Of course
took me into her confidence in this
matter! I"
"She-she did," Royal stammered.
Certainly she did" Richard said.
harshly. And looking at him the other
man saw that his face looked haggard
and cOlorless. "She did not mention
your name. ! presume out Of a sense
of generosity to you. l could have
wished" he added, that you had been
similarly generous. and had seen fit
to leave her, and leave my daughter
alone. l think / must ask you to ex-
cuse me-" said Richard at the door.
His tone was one Of absolute suffoca-
ton. Il can see no object in your
~frankness tonight. unless to distress
and humiliate Mrs. Carter. My daugh-
ter. and not myself. is the one entitled
to your confidence, and you are well
aware OF my feeling where she Is on
cerned! I would to God" said Rich
ard, with bitterness. that ! had never
seen your face! Mrs. Carter has been
a useful-and indispensable member
OF this family for many years II there
was In her past som unpleasant and
painful event, that Is her own af-
fair"
mot when she marries q man who