The Red Cloud chief., 1922-03-30
THE OTHER MAN
BY JOAN M. GRAY

Blurie was IIarriet's best friend n
had all the opportunities i'm the world
and used them. Harriet had liked
the man very much and they had been
inscparablc for years. lie had been
everything to her since her mothers
death and she had taken 1t for granted
that they would always be everything
to each other.
She returned unexpectedly from q
visit TO n dance ut the Country club
and found them there together. She
packed her things and went to live
with Aunt Harriet.
Aunt Harriet invited her husbands
nephew out for a weekend, knowing
that a heart can be caught on the re-
bound.
Harriet met Richard and Richard
fell in love with Harriet. She ac-
cepted It all with q maddenlng half
smile, plainly showing that she didn't
believe 1t.
Don't smile like that, Harriet" he
pleaded. you're. too sweet to be cyni-
CAL"
I'm not cynical. I'm just very, very
careful" she returned. II do not In
tend to let you make me think you
love me and then have you leave me
for the first attractive girl who smiles
ut you"
Look at me-" he said. Someone
has done something to turn you against
everything. It's not q pose and it's
not a broken heart you're hiding. It's
wounded pride. Harriet, give me a
chance"
Its not wounded pride and I don't
want to talk to you again"
But you are going to Mrs. Her
rlck's dance with me?"
Dick was a wonderful dancer. well,
ye-es," said Harriet, but l don't want
to see you again until then" and left
him staring moodily mt the fire.
When Harriet came down the stairs
dressed for the dance, 1t was decided
ly pleasant to have Dick waiting for
her and to hear him say that she
looked lovely In her crisp little rose
frock. She shut her heart to all soft
ness and kept the conversation III q
safe basis.
They entered Myra Herrick's pretty
liylug-room, now stripped bare for
dancing. and greeted her. With a
shock Harriet saw Marie and the q
She passed them with n little nod and
introduced Dick TO Il group Of friends
amid the amused %glances Of many
eyes. She would show them!
The evening wore on and Marie and
the man were outcasts as far as Har-
rlet and Dick were concerned.
Harriet suddenly became aware that
Marie was smiling at Dick and that
Dick was not aloOf.
lets go out and sit on the stairs"
she said 10 Dick. The stairs We're
shadowy. Dicks heart leaped.
"Would you like an icei' he asked
as she dropped down near the top. She
nodded YEARLY and he went down to
fetch one. She got up and walked
along the balm-embowered balcony,
looking down upon the dancers passing
the door. Suddenly she stlffened.
Richard was dancing with Marie!
She dropped into a chair, her face
white. Suddenly the man stood before
her. Harriet" he said softly, "you
don't think much of me, do you?"
81 did" she said DULY,
Dear little girl" the man eX-
claimed, ''do You love this splendid
Dick? 1t was ! made him dance with
Marie! I wanted this talk with you"
You mean-he knows about us?"
"No. had hoped you'd take me
back-and tell him yourself. Harriet,
think. I've missed you horribly. Won't
you take me backT
mo. no" she cried. "They're COM
ing up the stairs. Go and take Marie
away"
The man looked ut her strangely q
moment and turned away and left her.
She saw him laugh n moment with
Dick and turn away with Marie. Dick
came to her with white face and grim
mouth.
Harriet, what is that man to your
ooh, Dick he-he-"
"Tell me, Harriet"
"Dick, he's my father" she said
tragically.
"Your Father ~ Dick answered.
"Oh. Dick, I loved my dad and he
loved me, and he loved mother so.
How could he let Marie take her place?
He was the only dad I had and I was
the only child he had. and yet he's let
me be so lonely! Can't you under
stand?"
"Yes, dear. You're the one it's hard
on. Your father and Marie seem hap
by"
"They are-selfshly."
marie, perhaps. but not your faith
or. He wants your forgiveness ter.
ribly."
They sat together side by side.
Harriet" Dick said, will you mar
ry mef"
Dick had never seen this tremulous
Harriet. They sat quietly side by side.
Richard kissed her satisfactorily, and
later she stirred and brushed her lips
shyly against his cheek.
"Dick she S0id. with a little sigh