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

HIS
you look wonderful :" Nina said.
"Why. you saw this gown at Mas
sau," Harriet protested.
fIouise-or whoever she was of
Prussia. or whatever you call IT.
turned in the family vault when you
walked down th0sa stairs - Ward
said "Oo-oo-caugFlt you under the
mistIetoe-oo-oo. YOU would 80 he
added. with an effort TO enveIop her
in his embrace
Ward. behave Yourself" Harriet
said. evading him. and walking toward
the dining room with his grandmother.
who came downstairs in her turn. and
joined them
Richard Carter watched her, the in
carnation of young and beautiful
womanhoOd. Clever he knew her to
be. capable and conscientious. but to-
night she was in new role He liked
10 see her there at the other end of
the table: he realized that she was the
center of things. here I'm his house.
and that he had missed her.
After dinner IT CHANGED that Bot
tomley called her TO the telephone.
and that a moment later she passed
the call on to Richard.
Its Mr.. Gardiner. Mr. Carter. He
didn't know that you were here, but
he would rather speak to YOU" Har-
riet said. Richard went to the tele-
phone, and as she moved to make
room for him, and gave him the re-
ceiver. he had a sudden breath Of the
sweetness and freshness of her, Of
hair and young film skin, of the
rustling satin gown, and the little
handkerchief that she dropped, and
that he picked up for her. He smiled
as he gave 1t, and flushed inexplicably,
and his first few words to the bewil-
dered Gardiner were a little shaken
and GREATNESS. But Richard was quite
himself again an hour Or two later,
when he sent for Miss Field, and she
came into the library.
81 needn't say that I'm entirely
pleased with the way matters have
gone, Harriet" said Richard, when she
had seated herself on the opposite
side of his big fiat desk, and locking
face. had fixed her magnificent eyes on
him. nina seems in fine shape, and
| have never seen my mother better.
You seem to have a genius for man.
aging the Carriers. I'm seriously con-
sidering an offer from Gardiner; he's
got to take his boy out to Nevada for
his health. Ward wants to go, and
I,
got there. l hope he will try it any
how! So that leaves Nina, who is
safe enough with you, and my mother,
who seems perfectly well and happy.
Meanwhile, while you've been gone
we've gotten the Brazilian company
we'll started, so that shall have a lit.
tie more freedom than I've had for
years.
"You look as If you needed it," Har-
riet observed.
'You look wonderful" Richard re-
turned, simply. Wonderful! Is that
a new gown"
"Weu. I had 1t made last November
just before 1 went away. Mrs. Carter
gave IuC Tie udlcI1dI q year dkO-
Harriet glanced down at herself and
smiled.
"You might wear pearls-or some
thing-with It," Richard said. do you
like pearls?"
1t was astonishing to see the color
come up in her dusky skin; her eyes
met his almost pleadingly.
"Why-I never thought" she said.
In some confusion.
Il suppose q man may ask his wife
II she likes pearls?" Richard said, i'm
PEELED by some feeling he did not de-
fine. He had leaned back In his chair
and half closed his eyes, as he studied
her.
"Oh-please Harriet said in an
agony. She gave a Mortified glance
about, but the library was closed and
silent. "Some one might hear you'll"
she whispered. And a moment later
she rose to her feet, and eyed him
quietly. "Was that all, Mr.. Carter?
she asked. 1t was Richards turn to
look a trifle confused.
"That's all-my dearw he said,
obediently. The term made her flush