The herald., 1922-05-11
CHAPTER xv-cOntinued'

per D ,roman of fifty, pathetlcall!
pleasant Co.. his casual politeness IN
ps'e. .uanreness and shyness. He naa
De- s'ac.,, quite idly and accldeh'a SEo
chsDc.u o an impression on her. she
10 naAe ,aod 70 come to the studio
.0d look at his rugs - ,rossod co
~ pnvsl wondered why she dressed s,a 80
hO' che needed simple materials
n a sorIng lines. He heard himself
trlng her so.
s,.,ord sat on, on the terrace
NIL ord presently his mother
tnI. Ont and Joined him. Wasn't he
a. s old lady asked deliberately, gong
ue .So club? 1t was almost nve
= U.ork. her son reminded her. Two
oeiv .sroe Of his business associates
~.-s coming to dinner; Hansen was
se Ito them all into the city later.
xou he Just felt lazy.
sNo tea today?" he asked presently
p.onle usually went to the cluD on
ss.sov said his mother. She ADDED
, S- that Harriet was asleep:
p,,bsrd said that she had looked urea
Al. morning; sleep was the best thing
for her. 49, $500 .,.,,eoort
and thrilling again; he heard ner
,oIce her laugh. She came swiftly
IA ouietly out to them, smiling at
MIN settling herself in the chair be-
.,ds his mother. She wore white,
,,,nsparent, simple; there were coral
ss.ds about her firm young throat.
Tho dew of her deep sleep made her
Alma ewes wonderful; her cheeks were
s pink as a baby's. -.
airen't the June days deliciousT
aha said Richard studied her, smiling
r. without answering. What would
che saw next, where would she move
No, eyes. or lay her white hand, he
vonaered. When she murmured to his
mother In an undertone, he tried to
catch the words.
aDd Won have a good sleepT Rich
ard asked. She flashed him an elo-
quent look.
4Oh-the most delightful OF my
whole lifel Eight hours without stir
rngT
The Hoyts arrived; handsome
mother and two equally handsome
daughters. Harriet went to them
racefully; Richard saw that she was
accepting good wishes. She took the
callers to his mother, and filled their
cups herself.
aShe certainly Is wonderful" Rich
ord said. He perfectly realized his
own suddenly deepening feeling for
her. but he dared not analyze 1t yet.
When Mrs. Hoyt limited at dinner, he
took part In the conversation. Thurs.
dayi Why not, Harriet? We have no
engagement for ThursdayT
Shc flushed brightly, signaling to
him that she had already indicated an
excuse. They had never dined to-
gether away from home. He need not
think, said Harriet's anxious manner
that he need carry the appearance OF
marriage so far.
sBut-but aren't Nina and I to be
In town Thursday" she ventured.
Shopping. You can make that next
week" Richard said. He loved hel
confusion.
Then we surely will! Thank you
she said to Mrs. Hoyt.
Thursday, then, at eight! ~ the
caller said. departing. Richard saun
tereo with them to their car, and re
turned to find Harriet half-scandal
lied, half-laughing.
But do you want to dine will
themT she asked.
Why mott" His smile challenged
Der, and she laughed hardly.
! suppose there is no reason VIII.
not, Mr.. Carterl"
You can wear"-he gestured-"th
black and goldy thing. They'll all b.
watching your
-Oh," she said, considering earnest
" i have a much handsomer one thai
mat Blue and silver. You've not seel
IT,
Blue and silver, then" Richar
Nit distinct regret when the men h
opected appeared. There was but on
nsure Of any interest to him on tn
macy, nower-scented terrace, and tina
was q woman's figure In a white gown
FOR two or three days he was cor
~ious OF constant interest in her ar
rafances and disappearance, a col
s.nt desire to please her. He was col
saous Of one mastering curiosity:
wanted to know Just how Harriet r,
safued him. 1t seemed suddenly {
supreme Importance. He thought Of
= ms ONCE, and smiled to himself dul
us important business conference
snouoering about 1t. 1t seemed incre,
e 10 him, now, that his experience
ue past year had been so largel
ocened with Harriet. His wife
y, panion, his daughters governes
~ own capable and dignified hous
Nper' the woman he had so hasti
ll,ed' all seemed different perso
Su'e visionary person. with who
~. such business-like arrangement
ad been possible.
,u. harriet was beginning to see
m stranger who possessed
In .ne most mysterious and chill
~ he most beautiful and the mo
nng personality that no had ev