The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1922-06-22

smooth way alr. Carter would be in
town tonight, Mr.. Carter was detained
at the office, Mrs Carter was chaperon-
ing the young people, there were flow
ers for Mrs Carter. That was all Bot
tomley and Pilgrim and Ward and Nj
ma saw.
But To Harriet and Richard the de-
licious, secret game of hide-and-go-seek
made everything else in the world in
significant. Harriet opened the boxes
of flowers he sent her with heart suf-
locating with JOY. Richard consented
To be absent from the dinner table
over which she presided with an ag-
ony of remuneration that almost made
him feel ILL., When he Glanced one day
to meet her with Nina in n breezy,
awninged summer restaurant the
sight of The slender figure thrilled him
a. he had never been thrilled by any
woman he had ever known. He was
Ia speak to her. TO hear her voice ! One
day he bought her shoes in the shop
she looked at him for approval. He
thought the shoes, low shoes with
buckles, that showed the silk clad an
kle, very suitable and pretty. He was
thrown into sudden confusion when
the shoe clerk turned to him with
murnured mention of the price.
Ten dollars? Richard fumbled for
his purse. He had met her walking
alone in the Avenue she had said that
she must get shoes. Hundreds Of other
men were presumably buying their
~a,r..a ef rHse hill
liant street But Richard found the
adventure shaking to the soul.
They're lovely Shoes" Harriet said.
as they walked out into the sunshine.
She told him that she was to meet
Nina at his mothers at five. Richard.
with sudden eagerness, wondered IL
she would spend the interval IN hav-
| ing tea somewhere, but instead they
went into a bookshOp, and she carried
| a new book triumphantly away. ITS
a frightful day In town." Harriet said,
"and if we're little early we may
| all get away TO the country that much
| sOoner,"
She established herself contentedly
beside him when they did finally start
| for Crownlands. Ward, beside Han
sen, did most Of the talking; Nina was
| silent, and Harriet noticed that she
| was very pale. Richard was repeat
ing 10 himself one phrase all the way !;
| q phrase that he found so thrilling
| and absorbing that II was enough to
keep him from speaking aloud. or lis
tening to what the others said.
81 love her-I love her-I love her ~
/ nd affr ha
| glanced sldewise at her, her beautiful
hair ripping in thick waves under the
thin veil. her face little pale from
the heat Of the day. her glorious eyes
family Swallowed. When the swift
movement of the car brought her
shoulder against his, their eyes met
for smiling second, and 1t seemed Il
Richard that his heart brimmed will
the most delicious emotion that he hat
ever known.
Nina complained OF a headach,
when they reached home. and wen
! early 10 bed. Harriet, when she hat
tubbed and changed to an evenin,
gown. glanced in at Nina, and though
the girl asleep. There were mel
guests for dinner. and afterward Their,
| WIS bTluSe. IldtIict sat Win Mdudiii'
Carter for awhile, for the old lady hat
also dined upstairs, went about thu
house upon her usual errands, and
going TO her own room, found Mn;
reading, ar about ten o'clock. Mn:
did not look up or speak as Harrie
came in.
The door that led 10 Richards room
was not only unlocked, but actual.
ajar. Harriet gave 1t a surprised
glance, and spoke to Nina, In the mex
room.
nina, did you unlock this door,
what door, Nina called. "Oh
yesl' she added. u did"
"Oh," Harriet murmured. And sh
stepped to the door. and looked int
Richards room.
1t was sort Of upstairs sittini
room, furnished simply, In maj
fashion, with deep leather chairs o.
each side of the fireplace, broad table
carrying only the essential lamps an
ashtrays, a shabby desk where Rich
: ard kept personal papers, and book
! shelves crammed with novels. HaI
riet, making a timid round, saw Bal
I FAC and Dickens, Dumas and Fielding
: several Shakespeares and a complet
] Meredith, jostling elbows with moder
novels In bright jackets, and yello'
J French romances losing their pape
covers
q /