The Elk Mountain pilot., 1922-03-02

had been watching for years.
Nina and Amy and Ward had rushed
from the dinner table to an early
dance at the club, and Richard. after
talk with his mother on the terrace
had wandered about with a vague
hope of finding Harriet somewhere
with her book. But she was not
downstairs
He went back. and presently accom-
panied his mother to her door. The
old lady stopped outside OF Nina's
open door, from which subdued ligh,
streamed.
"oh, Miss Field" said Madame
Carter.
"Yes, Madame Carter!" The rich
ready voice responded Instantly. Rich
ard hoped she would come to the door
but his mothers message was deliv-
cred too quickly to make 1t necessary.
You're waiting up for Nina?"
"Oh. YES Madame Carterl" Harriet
answered. The two exchanged good
nights Richard loitered into his moth
er's room, left her in he's. maids hands
and went back into the dimly lighted
spacious upper hall. He felt oddly
stirred; there were letters downstairs
his usual books and amusements, but
he felt curiously impelled to try for
one more word with Miss Field.
He opened the door of Nina's room
and went in, and knocked on the half
open door within that connected II
with Harriet's room.
Come in. Is it you, pilgrim7" the
pleasant, quiet voice said. Richard
stepped to the doorway
Harriet, seated in square baskc,
chair. under the soft flood of light
from basket-shaded lamp, rose pre-
cipitately, and stood looking at ain
with widened eyes and parted i-.s
without speaking. She was pIaini,
frightened, though she made herself
smile. The beautiful room was full o,
shadows; at the wide-open windows
thin curtains stirred In the cool nigh,
air.
brighten you?" Richard said.
'''Is there something Her eyes
were those Of u deer that is afraid to
turn.
''why. 1 wanted to suggest that we
tell our little piece Of news to the
family" Richard suggested. after q
momentary search for a suitable SUBJ
ject. II came very close to telling my
mother. just now. Is there any good
reason for further delay?"
"Why, no, DON'T don't suppose
there isl" Harriet stammered. "There
will be talk" n -
Il suppose So" he answered. simply.
but what we do Is our own AFFAIR.
after all. shall explain to my moth
ticai and a-well, not unpleasant So
luton. There need be no change here.
but you will simply have more as
sured position"
She had been watching him. with
all June in her face But as he went
on the color slowly drained away. ant:
about her beautiful eyes a look of
strain and even Of something like
shame gradually deepened. When she
spoke, 1t was as If the muscles of her
throat were CONSTRUCTED.
"Yes, 1 see. Certainly. see. We
| will have to let them talk. This is
simply the best arrangement possible
under the circumstances
''It is an arrangement that a man
perhaps has no right to ask Of wom-
an" Richard said. Love means a
great deal in girls life. and sup
pose there is nothing else that makes
| up for the lack Of It. But you are
| not an ordinary woman. and I assure
| you that In every way that 1 can I
mean to prove to you how deeply
appreciate what you are doing for us
| all." 1fr
| Thank your Harriet said, almost
| inaudibly. 1Il le n7aga "a
| Simply change your name on your
,.heeks." Richard said, thoughtfully.l
Il shall have Fox step into the bank
| With the authenticated signature. And
II there is anything else, use your own
Judgment. Perhaps, II I tell my moth
n, you would like to write to certain
'riends-? You can continue to draw
n the Corn Exchange, that's simplest,
md hone you'll remember that you
ave n large personal credit there" he
dded. with smile. at occurred to
ne tonight that you-you mustn't let
cour sister worry about that new
nonse. If you want your own car"
"Oh. good heavens. Mr.. Carter I"
Harriet said. suffocating
| "Asll me anything that puzzles you."
he man said. And with brief good
light he wns gone. Harriet. who had
iropped bnck into her chair. sat abso-
rtely motionless for n long. long time.
Ter eyes were fixed on space: she
nrliy brcnthed: It rlmost seemed us
| Dor heart was stopped.
Richard went downstairs. surprised
f,rel still vnguely unsatisfed. He
nd had his word with Harriet had
Id indeed much that he had not ex-
ctcd to say. However, II was much
ter to let the world know their re-