The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1922-03-22
CHAPTER Vni-Continued.
.

A day or two later there was a fam
lily conference in the library, and Har-
riet realized more clearly than ever
that 1t was impossible to forecast the
march Of events. Richard announced
that after consideration he had de-
cided that 1t would be wiser for the
family to weather the storm of talk
that would follow Isabelle's disappear
ance in SOM neighborhood less con-
nected with her. He had therefore
leased an establishment on Long
Island, where the children could have
their swimming and tennis, and his
mother her usual nearness to town, but
where they would be comparatively
inaccessible to a curious press and
public, and might disappear for q
grateful interval. The life at Hunting
ton would be less formal than at
Crownlands, but the house he had
taken was comfortable and roomy;
there would be plenty Of room for
Nina's girl friends and Wards guests.
Miss Field, Bottomley and Hansen
would please see to it that the move
vas made with all possible expedition.
II have explained to my mother and
the children" he said. quietly, to Har-
riet, that Mrs. Carter has asked for
q divorce, which will, OF course, be
Immediately arranged. Now, Miss
Field, you will understand that you
are in charge from now on. My mother
will-well, you know how to handle
her! She is ~old-enjoys her little bit
Of mischief sometimes! Anything I'M
usual you can refer to me I shall be
there every week, anyway"
He paused and ruf1led the scattered
papers that were on the f%lat-topped
desk before him. Harriet watched
him anxiously. She thought he looked
tired and old, and her heart ached at
the troubled attempt he was making
to simplify the tragedy for them all.
He was not handsome, she reflected,
but surely there had never been
keener or pleasanter gray eyes, and a
mouth so strong when 1t was in repose,
so honest when 1t smiled. Not like
Wards ready and incessant laughter,
not like Royal Blondin's carefully cal
culated amusement.
Reaching this point in her thought.
facing him with her whole beautiful
face alive with emotion and interest,
Harriet smiled herself, i%nvoluntarily
and family. It was a smile of almost
daughterly sympathy and comrade-
ship, friendly and innocent, and wholly
Irresistible.
Richard, catching the look, was per-
haps unconsciously cheered by It.
Even at forty-four, and under his
present difficulties and harassments.
he must have been dead not to be
refreshed by the vision Of earnest
youth and beauty that was so near
him in the tempered summer light Of
the great library.
"Thank you" he said, as II she had
spoken. There is one more thing.
Miss Field" he added, idly rumpling
his papers again, and then moving his
fine hand to his thick brown hair,
whose shining order he rumpled too.
about this man Blondin. Do you
know anything about him"
A more direct shot at her innermost
Businesses could hardly have been
made. Robbed Of breath and senses
by the s%uddenness Of 1t, and with dry
lips, Harriet could only falter . repe-
tltiOn:
"Know anything about himf"
II don't know much, and what ! do
know l don't like" Richard continued.
noticing nothing amiss In her manner.
perhaps because he was so deeply alb
sorbed In what he was saying. Hes
q kandsome fellSw: he knows his sub