The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1922-05-25
CHAPTER XII.


heart singing and the weariest blood
to moving more quickly. Harriet was
through with her housekeeping and
her luncheon, and meditating letter
to Linda, when Ida Tabor fiuttered In.
Harriet heard the gay voice at the
foot Of the stairs: "Oh, sweetheart
Where's my little girl"
Mrs. Tabor looked trifle dashed
when only Harriet responded, although
she Immediately assured Miss Field
cordially with bright insincerity that
she had known Of her return, and was
$50 gladw
1--WE been a sort Of big sister here"
she said, laughingly, land, my Lord,
these kids have managed things won
derfully But I suppose sooner or
later the machinery would have
stalled without your fine Italian
handp
"Mr. Carter asked me to come
back" Harriet stated, simply. She
thought the truth her best weapon,
but Mrs. Tabor was ready for her.
MARY Putnam told us that you
were just resting and looking about"
she said, innocently, land Dick-gen-
erous that he is-couldn't feel COM
Portable about it, 1 supposew
Richard had telephoned Harriet
at three O'clock that the morning pa
pers would have "the news" and that
| he was coming home to tell his chill
| dren Of their mothers death, tonight.
But she must get rid of this woman
now, somehow. 1t would be fatal to
have Ida Tarbor here when Richard
| Carter returned.
II might run up now and see the old
lady !" said Mrs. Tabor, who had flung
| off her furs, and beautif1ed herself at
her handbag mirror. She pressed her
lips together for the red coloring. "Mr.
Carter be here tonightr she asked,
casually.
| Bottomley caused an interruption.
Harriet turned to him with relief. But
| unfortunately he answered the very
question she was trying to evade.
"Mr. Carter had just telephoned IN,
and says that Ell be ere at about six,
m"
ooh, thank you, Bottomleyw Harriet
turned back to Ida, to see her compla-
Gently looosening outer wraps.
II came in the Warrens' car" said
she; they were to run over to say
Merry Christmas to the Bellamys, and
then pick me up. Buff l won't be
in the way l-perhaps l might stay and
see Nina; we've become great chums.
suppose I'd better 60 to the room /
always have7 Then I'll run up and
get the latest news of the Battle of
Shiloh from Madame Carter"
1t was now or never; Harriet's heart
began to beat. Madame Carter has
gone driving" she said. "She may be
in at any moment, but before she
comes, want to speak to you. We've
had terrible news here, Mrs. Tabor
Mr.. Carter is coming home to tell the
children and his mother tonight. Mr.
Pope cabled from Paris on Christmas
eve that Mrs. Carter suddenly died
that day."
Ida Tabor never felt anything very
deeply, but her emotions were accessi
bic enough, and violent while they
lasted. She grew white, gasped, some
how reached a chair, and burst into
honest tears. Isabelle! Why, they
had been friends for years Why, She
had been so wonderfully well anC
strongl
Nobody knows It," Harriet said
And not quite innocently she added
1.-THE Fordyces. the Bellamys-every
one who knew her-are in total ignOr
ance of IT. If you do tell them, Mrs
Tabor-and there is no reason VIII!
you shouldn't"
ooh, / shall stay here with Nina TO
night, anyway" the visitor said, de
cidedly. shell need me, of course
Poor little thingw
"It seems too bad to spoil your New
Years plans" Harriet said, smiling
but you know Nina She will pu
those long arms Of hers about you
and she won't hear Of your leaving he
for daysl With Nina" Harriet pur
sued, thoughtfully, sit isn't so mucl
that one can't find a good excuse, a
that she won't hear of excuses at all
remember when Mrs. Carter frs
went away, there were days Of it
weeks of itl-just talk, tears, and tai
my arm used to ache from the weigh
of Ninas arm Mr.. Carter intends {
leave for Chicago tomorrow, War
| will probably go up to the Eatons'-
Harriet rambled on, not unconsciou
that she was making an impression
J Anyway" she finished, 1--WE shall b
! fearfuliy quiet and alone here, an
your being here would simply save tn
day for Ninai"
"oh, really couldn't stay over Me-