The herald., 1922-03-23

anchor. That would be a solution for
us allw 1t was a random shot. but
to his surprise she flushed brightly.
ward knows that there is no
chance of that" she said, quickly,
dearly as love him"
Richards eyes widened with whim-
steal amusement again.
$50 you've refused Ward. have
you"
Long ago." she answered simply.
The man laughed; but moment later
his face grew dark and troubled again
as he said:
81 hardly know what to do! The
girl is the first consideration, or
course, and she needs you. l feel that
she is not only safe, but happy, when
you are here. I've unfortunately
reached place where I've got to feel
free. You've heard us all talk of this
new asbestos merger-my dear girl,
that will keep me going like slave
for months. perhaps years! l won't
know when | am to be home, or what
| shall have to cancel. | suppose L
can't convince you how badly we need
YOU. NY mother-well, she has always
taken life that way; she can't change
now. / shall have Ida Tabor as fix
ture here, / suppose, Nina running
wild, Ward never home! You-you
give me exactly what l want here
Good dinners, fires, hospitality, a good
report from Nina and Ward; | can
bring men home, can" He unused,
with smile touching his fine, tired
/ face. I'm short, l wish there was some
! fortunate young man somewhere to
make you Mrs. Smith or Jones, Miss
Field, and let you come back to the
Carriers Immediately again."
Harriet laughed, sighed sharply i'm
mediately upon the laugh.
Unfortunately, there isn't such
man." she said. And she added, Even
a widow, sometimes. is vulnerable"
| Richard smiled, but some sudden
thought made the smile but an absent
one, and he sat quite obviously plunged
in meditation for long minute
Here's another suggestion, Mis-:
Field" he said suddenly, looking up
81 don't know how this will strike
YOU: IL has occurred to me before
Gardiner limited tor l thought hi
did, and the more / think of 1t the
more possible II seems. You are {
business woman and l am bushes:
man. You know exactly what l am
exactly what occurred in my married
life, after twenty-five years. That
that sort of thing is over, of course
But there is that way of settling 1t, 1
you care to consider it"
He paused, with questioning lOol
Of encouragement. embarrassment ant
affectionate interest. Harriet hat
grown pale and had fixed her eye
upon his as If under a spell.
"You mean" Her voice faile,
her.
II mean marriage. I mean that yo'
and 1 shall quietly get married in
few weeks. when / am free" he an
swered. 81 have just indicated to yo
what 1t would mean to me. l hope,
he added, watching her closely, as sh
sat stunned and silent, 81 hope that
would also have its advantages to you
Your position then would be unques
tionable, my mother-Nina-the world
would have nothing to say. Your iI
fiuence on Ward Is the one thing tina
may save the boy. OF Nina we'v
already spoken. My mother-I kno0
her would Immediately become tn
champion of her sons wife. Their
would be a three days buzzing-tha
would end itw
! The swift uprushing Of Joy in Hal
riet's heart was accompanied with tn
first agonies of remuneration, was pei
haps all the more poignantly swee
because of them. She had not com
to this hour without knowing what h
meant to her. this quiet man with tn
splendid mouth and the keen gra
eyes. and she trembled now with a
exuuisite emotion that seemed [
drown out all the past and all the fl
ture-everything except that she love
him and he needed herI But when sh
spoke II was as coolly as he:
"Mr. Carter-what of your wife?"
His eyes met hers YEARLY.
divorce proceedings were inst
tuted Immediately 1t was definitely e.
tablished she had gone with youn
Pope. The decree will be absolute"
But that will not-cannOt alter tn
situation" Harriet faltered.
"You mean" the man hesitate,