Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1922-03-23

French peasant. With no further
speech she made a splendid dive, and
the men followed her.
1t was one of life's beautiful hours.
she thought, as in a great splash of
salt water she reached the buoy, and
hung laughing and painting to it's rest
less bulk Ward had preceded her by
a full minute, Richard was half a
minute behind her. With much vain
glorious boasting from the men, they
all rested there before the homeward
swim. Harriet hardly spoke, her cup
was full to the brim with mysterious
felicity born of the summer hour, the
heaving waters, and the joyous mood
of father and son. When Richard
praised her swimming she flushed In
the severe blue cap, and the blue eyes
met his with the shy pleasure of a
child. 1t was while she was hastily
dressing, in the hot bathhouse little
later, that sudden thought came to
her. and flushed the lovely face again,
and brought her to a sudden pause.
A tremendous thought, that made
hSl VI cast ioC anu u6T eyes
fix themselves vaguely on space for
long. long minute. Her palms were
damp, and she put them over her hot
cheeks. But that-she whispered in
the deeps of her soul, that was non
sense!
Blondin had been waiting for Har-
riet at the church door. Coming out,
she had indicated without a word that
he might walk beside her. The serv-
ice had been Unattended, and the few
women who drifted away from it did
not walk in their direction. so they
found themselves alone
Harriet opened the conversation
with frank yet reluctant confession.
I'm so sorry. Roy! But it is only
fair to you to say that I've changed.
You will have to do what you think
fit about it, of course. But 1 can't
pretend that Tm-Tm playing your
game any longer"
what gamer" Blondin, falling into
graceful step beside her, asked pleas
antIy.
Il mean any possible-idea you
might have of Nina!" Harriet said,
brave1y.
"Oh, Nina!'' he shrugged his shou1-
ders lightly. Don't take me too seri-
ously, Harriet" he said. "Why, when
ever we are alone together. should you
promptly begin to cross-Question me
about that little person?"
Harriet made a faint, impatient
ejaculation.
We'll, anyway, you know where 1
stand" she said.
swered, after a pause. Il can see Car
ter has no particular enthusiasm for
me-I suppose that's your work"
You know where 1 stand" she
could only repeat. They had reached
the garden now, and were at the foot
of the steps.
Il don't quite see how you can take
that Tone" Blondin limited. do you
expect to marry the boy?"
Harriet did not answer, except by
faint shrug. Her heart was sick
with fright, but there was no reason
why he should be informed that she
had definitely broken with Ward. But
he had never come SO near a threat
before.
"Of course 1 am entirely at your
mercy" she said, simply. Blondin
watched her for a full moment of ST.
| 1nnan hofnrn hn c,v1ddanI-.
Look here. I'll make a bargain
with you. If you will consent not to
make any allusiOn towel, to ten
years ago, I'll do the same. I'll give
you my solemn promise on it. Say
what you please about me now. You're
under no bond to protect me. I car
hold my own. But the past is dead
Neither you nor 1 will speak of il
without agreeing to do so. How about
it?"
She hesitated, the black lashes
dropped, her restless hands twisting
and torturing her handkerchief. Il
protected her, she thought, while leav
ing her free to oppose him.
'Pll agree" she said, finally.
"Promise"
"Oh, promise ~ She bit her lip. and
frowned, as if she would add some
thing more But no words came, only
her troubled eyes met his fully and
splendidly for second.
Then with a brief, familiar nod she
turned, and without another wore
went into the house.
The morning dragged. 1t was dry
and hot, with promise Of a storm
later.
Madame Carter's breakfast had beer
sent upstairs, and Mrs. Tabor hat
Joined her, for when the old lady sem
were together, in elaborate negligee
and a litter of Sunday papers wal
| scattered about the beautiful bedroom
Upon Harriet's entrance Mrs. Tabor
gracefully rose to go, but she paused
for pleasant good morning.
Alone with her determined old en-
envy, Harriet assumed her usual all
of respectful readiness. Madame Car
ter had sent for her?
"Yes," said the old lady. looking
aimlessly about her before gathering
her garments together, and sinking
into a chair 81 wanted you to know
that the young people propose tC
drive to Easthampton, at about two
oclock-my granddaughter has beer
here, teasing Granny for the plan, and
I have consented. They Will dine
there and be back at about-Well
after dinner"
But won't that tire you?' Harriet
asked.
"I? Oh, I shall not go. Ward will
chaperon his sister, and Nina, Amy
Mr.. Blondin will see that they gel
home in time. It's quite all right, Miss
Field l am entirely satisfied. They
But, Madame Carter!" Harriet in
terrupted her as she had expected tc
be interrupted. "Surely it would be