The Holbrook news., 1922-02-03

in his search. He was alone. His face was drawn and gray. he looked hot and rumpled and utterly weary 1: more, he who had always been the pink of well-groomed perfection looked old. He asked Bottomley briefly if Madame Carter was in her room. and. being informed that she was. went hastily upstairs.
 It was to the old lady's beautiful sitting room that Harriet was sum- moned few minutes later. She knew at once that he had told his mother all he knew and feared.
 Madame Carter was shockingly agi- tared. She had a deep sense of the dramatic. but she was not entirely act ing now. Her face was pale under it's rouge. and the painful tears of age stood in her eyes.
 Miss Fieldl' said Madame Carter, i've have just had most terrible-a most unexpected-blowl" !"
 Harriet simulated expectancy.
 There is every reason to believe" !" pursued Madame Carter, majestically. "that my unfortunate daughter-in-law, AE. Carter's wife, Isabelle. has yield ed to the passion of her lover. No. let me talk, Richard" she interrupted herself, as the man raised haggard eyes to watch her impersonally. "far better to face the facts, my dear! My son tells me. Miss Field the-the well-nigh incredible statement that forgetting the honor of womanhood. and the tender claims of maternity"
 Miss Field" Richard did not have the manner of interruption. but his quiet voice dominated the other voice none the less Madame Carter fell si- lent. and watched him with mournful pride. Miss Field" he said, i've want your help. The facts are these :: Williams had all the roads watched :: they did not go by motor. Mrs. Car ter reached New London at five o'clock yesterday: Pope's boat. the Geisha. pulled out at half-past six. From what Williams men picked up, at the dock. Pope did not expect her. was to have sailed this morning. She ar rived. and evidently he thought it wise to hurry their start. The pier had a dozen boxes for the Geisha on it. gro ceries and what not. that they left behind, They will probably skirt the coast for q few days, and put in somewhere for supplies. But that he passed his hand wearily across his forehead-"that doesn't concern us now. We got there a. ten last night hours too late. of course" His voice fell. he unused. with knitted brow. "Well," he said. suddenly recalling himself "Now. Miss Field. I want you to get hold of Ward I want the boy hClne at oncel He must know. But there is of course a chance that Mrs. Carter isis planning to return. There may be a woman friend with her-it's not probable, but it's pOssi- ble. I don't want any one in the house. or out of 1t. to suspect, and if you think 1t is possible. l should like Nina protectedr"
 T understand" Harriet said, quiet ly. She crossed the hall, and for tine first time in four years entered Isa- belle's suite unannounced. It was in exquisite order; streams of late after noon light were falling on the gay walls and the bright chintzes. The novels Isabelle had been skimming, the gold service of her dressing table, the great four-poster with its deeps of transparent white embroideries over white, all spoke of the beautiful won- an who had spent so many hours here. On the dressing table, with its splen-