The Jasper news., 1922-04-13
CHAPTER XIV.

| in the library at Crownlands stirred
in the breeze of the warm summer
night, the pendulum of the big clock
| behind Richard Carter moved to and
fro, but for long time there was no
other sound In the library. Richard
had dropped his eyes. was idly staring
ut the blank sheet of paper before
him. Royal Blondin, who had folded
his arms, for a moment studied Har-
riet between half-clOsed lids, but pres
emily his eyes fell. too. and with a
rather troubled expression he studied
the pattern of the grent oriental rug.
Harriet stood motionless, turned to
stone. If there was anything TO be
said in her behalf, she could not say
ii now. For the first time the full
measure OF her responsibility and the
full measure of her deceit smote her.
and In utter sickness of spirit she
could advance no excuse. 1t was not
that she had failed Blondln, or that
she had failed Richard. but the extent
of her failure toward herself appalled,
her. She was not the good. brave. cul-
tivntcd woman she had liked to think
herself; she was one more egotist,
with Nina. and Isabelle. and Ida, un-
scrupuluusly playing her own game
for her own ends.
'l'm extremely sorry" Richard said,
presently, in somewhat lifeless tone.
81 Imagine that il my daughter had.
known this, she might have been
spared some suffering and some hu-
initiation. But we needn't consider
that now" He was silent, frowning
family. He put up fine hand and
adjusted his eyeglasses with little
impatient muscular twitchinG Of his
whole face that Harriet knew TO be
Characteristic of his worried moods.
Mr.. BlOndin." he said, wearily and
politely, II have had-H great deal on
my mind. lately. and have perhaps
been hasty I'm my condemnation OF you.
However, this does not particularly
help your cause with my daughter.
There are Il great many aspects to the
matter, and IL must take time TO con-
slider them. Nina must be my first
consideration, poor childl Her mother
failed her-wc have all failed her!
She has right to know of this con-
VcrSatlOn-"
Harriet stirred and his eyes moved
to her. Without word, and with a
stricken look in her beautiful, ashen
face, she turned and went slowly
toward the door. When she reached
it, she stendlcd herself second by
pressing one fine hand against the
dark wood, then she opened it and was
gone.
I'm very sorry" Blondin suid hesI.
tatingly, when the men were alone.
Mrs. Carter" Richard said, get
ting TO his feet, and very definitely
indicating an end TO the conversation,
before she consented to the-arrance.
ment into which we entered, of course
took me into her confidence In this
matter"
"She-she did?" Royal stammered.
certainly she did" Richard said,
harshly. And looking at him the other
man saw that his face looked haggard
| and cOlOrless. "She did not mention
! your name, ! presume out of sense
Of generosity to you. could have
wished" he added that you had been
| similarly generous, and had seen fit
to leave her, and leave my daughter
| alone. ] think / must ask you to ex.
cuse me-" said Richard at the door.
| His tone was one of absolute sufrOca-
! tion. 81 can see no object In your
! frankness tonight, unless to distress
and humiIiate Mrs. Carter. My daugh-
ter, and not myself, is the one entitled
to your confidence, and you are well
aware of my feeling where she Is con-
cerned ! would 10 God" said Rich.
! ard, with bitterness, that had never
seen your facel Mrs. Carter has been
n useful-and indispensable !--meinber
Of this family for many years; IL there
was In her past some unpleasant and
painful event. that is her own az
| fair-W
mot when she marrles a man who
is unaware Of it," Blondln suggested.
In his pleasant. soft tones.
"That is miner Richard said. stern.
ly. And he opened the library door.
Good evening"" !" he said.
Good EVENING"" Blondin, with his
flight. lettering step. crossed the thresh-
old. and Richard closed the door. He
took his chair again and reached
toward the bell that would have
brought Bottomley to summon Nina
in turn. But halfway to the bell his
resolution wavered, disappeared. In
stead he rested his elbows on the