The Hickman courier., 1922-04-13

| his game as calmly as II doubts and
reluctance had lever entered her
heart.
AT four o'clock Richard came home.
and the instant Harriet saw his face
she realized. with a shock even sharp
er than Tire original moment of In
credulity. that he had had no success
in his search He was alone. His
face was drawn and gray. he looked
hot and rumpled and utterly weary:
more. he who had always been the
pink Of well-grOomed perfection
looked old. He asked BottOmley
briefly II Madame Carter was in her
room. and being informed thar she
was. went hastily upstairs.
II was To the old lady's beautiful
sitting room that Harriet was sum
mOned a few minutes later. She knew
nj once that ne had told his mother
all he knew and feared.
Madame Carter was shockingly agi-
tated. She had a deep sense of the
dramatic. hut she was not entirely act
ing now. Her face was pale under its
rouge. and the painful tears of age
stood In her eyes.
Miss Field >" said Madame Carter.
eve have just had most terrible-a
most unexpected-blow'" :"
Harriet simulated expectancy.
There is every reason 10 believe"
pursued Madame Carter. majestically.
that my unfortunate daughter-in-law.
Mr.. Carriers wife, Isabelle. has Yield
ed to the passion OF her lover. No.
let me talk. Richard" she interrupted
herseIs as the man raised haggar,.
eyes TO watch ner impersorallv. far
better 20 face the facts. my dear, Ny
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 Msds me Carter fell ST.
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 IL wise
70 harry their start. The pier had a
dozen boxes for the Geisha on H. gro
Ceries and what not. that they left
behind, They VIII probably skirt the
coast for few days. and pur in
somewhere for supplies But that
he passed his hand wearily across his
forehead-"that doesn't concern us
now. We got there at 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. want
you to get hold Of Ward I want the
boy home AT once, He must know.
Bur there is Of course chance that
Mrs. Carter isis planning to return
There may be a woman friend with
her-it's not probable. but it's posi-
BILE. l don't want any one In the
house. or out Of 4. to suspect. and IL
you think II Is possible. I should Ike
Nina protected
II understand" Harriet said, quiet
ly. She crossed the hall. and for the
first time in four years entered Isa-
bellies suite unannounced. II was In
exquisite order: streams Of late after
noon light were falling on the gay
hA Aohf oh ThA
novels Isabelle had been skimming.
the gold service OF her dressing table.
the great four-poster with Its deeps OK
transparent white embroideries over
white. all spoke Of the beautiful wom-
an who had spent so many hours here.
On the dressing table. with its splen-