Smyrna times., 1923-01-10
THE OTHER MAN
BY JOAN M. GRAY

Marie wanted the man Harriet loved
and Marie worked until she got him.
Marie was Harriet's best friend ana
had all the opportunities in the world
and used them. Harriet had liked
the man very much and they had been
inseparable for years. He had been
everything to her since her mothers
death and she had taken 1t for granted
that they would always be everything
to each other.
She returned Unexpectedly from a
visit to dance at the Country CLUB
and found them there together. she
packed her things and went to live
with Aunt Harriet.
Aunt Harriet invited her husbands |
nephew out for a weekend, knowing |
that a heart can be caught on the re-
bound.
Harriet met Richard and Richard |
fell in love with Harriet. She ac-
cepted it all with maddening half
smile, plainly showing that she didn't
believe it.
Don't smile like that, Harriet" he
pleaded. You're too sweet to be cyni-
cal"
I'm not cynical. I'm just very, very
careful" she returned. II do not in
tend to let you make me think you
love me and then have you leave me
for the first attractive girl who smiles
at you"
Look at me-" he SAID. someone
has done something to turn you against
| everything. It's not a pose and it's
not broken heart you're hiding. It's
wounded pride. Harriet, give me
chance!"
ITS not wounded pride and l don't
want to talk TO you again"
"But you are going to Mrs Her
rick's dance with meT
Dick was wonderful dancer. "Well,
wees" said Harriet, but l don't want
to see you again until then" and left
him staring mOodily at the fire.
When Harriet came down the staTs
dressed for the dance, it was decited-
ly pleasant to have Dick waiting for
her and to hear him say that she
looked lovely in her crisp little rose
frock. She shut her heart to all soft
ness and kept the conversation on
safe basis.
They entered Myra Herrick's pretty
living-rOOm, now stripped bare for
dancing. and greeted her. With
shock Harriet saw Marie and the man
She passed them with little nod and
introduced Dick to a group of friends
amid the amused glances of many
eyes. She would show them
The evening wore on and Marie ant
the man were Outcasts as far as Har
riet and Dick were concerned.
Harriet suddenly became aware tina
Marie was smiling at Dick and tina
i Dick was not aloOf
| Lets go out and sit on the stairs,
she said to Dick. The stairs wer
Il shadowy. Dicks heart leaped.
| "WOuld you like an ice?' he aske
as she dropped down near the top. Sh
| nodded wearily and he went down
| fetch one. She got up and wake
along the palm-embowered balloon!
looking down upon the dancers passin
the door, Suddenly she stiffene'
Richard was dancing with Marie!
She dropped into chair, her fac
| white. Suddenly the man stood befoi
| her. Harriet" he said softly, "yo
don't think much of me, do your
81 did" she said DULY.
| "Dear little girl" the man e
claimed, do you love this splend
Dick? 1t was l made him dance vii
Marie! wanted this talk with you
"YOu mean-he knows about usY'
| "No l had hoped you'd take n
back-and tell him yourself. Harri'
think. I've missed you horribly. Wor
you take me, back?"
mo. no." she cried. They're col
ing up the stairs. Go and take Maj
away"
The man looked at her strangely
moment and turned away and left h
She saw him laugh a moment wi
Dick and turn away with Marie. Di
came to her with white face and gr
mouth.
Harriet. what is that man to you
"Oh. Dick he-he-"
"Tell me, Harriet"
4 Hc my ShC %
tragically.
"Your FatherI' Dick answered.
"Oh, Dick, loved my dad and
loved me. and he kOved mother
How could he let Marie take her pla'
He was the only dad had and v
the only child he had, and yet he's
me be so lonely! Can't you und
y standT
"Yes. dear. You're the one it's HI
on. Your father and Marie seem h
:. py."
"They are-selfshly."
AL Marie, perhaps, but not your fs
- er. He wants your forgiveness
ribly."
They sat together side by side.
Harriet" Dick said, will you n
ry we1I.
Dick had never seen this tremul