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Show SOUTH CACHE COURIER, HYRUM. UTAH I D,.niMMmHimimmminntiiHg HARRIET and the PIPER By Kathleen Norris matter-of-faetl- Illustrations by Irwin Myers gWlililHiilHIIIIHIillllllllllllllllliaiilifS Copyright bv KathlMn Norrl CHAPTER XVI. I' 16 . ' After that life took on a mysterious that made every fragrance and beauty to the masIntoxication an hour of It The Crownlands. of mistress and ter own fact that their secret was all their To the was all the more enchanting. domestic staff, to the children, to the outside world, life went upon Its usual smooth way. Mr. Carter would be In town tonight, Mr. Carter was detained at the office, Mrs. Carter was chaperoniflowng the young people, there were ers for Mrs. Carter. That was all and Pilgrim and Ward and NiBot-toml- na saw. But to Harriet and Richard the delicious, secret game of made everything else In the world inHarriet opened the boxes significant. of flowers he sent her with a heart suff- ocating with Joy. Richard consented to be absent from the dinner table over which she presided with an agony of renunciation that almost made him feel HI. When he chanced one day to meet her with Nina, in a breezy, summer restaurant, the awninged sight of the slender figure thrilled him as he had never been thrilled by any woman he had ever known. He was to speak to her, to hear her voice ! One day he bought her shoes ; In the shop He she looked at him for approval. with the shoes low shoes, thought buckles, that showed kle, very suitable and thrown Into sudden anthe was He pretty. silk-cla- d confusion when the shoe clerk turned to him with a murmured mention of the price. Ten dollars? Richard his purse. He had met alone in the Avenue ; she she must get shoes. evernl Shakespeares and a complete Meredith, jostling elbows with modern novels la bright Jackets, and yellow French romances losing their paper covers. Suddenly her heart turned to water; some tiny sound in the silence warning ner that some one had entered. She turned, discovered here In. the very center of his own private apartment. He was standing not three feet away from her. For a second they stared at each other with a sort of mutual trepidation. Hello! he said; then I brought home a . paper tonight; I wanted Unger to see It! I left it in the suit I wore. . Giving my room the once over?" he said. Nina left the door open. I've neve? been in here before, Harriet said, trying to make her voice as natural as his ,own. Confused and ashamed, she was hardly conscious of what she said. Here we are! Richard glanced at the paper he had found. See here, lie said, presently, going to a window, come here a minute, I wont to show you this You see, they were both looking out into the moonlight now, you see, this is where I propose to build on that big room downstairs, throw the library Into the blue room, and have a big sleeping porch upstairs here, he explained. Perfectly feasible, and yet it will make a different house of It! Harriet commented Interestedly enough. But she heard his volc rather than his words, and saw only black-clathe figure, the r shining shoes, the fine hand that indicated the changes. he was conscious of confu, Perhaps sion, too, for his words stopped, and presently they were looking at each other in a strange silence, Richard still smiling, Harriet wide eyed. Then suddenly his strong arms held her close, and her blue, frightened eyes were close to his, and she felt everything else in the world slip away from her except the exquisite knowledge that she loved this man with all her heart and soul. I want to tell you something," Richard said, quickly and IncoherentI want you to know that I love ly. you I think. Ive always loved you! this wasnt in our bond, I know, but I think I couldnt have wanted you so without loving you I If if the time comes, Harriet, when you can care for me, youll tell me, wont you? Thats all I want, just to know that you will tell me. Youre going to tell me, yourself! Im going to make you love me! Ill be patient Ill not hurry you but some day youll have to tell me that fumbled for her walking had said that y. I well-groome- d patent-leathe- Theyre lovely shoes, Harriet said, as they walked out into the sunshine. She told him that she was to meet Ive Ive won you ! Nina at his mothers at five. Richard, He hau spoken swiftly, almost sternwith sudden eagerness, wondered if ly, with a sort of desperate determinashe would spend the interval in havtion. Now he freed her arms as suding tea somewhere, but instead they denly as he had grasped them, anJ went into a bookshop, and she carried added, In a lower tone: a new book Its Until that time Ill not not even triumpliantly.away. a frightful day in town, Harriet said, kiss the top of your hair, Harriet," and if were a little early we may he said. all get away to the In the mad rushing of her senses country that much sooner she could not find the right word, She established herself contentedly but she detained him with an entreatbeside him when they did finally start ing hand. Her eyes, shining with a for Crownlands. Ward, beside Han- look that he lmd never seen there besen, did most of the talking; Nina was fore, were fixed on his. silent, and Harriet noticed that she I dont think, Harriet said, breathwas very pale. Richard was repeati- lessly, that I can ever like you any ng to himself one phrase all the way ; more than I do!" a phrase that he found so She had meant it for surrender ; her thrilling and absorbing that it was enough to heart was ' heating wildly with the keep him from speaking aloud, or lisglorious shame of a proud woman who tening to what the others said. gives herself. But Richard was not I love her I love her I love her looking at the betraying eyes. In the thought Richard. And sometimes he great new love that had swept him glanced sidewise at her, her beautiful from ail his old moorings there was a hair rippling in thick waves under the deep humility. He only heard her say thin veil, h'er face a little pale from that she could never learn to love him. toe heat of the day, her glorious eyes He bent his head over her finger tips, family shadowed. When the swift and kissed them, as he sajd quietly: movement of the car brought her But Im going to try to make you, shoulder against his, their met eyes just the same! for a smiling Then he was gone, and Harriet was second, and It seemed to Richard that his heart brimmed with alone in the softly lighted standing the most delicious emotion that he had room. For a few moments she reever known. mained perfectly still, with her white Nina complained of a headache hands pressed to her burning cheeks. when they reached home, and went Then, shaken with Joy and surprise, early to bed. Harriet, when she had with a delicious terror and something tabbed and changed to an evening of a childs innocent chagrin she gown, glanced In at and thought went noiselessly back to her own Nina, e girl asleep. There were men room, closed the communicating door, guests for dinner, and afterward there and undressed with pauses for the was bridge, Harriet sat with Madame dreams that would come creeping tarter for awhile, for the old lady had over body and soul, and hold lier in also dined ' went .about the their exquisite stillness for long minupstairs, Jiduse upon her usual errands,' and, utes together. going to her own room, found Nina I want to a$k you something I" reading, at about ten oclock. And, said, in an odd voice. Nina Nina a not took up or speak as Harriet Harriet, I want you to tell me the 1 J . . wme in. The door that led to Richards room as not only unlocked, but nctunlly Harrlet gave It a surprised and spoke t0 Nlna In the next room6 3nae - unlock this door? Nina called. Oh, I did." I!arrlet murmured. And she the door and looked into ,dld you door? she added. p,rdt0s room. 8 sort of upstairs sitting fur.n8hed simply, In man fash inn vv deeP .leather chairs on tarrvf de f the flreP,ace broad tables ishfJ ng n,y tPe essentlal lamps and Shahby desk where Rlch-aerd i38 personal papers, and book-erammed with novels. Har- m!lkinR a timid round, saw Bal-- r Hhkens. Dumas nn? VlfiMlmr. Wfl! pt Z , . . , truth r Harriet, turning, faced her between She two curtains of rippling gold. a thoughtsubdued, new a Nina, saw ful, serious woman. In the old confident Ninas place. But first I ought to tell you that Nina said. I wasnt with Amy today we that sort Must begin Nina Oh, of thing? Harriet reproached her. But she was puzzled by Ninas mantricks ! she ner. Back to school-gir- l said. Nina Never back to a school-girnever be that Tit said, passionately, again. Harriet, she went on, Ive written Royal three times, since my birthday, and Ive seen him twice." You saw him today? Harriet ventured. I went there this afternoon, Nina Then suddenly. admitted. Iwavliy. 1 1 i l, . . Harriet, did my father pay him did strange places and meeting peop.e," Whut are we supposed to ilo with take rnpney to break our engage- said Nina. The Gardiner In winter?. Richard asked, smilthem were girls he ment? simply darling to me the term they Nina, what a horrible thought ! Of were In school, and dont you rememcourse not I Harriet could fortunate- ber, Harriet? we were the only people ly answer In perfect honesty. who took them out for Christmas and ,Oh, Harriet." the girl caught her Easter holidays, and they like me! hands, turning sick and imploring eyes And If you wouldnt be too disaptoward her, are you sure?" pointed, Harriet, I believe I would like Nina, dear,. your father would have it better told me I Harriet said, "My darling girl, He might not he might not !" Nina warmly, you must do what seems But if he said, feverishly. right to you. But you wont need me? she whispered, half to herself. Thats she added, tactfully. Pilgrim. I rang for her," she said, of Weil, you 6ee Mrs. Gardiner and a knock on her. own door. "Ask my Sirs. Hopper are sixers, Nina exfather to come up, will you? she said plained, readily, and theyll be with to the maid, when Pflgrim appeared. us. Butjf oud like 'to come we are Well settle it now I going Tamping in the most glorious Mr Carter Is Just coming up," Pil- canyon that you ever saw I Nina ingrim laid. And a moment later Rich- terrupted herself with sudden enthusiard, with an interested face, came asm. "And I am so glad I really can through Ninas room, and Joined them. ride ! Id feel so horrible If I couldnt Harriet had had time only to knot her "I think youll have a wonderful two hair back carelessly., and slip into the months of It, Harriet said, and then most formal of her big Chinese coats. Grannyll be coming West, to spend the "Father, Nina said, when they three winter In Santa Barbara, tool' .nd were alone together, did Royal Blon-di- now, Nina love, Its after eleven take a check from you ten days oclock," she ended with a change .of ago? tone, and you have had a terrible Richard, taken unaware, glanced day! We will have to uo some more sharply at Harriet, who shook her shopping tomorrow afternoon, and try head, with an anxious look. He sat on the riding habits, and do a thousand down beside Nina on the bed, and put things. And, Nina, Richard heard her a fatherly arm about her. add tenderly, when his daughter had Ah, Father, dont put me off! the given him a rather sober I wrote him, after my kiss at the door of her room, "whengirl begged. she said, and told him ever you feel sad and depressed about birthday, that money made no difference to me. it. Just remember to say to yourself, He didn't answer. Then I got Bruce This wont last ! In a few months the Hopper to ask his mother to have Sting will all be gone ! Biondln meet her at the club for tea, Nina iSfrln safe hands! Richard and I saw himthen. Bruce, Nina said to himself, thankfully, as he cast In, still in the newv closed the door. He carried a memory tone, has been wonderful about it! of Harriets earnest eyes, her low, eaI know he only seems a silent sort of ger voice, her encouraging arm about boy, hut Ill never forget what hes Ninas shoulders. done for me I Royal, she resumed, didnt want to see me, and said he They were all at breakfast when Re had promised Father that it was over. came down the next morning. Ills He but I neednt tell you all he said. mother, in one of her lacy, flowing Nina clung to her fa- robes she always wore before noon, It sounded thers hands, and shut her eyes. It laid down a letter half-reato smile sounded so so false! she whispered, at him. Ward, his dark head very So I went to his studio to- sleek above his Informal summer cosbitterly. she presently continued. And tume, was deep In talk with Bruce day there were two or three women Hopper, who had evidently ridden over there, but It wasnt tlint. They were from the country club, and was In a well, perhaps they were Just having shabby jersey that became And Nina looked piti- his somewhat lanky frame. fun. But Nina, fully from Harriets sympathetic face somewhat silent, but Interested In evto her fathers troubled eyes. But erything, wore an expression of quiet Ive not been having much fun! she that her father found faltered, with a suddenly trembling touching. Nina was growing up, he mouth. Ive been planning pray- thought. ing! that somehow it would come out Completing the group, and officiatright. He told pie today that he had ing at the fool of the table, was the promised not to see or peak to me radiant Harriet. She looked as fresh I for two years,, she said, slowly. as one of the creamy rosebuds that Father, I knew that he had a reason! were massed in the dull blue bowl beHe was changed. I never saw him so fore her. her shining hair framing the And two hours ago,! she pointed to dusky forehead like dull gold wings, the door that led into her fathers the frail sleeves of her blue gown fallroom, two hours ago I went in there, ing back from her rounded arm. she said, and I looked over your own Youre late, my son, said Madame check book. Father, did you write Carter, as he kissed her temple. him a check? Was that the stub that Never mind, Harriet said serenely, had R. B. on It? Ive just this instant come, and he Richard looked at her sorrowfully. saves my face! Do turn that toast. Im sorry, Nina, he said, simply. Ward! she added. And to the maid, I told him you should not know, from Mr. Carters fruit, Mollie, please. me! I would have spared you that. Breakfast was the least formal of For a few minutes there was silence all the informal meals at Crownlands. in the room. Then Nina said bravely, Bottomley was never in evidence until through tears : the late luncheon; mail and newspaI dont know why you should be pers, and the morning gaiety of the sorry for what will save me months young people all made for cheerful disof slow worry, all at one blow! You order. and Harriet neednt worry any more. If youre going into town at ten, Im cured. Ive been a fool, let him Father, well go, too, Nina suggested. flatter me and lie to me, said this But I cant, she was heard to murnew Nina, with bitter courage, but mur in an undertone to the disappointIm over it now. Im sorry I gave you ed Bruce. I have to get clothes, dont I? much trouble, Father the Oh, Brazil Brazil Brazil My darling girl, her father said, I hate the could I I wish spare only youth said, disgustedly. tenderly. sound of It !J you all this These clothes are for the ranch, Better now than two or three years said. Nina said, smiling. Both her father Nina were we married, after Fa- and Harriet augured well from the find out It then! of girls Plenty transformed face. ther, I want you to get that check, youths Instantly he asked, clearing-houshonestly? me, for the Say through with an Irrepressible grin. she said, heroically, "arid I want to I think so," Nina murmured. The keep it. If ever Im a fool about a man ! look out it at of their conversation was inaudiand it rest take again. Ill toFox to I told it get have ble; they presently wandered forth to "I it; You shall have finish it on the tennis court. Ward said. Richard day, followed his grandmother upstairs, and it! "You have It! she whispered. "He Harriet and Richard were left to finish their breakfast alone. cashed it, then ! next the it You look tired," Harriet said, riscashed morning, "He a was for silent Nina said. Richard ing, when his omelette came in, and moment. pausing beside the head of the table Harmust at me, for an instant on her way to the laugh "How you then. said ! she riet pantry. "I had a bad night," Richard adI? Laugh at you! Harriet said, am the mitted. I .But thats not all youre goMy darling girl, stricken. for breakfast?, he pro'have do who to could world in the woman ing last that I I was only your age, Nina, when tested. I never have more! Harriet I met him you know that story. Why, about Im bad the sorry smiled. but after eighteen, all; Nina, youre i , youli have many and many an affair night," said she. " Richcomes man I couldnt help thinking along, before the right Harriet said. Youll look back on this ard began. What is It, Mollie? he some day, and say, It was an experi- added, harshly, to the hovering maid. I Nothing no matter sir," Mollie ence, and I learned from It It is only me happier and more stammered, retreating. It jvas Just make to going sure'when the man whom I really love that the man about the sheep came she faltered. sir comes to me ! I Richard echoed, It The make to Harriet sheep! so, "Ill try Harriet laughed she somewhat gayly. And frowning. timidly she said. I told you I Oh, yes!" she said. Father and Harriet shall added, or two three ordered If I say that I dont had young you feel dreadfully want to go to Brazil? Ill tell you sheep, she explained, to keep our Gardilawns cropped. They look so adorawhy. Ward Is going out to the Is and Bruce ble, and they do It so nicely I Has he going, too, ner ranch, and me. and that campto got them, Mollie? she added, eagerly. riding It seems I Ill be back in In the open air will be Oh, I must see them living and ing Mr. five Carter the me than minute, Just exactly well, will seeir- better I Jo said. I dread steamer the seeing on being 1 did! 1 n good-nig- d . d, I well-fittin- g, ! ! e, i lnelo-quentl- y, ing. little a little Youll she answered, readily. heard he And them! like youll her joyous voice following Mollie away. Richard pushed back his plate and looked irresolutely after her. Then suddenly he rose and walked through the pantry, asking two startled maids for Mrs. Carter. Etelka had been several years In the house without ever seeing him lu this neighborhood before. Richard crossed a sunshiny yard, where linen was drying, and went through a brick gateway that gave on a neglected little lane. The lane had once been the driveway for a carriage and a prancing pair, but there were only riding horses at Crownlands now, and three of these were looking over the wall at the road. And Richard found Harriet . here. She was on her knees. In the pleasant gren shadow of the old sycamorea and maples ; her back was toward him. She was looking up Into the face of the old stableman, Trotter, who stood before her, his crooked, dwarfed old figure still, further bent, as he held two strong young ewes by their thick, woolly shoulders. As Trotter gave him a respectful good morning, Harriet sprang to her feet and whirled about and Richard saw the woodeny stiff legs of a very young lamb dangling frorii her arms r and the lambs meek little face close to the beautiful face he Oh. they will have a byre! brick-wall- grass-grow- ed n black-rubbe- loved. Oh, she said, carried Richard Look at away by her own delight. ltJ Isnt It the sweetest darling baby that ever was ! Oh, you sweet ! she said, putting her lips to the Jirile woolly head. You are! Richard said quite without premeditation. Harriet laughed, surrendered the little lamb to Trotter and followed the old mans departure to the stables with an anxious warning. "Theyre to have this little enclosure all to themselves, she explained to Richard when they- were alone. Hes going to build them a little shed. And as Richard, his back leaning against the low brick wall, made no 'immediate attempt to move, she looked at him expectantly. "Shall we go back? she suggested. That sounded very pleasant to me, Richard said with deliberate Irrele- vance. I mean your calling me Richard, he said. ' She flushed brightly and laughed. Did I? I always think of you as Richard! she explained. So you abandon me on the Brazil trip? he asked, watching her seri! - , ously. Well ? Harriet shrugged, t, "I thought you had to go, she added. Im Ill confess Im disappointed. But to have Nina want to do anything is such a relief to me that Im only going to think of that! Yes, I have to go, Richard said I must be there for a month slowly. at least. But Im disappointed, too. I got thinking of it, in the night I couldnt sleep i Im disappointed, too. lie fell silent. wish, he said hesitatingly, "that you had not told me that you you dont feel that you are I love going to love me! he said. you with all my heart and soul. It well, it s nil I think of now. I want He turned and picking an ivy leaf from the wall looked at it intently for a moment and tore it apart before he let it fall. However, he said philosophically, smiling at her, well Jet that wait I Harriet, close to him, laid one hand upon his shoulder. "You misunderstood me, she sttfl steadily. "What I said was that I could not love you more than I do I Arent you ever going to understand? For a long minute they looked Into each others eyes. Harriet, do you mean it? Richard said then, simply. I mean it I Yes, she answered, Ive always meant it. Ive always loved you, I think. No man could want any woman to love him morel The blue eyes so near his own were misty tlth sudden tears. In the deserted little lane, in the blue summer morning and the green shade of the sycamores, they were alone. Richard put his arms about her. And for a moment he held all the beauty and fragrance and laughter and tears that was Harriet close to his heart; the soft hair tumbled, the brown, llrra young hand resting on his shoulder, the warm cheek against his own. A breeze rustled the through branches high above them; the blue river, beyond the brick ,wall, flowed on in an even sheet of satin; two birds looped the enclosure in a sudden twittering flight; and from the stable region came the pian-tiv- e bleating of a mother sheep. But to Harriet and Richard the world wa all their own. My wlfel said Richard fnrtth ,I (THS KNZVI . |
