The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1921-11-14
CHAPTER NV
"She Needs lOu!'

THE next morning Trix was better,
but she seemed very weak. and
Nancy insisted that she stay in bed.
The child refused TO say anything
about what had happened the day
before, and in fact, Nancy thought 1t
best not 10 ask direct Questions lest
il excite Trlx and cause her mind TO
dwell upon what was best forgotten.
After breakfast Miss Henderson hur-
ried upstairs and called Nancy out
into the hall She seemed more tnan
ordinarily excited about something
and at her first words Nancy realized
what was wrong.
Bruce was furious that TriX did
not come down to breakfast. He says
we're pamperng her and that he
won't have it,"
Her worried eyes met Nancy'a cool,
steady ones. and something in the
girls look made Miss Henderson avoid
her glance.
See here, Miss Henderson, ycu
about Trix. AS ! understand things
you engaged me to take care of her
You want me to be with her con
stantly and 10 protect her against
something. And yet you have neve'
once taken me into your confidence
Strange things have happened; ! can
not help noticing that your brother
has "A terrific influence Of some kind
over Tx and that YOU yourself are
afraid OF that influence and yet y0u
don't uphold me in my fight again"
him. Wen it comes TO a dTect iSSdC.
Miss Henderson turned ner hca'
nervously ard peered over the \1lus-
'radc. She acted as though she i>r
afraid their conversation would be ov.
erheerd by some one downstairs, and
Nan,y understood her attitude. She
hcisCf was afrai Of her brother, and
did {: OF want g. adrit the t. uth
There are many tnihgs that ! don't
understand about this house" Nancy
went on. Things l really should
know but that l have hesitated ask
ing about for fear of intruding on
your privacy. But matters have reach
ed a stage now where | feel that
oughtn't TO be kept any longer IN the
dark. Last night your brother told
me again that | must leave, and ! re-
fused.
Miss Henderson drew a long breath.
Thank God for that"
But feel that cannot stay on
unless | have your cooperation, un
less / feel you are on my side"
But Of course / am on your side.
Surely you must know that"
Nancy shook her head. II think
you want TO be and hesitate to commit
yourself. Miss Henderson, what IL
there about your brother that menaccs
Trix. and even terrifles you? l don't
think | am asking too much when
| ask that"
Miss Henderson grew very white
and leaned against the wall heavily.
Nancy felt sorry for her, but was
firm. She must get to the bottom OF
this mystery once and for all.
Il want TO help you she said more
gently. and surely YOU must realize
that To do that | must learn the
truth"
81 can't tell YOU; | can't do what
you ask" Miss Henderson almost
moaned, and then. rs she saw Nan
cys lips tighten. she burst out. "Bul
you went leave here, surely you won't
desert me now"
But don't YOU see that II | keep
on fighting in the dark won't get
anywhere" Nancy said, trying to be
patient.
I'm promise TO give you free rein
with Trix; III promise to stand be-
tween you and Bruce on every oc-
casion as much MS II lies in my pow
err Miss Henderson hurried on. sure.
ly that's enough to keep YOU here II
you care anything about the child.
Fer she needs you. tell you; she
needs you now more than she has ev'
er needed anyone in her life,"