The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1921-11-09
Shapter XVII
IN lnCanny Development

NANCY found Trix upstairs sitting
by the window. She looked up as
Nancy entered the room and with Il
most I'M hidlike candor asked directly;
"Uncle Bruce sent for me. didn't
he?"
Nancy met the childs question with
rs direct an answer.
Yes"
II was the first time that TriN had
voluntarily mentioned his name
Would YOU mind telling me what
he wantcd?" She was beginning 10
tremhlc and Nancy went mp 10 her
aud spoke authoritativoly.
See here, darling, you're not to
be Frightened I'm going 10 take care
of YOU and YOU promised to trus, me.
Your uncle spoke of giving YOU an
broke off, for TriX had begun to cry
and her body was twitching in the
most alarming fashion.
Nancy quIeted her finally and put
her to bed Then she sat for tima
by the open window facing this new
problem suppose Miss Henderson
were poWerleSs to interfere i'm this
matter TO be sure she seemed capable
enough and She was the one person
m the house who dared to cross her
brothers wishes but suppose in this
instance she failed? Nancy was sure
that Trx was not a coward and that
there was more behind this than ap-
pcared on the surface
When she was sure that Trix was
asleep she crept out into the hall,
listened moment and then locked
the door securely behind her putting
the key in the pocket of her dress
She must see Miss Henderson tonight
and forestall any of Bruces plans
for the morrow, and with this thought
in mind she ran lightly down the
stairs and knocked on the door OF
Miss Henderson's sitting room.
Miss Henderson had returned and
she frowned when Nancy told her the
story.
Bruce is determined that TriN shall
learn to ride, even though he knows
that l have forbidden it, Trix is 100
Young, entirely TOO young---''
And far too nervous" Nancy has
tened TO say. She noticed that even
now Miss Henderson said nothing def
mite about Bruces feelings toward
his neice although she must 9lnow
that Nancy was perfectly well aware
OF the fact that il was from Bruce and
no one else that the child needed pro-
lection Of any kind
When she returned to her room,
partly reassured by Miss Henderson s
promises. Nancy found Trix wide
awake and sitting up in bed. Her
eyes were wide and dark, but her
small face was inscrutabe. although
she was flushed and excited.
"l'm sorry ] was such a baby about
he riding lesson, she said To Nancy
speaking very quickly u really Ike
10 ride. enjoy it very much.
Nancy sat down ON the bed and took
the chld's sman hot hands in her
cool ones Such startling change
In The child attitude was uncanny
Nancy couldn't account for IL. hut
nothing she could say had the power
TO alter TriN's decision She repeated
over and over again that she mustn't
be a coward but Nancy noticed how
restless she was and that her ewes
were never sull moment. They
roamed all around the room resting
everywhere but on Nancy's face
II was as though curtain had drop
ped suddenly between them cutting
off the child's confidence completely
Nancys ewes wandered to the dooi
ana sudden thought seized her Was
it possible thai IN spite OF the fact
that she had locked that door her
self and carried the key with her