The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1922-02-10

gested that / come back for while
So Hansen picked me up at tho ofilcs
and here | am lie tried to telephone
you, | know, but you were out And
now" said Harriet, CHANGING at her
wrist watch. Il think We Will so right
home. please, Hansen!"
Nina had been her own mistress
for several delicious weeks, end to
have any sort Of restriction again was
very unpalatable to her. She sulked
all the way home and Madame Carter,
meeting them at CrownlRnds, gazed
rather stonily at the newcomer, grant
ing her only the briefest greeting But
oh. how homelike and welcoming the
beautiful place, mantled In snow,
looked to Harriet's eyes. The snap
| ping fires, the warmth and fragrance
of the big rooms and the vefy obvious
welcome of the maids, ali were en-
chanting to her. Her first duty was
to make a brief tour below rtairs, at.
ter which she went up to her OVID
room.
When they returned from Hunting
ton In the fall, she and Nina, at Rich.
ards suggestion, had taken Isabelle's
handsome rooms, turning both into
bedrooms and sharing the dressing
rooms and bath that Joined trem. 1t
was here that Harriet found Nina
awaiting her, still with her hat on
and lettering with obvious cyscomn-
ture.
Miss HarrietI Nina said With q
rush. you are so sweet about things
like this. wonder II you VIII mind
taking the yellow guest rooro-lts
really much larger-and leaving this
room? You see, when l have frienns-"
Harriet, at the dressing table, had
raised her hands TO remove her hat
Like any general, she realized the
crisis of the apparently unimpcIfunt
moment and met 1t by instinct
But you have an extra bed, besides
the couch. In your room, Nina ~
Nina cleared her throat, threw back
her head, regarded Harriet between
half-closed Syellds In a manner Harriet
realized was new. and drawled:
81 know. But If you would be 70
very kind"
DO you know, I'm afraid l shan't be
so very kindl" Harriet said, briskly.
You're one of my duties here, you
know, little girl. and l think Daddy
would prefer TO have me near you
Now, If you like to ask him. perhaps
he'll not agree with me; In which case
/ shall move Immediately But mean
while"
Nina's face was scarlet; she left the |
room abruptly. A moment or two later |
Harriet sauntered into the adjoining |
room, and found her again. The young |
er girl was assuming a ruffled and be- |
ribboned negligee, and tossing her |
wraps and street dress about careless
ly. Harriet noted this with disapprov- !
ing eyes, but said nothing. There was
an immense picture of Mrs. Tabor on |
the dressing table, and she found In |
that a sudden solution of the strange |
change In Nina.
with Ladybird's unendlng devo-
tion, to Ninette,'" read Harriet, from |
do you call her Ladybird, Nina? You
and she have formed pretty strong
haven't you"
"Oh, something more than thati"
Nina drawled In her new manner.
She's the best sort"
Does she have my room when she
Is here?" Harriet presently suggested.
"Now, my dear" she
added, as Nina's quick self-conscious |
and hostile look gave consent, Mrs.
Tabor is too thoroughly acquainted
With convention to blame you II your
father keeps you under a governess
eye for a little while longer. You're
he most precious thing your father
las, Nina, and as used to remind you
Tears ago, you don't begin to have the
that the European prIn-
,esses have to bearl"
This view of the case was always
pleasing to Nina's vanity; she was
quite clever enough to see that friend
and confined, watched and
-alued, would lose no prestige with
he charming "Ladybird." She pouted;
md Harriet saw that for the moment
ne battle was hers.
Darling gown ~ said Harriet OF the
'icture.
"Oh, she has the most wonderful
lothesl" 1t was the old Nina's voice.
HAS she been here very much7"
Harriet said, after moment.
"Oh, lotsl She loves to be here, and
can't think why" Nina said, "be-
ause people are all crazy to get her,
nd she could go to the most wonderful
inners and things. But she really is
nst like a girl herself; sometimes we
urst right out laughing, because we
link exactly the same about things
nd she just loves picnics, and to let
er hair down-and she's so funny
ou'll just love her when you know
err"
Nina. Harriet reflected, had had !
borough dose of poison. 1t would take,
Ike many diseases, more poison to cure
err counter dose. Going to her room
} change to one OF the new gowns,
arriet had a moment of contempt for