The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1922-04-11
Observation-Disclosures
Copyright by kattlleen Norris

actual sickness. Vague speculat1ons
churned and seethed I'm the weary
brain that could find no beginning and
no end TO them. To have MADE
clean breast of the whole matter
months ago would have meant de-
HciOus sense of freedom from re-
sponsibiIity now, but then under those
circumstances would she, Harriet,
have been here now? Certainly, even
I'm the present purely technical sense,
she would not have been the second
Mrs. Richard Carter. nor would she
have held Ner present position OF trust
and responsibility.
While Nina and her lover murmured
on the terrace Harriet broOded on
these things, and after dinner that
evening she gave Richard so sharp a
warning that he sent at once for Nina,
and with clouded brow and angry
eyes briefly requested Harriet to be
present while he spoke to her.
Nina came at once, with an tnn0-
cent expression on her rather heavy
young face. She seated herself near
~ Harriet. and her father went to the
point at once.
Nina he said. seriously. you saw
Royal BIondin this afternoon, didn't
YOUR" And as Nina answered only
with an ugly glance at Harriet, the be-
trayer, he added, Didn't ask you
not to see him any more, several
months agO|
"Yes, you did, Nina said, in low
tone, and with a heaving breast.
~ hope, and we all nope, that you
will marry some day" Richard said.
But you are too young now to make
wise choice And until you are a
little older, you will have to take my
word for it that such an affair would
only lead you to misery and regret
Nina mumbled something bravely.
1T didn't hear you" her father said
ST said didn't see what you could
do about !" the girl repeated, des
perately.
For few moments of silence Rich
ard merely looked gravely at his
daughter. Then he clasped his fine
hands on the desk before him, anC
cleared his throat.
"I cannot do as much as l should
like, Nina" he conceded, "but / shall
do what | can. But first let me asl
you: have you promised to marry Mr.
Blondin?"
Silence. Nina looked at the floor
Richard repeated his question.
eyes. / have-and you can't kill m
for tt" Nina said, and burst int
tears.
"Wen," the father resumed, wheI
Harriet had supplied a consolator
murmur and a handkerchief, 'TI
sorry, of course. Mrs. Tabor carrie
letters between you, did she? 70
met him occasionallyT
1.-TWO or three times" Nina sale
shifting and drying her eyes busily.
"You know my reasons for dislikin
him, Nina" her father said. He Is
man more than twice your age;
has a certain sort Of unsavory reputt
ton I'm his affairs with women. H
has no income, no profession, u
home; all those things tell again
him. You're only a child"
81 shall be of age tuesday," Nil
burst forth, resentfully.
"You will be of age Tuesday. Tru
But you will be my ward, as far
your Uncle Edwards legacy is co
cerned, for another three years. No
Nina, If you persist In this foil
against my most earnest advice, CT
only forbid the man the house, al
lock you In your room in the good oil
fashioned way. That I shall do.
shall then give out to the world-th
has already had rare treat at t
expense of the Carter family
news Of my utter disapproval OF t
match. II you manage the maria
In spite Of me, shall forbid you a
Blondin my house. and as matt
Of course use my right to withhC
the payment of your legacy for thu
years, and stop your present allo
ance, and your credit with the sho
That's all I can dol And | do
Nina" said Richard in a softer to-
ST do It to hasten the inevitable, !
dear! I do Ii to bring you back
your father sooner instead of later {;
give you only one year Of disillusi
ment and suffering, instead of seN
or eighth
1t must be a brave girl, thoul
Harriet, who could persist In {
course after that But Nina had
impregnable arnior of ignorance s
pride, and she only shifted pathetic
ly again, and shrugged her should'
"You do everything in the world
make my marriage a failure"
said with the irrepressible tears. -
1 SUI pose you'n be delighted If 1t
And | don't see-if q woman
marry q rich man. why I
shouldn't sometimes be glad II
has money! Tn proud to help
out, If he'll let me. He says he w
why, we had planned going-W
Just everywhere. Honolulu and sol
ern California AMI Just everywh
only now he won't go, He says h
going TO stay right here, and tax