The Holbrook news., 1922-03-24
ter, as he Kissed ner temple.

"Neyer mind, Harriet Sa1Q Serenely, i've just this instant come, and he saves my face! Do turn that toast, | Ward." she added. And to the maid, "Mr. Carter's fruit. Mollie. please" Breakfast was the least formal of all the informal meals at CrOwnlands. Bottomley was never in evidence until the late luncheon; mail and newspa- pers, and the morning gaiety of the young people all made for cheerful dis | order.
 If you're going into town at ten, Father, we'll go, toO," Nina suggested. But 1 can't" she was heard to mur- mur in an undertone to the disappOint- ed Bruce. T have to get clothes, don't I?" "Oh, Brazil-Brazil-Brazill !" the youth said, disgustedly. T hate the sound of it."
 "These clothes are for the ranch" !" Nina said, smiling. Both her father and Harriet augured well. from the youths instantly transformed face.
 "Say-honestlyi" he asked, inelo- Quciitly, with an. irrepressible grin.
 T think so," Nina murmured. The rest of their conversation was inaudi- bic; they presently wandered forth to finisa 1t on the tennis court. Ward followed his grandmother upstairs, and Harriet and Richard were left to fin ish their breakfast alone.
 You look tired" Harriet said, ris- ing, when his omelette came in, and pausing beside the head of the table for an Instant on her way to the pantry.
 | T had a bad night" Richard ad- mitted. But that's not all you're go- ing to have for breakfast?". he pro- tested.
 T never have more" Harriet smiled. "Tm sorry about the bad night" said she.
 T couldn't help thinking" Rich ard began. What is 1t, Mollie?" he added, harshly, to the lowering maid.
 "NOthing-nO matter-sir," Mollie stammered. retreating. 1t was just that the man about the sheep came sir" she faltered.
 "The sheep!' Richard echoed, frOwning. Harriet laughed gayiy.
 "Oh, yesl' she said. q told you l had ordered two or three young sheep" she explained, to keep our lawns cropped. They look so adora- ble, and they do it so nicely! Has he got them, Mollie?' she added, eagerly "Oh, I must see them! I'll be back in exactly five minutes, MT. Carter" she said.
 What are we supposed to do with | them in winter?" Richard asked, smil- 1 ing.
 "Oh, they will have little-a little byre!" she answered, readily. "YOu'll i you'll like them! !" And he heard 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 sev-
 
 seeing "him' in this neighbOrhOOd be- fore.
 | Richard crossed a sunshiny brick walled yard, where linen was drying, and went through brick gateway that gave on a neglected little lane. The iAhe had once been the driveway for 0 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 grass grown road. And Richard found Harriet here.
 She was on her knees, in the pleas. ant green shadow of the old sycamores and naples 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 very young lamb dangling from her arms and the lambs meek little black-rub' Der face close to the beautiful face he loved
 "Oh, Richardv' she said, carried away by her own delight. Look al 1t! Isn't 1t the sweetest darling baby that ever was! Oh, you sweet!" she said, putting her lips to the little wool ly head.
 You are!" Richard said quite with out reconciliation.
 Harriet laughed, surrendered tht little lamb to Trotter and followed the old mans departure to the stable: with an anxious warning.
 "They're to have this little enclos ure all to themselves" she explained to Richard when they were alone Hes going to build them a little she'd" And as Richard, his back lean ing against the low brick wall, made no immediate attempt to move, sht looked at him expectantly. "Shall we go back?" she suggested.
 That sounded very pleasant to me, Richard said with deliberate irrele vance.
 Harriet looked at him fin puzzled silence. ..
 II mean your calling me Richard, he said.
 She flushed brightly and laughed
 Did I? I always think of you a! Richard!" she explained.
 "SO you abandon me on the Brazi trip?" he asked, watching her seri