The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1922-02-24

: more. You will only be twenfy-or
: then. Nina, still such child"
: Harriet paused, glancing at Richar
for encouragement; he nodded eagerl
; and she wenr on:
. Marriage Is tremendous thin
: Nina, and the only thing that makes
right"
IF you're going to say love-" Mn
broke in, scornfully. you didn't MARI
Father for Lowell"
II was going to say mutual under
standing and respect" Harriet said
quietly, but the splendid color flooded
her face as she spoke, "and you do no
understand life. Nina, or men, or mar
riage. Royal Blondin Is a charming
| man, and gifted man. but he is an adj
venturer. dear; he Is a man who has
| lived In ali sorts of places, known all
sorts of persons. accepted all sorts OF
queer codes. There are coarse eie-
ments in him, Nina, things that would
utterly sicken and brighten youl Your
father is right; you would be back
with US IN a few months or years, per-
haps with a child, perhaps shattered In
body as well as soul-not free to take
up your life again with Ward and
Amy. but SCARED and embittered and
changed
MY God. how that woman loves the
child?' Richard said to himself,
watching her. To him she seemed in
spired. Her eyes were blurred with
tears, her voice shaking. and she had
leaned over to clasp Nina's hands. and
so hold the girls unwilling attention.
'Nina, can't you trust your father
that far?" Harriet finished. "Can't you
realize that a man like Royal, embar-
truly admires you, and truly means TO
make you happy-can't think of you
without thinking also of what your
generous checks are going to mean to
him? Write him a check for eleven
thousand, Nina, as a consolation for
delaying the marriage year. Try
itw
Nina rose to her feet. Her trembling
mouth was desperately scornful, and
her eyes brimmlng, although she
fought tears.
81 don't know why my own family is
the first to think that nobody could
possibly love me for myself ~ she said,
in a breaking voice. First Harriet
ruins my friendship with Ladybird-
and then-then-l"
Listen, Nina" her father said. He
and Harriet had come around to stand
beside her. and he had encircled the
shaking and protesting shoulders with
his arm. II have just telephoned Fox
to make reservations for me on the
next Brazilian steamer. / shall have |
to be a month or six weeks In Rio de |
Janeiro every year now. Now, I've just |
been wondering why you and Harriet
don't come with me this first trip? We |
stop at the Barbados and Bahia; it's |
/ magnificent steamer-swimming
.anks and gymnasium; you'll love it.
md you'll love touch of the South
American countries, too, chance to
ry your Spanish. Why not put off this
marriage idea for a year, come along
With me; you'll make steamer ac-
you'll broaden out little
lit"
II won't go anywhere" sobbed
Sina. wildly. turning for flight. 'be-
ause I'm going 70 kill myself"
Harriet only waited long enough
fter her dramatic exit to give Richard
reassuring nod. Then she hurried
fter Nina.
The girl was sobbing on her bed, and
Or awhile she answered Harriet's
oothing touch of voice and hand only
18th angry jerks. Then they fell to
llking, and Nina confided for the first
me fully in the older woman. Royals
,tters, his exquisite cards, sent with
overs, the poems he had written her;
ere they all were. Harriet sympa-
lized, sighed, and. consoled her af-
Presently she was able
, suggest a new thought to Nina, one
lat could not but be palatable to the
rl's hurt spirit.
you see. you're only seventeen, NJ
a." Harriet said, "the age when most
rls are still in the schoolroom, long
,fore they have affairs Wen. you're
IT interested In college. so that ought
give you three or four clear years Of
rlhood You're bound to have other
fairs, you've proved that You go
South America-perhaps there is
me interesting man on the steamer;
III go to Canada-to California; the
Drld Is yours. Now, Royal is differ
t. He Is an experienced man of af-
irs; he will always have an attrac-
IN for women. and they for him. You
emit his match, now, Nina. In few
airs you may be-"
I'm not jealousw Nina said proud
But Harriet smiled.
yes. you are jealous. You wouldn't
a real true woman If you werentT
e accused. A reluctant dimple tugged
Nlnas pouting mouth. She did not
like the idea of potential despotism, .,
the Travelled, experienced woman of
, world, confident OF her charm.
IF | offered check to Royal, do n
Il suppose he'd accept it?' she re- W
Irked, after dark musing. She was
ting on the edge of her bed now, and | in