The Jasper news., 1922-03-16

MI tu1INu nome nnu Mnunuo Cnftott
meeting them az Crownlands tnzed
rntIlcr stoniiy at the newcomer, grant
ing her oniy the briefest greeting But.
on. how hcmellke and welcoming the
beautiful place, lnantied 70 snow
looked 10 HarrIet's eyes. The snap
ping hres. the warmth ah0 fraftailce
OF tho big rooms mud the very obvious
welcome OF the maids, all were en-
chnntipg TO her. Her fiFst duty wns
to make a brief tour below staire, af-
ter which she went up to her own
room.
When they returned from Hunting.
ton In the fail. size and Nina. at Rich
ards suggestion, had taken Isabelle's
handsome rooms turning both into
bedrooms and sbdrlne the dressing
rooms and bath that Joined them
Miss Haniettp Nina aald with .
rush. You hre so sweet about things
like this. I wonder n you VIII mind
taking the yellow guest Foonl-lts
really much larger--and leaving this
room? Yon see, when have frieMis---
Harriet, at the dressing table. had
t"ho~u Hpf hatiio w lcntVtS ss~' -'~'t'.
Like any general. she realized the
crisis Of the apparently unimpoEtant
moment and met Il by instinct.
.But you have On extra bed. besides
/ the COUCH in your room, Ninar"
Nina cleared her throat threw back
her head, regarded Harriet between
haif-closed eyelids In manner Harriet
realized was new. and drawied:
II know. But II You would be 40
very kiud-T
"Do yon know, I'm afraid shan't be
so very kind!" Harriet said. briskly.
You're one Of my duties here, You
know. little girl. and I think Daddy
would prerer 10 have me near yoH
Now, II you lilkeSto ask him, perhaps
he'll not agree with me; In which case
I shall move immediately But mean
WHILE"
Nina's face wns scarlet; she left the
room abruptly. A moment or two later
Harriet sauntered into the adjoining
room. ana found her again. The young
or girl wns assuming a ruffled aud be-
rIbboned negligee. and tossing her
wraps and street dress about careless
IS. Harriet iioted this with dlsapprOv-
Ing eyes, but said nothing. There was
an Immense picture Of Mrs. Tabor on
the dressing table, and she found In
that sudden solution Of the strange
change In Nina.
".Widh Iadybird's unendlng dero-
,Ion.. to Ninette,'r read Harriet, from
the inky scrnwl .0cross the picture.
DO you call her I.adyblrd, Ninaf You
and she linye formed pretty strong
friendship. haven't your"
"oh. something more than tbar.r
Nina drawled in her new manner.
shes the best sort !"
Does she have my room when she
Is here?" Harriet presently suggested.
sympatheticaiIy. Now. my dear." she
| added, MS Nlna's quick self-ccnscious
and hostile look gnve consent. Mrs.
Tabor is too thoroughly acquainted
with convention TO blame you II your
father keeps you under goyerness'
eye for i..ss while longer. You're
| the most precious thing your fnther
has, Nina, and as used TO remind yolI
years ago, you don't begin to have the
restrictions that the European prln-
cesses have TO bear"
This view Of the case was always
pleasing TO Nlnas vanity; she was
quite clever enough 10 sec that friend
protected and confined. watched and
valued, would lose no prestige with
the charming "Ladybird." She pouted !;
and Harriet saw that for the moment
the battle was hers.
Darling gown !" said Harriet Of the
picture.
"Oh, she has the most wonderful
clothes I" 1t was the old NIna's voice.
"Has she been here very muchf"
Harriet said, after moment.
"Oh, lotsI She loves TO be here. and
1 can't think Why" Nina said, "be-
cause people are all crnzy 10 get her.
| and she could 60 TO the most wonderful
dinners and things. But she renily Is
Just like q girl. herself; sometimes We
burst right out laughing. because We
fthInk exnctiy the same about things I
And she just loves picnIcs, and to let
her hair down--and she's so funnyf
You'll just love her when you know
her."
Nina, Harriet rejected, had had a
| thorough dose Of poison. II would take.
! like many diseases. more poison 10 cure
| her, counter dose. Going to her rooin
TO change to one Of the new gowns.
Harriet had moment Of contempt for
the new-found intimate. who could so
| unserapulously play upon the girls
hungry soul. But with this situation
= ,.,a.ft,t. :. 1850. I. 49,, ..s. :. "a.