The Elk Mountain pilot., 1922-02-23
appaii even Harriet's stout heart.

solate little friend, and assured Rich
ard with tears In her eyes that she
would do anything in the world to help
him, she weakened when the actual
test arrived.
"If just you and I and your dear
grandmother were going. dearest girl"
she said to Nina. then 1t would be per-
feet. But as long as Miss Field, who
.s perfectly charming and conscien-
tious and all that. feels that she must
accompany us. why-you and 1 would
never be a moment alone. sweetheart
you know that l don't like to think
that it's jealousy"
"Of course it's jealousy" Nina was
pleased to decide, gloomily. Granny
says that we don't need her. but Fa-
ther just sticks to 1t that she must
manage everything"
Ida Tabor smiled automatically
IT don't suppose your father sees any
thing In Miss Field?" she submitted,
lightly.
"Oh, Heavens, moi" Nina said.
studying herself in handglass There
was a rather steeiy look in the eyes
Of her friend Ladybird. but she did not
see 1t. Her smile Of pleasure gradual
ly gave place to a pout. "rm going to
ask Father II we need Miss Harriet I"
she said.
And that evening she did indeed at
tack Richard on the subject. although
not as decidedly as she had planned
He listened to her interestedly enough,
with his evening paper held ready for
his next glance.
Let you roam about the country
with Mrs. Tabor" he said, as the girls
faltering accents stopped. "No, my
dear, it's out of the question: In the
first place, she is not the sort Of COM
panion 1 would CHOOSE for any girl.
and In the second place I would never
know where you and your grandmoth-
er were, or what was happening to
you'll. While Miss Field Is In charge 1
shall feel entirely safe. OF course, II
Mrs. Tabor chooses to invite herself,
that's her affairl"
Then 1 don't want to gol" Nina
stormed. But In the end she did go.
Madame Carter, Nina and Harriet duly
sailed, in the second week of January,
and Ward Joined them almost month
later, in Nassau. And here Harriet
had the brother and sister at their
best, free to show the genuine childish
ness that was In them, to swim and
picnic and tramp. and here she in
dulged Nina in long talks, and encour-
aged her to associate with the young
people she met.
Harriet wrote once a week to Rich
ard, making general report. and In
| closing receipted hotel and miscellane-
Gus bills. His communications usually
took the form of cables, although once
or twice she received typewriter let
tiers.
In mid-April they all came home
again, and Crownlands, in the years
first shy filming Of green, looked won
derful to Harriet's homesick eyes.
Richard was to join them at dinner
1t had been impossible for him Il
meet them when the boat arrived. bu1
Fox had been there and attended tt
the formalities. 1t had pleased then
all to make the occasion formal and
to dress accordingly. Nina looked heI
prettiest in a white silk, and the old
| lady was magnificent In diamonds and
brocade. Harriet deliberately selected
her handsomest gown, a severe black
satin that wrapped her slender body
with one superb and shining sweep,
and left her white arms and firm,
flawless shoulders bare. The firm
young lines of chin and throat, the
swelling white breast that met the en-
casing satin, the slippers with their
twinkling buckles-she could not but
find every detail pleasing. and her
scarlet mouth, firmly shut, was
twitched by sudden dimpie.
She glanced at the clock, went slow
ly to the door. and slowly down the
big square stairway. Richard and his
children were In the lower hall, and
they all glanced up.
Down In the soft glow of light came
Harriet. smiling as she slipped her left
arm about Nina, and gave the free
hand to Nina's father. She was ap-
parently cool and unself-conscious; In
wardly she felt feverish, frightened
and excited and happy, all at once.
Richard was in evening dress, too; he
looked his best his dark hair brushed
to shining crest, and his gray eyes
full of pleasure.
"Well. Miss Field" he said, a lit
tie breathlessly. WELL Your vaca-
tion hasn't done you any harm ~
1--WE had to make an occasion of
our coming homel" Harriet said. with
a nervous laugh. trying not to see the
admiration in his eyes.
"You look wonderful |" Nina said.
"Why, you saw this gown at Mas
sau," Harriet protested.
"Louise-Or whoever she was OF
Prussia or whatever you call 1t,