The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1922-04-19

1t better!"
MY darling girl" Harriet said,
warmly, you must do what seems
right to you. But you won't need meT
she added. tactfully
We'll you see Mrs. Gardiner and
Mrs. Hopper are sisters" Nina ex-
planned, readily, land they'll be with
u.s. But If you'd like to come-we are
going camping in the most glorious
canyon that you ever sawm Nina in
terrupted herself with sudden enthusi-
asm. "And am so glad 1 really can
ride I'd feel so horrible if couldn't"
81 think you'll have wonderful two
months Of it," Harriet said, land then
Granny'll be coming West, to spend the
winter in Santa Barbara, too! And
now, Nina love, it's after eleven
o'clock" she ended with q change Of
tone, land you have had a terrible
day. We will have to do some more
shopping tomorrow afternoon, and try
on the riding habits, and do thousand
things. And. Nina" Richard heard her
add tenderly, when his daughter had
given him a rather sober goodnight
kiss at the door of her room, when
it, just remember to say to yourself,
This won't last! In few months the
sting will all be gone!"
Nina is in safe hands," Richard
said to himself, thankfully, as he
closed the door. He carried a memory
Ofu 10 io.tc har
ger voice, her encouraging arm about
Nina's shoulders.
They were all at breakfast when he
came down the next morning. His
mother, in one of her lacy, flowing
robes she always wore before noon,
laid down a letter half-read, to smile
at him. Ward, his dark head very
sleek above his informal summer cos
tune, was deep in talk with Bruce
Hopper, who had evidently ridden over
from the country club, and was In a
well-fitting, shabby jersey that became
his somewhat lanky frame. Nina,
somewhat silent, but interested In ev-
erything, wore an expression Of quiet
self-possession that her father found
touching. Nina was growing up. he
thought.
Completing the group, and officiat-
ing at the foot of the table, was the
radiant Harriet. She looked as fresh
as one of the creamy rosebuds that
were massed in the dull blue bowl be-
fore her, her shining hair framing the
dusky forehead like dull gold wings,
the frail sleeves of her blue gown fall
ing back from her rounded arm.
you're late, my son." said Madame
Carter, as he kissed her temple.
Never mind" Harriet said serenely,
1--WE 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 I can't" she was heard to muir
muir in an undertone to the disappOint-
ed Bruce. II have to get clothes, don't
IT.
"Oh, Brazil-Brazil-Brazil! !" the
youth said, disgustedly. II hate the
sound of it!'
"These clothes are for the RANCH"
Nina said. smiling. Both her father
and Harriet augured we'll from the
youths instantly transformed face.
"Say-honestly?" he asked, inelo-
quently, with an irrepressible grin.
81 think So" Nina murmured. The
rest of their conversation was inaudi-
BILE; they presently wandered forth TO
finish it 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.
II had a bad night" Richard ad-
mitted. But that's not all you're 60
ing to have for breakfastT' he pro-
tested.
81 never have morep' Harriet
smiled. I'm sorry about the bad
night" said she.
81 couldn't help thinking" Rich
ard began. "What is 1t, MollieT' he
added, harshly, to the lowering maid.
"Nothing-no matter-sir," Mollie
stammered, retreating. "It was just
that the man about the sheep came
sir" she faltered.
'"The Sheep Richard echoed,
frowning. Harriet laughed gayly.
"Oh, yes!' she said. ST told you I
had ordered two or three young
sheep" she explained. 'te keep our
lawns cropped They look so adora-
BILE, and they do 1t so nicely. Has he
got them Mollie?' she added. eagerly,
''Oh, l must see them, I'll be back In
exactly five minutes, Mr.. Carter" she
said.
What are we supposed to do with
| them in winter?" Richard asked, smil-
| ing.
"Oh. they will have a little-a little
| byre!" she answered, readily. you'll
| you'll like themr' And he heard
her joyous voice following Mollie
| away.
Richard pushed back his plate and