The herald., 1922-05-18

| 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 q 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 Gull 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 instants come. and he
saves my face! Do turn that toast,
Ward !" she added. And to the maid,
"Mr. Carriers fruit. MoIlie. please"
Breakfast was the least formal of
all the informal meals at CrowElands.
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 / can't" she was heard to muir
muir in an undertone to the disappoint-
ed Bruce. II have to get clothes, don't
II"
"Oh, Brazil-Brazil-Bra !" 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 well from the
youths instantly transformed face.
"Say-hOnestiy?" 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 IL On the tennis court. Ward
followed his grandmother upstairs, and
Harriet and Richard were left to fin
ish their breakfast alone.
"Tou 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.
81 had a bad night" Richard adj
mitted. "But that's not all you're go
ing to have for breakfastT he pro-
tested.
81 never have morer' Harriet
smiled. I'm sorry about the bad
night" said she.
al couldn't help thinking" Rich
ard began. "What IS it, Mollie?" he
added, harshly. to the lowering maid.
"Nothing-nO matter-sir," Mollie
retreating. at was just
that the man about the sheep came
sir" she faltered.
1.-THE sheepw Richard echoed,
frowning. Harriet laughed gayly.
"Oh, yes" she said. Il told you I
had ordered two or three young
Sheep" she explained, to keep our
lawns cropped. They look so adora-
BILE, and they do 1t so nicely! Has he
got them, Mollie?" she added, eagerly.
"Oh. I must see them! I'll be back In
exactly five minutes, Mr.. Carter" she
said.
"What are we supposed to do with
them In winterY Richard asked, smil-
Ing.
"Oh, they will have a little-a little
byrer she answered, readily. "You1l
you'll like hemw And he heard