, 1922-08-16

you feel dreadfully If / say that ! don't
want to go to Brazil? I'll tell you
why. Ward is going out to the Gardi-
ner ranch, and Bruce is going, too, and
1t seems to me that riding and camp
ing n living In the open air will be-
well, will seem better to me than just
being on the steamer! ! dread seeing
strange places and meeting people,"
said Nina. .The Gardiner girls were
simply darling to me the term they
were in school. and-don't you remem-
her, Harriet?-we were the only people
who took them out for Christmas and
Easter holidays, and they like mel
And-if you wouldn't be too disap-
pointed, Harriet, l believe / would like
it better I"
MY darling GIRL" Harriet said,
warmly, you mist do what seems
right to you. But you won't need me?"
she added, tactfully.
We'll, you see Mrs. Gardiner and
Mrs. Hopper are sisters" Nina ex
planned, readily, land they'll be with
us. But If you'd like to come-we are
going camping in the most glorious
canyon that you ever saww Nina in
%terrupted herself with sudden enthusi-
assn. "And l am so glad 1 really can
ride! I'd feel so horrible If I couldn't p
81 think you'll have a wonderful two
months Of it," Harriet said. nd then
GrannyM be coming West, to spend the
winter In Santa Barbara, tool And
now, Nina love, it's after eleven
O'clock" she ended with a change of
tone, "and you have had a terrible
dayi We will have to do some more
shopping tomorrow afternoon, and try
on the riding habits, and do a thousand
things. And, Nins,n Richard heard her
add tenderly, when his daughter had
given him a rather sober goodnight
kiss at the door of her room, when
ever you feel sad and depressed about
it, just remember to say to yourself,
This won't lastl In a few months the
sting will all be gonel"
Nina is in safe handsl" Richard
said to himself. thankfully, as he
closed the door. He carried a memory
of Harriet's earnest eyes, her low, ca
ger voice, her encouraging arm about
Nlna's shoulders.
They were all at breakfast when he
came down the mex 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 oficiat-
ing at the foot of the table, was the
radiant Harriet. She looked as fresh
as n 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.
I've just this instant come. and he
saves my facet 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 Crownlands.
Bottomley was never In evidence until
the late luncheon; mall 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, wen go. too" Nina suggested.
But 1 can't" she was heard to muir
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 well from the
youths instantly transformed face.
"Say-honestly?" he asked. inelo-
quently. with an irrepressible grin.
II thihS So" Nina murmured. The
rest of their conversation was inaudI-
BILE; they presently wandered forth to
finish 1t on the tennis court. Ward
followed his grandmother upstairs, and
Harriet n Richard were left to fin
ish their breakfast alone.
you look tired" Harriet said, ris-
fnp whom his omelette came in and
passing beside the head of the table
for an instant on her way to the
pantry.
~ had a bad night" Richard adj
mitted. But that's not all you're go
ing to have for breakfastT" he pro-
tested.
g" never have morei' Harriet
smIled tI,m sorrv ahout tho had