The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1922-04-11

W. EA WAdA hAA olA A4041ASA N~AN~f /
simply and quietly.
This money that friend OF his
really lost, but he has taken II upon |
himself" Nina answered, little moli- /
fed. "It was eleven thousand dollars |
and he has paid Off about four, and |
anyway, / hate so much talk about
money I" she finished, angrily.
my DEAR" Harriet said, as Richard
with q troubled face, remained silent, !
sTt isn't the money that we are worry
ing about. Why, ask your rather
NfnaI Ask him lie he wouldn't write
ROYAL Blondin q check for any sum to-
day. any sum, IL you and he would
promise solemnly to wait three years
more. You will only be twentE-one
then, Nina, still such chnd!"
Harriet paused, glancing at Richard
for announcement; he nodded eagerly.
and she went on:
Marriage In a tremendous thing,
Nina, and the only thing that makes 1t
right"
eff you're going to say love-" Nina
broke In, scornfully, "you didn't marry
Father for love-"
eT was going to say mutual under
standing and respect" Harriet said,
quietly, but the splendid color flooded
| her face as she spoke land you do not
| understand life, Nina, or men, or mar
rage. Royal Blondin is a charming
| man, and gifted man, but he La an ad-
| yenturer, dear; he is a man who has
| lived In all sorts OF places, known all
sorts Of persons, accepted all sorts of
| queer codes. There are coarse ele-
ments In him, Nina, things that would
utterly sicken and brighten you! Your
father Is right; you would be back
| with us In few months or years, per-
haps with child, perhaps shattered In
| body as we'll as soul-net free to take
up your life again with Ward and
Amy, but SCARED and embittered and
changed-w
MY God, how that woman loves the
child?" Richard said to himself,
watching her. To him she seemed in
spired. Her eyes were blurred with
tears, her voice shaking, and she had
leaned over to clasp Nina's hands, and
so hold the girls unwilling attention.
Nina, can't you trust your father
that far?' Harriet finished. Cant you
realize that man like Royal, embar-
raised for money-no matter if he
truly admires you, and truly means to
make you happy-can't think of you
without thinking also Of what your
generous checks are going to mean to
himp Write him a check for eleven
thousand, Nina, as a consolation for
delaying the marriage year. Try
It'll"
Ct Nina rose to her feet. Her trembling
mouth was desperately scornful, and
her eyes trimming, although she
fought tears.
81 don't know why my own family II
the first to think that nobody coulC
possibly love me for myself" she said
In a breaking voice. First Harrie
4 ruins my friendship with Ladybird-
and then-then-p
Listen, Nina" her father said. HI
and Harriet had come around to stant
l beside her, and he had encircled thu
shaking and protesting shoulders witt
: his arm. 81 have Just telephoned Fo'
to make reservations for me on tn
: next Brazilian steamer. l shall hav
to be a month or six weeks in Rio d
Janeiro every year now. Now, I've jus
been wondering why you and Harrie
don't come with me this first trip? w
D stop at the Barbados and Bahia; it
y magnificent steamer-swimmin
tanks and gymnasium; you'll love 4
and you'll love touch Of the Sout
American countries, too, a chance
try your Spanish. Why not put off thi
l. marriage idea for a year, come alon
with me; you'll make steamer a.
9 uuaintances, you'll broaden out littl
u bit"
e 81 won't 10 anywhereF sobbe
= Nina, wildly, turning for flight, "b
~ cause I'm going to kill myself"
Harriet only waited long enoue
ST after her dramatic exit to give Richal
a reassuring nod. Then she hurrie
Id after Nina.
The girl was sobbing on her bed, ar
Ie. for awhile she answered Harriet
as soothing touch Of voice and hand on
n with angry jerks. Then they fell
W, talking and Nina conf1ded for the fir
", time fully In the older woman. Royal
an letters, his exquisite cards, sent wi
I'D flowers, the poems he had written he
d here they all were. Harriet symp
L thized, sighed. and consoled her g
at fecttonately. Presently she was ab
he to suggest new thought to Nina, o.
he that could not but be palatable to t
ne girls hurt spirit.
ge "You see, you're only seventeen, !
nd na," Harriet said, 1.-The age when me
Ter girls are still in the schoolroom, To-
Do before they have affairs! Well, you
zee not interested in college, so that Dug
W. to give you three or four clear years
ps. girlhood. You're bound to have 9th
1t, affairs, you've proved that! You
ne, to South America-perhaps there
my some interesting man on the steame
TO you 20 to Canada-to California;
to world is yours Now, Royal is diff
on ent. He is an experienced man of
'eh fairs; he will always have an attr
ton for women, and they for him.
gut aren't his match, now, Nina. In (
my years you may be"
the SIN not jealous!' Nina said, pro-
anu ~. But Harriet smiled.
'ai- "Yes, you are Jealous. You would