The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1922-05-25

! himself" Nina answered. a little molii-
fed ut was eleven thousand dollars.
and he has paid of about four. and
anyway l hate so much talk about
money :" She finished, angriIy
My dear" Harriet said, as Richard.
with troubled face. remained silent
"It isn't the money that We are worry
ing about. Why, ask your father.
Nina Ask him II he wouldn't write
Royal Blondin a check for any sum to-
day, any sum, If you and he would
promise sOlemnly 10 wait three years
more. You will only he twenty-one
then, Nina, still such a chnd!'
Harriet paused. CHANGING at Richard
for encouragement he nodded eagerly,
and she went on:
Marriage is q tremendous thing,
Nina. and the only thing that makes IL
right"
IF you're going TO say love-" Nina
broke in. scornfuIly. ''you Sidn't marry
Father for lover"
Il was going 10 say mutual under
standing and respect" Harriet said.
quietly, but the splendid color flooded
understand life, Nina. or men, or mar
riage Royal Blondln is a charming
man. and a gifted man, but he is an adj
venturer. 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 youl Your
father Is right; you would be hack
with us I'm n few months or years, per-
haps with a child. perhaps shattered in
body as well as soul-not 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
spred. 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 II 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
him? Write him a check for eleven
thousand. Nina, as a consolation for
delaying the marriage a year. Try
It'll"
Nina rose to her feet. Her trembling
mouth was desperately scornful. and
her eyes brimming, although she
fought tears
II don't know why my own family is
the first To think that nobody could
possibly love me for myself 70 she said,
in a breaking voice. First Harriet
ruins my friendship with Ladybird-
and then-then-!'
Listen, Nina" her father said. He
and Harriet had come around to stand
beside her. and he had encircled the
shaking and protesting shoulders with
his arm. II have just telephoned Fox
to make reservations for me on the
next Brazilian steamer. / shall have
10 be a month or six weeks In Rio de
Janeiro every year now. Now, I've just
been wondering why you and Harriet
don't come with me this first trip We
stop at the Barbados and Bahia It's
magnificent steamer-swimming
tanks and gymnasium you'll love II.
and you'll love a touch Of the South
American countries, too, a chance to
try your Spanish. Why not put off this
marriage idea for year, come along
with me; you'll make steamer &C
Quaintances, you'll broaden out little
bit"
II won't go anywhere sobbed
Nina. wildly. turning for flight DO
cause I'm going to kill myself"
Harriet only waited long enough
after her dramatic exit to give Richard
reassuring nod. Then she hurried
after Nina.
The girl was sobbing on her bed, and
for awhile she answered Harriet's
soothing touch of voice and hand only
with angry jerks. Then they fell to
talking, and Nina confided for the first
time fully In the older woman. Royals
letters, his exquisite cards, sent with
flowers. the poems he had written her;
here they all were. Harriet sympa-
thized. sighed, and cOnsoled her af-
fectionately. Presently she was able
to suggest a new thought to Nina, one
that could not but be palatable to the
girls hurt spirit