Vernon Parish Democrat., 1922-05-25
CHAPTER xI-contlnued.

old lady, who had been genuinely fond
OF her daughter-in-law, and had always
been loyal to Isabelle, as one of the
Carriers. Madam Carter was greatly
shaken, Nina hystericaI, Ward ag-
grieved, irritated at his own feeling.
He had not seen his mother for seven
months, she had brought nothing but
certain unpleasant nOtOriety to her
children, yet her death struck both the
young creatures forcibly, and they felt
shocked and shaken.
I'VE can't be in the Fordyce tab
leaux," said Nina in an interval be-
tween floods of sobs. "Not that
gould want to, nOwl But 1 don't
know; it seems to me that am the
emost unfortunate girl in the world ~
Il think both you and Ward should
wear black for a certain period" Rich
ard said to her. He had been walking
the floor nervously, stopping now and
then beside the great chair where his
mother sat silent and stricken, to put
his arm about her shoulders, and muir
muir to her consolingly.
when my mother died." Madame
Carter quavered, with her handker-
chief pressed to the tip of her nose,
my sisters and wore black, and re-
fused all social engagements for one
year. We then, 1 remember distinctly,
began to wear white and lavender"
Nina broke in pettishly: 81 don't see
why have to wear black"
''Why should your" Ward said with
bitter scorn. 'Tt's only your motherI ~
Nina began to cry.
"You and will go down to Land
mann's early tomorrow, Nina" Har-
riet suggested, land Wen have some
one show us what is simple and nice
NOT Grape, you know" Harriet said,
with glance at Richard Carter, "but
black, for a few months, anyway"
II think that would be the least,
Richard" his mother approved. 'I be-
neve 1 will go with you" she conde-
scended to Harriet, latter all, Isabelle
was my daughter-in-law, and the
mother of my grandchildren !"
"And won't go to California or Ber-
muda or anywhere else unless Lady
bird comes I" Nina burst out, with a
broken sob.
Nonsense !" her father began harsh
ly. Harriet said:
"BeSmuda? Is there a plan for Ber-
muda?"
II suggested it for a few weeks"
Richard said, frOwning, "but I don't
propose to have Nina invite a group of
friends. That isn't exactly the idea"
''We could ask Mrs. Tabor" Harriet
said, soOthingly; "it is right in the
middle of the season, and perhaps she
will feel she can hardly spare the time.
But I'm sure that if she can"
"If l ask her, she'll co." Nina said,
in sulky, confident undertone
Harriet had her doubts, but she did
not express them. A month at Mas
sau, in the undiluted company of Nina
and her grandmother, was enough to |
appall even Harriet's stout heart.
The event proved her right, for while |
Ida Tabor flew at once to her discon-
solate little friend, and assured Rich
ard with tears in her eyes that she |
would do anything in the world to help |
him, she weakened when the actual |
test arrived.
eff just you and / and your dear
grandmother were going, dearest girl"
she said to Nina, 'then 1t would be per- |
feet. But as long as Miss Field, who |
is perfectly charming and conscien-
tious and all that, feels that she must |
accompany us, why-yOu and would
never be moment alone, sweetheart,
you know that! 1 don't like to think
that it's jealousy"
"Of course it's jealousy" Nina was
pleased to decide, gloomily. Granny
sRys that we don't need her, but Fa-
sener just sticks to it that she must
manage everythingw
N4 Tabor smiled automatically.
81 don't suppose your father sees any
thing in Miss Field?" she submitted,
lightly
"oh, Heavens, nor Nina said,
studying herself in handglass. There
was a rather steely look in the eyes
of her friend Ladybird, but she did not
see it. Her smile Of pleasure gradual
" gave place to pout. ''Pm going to
ask FdLu6I IL we uSSu MISS 11dTTleL !
she said
And that evening she did indeed at
tack Richard ON the subject, although
not as decidedly as she had planned.
He listened to her interestedly enough,
with his evening paper held ready for
his next glance.
Let you roam about the country
with Mrs. Tabor" he said, as the girls
faltering accents stopped. mo, my
dear, it's out of the question In the
first plack she is not the sort of com
panion / would Choose for any girl.
and In the second place would never
know where you and your grandmoth-
er were, or what was happening to
youi While Miss Field is in charge
shall feel entirely safe. OF course, If