The herald., 1922-04-20

mentS III MIN, MIN, lillHbs liiut NVulu
utterly sfcken and brighten you! Your
father is right; you would be back |
with us in a few months or years, per- |
haps with 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"
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 farT 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
him? Write him a check for eleven
thousand, Nina, as n consolation for
delaying the marriage year. Try
it"
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 Is
the first to think that nobody could
possibly love me for myself" 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. 81 have just telephoned Fox
to make reservations for me on the
next Brazilian steamer. | shall have
TO be month or six weeks in Rio de
Janelro 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
a magnificent steamer-swimming
tanks and gymnasium; you'll love 1t,
and you'll love touch of the South
American countries. too, chance to
try your Spanish. Why not put off this
marriage idea for a year, come along
with me; you'll make steamer ac-
quaintances, you'll broaden out little
| bit"
az won't 60 anywhere" sobbed
Nina. wildly. turning for flight, "be-
cause I'm going TO kill myself"
Harriet only waited long enough
after her dramatic exit TO give Richard
a reassuring nod. Then she hurried
after Nina.
The girl was sObbing on her bed, and
for awhile she answered Harriet
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.
"You see, you're only seventeen, Nj
na," Harriet said, ''the age when most
girls are still in the schOOlroOm, long
before they have affairs Well, you're
not interested In college, so that ought
to give you three or four clear years OF
girihood. You're bound to have other
affairs, you've proved that! You &c
to South neutrality-suspicious. there Is
some interesting man on the steamer
you go to Canada-to California; the
world Is yours. Now. Royal is differ
ent. He is an experienced man Of at
fairs; he will always have an attrac
ton for women. and they for him. Yor
aren't his match, now, Nina. In few
years you may be"
"rm not jealous!'' Nina said, proud
ly. But Harriet smiled.
"Yes, you are jealous. You wouldn'
be a real true woman If you weren't 7
she accused. A reluctant dimple tuggeC
at Nina's pouting mouth. She did no
dislike the idea of potential despotism
of the travelled, experienced woman o
the world, confident of her charm.
IF l offered a check to Royal, d.
you suppose he'd accept it?" she re
marked, after dark musing. She wa
J sitting on the edge of her bed now, ant
/ Harriet was brushing her hair.
IF you really are worried about hi
business affairs, Nina, why not tr,
! it?" Harriet suggested, sensibly. I,
/ this Nina returned pouting:
I'm perfectly willing to try It!
And as a great concession she added
with a sigh: "And I'll tell him wha
Father thinks"
, Now you're talking like a woman
= who has herself well in hand" Han
riet said. approvingly. when are yo
I to see him?"
3 Hes coming over especially to sc
e Father tomorrow" Nina said. Il SUI
pose l might as well go down." sh
J added, cycling herself gloomily in he
!. mirror, "for Ward and that boy seer
absolutely at loss for amusement J"
:. "And I'll be down presently" Hal
I riet said. But when Nina was gon
she walked slowly to her own dres:
A ing table, and sat down, and regarde
Y herself steadily, and with heavy eye!
Irnexpectedly. here between the fan