Mexico weekly ledger., 1922-05-04

It betterr
my darling girl" Harriet said,
warmly, you must do what seems
right to you. But you won't need mef'
she added, tactfully.
"WeIl, You see Mrs. Gardiner and
Mrs. Hopper are sisters" Nina 4
planned, readily, "and they'll be with
US. But IL you'd like to conceive are
going camping In the most glorious
canyon that you ever sawI" Nina In
terrupted herself with sudden enthusi-
asm. sand / am SO glad I really can
ride I'd feel so horrible II / couldn'tf"
." think you'l have a wonderful two
months Of It." Harriet said, ~and then
GrannyTl 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
day. We will have to do some more
shopping tomorrow afternoon, and try
on the riding habits, and do q thousand
things. And, Nina" Richard heard her
add tenderly, when his daughter had
given him a rather sober goodnight
kiss at the door OF her room, when
aver you feel sad and depressed about
II, just remember to say to yourself
This won't last In a few months the
sting will all be gonel"
/ "Nina Is In safe handsi" Richard
said to himself, thankfully, as he
closed the door. He carried q memory
Of Harriet's earnest eyes. her low. ca
ger voice, her encouraging arm about
Nina's shoulders.
. . . . . . .
They were all at breakfast when he
came down the next 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 yer
from the country club, and was in a
well-Htting, shabby jersey that became
his somewhat lanky frame. Nina.
somewhat silent, but interested in ev
erything, wore an expression OF quiet
seIf-possession that her father found
touching. Nina vas 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,
1--WE just this instant come, and he
saves my face! Do turn that toast,
Ward!p she added. And to the maid,
"Mr. Carriers fruit, Mollie, please"
Breakfast was the least formal of
all the informal meals 9t Crownlands.
B0ttomiey was never In evidence until
the late luncheon; mail and newspa-
pers, and the morning gaiety of the
young people all made for cheerful dis
order.
"Tf you're going into town at ten,
Father, wen go, too" Nina suggested.
But / can't" she was heard to MUIR
muir In an undertone to the disappoint-
ed Bruce. II have to get clothes, don't
II"
"Oh, Brazil-Brazil-Brazil !" the
youth said, disgustedly. II hate the
sound of I'll"
"These clothes are for the RANCH"
Nina said, smiling. Both her father
and Harriet augured well from the
youths instantly transformed face.
"Say--honestly2" he asked, inelo-
quently, with an irrepressible grin.
II think so,' Nina murmured. The
rest of their conversation was maud
Bile; they presently wandered forth to
finish 1t on the tennis court. Ward
followed his grandmother upstairs, and
Harriet and Richard were left to I'm
ish their breakfast alone.
"You look tired" Harriet said, rls-
ing. when his omelette came In, and
pausing beside the head Of the table
for an instant on her way to the
pantry.
II had a bad night" Richard ad-
mitted. "But that's not all you're go
ing to have for breakfastT' he pro-
tested.
Il neyeF have more!s Harriet
smiled. Elm sorry about the bad
night" said she.
Il couldn't help thinking" Rich
ard began. "Mhat Is It. MollieY he
added, harshly, to the lowering maid.
"Nothing--no matter-sir,s MoIlie.
stammered. ~retreating. "It was just
that the man about the sheep came
sir" she faltered.
1.-THE sheepl" Richard echoed,
frowning. Harriet laughed gayly.
"0h, yes" she said. II told you /
had ordered two OF three young
sheep" she explained, TO keep our
lawns cropped. They look SO adora-
BILE, and they do It 90 nicelyi Has he
got them, Mollie?' she added, eagerly.
"oh. I must see them I'll be back In
exactly i've minutes. Mr.. Carter" she
said.
"What are we supposed to do with
them in winterY' Richard asked. smil-
ing.
@oh, they WILL have O little--a little
byrel" she answered, readily. aYbull
you'll Like themi~ Ana be heard
her Joyous voice following Mollie
away.
Richard pushed back his plate and
looked irresolutely/ after her. Then
suddenly he rose and walked through
the pantry, asking two startled maids