American Fork citizen. [volume] (American Fork, Utah) 1912-1979, 1922-06-03

0ctuuI sickness. vague speculati0ns
churned and seethed In the weary
brain that could find no beginning and
no end to them. To have made a
clean breast Of the whole matter
months ago would have meant de-
licious sense Of freedom from re-
sponsibility now. but then under those
circumstances would she, Harriet,
have been here nowi Certainly, even
In the present purely technical sense.
she would not have been the second
Mrs. Richard Carter, nor would she
have held her present position Of trust
and responsibility.
While Nina and her lover murmured
on the terrace Harriet brooded on
these things. and after dinner that
evening she gave Richard so sharp a
warning that he sent ut once for Nina,
and with cl0uded brow and angry
eyes briefly requested Harriet to be
present while he spoke to her.
Nina came ut once, with an limo
cent expression on her rather heavy
young face. She seated herself near
Harriet. and her father went to the
point at once.
"Nina," he said, seriously. "you saw
Royal Blondin this afternoon. didn't
you" And as Nina answered only
with an ugly glance ut Harriet, the be.
trayer, he added, didn't I ask you
not to see him any more. several
months ago?"
"Yes. you did," Nina said. in low
tone. and with heaving breast.
II hope. and we all hope, that you
will marry some day." Richard said.
But you are too young now to make
wise choice. And until you are o
little older. you will have to take my
word for II that such an affair would
only lead you to misery and regret"
Nina mumbled something bravely.
II didn't hear you." her father said.
~ said, I didn't see what you could
do about I'll" the girl repeated, des-
perately.
For few moments OF silence Rich.
ard merely looked gravely ut his
daughter. Then he clasped his fina
hands on the desk before him, and
cleared his throat.
like, Nina" he conceded, "but shall
do what / can. But first let me ask
you: have you promised to marry Mr..
Bl0ndinr'
Silence Nina looked at the floor.
Richard repeated his question.
0yaa 4 hova-onl vn,. nantt LII ,v,a
for itw Nina said, and burst into
tears.
"Well," the father resumed, when
Harriet had supplied n consolatory
murmur and handkerchief, I'm
sorry, OF course. Mrs. Tabor carried
letters between you. did shef You
met him occasiOnallyf
1.-TWO or three times" Nina said.
shifting and drying her eyes busily.
"You know my Nasons for disliking
him. Nina" her father said. He Is q
mnn more than twice your age; he
has certain sort Of unsavory reputa.
tIon In his affairs with women. He
has no income. no profession. no
ui tnOSC tIhuSS wi abduos
him. You're only child"
II shall be OF age Tuesday," Nina
burst forth. resentfully.
"You will be Of age Tuesday. True.
But you will be my ward, as far as
your Uncle Edwards legacy Is con-
ccSned, for another three years. Now,
Nina. II you persist In this folly,
against my most earnest advice, can
only forbid the man the house, and
lock you In your room In the good old
fashioned way. That l shall do. I
shall then give out to the w0rld-that
has already had q rare treat at the
expense Of the Carter family-the
news Of my utter disapproval of the
match. II you manage the marriage
In spite Of me. l shall forbid you and
l'londin my house, and as matter
OF course use my right to withhold
the payment OF your legacy for three
years. and stop your present allow
nnce, and your credit with the shops.
| That's all l can del And / do II,
Nina" said Richard In softer tone,
II do II to hasten the inevitable, my
dear ! do Il to bring you back to
your father sooner instead Of later; to
+, give you only one year of disilluslon-
ment and suffering, instead Of seven
| or eighth"
II must be brave girl. thought
| Harriet, who could persist In any
course, after that. But Nina had the
lmpregBable armor OF Ignorance and
| pride, and she only shifted pathetical.
| ~ again, and shrugged her shoulders.
"You do everything In the world to
| make my marriage a failure" she
aid With the lrrepresslble tears. "And
| suppose youll he delighted II It is +!
| MD ! don't see-if woman can
aa~ry a rich man, why man
| hGuldn't sometimes be glad II girl
| hrs rmcy! I'm prond TO help him
| ont T he'll let nIo. He says he won't
| why, we had Planned going-well
| lust every, here, Honolulu and south.
| nm California and Just everywhere,
| ,nly now he won't COL He says he IL