The Jasper news. [volume] (Jasper, Missouri) 1898-1924, 1922-01-26


selubsness but With smile Of uttsr
haplIlness AHA exti tcmetii
'uihiost tonriicd me white 30 lges They
A second later SIC lookcsi VI In
some alarm no was silent she had
somehow said the awkward thing
agninl Nlna's heart duiteted neff-
ously.
But what she saw reassured her.
Royal Blondin had squared himself
about, and hnd folded his arms, and
was staring dnrlIy Into space.
How / knew Il !. no said In n linlf-
whisper, as Il = himself after a fun
hnif-mlnute Of silence that thrilled
Ninn to the soul. "ChIld. don't know
Some day Son and win rend books
together---wondeff books And then
perhaps we win begin 10 understand
the cosnic secrct--why your soul
rcnehes out to mine-wh ! not only
want 20 know you better, but why u n
my solemn obligation to take the ex>
quIsite ti,ing your coming into my llfo
may mean 10 us bothi You and have
somehow found each other In all this
Wilderness OF lies and afrectntions. aud
we're going to be friends. aren't we?r
'T--hope we are" Mini said, clear.
Ing her throat, with u bashful laugh.
.You know we nre" Royal Blondin
amended. And In n niuslng tone he
added: I'm afraid was a little bitter
few hours ago. And then saw you.
just an honest. brave. bcwildered little
girl, wondering why the deuce they
all make such fuss about nothing
clothes and bridge parties and din
ners--"
"Thcy never say anything worth
whilcP Nina snid. with daring. There
was exquisite homage iu the dropped.
listening head. the eyes that smiled
50 close TO her own. "But II l tell
Mother that, she thinks I'm crnzyi"
she added, lapsIng into the school YER
nacular against a desperate effort to
sustain the conversation Mt Ills level.
Because you're a little natural
rcbei.- interpreted the man. smilIngly.
Those Eyes OF yours say That. And II
doesn't make for happiness. Little
Girl :" he warned her
Nina narrowed her eyes, and stared
into the green garden. She was nor
renrina her glasses today. and hers
/ we're iine eyes. albeit Il irifle promi
nent, and with somewhat strained
expression.
"Oh. I know that g she said. Il like
! ihe girls and boys--truiy do. and
am popular with them all, know
I thai. bur cases r. said Nina with
scnrr.
Dear lcaycn!" Royal said under
! his breath. "N,,--no--ilo- that's not
for YOU" he inufInurcd. And vet"
aud he turueh upon her look that
! Nina was ~ remember with thrill in
tile waking hours OF the summer night
--"and yet, Is II. kindness to wake you
up. chlldf" he unused. rs It right &"
show You the full beauty OF that quest
ing soul Of yours?'
1t was said as II to himself. as II
he thought aloud. But Nina answered
Il.
Il often think" she said, mirthfuliy
'thut II people knew what j was
thinking, they'd 20 crazy! l manass
to keep the appearance OF doing ex-
actly what The others do. and langh
and fllrt just rs II that was the only
thing In life! II people want TO think
am butterfly, why. let them think
so! Ny friend Miss Hawkes. says that
/ have two natlres--butI don't kcOw
about that"
| She looked up at him to find his
eyes fixed steadily upon her. and
flushed happily. viii, fast-bestine
heart.
II with one OF those natures ! have
nothing TO do Royal said. But the
other ] claim as my friend. Come,
how about 81? Are we going TO be
friends? am old cnOugh 10 be your
father, you know; You mny tell
Mother that 1t is perfectly safe. WIN
, you give me your hand on it--and your
eyes2 Good girl And now I'll taks
you back to be scolded for rlinninp
away from your friends for so long
I'm dining with Mother tomorrow
Shall I soc your
son. yes--if Mother lets mo. CONS
I DOWN. nultered Nina. -BGt. no.
we'ro to be at Granny's:" she remen
bercd.
"So0p. theng" He left her In the
2 circlIng group, but all the world saw
him kiss her hand MINI wendersf
: about In .daze Of pleasure aud satis
! faction for another half.hour, payini
, attentions 20 Mothers p0ky friends
] with q sparkle and charm that amazet
? them. Presently Ward aud the demur'
/ Amy Hawkes. found her; the chr WA
/ -