The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1903-03-14


passionate epeai to her heart. and
SO acceptua1ed tho feeling Of ioneIi-
ness il deplored that katharine hur-
ried On her wraps and went out in
the sunshine on Fifth avenue There
she pulled herself together mental-
" and tried hard to dismiss the feel
ing that in fleeing from Richard Cath
cart and his love she had done an
unwise thing. Then She recalled the
fact that she had in her purse the
address of a dear friend who lived in
Brooklyn, also the number of her
husbands business address on Broad
way. Calling a cab, she soon found
herself at his office. He was in and
gave her a hearty welcome.
Sophie Will be delighted to see
you, Mrs. Archer, and as this happens
to be our wedding anniversary, [
promised to eat luncheon at home.
We will give her a delightful SUR
prise
Mrs. Archer made no objection.
Possibly Q thought of e~xultation over
her freedom to do as she pleased ac-
companied the alacrity with which
she accepted the invitation. No man
would be d~isagreeabIe because she
kept him waiting for her return.
Experience had given her r~etrospec-
tive faculties.
Mrs. Lewis, her friend, was over
joyed, even to the extent of hysteri.
cal tears.
Us it really you, Katharine, and
nave you come to make me a long
visit? But, of course, YOU have.
What a lovely widow you make. nv
dear. But you won't be a widow
long, will she, George?' and Mrs.
Lewis Rugged her friend anew.
After luncheon Mr.. Lewis returned
to the city and the two young vom-
en- sat together and rehearsed all
that had happened since their last
meeting, which was on the occasion
Of katharine's marriage. They even
talked over Mr.. Cathcart, and that
gentleman's ears must have burned
/ distant Chicago. Sophie knew him
and was on his Observation-Disclosures only
demur was her freedom.
why, 1 couldn't even be sitting com.
fortably here chatting with YOU" sbs
said in confirmation of her decision
IF had a husband waiting at the hotel
for me. It's just beautiful 10 be able
to go out, for a few hours without
leaving an explanatory letter, telling
where you have gone, how long o
will be away, and then having to wor-
ny all the time for fear you will e
stay your time half an hour. I have
felt Just like a child going home to be
scolded."
Poor darling" Sophie regarded her
friend with pity, 'it is plain, Kathar-
inc, that you have never loved"
But the flood of color that suffused
Mrs. Archer's features told another
story. Sophie, bright little woman,
received a sudden illumination. Mrs.
Archer intended to return. to her hotel
that evening, but yielded to the urg-
ings of her friends, and the next morn
ing it rained, nor did it clear during
the day or the following evening.
Katharine wrote to her brother, and
answered at length Richard Cathcart's
letter, using specious and evasive argu-
ments, a very Jesuit in her use of Ian.
guage to conceal thought. Then the
second night passed, and on the sue
ceeding morning when Mr.. Lewis
opened his daily paper he gave a great
shout.
Sophie! Katharine! Come here!''
The two hurried down and looked
over his shoulder as he read the dis
play heading of a news column:
MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE
OF WEALTHY WIDOW.
MISSING FROM HER HOTEL.
FOUL PLAY FEARED.
POLICE ASKED TO INVESTIGATE.
Both women collapsed at this juno
ture, and Mr.. Lewis read the article
aloud. The further intelligence an
nOunced that the police on being sum
moned opened the trunks of the miss
ing guest and rummaged their contents
until they discovered her Chicago adj
dress; that they had wired her BROTH
er and lover, whose letters gave the
information they needed, and that
both had ~telegraphed to proceed with
the search, using every means in their
power, and that the two men would
leave Immediately for New York.
"Horriblel" shrieked Katharine in
fierce dismay.
Shameful" cried Sophie, support
ing her friend in her arms.
"The police seem to have been E
vigilant," commented Mr.. Lewis.
''You are being we'll advertised, Kate
he added, with>sly emphasis. At the
same time he was annoyed that she
should have all this to undergo.
They both accompanied their guest
to the hotel. where her apartments
were found in a state of confusion
that warranted anindignant rebuke to
the management, and affairs were
speedily adjusted. Mr.. Lewis insisting
that Sophie should stay and chaperone
the widow until her brother arrived.
That he was not coming alone seemed
to afford Katharine much comfort.
She felt willing to be a lean-to all the
rest of her life.-Chicago Record~Her-
aid.
Origin os ROquefOrt Cheese.