The Washington herald., 1908-01-24
CHAPTER XIV.

open window. letting in occasional streaks
Of golden light and stirring the delicate
fronds of the fern that with a pot Of
heliotrope and some bowls of flowers.
stood on the table at the foot Of the bed,
Katherine lay and watched for those
fugitive glimpses of sunshine and sun
bathed trees.
It must be very lovely out in the gar
den, so she unused, dreamily; only it was
such a long. long way to get there. and
here II was so pleasantly resuuls 50 calm,
SO conducive TO dreams
a great many birds had congregated
on the big beech tree close 10 her win
dows; there was a swallows nest just
unCcr the caves Of the roof and a great
twittering went on every now and then.
Katherine could picture the cluster of
yellow, wide-open beaks. and the indus
trious mother voyaging backward and
forward. always with some toothsome
morseI for one Of those hungry mouths
in her own beak
Il think tiny swallows are very greedy
she said to herself, sleepiIy. They are
never satisfied"
And some one answered her-a small
voice from the foor apparently
Kathie Kathie darling, is you going
10 wake up? Oh do wake up, Kathie,"
The voice was plaintive almost to tears.
katherine opened her eyes, paused, and
then, with an effort pushed herself for
ward resting on her elbow.
rs there somebody there she asked,
in such funay wavering voice.
For answer "a very hot and a very
small hand came creeping over the white
sheet Ike a little mouse.
It's me-Baby. They've scented me
away all the time, nasty, unkind peoples,
But I crawlod in. and 1 do want you SO.
Kathe."
Climb up," said Katherine family.
II was a stupendous undertaking. en-
failing much slipping and dragging at
the bed clothes. but at last a small hot,
disheveled little person had crawled
close to the pillow and was kissing the
white face lying there and CuddIng
week hand and arm as if it We're doll.
And then condolences followed
BettyS dog has coined, he's a awful
duck, bat she won't let me have nothing
of him. Isn't she selhsh?'
81 will give You "a dog, sweetheart"
"A really oue2"
"A real one"
Nice dear Kathie,"
The little soft face pressed close to
the white one
But not "a wool-fur dog"
NO. q real one
Baby lay and stared dreamily about the
room
IN give him JAM" she said.
Katherine laughed.
Fancy "a real dog eating jam"
Fancy real growued-up thing going
10 sleep for all the days"
IT am very sorry" said Katherine,
humbly
The door was pushed open here in the
softeSt way possible, and a voice wills
pered cautiously from the aperture:
Baby, Baby"
Baby giggied and put her finger up
I'm warning fashion, but Betty was not
deceived.
Il know you're here she said, "and
you didn't ought TO come. You know
what AuuW Brenny said. You was 10
leave katherine alone"
Nasty thing" said Baby, in abusive
fashion.
Katherine said Hush" but this
brought Betty straight 10 the bed. 1t
too. her just q minute to climb and ues-
lie down on the other side.
How long has she been here, little
pickIe?" she demanded.
The wooliEes5 had gone from Rather
ines brain
Don't tease her darling" she urged.
and she smoothed Babys d0wny cheek
soothingIy as she spoke
she is Il PICKLE retorted Betty. "a
horrid pickle"
katherine made haste TO avert a battle
Watch the blind" she said. and YOU
viii see the sunbeam fairly sail into the
room
But Betty had TO use for fairies this
afternoon
My dogs got silver collar He's
called Box"
"Who brough, him?" asked Katherine.
i'm "a low voice
ooh, Rupert. of course"
The girls heart gave bang. She tried
10 remember when il was that she had
staggered into this cool, restful bed with
that aching torture in her brow and eyes.
He will bite said Betty.
And Baby whispered eagerly,
Mine will too, won't he?"
Il think I viii get up" said Kath-
crime; but Betty at once assumed sit
ting posture.
You can't" she said. your clothes
have al been took away
aeA ID wear yours.
Katherine was trembling an over, How
stupid OF her to have been ill., How long
had she been shut up in this room?
The children began with bursts Of
laughter t1 dress her up in imagination
in their garments.
she listened 10 them. hearing nothing.
then she began 20 question again.
You're the grown-up young lady. Bet
", she said. What has been going ON
down stairs? Did-did-Rupert really
Gomez
Really and truly" said Betty. He
SAID he was awfUlly sorry YOU was IN.
AuntF Rrenny's been planning TOO. Oh
hathle, you must get we'll by Saturday.
COOK sister Flo is going to be married
Cooks making a cake. You will let me
and Baby go. won't your We want TO
carry her train
rs that all the news?" asked Katherine
The child puckered her brow and nod
ded her head. and then said:
oh, no. SOmethin else Mummy
sent us each a watch. a real living
watch. Katherine and she's gone to
some mountains, and she's very well.
and she's got a new name. and il isn't
Ruperts. and she wants us 10 say our
prayers for her every night"
The little voice on katheTine's right