The Washington herald., 1908-01-08
CHAPTED VII-COntinued.

ddRerIOrQ hdQ sent no answer 70 t44e
letter she had written to him.
Naturally the life was not so golden
hued in these after-days as it had seemed
that first day.
She found the children, il not exactly
spoiled, certainly not trained as they
should have been trained.
With the elder one, indeed, a good
many difficulties threatened. but Rather
ine was resolved to find nothing too
hard or difficult. and her long expert
ence Of school discipline came into splen-
did prominence now.
Her starting task was to try to put
a little organization INFO the life of the
nursery.
She did not mind what she did her
self to bring about some method to regu-
late the hours, but she quickly let the
servants know that they must meet her
half way
She found it necessary TO change any
number of accepted habits. When she
learned how irregular had been the
nursery arrangements. she marveled
that her little changes were so healthy
or so tractable.
You keep things down, my dear.
Don't you be afraid Of having your own
way. The mistress won't interfere. She
trusts every one. That's why she gets
done Sc often"
Another time Dennis introduced the
question Of expense.
"The way money is just thrown away
IN this house! There's not a one. bar
rim myself, to give a thought to the
one as has 10 pay. Why. many's the
time I've seen nurse pitch away bottle
of special milk what couldn't be used;
and dye think that stopped her IN the
orderin'? Not it,"
That there had been waste and ex-
traVagdnce 10 an almost criminal degree
Miss Granger had quickly discovered
for herself. Dennis had told her that
the children possessed more feathers and
frills, more lace fr0cks than any other
children in the United Kingdom and
this was no exaggeratiOn. In all things
that We're practical and necessary, how
ever. they We're as shabby and as ragged
Rs any little beggar IN the street
Every night Katherine devoted herself
TO overlooking the children's wardrobe.
She mended what could be mended, and
arranged all as far as she could, but
she could not spin stockings or weave
warm winter garments out of thin air.
For a day or two the girl hesitatel as
60 whether she should approach Mrs.
Lancing on this subject She was really
unwilling to do So but finally decided It
was better that she should go straight 20
the point in this and in all other matters
connected with the children and her care
OF them.
And so one evening, as Camilla was
dressing for an early dinner engagement,
there came a knock at her door. and
Dennis asked if she would see Miss
Granger.
Mrs. .Lancing was sitting in front OF
her ioolingglass; her short, wavy hair
was loose on her shoulders.
At sight Of Katherine she took alarm,
her looking glass; her short, wavy hair
brush protestingly.
Don't tell ME that YOU have come 10
give me notice. she said forcibly, be
cause I won't take it"'
The girl laughed
Il am still marvelng at my good for
tune at being with you." she said. She
looked admiringly at Camilla. How pret-
ty, how very pretty, this woman was,
Each tine that she saw Mrs. Lancmg
she seemed TO see her in a more 8t-
tractive way.
Now, IN her white flowing gown, with
her curly hair falling about her face. she
looked hardly Older than little Betty her
self
There was an unconscious Wistfuluess
IN Camilla Lancing's eyes that walked a
strong rush of tenderness and protective
affection I'm Katherine's heart whenever
she looked into them.
Brief as had been her stay in the house
she had been long enough to know from
other sources than Dennis condolences
that trouble stalked side by side with
the gayety; long enough to have grasped
Nith that intuition which was one Of her
strongest gifts that this charming, child
Ike, happy-go-lucky mistress of the house
would always buy her sunshine very
dearly, with a heavy shadow threaten
ing 1t.
Camilla heavcd a sigh Of relief.
I breathe again, she said; sit down
and let me look at you. Well. you are
better, / think; you have a nice bit Of
color, but you must get much. much
fatter are the ChCkies asleep? Dear
child. ! must congratulate yOul You are
Fl marvellous person. We have never had
such peace in the house as We have had
since you have been here-have we, Dem
MS! And you are such a child yourself.
How Is this sort of thing done? 1 sup
pose IL comes naturally TO YOU"
am SO glad you are satisfied with
me- Katherine Granger said She sat
down and locked about her CuriOusiy, and
yet with pleasure. The dainty appoint
ments. the rosebud chintz, the lace-cover-
ed bed. upon which was spread the gown
Mrs. Lancing was going to wear. the
crystai-t2pped toilet table with its burden
OF brushes and jars and scent bottles
ana kniek-knacks, the cozy chairs the
soft carpet, all made a picture Of pretti-
ness, luxury, and comfort such as had
not even visioned itself in her imagina-
ton. busy as that had been at times
Portraits of the children abounded. and
~ the middle Of the mantel-sheIf Kathe-
rlne noticed large cabinet photograph
or Edward Lancing. The children had a
smaller one like it in the nursery.
Betty kissed it every night after she
had said her prayers. and Baby, of course.
always clamored for daddy's picture 10
Go the same thing. Although as Betty
said frequently You never knowed him.
SO he isn't properly your daddy"
Katherine brought her wandering atten-
ton to order sharply.
o i have come % bother you" she said
Dennis had begun to comb out the
brown curls and arrange them in loose
and graceful manner, fastening them
here and there with sparkling pin.
have brought a list Of the things thar
the children want"
Do they want anything? They had
new coats and hats the day you came"
said Mrs Lancing.
She took the Daner hapSAd "a be~ 81
read it aloud.
stockings. nightgowns. flannels, shoes
Dear child, of course they shall bava