The Tupelo journal., 1908-01-10

some n of the family told her, she
concluded, she would rather not
know.
So Uncle Mark wrote to the stern
grandmother and told all Katherine's
pitiful little story, and in due time
came this letter in reply:
You may send the child on for a
visit, but understand it is only upon
approval. Her mother displeased me
by her marriage, and 1 shall not keep
the girl unless l like her. / am glad
she has plenty of money, for l do not
feel in any way responsible for her."
Uncle Mark and Katherine laughed
a good deal over this letter, and Kath-
crime called herself merchandise and
declared that she did not approve of
her grandmother at all and would
make her visit extremely brief.
Well, Uncle Mark accepted the
strange invitation and everything was
made ready for the hurried visit.
Katherine's clothing vas plain, but
rich in texture, and had a pretty old
time look that neither Uncle Mark
nor the girl herself realized.
Katherine was to travel from San
Francisco alone, and Uncle Mark had
only been able to procure her a whole
compartment on the train as far as st.
Louis: farther on she must share it,
as the tide of travel from that point
was setting due east.
1t was a great event in the girls
life. Conductors. porters and passen-
gers were all SO kind that the days
flew by and were really as interesting
as could be. Often Katherine thought
of the terrible grandmother who was
to meet her in New York and won
dered just how terrible she would be,
but the young girl enjoyed herself
very much and quite forgot the com
ling meeting.
Then came st. Louis, and while the
train made the long stop Katherine
the air. When she came back a very
beautiful lady sat in her compart-
ment.
Dear met" sighed Katherine, II
had quite forgotten, my room mattel"
The old lady eyed her critically.
II suppose" she smiled so sweetly
that her sharp words were forgotten,
you are as sorry to see me as I am
to be here: but, comfort yourself that
you were fortunate enough to obtain
the lower berth. | must gasp and
tremble in the upper one!"
mot at ALI" Katherine replied. Il
insist upon your taking the lower"
There was a little conversation upon
| this point, then the two settled down
as comfortably as could be. OF course
on the long trip it was natural that
the two should chat by the hour, but
1t was strange that it vas the older
woman who grew confidential-and
the girl who became the confidant.
"You see." the old lady said n
| day, Il must get to New York in
time. I have a very unpleasant duty
awaiting me. There has been q delay
in letters and shall only be there in
time, if / rush right through" Then
came the story of the unloved grand
daughter, and the old lady's appre-
n~enS1OnS.
Perhaps she will not be such a
trial." Katherine timidly suggested.
Il am sure she will bel" sighed the
old lady. Il dare say she is dreadful,
all bone and muscle, with a voice like
q fog horn and name Of the wild
bear. / only wish she could be gentle
and refined-like. well, like you, my
dear!"
Katherine smiled prettily. and
looked out Of the window.
Il have q great curiosity to see her"
the old voice went on. Il dare say ]
shall shudder at the memory ever
after; / was wise enough to say I
would only look upon her with with
the understanding that If | did not Ike
her ! should sendsher back"