Morgan County republican. (Versailles, Mo.) 1906-1914, 1908-01-09

some one 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 | shall not keep
the girl unless ] like her. ! am glad
she has plenty of money, for | 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 was 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 1t,
as the tide OF travel from that point
was setting due east,
It was a great event In the girls
life. Conductors, porters and passen-
gers were all so kind that the days
few 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.
ing meeting,
Then came st. Louis, and while the
train made the long stop Katherine
went out upon the platform to take
the air. When she came back a very
beautiful lady sat In her compart-
ment.
Dear mel" sighed Katherine, II
had quite forgotten, my room mattel
The old lady eyed her critically
~ suppose" she smiled so sweetly
that her sharp words were forgotten,
you are as sorry to see me as | am
to be here: but, comfort yourself that
you we're fortunate enough to obtain
the lower berth. | must gasp and
tremble in the upper one!"
Not at ALL" Katherine replied. u
insist upon your taking the lower"
There vas a little conversation upon
this point, then the two settled down
as comfortably as could be. OF course
on the long trip 1t was natural that
the two should chat by the hour, but
1t was strange that 1t was the oldeI
woman who grew conidentlal-and
the girl who became the confdant.
you see" the old lady said one
day, II must get to New York IL
time. | have a very unpleasant duty
awaiting me. There has been a delay
In letters and | shall only be there II
time, II ! rush right through" Their
came the story of the unloved grand
daughter, and the old lady's appre
tensions.
perhaps she will not be such {
trial." Katherine timidly suggested.
Il am sure she will be-" sighed tn,
old lady. Il dare say she is dreadful
all bone and muscle, with a voice like
a fog horn and of the wild
bear. | only wish she could be gentle
and refned-like, well, like you, my
dear"
Katherine smiled prettlly, ant
looked out of the window.
Il have a great curiosity to see her,
the old voice went on. Il dare say
shall shudder at the memory eve
after; | was wise enough to say
would only look upon her with will
the understanding that II did not lik'
her | should send her back"