The Washington herald., 1908-01-21
CHAPTER XIV.

large dlning-roOm was beyond Katherine
Granger this evening. She went up stairs
resoluteiy determining to work again,
but she had reckoned without Dennis.
The maid was ripe for a good long
chat She insisted. too. on bringing up
some dinner and waiting on Katherine.
Dennis found the girl looking very tired
and depressed. But when she pressed
this point Miss Granger promptly de-
clared that she had never felt better in
her life.
TELL me all that you have been doing,
Dennis" she said.
Really, Il was a rest for her 70 sit and
say nothing, a rest not TO veX her brain
with futile questioning for a while,
It amused her TO hear the maids views
OF things in general Dennis admiration
for a beautiful country largely depended
on how the servants were lodged and
cared for IN any particular house
''This 'ere's a kind of paradise" she
said; down with them rich folk in Dew
Onshire we was that crowded we didn't
know how to turn round. Some Of them
slept IN huts, but I was a bit better off
than most, because Miss Camilla wanted
me with her most all the time What
do you think Of her. miss?" Dennis ask
ed abruptly, "don't you find her looking
simply awful? She's that shaky, I do
declare, az times I can hardly get her
into a frock, and for all she swears It
isn't soi I'm certain sure she's got some
thing Worritin' her"
Dennis was silent a moment, then she
TnF 70 rarrg
but you, but I can't help thinking as it's
that fellow Broxbourne as is vexiug her.
Katherine sat with her elbow on the
table, her face shadowed by her hand
But isn't that rather ridiculous, Den
Mise" she asked. why should Sir Sam
uel vex her?"
"Ah! my dear" said Dennis, that's
a question I'd like to answer. wish to
the Lord she'd marry and settle down;
for there's no getting away from the fact
that Sir Samuers been buzzing about her
ever so much Of late and it does her no
sort Of good" note Of evaporation
came here into Dennis voice. Just TO
think Of all she's got now, all what's
been done for her. How she's been took
out OF all her difficulties, and stands on
her own feet. Didn't she ought TO be
lively and We'll? I can't make It out,
Why don't they marry miss?"
"Oh, 1 think they will now very short
ly,' Miss Granger said. NOV, run
down and have your own supper, Dennis
1t is getting late.''
When the maid had gone, Katherine sat
in the same attitude. She was not think
ing of what Dennis had just told her,
she was thinking of that deep, tender
note IN Haverford's voice when he had
been speaking Of Camilla, How he loved
heri The one creature who had brought
20 him al that had been lacking IN his
life till now. How many years he must
have hungered for such love. Surely, now
that it had come. it would have fits real
value. Surely love such as his could not
be horn only to be wasted
She is so dear 10 me-" the words
haunted the girl and when her mind
1erked back and she recalled the earlier
hours Of this day, and the veritable an
guish which she had experienced when
she had looked AT Camilla's changed al
most worn face. her gagernesg TO stand
and TO help him, TO put an end TO this
indecision, this dangerous and futile wait
tng, seemed 10 burn in her veins, and
quicken the beat of her heart
Il will certainly go 20 London t0-mor-
row. she said; II feel almost inclined
10 pretend that I am overtaxed, that the
children try me, that I want attention
She is always urging me TO let her know
If that should happen. and that is where
she is so sweet, everything else stands
on one side when she thinks there is a
claim on her"
Here a sound from the nursery drew
Katherine into the childTen's room.
It was only Baby talking in her sleep.
but she sat down q little while, and I'm
the tranquility Of the chldreH's room
some tranquility fell on her own nerves.
too
AT least I havA one great joy" she
said to herself as. she sat there; they
all trust me. S19 could not give me
greater proof Of this than I'm the words
she spoke 10 me about these dear little
souls to-day"
Just then she heard some one moving
IN the other room, and rising. she went
softly TO the door. It was the maid who
usually waited on her.
u have brought YOU n letter, miss
It's Just come. Sent over from Lea
Abbey"
Thank you" said Kathefine
She waited until the maid had made
up the fire and gone out Of the room. ana
then. when she was alone she etm
waited
10 was very ridiculous of her, but she
felt suddenly frightened.
There was nothing unusual I'm Camilla
sending q letter at this hour. Her letters
ana messages arrived at any time.
W hat Is the matter with mea" asked
Katherine of herself impatiently. Il am
an upside down to-day" And then she
opened the letter
Il was written in pencl. v-~i++ T.
haste. '''''0H III
did intend not 20 have sent q word
10 any OF you, but just as I am starting
Ior London l feel 7 must scribble n mos
sage TO you, dear little Kathie. Asl,
agnes 10 forgive me. The fact is 7 can
Lot bring myself 10 write 10 bar and
Nou-you little bit of q thing as Won are
draw me as / have never been drawn by-
fore. l am taking a big step to-nivbt
Katherine 1t is ridiculous 10 sunnoe,
that YOU will any Of You. regard vvbat
am doing as anything but madness bu+
/ cannot help myself. Everything forces
me away from what you all think the
best for me, but then, you see you none
of you, have known just exactly what
has been passing with me. ] had a great
temptation to open my heart TO you when
We were together out on the marshes TO-
day, but / could not do it, Remember
what 7 told YOU about the children. They
won't see ME for some little while. but as
soon as possible they will come to me,
--------------------- -------.--------------