The Washington herald., 1908-01-03

Mr.. HaNeffofu VIII nave some Su6BSN-
tons TO offer dare say ne viii wan,
NE TO go into one of his charity institu-
tions Perhaps he viii send me 10 the /
workhouse."
She laughed at this, and so thinking /
end pondering, she grew drOwsy by de- /
grees. and sleep came to her just as the /
day Ga clear, bright, frosty day. began to /
creep into existence.
II had been arranged between Mrs. /
Brenton and Haverford that Miss Gran /
iger should go to him early in the morn /
ing, but when her maid brought the |
news that Katherine was still sleeping, |
Mrs. BrentOn sent him telegram ask |
ing him to call that afternoon instead.
II was nearly $3.50 before her unexpect- !
ed guest joined Mrs. Brenton at break !
fast. The girl was greatly upset.
II never slept late III my life before,
she said. Il am generally awake about
6, and I always get up soon after wake.
You're like me. 7 expect" said Mrs.
Brenton. i never sleep very well the
first part of the night when I am in
strange place, and then, of course, / am
drowsy In the morning.
Il was so excited. said Katherine, I
could not go to sleep. II was so strange
and delightful TO be in such nice room.
am not used to luxury. I think / know
now how the children feel on Christmas
Eve, when they hang up their stockings,
or when they expect a birthday. l kept
my eye on the chimney, almost expecting
Santa Claus to appear every other mo-
ment."
! She laughed as she warmed her hands
by the fire.
Perhaps he did come, after ALL" the
older woman said gently. "and there is
something nice waiting for you to-day.
/ Miss Granger turned and looked at the
/ speaker Her thin face was fun OF color.
! You have already filled my stocking.
/ Mrs. Brenton noticed that her eyes were
not black, but dark very dark blue. 1T
was your goodness 10 me last night that
/ made everything so wonderful. so delight
4 fui. ] never knew that any one could be
so kind as you are. 1 have much bet
ter opinion of the world this morn
ing
Let US talk about yourself" said
/ Mrs. Brenton. as she poured out the cof-
/ fee. of course, you ale not going back
I TO Mrs. Baynhurst?"
No" said Katherine; she was silent
a moment. and then she said No"
second time. But" she added, Il don't
quite know what I am going to do" She
stirred her coffee, and colored again.
When she had that color IA her face she
looked much younger, and rather attrac-
I tive 4 have been wondering II you
would advise me-" she said. with some
hesitation. I don't think l have the
right To ask you, especially as you are
so wonderfully kind to me; but people
who are kind always have 10 pay some
penalty. I found out that much when
7 was a very tiny child"
How old are your asked Mrs Bren-
ton.
The girl knitted her brows.
Il believe 1 am about nineteen. But I
don't really know I only go by what
Miss Beamish told me That is the
woman who kept the school where I lived
for such long time" she explained:
"and she always said that I was about
four when / first went to her
-Four years Old said Agnes Bren-
ton. quickly. She felt sharp pang Of
pity for that little forlorn four-year-old
child Of the past THAT was starting
life early with a vengeance
Yes" assented Katherine Granger.
but We all have to begin some time or
another, and as. apparently. there was
no one to object. 1 began at four" She
spoke quite cheerfully. Then she smiled
Miss Beamish has often told me that
was very difficult child They could
not get me to eat anything. She declares
that very often she had TO sit up half
the night and nurse me, because 1 would
not go TO sleep in a bed" The smile
rippled into laughter. I have often
tried 10 imagine Miss Beamish nursing
me- If you had known her you would
realize how funny it sounds.
Funny said Agnes Brenton to her
! self.
She busied herself attending to the ma
terial comfort OF her guest for a minute
or two. Then she said:
"Of course | will advise you. Miss
Granger. and I shall be only too glad
to help you If ! can. Just tell me what
you think you could do. What would
: you like to do?" Mrs. Brenton asked.
going straight to the point, in her prac-
teal way
The girl paused and pondered a mo-
ment: then she said: 1T is difficult. for
d don't quite know what I can do.
have no accomplishments. I adore mu-
sic, but I was never taught a nJte.
Music was an extra, and I was a cigar
} ity girl 1 can read and write. and do
} a little arithmatic; / can sew, and I can
2 dig! I am really quite a good gardener. "
! she said. whatever I do, ] want IL
b garden, or at any rate, where I can
T see grass and some trees. The OppreS-
sion of bricks and mortar is a great suf-
ferance to me, Mrs. Baynhurst's house
is built in by other houses; the rooms
p are so dreary There is no air. and the
! windows are never open, and / never
got out I used to drive with her -occa-
{ si0nally, but / never walked"
Agnes Brenton fretted her brows into
: a slight froWn.
DO you like children" she asked, after
5 little pause.
2 The thin, sallow face lit up
Children Yes. I love children I was
! a pupil-tedcher two years before I left
school. There were some quite tiny tots
with Miss Beamish She had a large
Indian connection, and also children from
1 all parts of the world. When l left there
were two dear little souls there from
Barbados. cried at leaving them" she
sighed, and I don't often cry" she add
. ed, after a little pause.
Mrs. Brenton went on eating her break
+ fast. and Katherine Granger relapsed
into silence for a moment. Then, with
I rush of color TO her cheeks, she said:
But please don't let me bother you in
2 any way. Mrs, Brenton, You have beer
= already much too good. I dare say Mr.
z HaveTfOrd will arrange something foI
me"
Agnes Breston was about to answer
1 this with some kindly words when they
We're startled by a sharp rap with a sticl
I on the door, and then the door was open
ed and Camilla presented herself
She was in her riding-habit, and look
q ed slim and bOyish and radiant, and ex
l traordinariiy pretty and young.
oh you lazy Agnes, she said, no
i finished breakfast yet, Look ut the time
: nearly 10:10, and / have been out sine,
2 $50 She bent 20 kiss Mrs. Brenton
= and then gave Katherine smile and
. little nod nc ACpar Rroufo,, hurried /,