The Washington herald., 1908-01-17
CHAPTER XI-COntinued.

ed into touch with the most ordinary, the
most commonplace Of individuals; but
thrust. as she had been, suddenly into
the stirring atmosphere of life as il was
lived in Camilla Lancing's household. and
hemmed about by the beguiling influ-
ences of an absolutely fascinating person
atty, Katherine at once lost her heart
But just because this heart was stirred
so strongly, so deeply, she could not
deny herself the right to Judge Camilla;
and It was an easy task to judge now.
why marry him if she despises him so
mueh?" the girl asked herself. There
is surely no law to make her do ths?'
Dennis came up 20 give her helping
hand and told her that Mrs Lancing
wanted to go downstairs with the chill
dren.
She's not tit to stand. that she isn't, q"
said the maid; but she'll go through the
lunch somehow, and then she'll have to
rest" Here Dennis exhibited with great
pride ana excitement the beautiful watch
that Mr.. Haverford had given her.
There hasn't no one been forgotten, %
she said; "he is a proper sort Of man.
This is a happy Christmas for Us, my
dear"
Indeed, Dennis aspect was entirely
changed. She seemed TO have grown a
little fat, and Betty quickly discovered
that she had on new gown, apparently
an amazing event.
Miss Granger followed the children and
their mother downstairs.
Il made her heart thrill to see the way
Haverford turned 10 greet Camilla. He
was evidently sharply concerned about
Mrs. Laneings indisposition, but he did
not fuss her, and she stood with both
children clinging to her as she exchanged
Il few words with him.
At lunch time Katherine found herself
seated next to him. Betty was on his
other side.
Look after Miss Granger please, Ru-
pert" Mrs. Brenton had said TO him, and
he took up the duty in a literal sense.
This Is a typical English Christmas
dinner" he said TO her once. lie tried
TO make her smile and talk but Kath-
crime had no command Of words. She felt
dazed with the myriad sensations that
encircled her about.
When the plum pudding, ali afre, was
brought In with cheers, and every one
stood up to sing Should Aud Acquaint-
ance BE Forgot" Katherine broke down
for a moment. But only Haverford knew
this Almost at once she had conquered
herself, and as he asked her to clink
glasses with him she smiled Her face
moved him sharply; it was quiverins with
emotion her eyes were most beautiful
She had lost her white, caTewOTn look,
and though she was still thin, there was
a pinkish glow in her skin: no one would
have called her plain in this moment
Suppose you change places with me,
he saidi Betty wants TO have you near
her"
They effected the change quietly,
and with the need OF looking after the
child, that oppression of emotion slipped
gradually away from the girls heart.
Long afterward, when all that was new
and strange had grown into a calm and
natural background Katherine Granger
remembered that Christmas luncheon at
Yelverton as one Of the pleasantest eX-
periences ever granted to her.
Mrs. Lancing ate nothing but she did
her best to be bright; that she was suf-
ferng ali the time was, however, clear
10 both her gOyerness and to Haverford
It was a long time before she could
escape from the festivities, but when
everybody had trooped to the Christmas
tree. she managed 10 slip away. and she
drew Katherine aside with her.
Come and help me. she said. This
is one Of Dennis rare holidays, and
don't believe 1 can get upstairs by my
self"
1t was on Katherine's lips 10 ask if she
should call Mr.. Haverford, but glancing
back she saw that he had been summoned
by Mrs. Brenton to offciate at the huge
tree. so they passed out together.
1t is a shame to bother you" said
Camilla when she got UD 10 her room
She was trembling as with cold, and hel
br0ws and eyes were contracted with tn,
sharpness of the pain.
You know ] am glad TO come" SAID
Katherine in her quietest way.
Il know you are very comforting; JUS
the sort Of person one wants about on,
when one is III. Don't 20 away for {
little while"
Miss Granger made up the fire and
then sat down in an armchair beside it
just as she had sat on another memOrabl,
Mrs Laucing. who had crOuched on tn,
sofa, both her hands pressed 10 her head
Tn a little while the tension seemed e
relax and Camilla opened her eyes.
HAS Rupert told you your own stOTy?'
she asked
"A little bit; not all"
HE says it is my duty 20 let you leave
me if YOU want 20 go,' said Camilla, after
another little pause.
Katherine looked al her with a littl,
start.
'Why should I want TO leave your"
'Wei'-it was very weak little laUgl
that Camilla gaye-'of course now thai
you are an independent young person, yol
may not care to stop" Her brOws cam,
together again sharply for a minute and
she held her hand pressed tightly TO hel
eyes Fancy that odious mother Of hi;
cheating you out OF your money all thi:
time. she said feebly. when she spoke.
Katherine felt hot. and Vet there was
blank sensation about her at the sam,
time.
Money! she said.
"Oh, hasn't he told you? How like him
] suppose it will be a month before h,
Will let you know everything"
Il think Mr.. Haverford meant to speal
70 me this afternoon Katherine said
very hurriedly but we have had n,
chance as yet of any private conversa
tiOn. He did tell me that 1 was right II
supposing that ! had a claim upon Mrs
Baynhurst, and he told me also a littl,
about my mother but that was ALL
well, there doesn't seem very mucl
70 tel" said Mrs. Lancing, after a pause
except that you have a certain small in
come of your own, which his mother, /
appears has kept entirely for herself al
these years. I don't know that I ough
TO say very much about that sort o
thing" said Camilla, with her half bite
laugh. Il am not so wonderfully straigh