The Mena weekly star., 1910-04-07

berly
 They parted immediately and Karer went home to prepare her fathers supper Twice she had to leave hol work to fling herself down upon thl old lounge and cry but when at las her Ather came home tired and hun gry lie found the supper waiting ant karen unusually gay to greet him with a ovng kiss There was choil | practice that evening, but Karen did ] not go. She stayed home and played backgammon with her father She de tested backgammon And her heart was in the church, where the choir was nracticing But what did 1t mat ter if she were not there? Nobody would miss her But after she was in bed she cried again. and morning found her looking so big-eyed and pale that her father was alarmed
 Are you sick?" he asked. anxiously turning from the glass where he was taking his Sunday morning shave.
 My head aches, Karen said, feebly
 If you don't mind, father, l won't go lo CuuICH tHlS morning.
 q don't mind. but the choir will They need your voice to help out"
 Oh, there's lots they can get be- sides me" Karen said, trying 10 ease the bitterness of the words by smiling
 So her father went to church with. out her. and she remained at home and rubbed camphor on her temples, which really did ache. and thought and thought But sometimes the more one thinks the less wisdom one has, and at the emo of two hours, during which she made several valiant efforts to reorganize mentally, Karen felt that she was just where she had begun with her problem, save that her head ached harder.
 ''I'll give up." she thought. Fanny will get him of course That new hat of hers will just finish the business for me"
 She prepared dinner carefully. While her father ate. it be gave her news of the service. What 8 nice looking girl Faany Reid wasl She had a new hat. All the girls in the choir had new hats.
 T want you to have one. too, dear, " he ended. You go tomorrow and get it."
 T don't want a new hat. father" Karen said, stoutly. My old one will do, It is as good as your coat. When you can have new coat I'll have a new hat, but not before."-
 But you are young" her father pro tested. "and I'm old. Old things are suited for old people. And I'm rather fond of that coat"
 "Oh. you dissemblerl' Karen cried, laughingly tremulously. And she went round the table to him and kissed him.
 The afternoon dragged A smart rain had come on and the streets were torsaken
 T won't have to go to church to- night" Karen thought, drearily This ram will be an excuse for my not go ing out.
 She read diligently, but her book did not entertain her. Her father dozed in his chair. and presently, tired from the conflicting emotions of that and the previous day. she. too, fell asleep. When she awoke the rain had ceased and the door bell was ringing. Her father went to answer it. A Sunday caller Who could 1t be? She heard her father take a man into the parlor. Then he came and called her.
 Somebody to see you, Karen"
 Wondering If the director of the choir had taken the pains to look her up, Karen went into the parlor But 1t was Dan Eustace who stood beside the little center table waiting for her.
 I've come to take you to church. Karen" he said. in his grave way. You aren't sick, are you, that you stayed away from rehearsal last night and service this morning?"
 He had noticed her absence, then Karens face lit Her heart leaped.
 You'll go. won't you?" the young man persisted
 T will indeed" Karen laughed.
 Beside him she walked to church that night on air. Never had the way semed so short Al church the music sounded heavenly. Karen. carried out of herself, forgot her old clothes. She was conscious only of a great new unexpected happiness. After church Dan walked home with her The moon shone. The air was fresh after the rain In a burst of confidence Karen told Dan the whole tragedy of the hat
 told 1t Iaugbingly. for it seemed trivial now
 But don't you know, he said. when she had finished, that man cares nothing for a womans clothes so long as the woman herself interests him?"
 They fingered long at the gate and he held her hand.
 You'll let me come again? Dan begged Karen nodded too happy to speak "Often27
 "Often--if you wish"
 T do wish, Karen" His voice was tender. T never knew until this morning when you were for the first time missing how big place you filled"
 Tn the choir?" Karen breathed
 No. in my heart" Dan said. boldly. confessing all.