The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1912-05-02
SECOND
FIDDLE
Copyright. 1911. BY Associated Literary Pres.)
BY Nellie Cravey Gilmore

In the daughters voice as she re.
marked with yawn: you go down
tonight, mother, and talk to the
Judge. I'm tired"
Mrs. Metcalfe turned from the mir.
ror, surprise and displeasure dis
tinctly visible on her youthful, come
y face. Il must say you're the queer
est specimen Of girl ever saw,
Katherine. The judge Is one of the
finest looking men in New York. He
Is brainy, prominent rich-and fool
shly In love-
From her luxurious stronghold
among the sofa cushions. Katherine
stifled yawn. Yea she assented
medltatively. Indeed | believe that
S all quite true" She watched her
mother with drowsy interest as she
brushed out the heavy masses OF shin
ing gold hair and looped them into an
artistic knot low on her neck.
And what excuse am | to make to
Judge Gresham this timer" she in.
quired stifly, turning with little
brisk movement from the mirror.
I'm Ill, -dearie. You know I am.
Think Of motoring from nine till one,
lunching-golfng till dusk"
"All with that impossible Jack
Baker"
All! the door bell now, mother.
Run along and don't keep his Judge
ship waiting"
With a slightly heightened color in
her cheeks, Mrs. Metcalfe passed
through the door and closed 1t quiet
ly behind her. And presently Kath-
crime heard the sound of their voices
in the library below.
Two hours later Mrs. Metcalfe
came up and found her daughter
peacefully asleep. She half-roused
at the sound of soft footsteps about
the room and muttered lazily: Dear
me, Muzzie, is 1t midnight? You
must have found the Judge enormous
ly entertaining"
II wonder, Kitty II you're going to
come to your senses and, quit david
ling?"
Give me time, please; I'm only
twenty. But what do you mean?"
why simply that II you're going
to marry Judge Gresham you ought
to do it and stop your nonsense" was
the crisp retort.
But he hasn't asked me-
you won't give him a chance"
Half man would make one-if
he wanted It," she replied significant
ly. But let's go to bed and get
some beauty sleep; I've an engage
ment at seven to go sailing"
with that Baker,"
katherine nodded as she slipped
into bed. Mrs Metcalfe smothered a
sigh and the fingers that unfastened
her bodice trembled The clock was
striking twelve when she turned out
the light. When she awakened the
following morning Katherine was
gone and the room was In a frenzy of
disorder.
At ten O'Clock Katherine had not re-
turned and in despair Mrs. Metcalfe
decided to read the judges note and
s66 IL IL ItQulIeu al dHSWSl.
Dear Miss Kitty;
81 want to take you to drive behind
a new pair of grays. II may. | shall
appreciate 1t very much If you will
let me have your answer at once.
Cordially,
"B. R. GRESHAM"
Up. S.--Tf Mrs. Metcalfe would care
for the drive, you might ask her to
come with us. b. R. G."
The blood famed holly in the little
mothers face. Her lips set deter.
minedly She wouldn't go-she
wouldn't! 1t was all her daughters
doing-this bringing her into all their
arrangements-mak her play sec
ond fiddle" and thus defeating the
amiable gentleman's obvious inten,
lions-and arousing his secret dis.
gust With the color still beating
high in her cheeks she sat down at
her desk and wrote a hasty reply to
the letter
Mrs. Metcalfe had put her foot
down at last and when. at few min
utes past eleven. Katherine burst into
the room with sun-blistered cheeks
and wind-tossed hair, her mother
chilled the exuberance on her lips by
a cold glance of disapproval. Judge
Gresham has invited you to drive
with him at three" she announced
stifiy. 81 took the liberty of accept.
ing for you"
Bully, Let's see the letter. dear
Ie?" Katherine reached out her hand
for the paper and devoured Its con-
tents at a glance. And your" she
queried.
II? shall remain at home-of
course"
The girl uttered little incredulous
laugh. "Shucks!" she cried. do you
imagine I'd let you snub him in this
fashion? Never! Tha fact is. II you
don't go, I shan't either!"
Mrs. Metcalfe knew her offspring
too we'll to demonstrate. She half
smiled and her mouth showed signs
of weakening I'm sure you'd not
be so selfish and discourteous. Kitty.
But for fear you might"
You'll go-certa!nly." And having.
az usual, gained her point, Katherine
bounced up from her chair. kissed her
mothers cheek and said breezily:
I'm off to refresh myself with a cold
plunge before luncheon"
After luncheon, when Mrs Met.
calfe went up dutifuly to prepare for
tho outing she found her dnnrhtnr