Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-09-12
THE EVENING STORY.
KATIE.
KATIE.
Copyright, 1914, by W. wener.)

Sure, when ye left us. me beautiful darlin'.
Twas little we thought o. the long winters night
AS she sang, Mrs. Murphy gave the
picture an extra polish 1t would not
have taken a Sherlock Holmes to tell
that the little freckled-faced girl that
grinned out of the frame was the beau
tiful darl!n'" of the song and the pride
of Mrs. Murphy's heart. She rubbed the
glass until it shone; not that 1t needed
polishing, but, sure, twas Katie's pic
ture' and entitled to every attention, as
we'll as the place of honor in the house.
And for the hundredth time that morn
ing Katie's mother Strengthened the table
cover, rearranged the books and struggled
brayely with imaginary particles OF
dust. ut do look foin," she exclaimed as
she backed of. Where do the toim be
flyin'?' she demanded Of the clock while
hurrying to the kitchen. muttering. Me
Katie will be here and not a thing will
her old mother have fer her luncheon at
all. at ALL" and she laughed as she
opened the oven door.
An observer might be led to believe
that Mrs. Murphy was making prepara-
tons to feed a very hungry regiment
pies were cooling on the window Sill,
a wonderful cake awaited the frosting
and the cookies that decorated one cor
ner of the table would have made the
most refractory small boy make all
sorts of promises as to future obedi-
ence. even to keeping his face clean.
The persistent clang of the doorbell
made Mrs. Murphy jump SO as to al
most drop the chicken she was bast-
ing.
"sure It can't be Katie" she cried,
excitedly. giving the oven door bang
and untying her apron as she hurried
through the hall.
maggie O'Brianr she cried, joyous
ly. Sure it's glad 1 am to see ye,
and the women embraced with zeal
that only two Irish sisters who have
not seen each other in years could
exhibit.
said Maggie. when they had at last
extracted themselves from each others
arms.
EN- it's a foin toim We came. Mag
gle. Me Katie's comm home the day.
EMIL be here any minute-take on
your things en- dont's be mussin' the
parlor; ye kin come in the kitchen wld
me en- tell me the news whilst l nm
ish the luncheon" With hasty glance
at the clock Mrs. Murphy hurried back back
O'Brian soon Joined her.
THAT do be foin bird. Nora" said
Mrs. O'Brian as she watched her sis
ter take the fowl from the oven.
you're Akin foin fer Katie"
Sure me Katie's comm, home from ON
college the day. Come till We see the
posies on the table. She be goin' to
bring her roommate to luncheon"
Mrs. Oh an admired the table.
the bst IN tss xr
room. where the mother had spent
hours of labor and expended her small
hoard lavishly. Katie's aunt seemed
and did not respond read
maggie o'Brian. what do all We?
I'll show ye me Katie's new bed. all
made O. brass en- lookin' like gold-en
We look as though we didn't see It.
The bureau en- dresser that l scr r
comm home this day."
At this Mrs O'Brian burst into tears.
She cried as though her heart were
breaking, and. putting her arms around
MRS Murphy. she sobbed: oh. Mag
gle. it's fer We I'm cryin.. I can't cry
that. mayhap. Katie won't like all
these fxin's."
exclaimed incredulously. woman. it's
crazy We are. Sure I spent two weeks
a nxin' things Katie liked It's silly
ye are, Maggie; I'm ashamed o. We"
Me Danny has a little boy" Mrs.
We'll. you're not cryin' because o.
that. Is anything wrong with the
baby-er his mother?" Mrs. Murphy
p tied her sisters shoulder. ITS all
nervous and excited we are. There.
there, me dear. You're a grandmother
now. en- I'm great aunt Isn't that
Sure" Maggie sobbed. wiping her
eyes. II thought I'd be proud O. it.
Nora, but only one peep have I had O.
the wee lad His mothers that ele-
CANT she do be thinkin plain Irish
grandmother's not foin nough fer the
boy En- the grand dress l made for
his christ'en, Nora. but he'll never wear
it. I thought / could hold him. but
his mother says it amt sanitary"
Nora sat down on Katie's chair and
looked into Katfe's mirror. What do
Danny say to sech COINS on?" she
demanded.
Here Maggie broke down again.
Danny married a foin girl. Nora.
She's q big help to him. He's that
he says his home is her
home, too He'll come to see me when |
ne has time. But his wife is Jealous