The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1914-07-06

to know what to do or say before the
frank, sincere gaze OF SHADES wife.
The questions she had meant TO blurt
out soon after her arrival remained
mutely on her lips. Instead she found
herself answering the questions that
Mary Slade was asking.
She found herself telling the woman
of her own struggles against increas-
ing poverty, talking of her own hopes
and ambitions
Mrs. Slade, don't say this is a
social call" Katherine found herself
as frank as the woman at the other
side Of the table.
"You-you know all about my
trouble, Miss Strickland?"
yes, that's what I'd like to talk TO
you about, without offending you, if I
might. You see, this trouble comes
very near to US"
How does 1t come near to you, my
dear?" Mary interrupted.
MRS. S1ade," Katherine set herself
bravely to what she knew would be
a bitter task MY father is virtually
a beggar. You know how we live!
People think we're rich. Well--we're
poor! We're getting poorer every day.
Every penny is tied up in-politics.
My father was the first to see Mr..
SHADES strength. He is now living
on Mr.. SHADES future"
Mary nodded.
"Mr. Slade is very important man"
Katherine went on, "but no matter
how much people admire him he can
easily be ruined by scandal"
81 haven't any desire to ruin my
husband" Mary protested, quickly.
"No, I'm sure you haven't" Kath-
crime was more at ease as the con-
versation progressed. "But you being
here and he being few miles away,
of course, there's no excuse to be
offered, is there? It is a scandal Po-
1itically and socially he's ruined unless
he comes back here, or you" Kath-
crime paused, for the simple reason
that she didn't have the heart TO fin
ish.
Cor go away" Mary completed the
sentence. yes, and II go away
know what that means. No. I'm not
going away. Miss Strickland. you tell
your father and his friends, from
me-
"Oh. no-please," Katherine object
ed. Il came quite alone, unknown to
him"
We'll, you might as well tell him
or anyone else that wants to know
"Oh, no. couldn't, Mrs. Slade. !
couldn't carry any messages. came
here to find out" Katherine checked
herself The situation was suddenly
becoming embarrassing.
We'll, now, you know" Mary an
swered, there won't be any divorce -
IT see-yes-" and she took up her
/ gloves, preparatory to going.
I'm very sorry" Mary explained,
that others should suffer through
| this, but that's how it stands. For
once In his life Dan Slade is not go
ing to have his own way" She smiled
Nov, let's talk of something else. ]
hear you draw pictures of your dresses
/ designs. Is that one of your own
gowns?'
"Oh, yes" Katherine replied, ami
ably. Il often do little sketches for
/ the fashion magazines, and I do busts
My friends think it's a fad, when as
a matter Of fact, it's for money, fol
clothes ard things"
/ 81 had no idea" Mary was all sym
i pathy and understanding. You're sc
young and need pretty things. That's
/ one of the joys I've missed-dressine
daughter! You know" she began
suddenly, I've heard great deal OF
| you, and you're not at all the youne
/ lady / supposed you were. You're Just
as simple and sweet and natural as
you can be-. And your affection fol-
your father!"
Mary got up and. selecting the love
lest rose from the cluster in the vase
carefully wiped the stem and handed
it to Katherine.
Wont you stay for a bit of din
ner? Better have just bite"
/ 81 must co. returned Katherine alb
sently. Somehow or other she hadn't
quite expected this sort of visit.
II hope / haven't said anything tc
trouble YOU" she FASTENED to add
What / said about this running Mr.
SIade is Just an echo OF what his
friends say"
MY dear child, you. haven't hurt my
feelings. Perhaps you know some
thing l don't know" she asked. sud
denly. do sit down again. Stay JUS
a minute. I'd like to talk some more
/ You're out in the world and I'm quite
| alone People aren't as frank witt
me as they might be. Suppose I'm
your mother-just let me say it-anl
/ my husband wanted a divorce-he's
old enough to be your father-we'd al
get together to find out why, wouldn'
WEI"
Il suppose we would" and Kath
crime took the chair Mrs. Slade had
| indicated.
What / want to know lis VIII,
] Deonle think Mr. Slade wants a di