The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-06-03

THE EVENING TELEGRAM, LAKE
A bored look came to her face. She
put on her things listlessly-it was
such a relief 10 be free from her
mothers vigilance AS she unfast-
ened the neck Of her blouse, mans
silk handkerchief. knotted about her
throat, exhaled the insidious odor of
pipe smoke With little gesture OF
yehemence. she pressed it eagerly to
her burning cheek-buried her face
in its soft folds
Mrs Metcalfe bit her lip as Rather
inc whimsically insisted upon climb
she did not interfere and smiled with
what grace she could muster as the
judge helped her TO her place beside
him in the rear. They drove for
hours. up red and gold-spangled hills.
through cool valleys and along pic
turesque stretches of level. flower
fringed road. The girl scarcely spoke
but sat in silence. drinking in each
fresh beauty.
Mrs. Metcalfe and Judge Gresham
kept up lively flow of conversation
The mothers constraint vanished
The judge was in one of his liveliest
moods. When, finally. at twilight.
they stopped in front of the house.
Mrs Metcalfe excused herself and
hurried inside. Judge Metcalfe de
tanned Katherine moment at the
gate
Little girl" he began awkwardly,
there's something ! want to say to
you. have been wanting to ask you
for long time Can you guess what
ii is?"
81 believe so. think So" was the
faltering reply
You know. of course, why I've kept
coming here. And yet I've lacked the
courage TO speak
Katherine lifted an impulsiye hand
and laid it on his coat sleeve
"I-don't think you--have anything
to fear" she said with a little smile
The judge took her fingers and held
them close in his big warm palm.
Thank you he said and do you
think l might call this evening""
You may come in right now and
stay to tea with us Dol" .
Judge Gresham followed her on ur
the steps and into the dimly lighted
! library There she left him, with a
backward smile OF assurance, till she
could remove her things" As she
entered her room, Mrs. Metcalfe look
ed up anXiously. II couldn't hell
hearing part of it, Kitty; | beg your
but-you accepted him."
Katherine suddenly sat down on the
edge of chair and putting her ell
bows on her knees propped her chin
in her hands. did not" she an
| nounced
You did not? But always hopeC
Il always believed-that YOU"
"As father, perhaps; not ass
husband" came the thunderbolt from
her daughters pretty red lips
80 Kitty" she cried
Yes continued that young person
glibly, hes downstairs now, pretend
ing To be waiting for me In realit.
it's you he wants TO see Now let
hurry and get on the mauve dress
DO your hair in that nobhy new styl
and"
Mrs. Metcalfe lifted an appealin
hand. "Please," she implored. "yo
mustn't You don't know what your
saying"
Katherine rose quickly. crossed tn
room to her mothers chair and drol
ping on her knees beside II took tn
trembling little woman in her arms.
II know only too well, YOU FOOLS
little dove" she murmured tenderl,
I've known all along As for tina
precious old muttonhead Of iudgt
do make haste and get into your rag
It's almost tea-time and you've
guest waiting in the library. And
by the way, Muzzie, I'm going OF
/, ! with Jack to the theatetr at eigt
, o'clock, This is one time | won't b
made to play second fiddle!"
Three hours later, when Katherin
returned, the light was still burnin
brightly in the library and with he
finger on her lips she ushered youn
Baker supertitiously into the DRAWN
room across the hall