New Britain herald., 1916-10-19
Venps fi2r~ 12hezfev Goevs and Women Readers

Ter I had put into words. and I re- solved to grant the request she had made of me, no matter how unpleas- ant the task might be- No, Katie' I said quietly. q will rot ask you to take an oath. Your word of honor is sufficient for me- will tell Jim if you wish me to do so." Before I could prevent her the girl sank to her knees, caught tho hem of my skirt up to her lips and kissed it. "Oh, tank you, tank you, my dear Missis Graham" she cnoked. 1T never can tank you for dis enough" ',Biyn, He Waiting." "Cet up, Katie" I said sharply, for the girls theatricalism sometimes jars upon me. Tell me, when is Jim coming again-tonight?" I smiled m lschicvously at the girl, for since the time Jim had told my mothcr-in-law and me of his desire to marry Katie there had scarcely been an evening that we did not hear his voice in the kitchen.
 ''Sure,' Katie returned, "when you ere ready to have me see him come end tell me ,and I will go down to the kitchen.
 Now, never mind thanking me-" I said, as Katie evinced an inclination to get on her knees again. Run along and attend to your work, and lc> us have no more crying
 l made my tone as firm as possible, and Katie hurried obcdiently away
 1t was quite late that evening when katie sumoned me to the kitchen. I thlnk she had purposely waited until she heard my mother-inlaw go up stairs to bed.
 Dicl1y looked mildly curious when the girl, with a mysterious air of inn lortance said: "Plees to coom out here a meenit, Missis Graham"
 Whats the row?" Dicky asked, lazily.
 II won't be long," I returned, eva sively, and followed Katie down the hall.
 Jim, he waiting," Katie Whispered 'I joost tell him you want to spik to heem."
 We came to the kitchen door, she pened it, gave me a little push, and then fled giggling with an emotion which I knew was as near tears as laughter.
 Jim got up awlwardly as I entered. his face looked grave and troubled) I wondered if he had any inkling of my Crrand.
 "Poor Little Ixid.'
 "Because Katie loves you very much, Jim,'' I began, "she has asked me to tell you something which she wants you to know before you two are married. She would have told you herself, but her English is so poor that she was afraid she could not make you understand all she wished to say.'
 Jims face grew white under his tan He bit his lip, and his hands worked nervously.
 Katie don't never need to think she's got to tell me nothing," he de- 1 clared, with heroism as perfect as his English was faulty.
 "I knew, Jim,'' I said, gently, my heart warming to him, "but Katie ! wishes you to know this, and I have promised her I would tell you, so please sit down and listen to me l quietly'
 He sank obediently into a chair 1 and I began at the beginning of 1 Katie's pitiful little story, and told | him the whole thing without stop ping. I did not dare to look at him until I had finished, so I had no idea | how he was taking the revelation
 After I had finished l stole a look at him. He was smiling as if a great 1 weight had been lifted from his shoul- der, and when he spoke his words were tender.
 Poor little kid" he said gently, that was tough luck for her, and she was afraid for me to know it! Well, l Mrs. Graham, all I've got to say is tl,ic. Thank won for telling me nak- ! ing it easy for Katie, and tell her for me she don't never need to be afraid of nothing again..
 "I'll let you tell her that yourself, Jim" I said, smiling and slipping away, with a feeling that Katie was, indeed a lucky girl.