Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-02-06

AUOuI Ufl lildl dpDeUleO 10 me, ucNtI
mined 10 give her another trial.
"No. Katie will not discharge you
this time, but YOU must promise that so
long aS you live you will never meddle
with anything that does not belong to
you"
mo. | never, I promise See, swear"
VERY we'll, Katie. Wash your eyes
now and get breakfast We have n long
day before us. and there is much to do.
You know Mr. Graham's mother comes
tomorrow and | want to have everything
nice for her"
"Yes, | know. I feex so nice You
sec" She smiled through her tears, with
the familiar little phrase ] had grown to
look for
I had turned toward the door, when
a sudden thought made me turn back
again.
81 think you said you wanted to get a
IN vallicre, Katie I ought TO tell you that
they Coat great deal of money |
wouldn't like you to be disappointed about
it,"
"Oh. no. Missis Graham" Katie caroled
enthusiastically. 81 know place where
nice one, almost like yours. only big red
stone. I get for four toller feefty cents.
Dot not mooch / get it for myself
Easter present" She laughed gleefuly.
went into the living room smiling.
Dicky. in his bathrobe and slippers. was
crossing the hall to the bathroom for
his morning tub.
whats the joke, Madge?"
wait until you are properly clothed
and III tell YOU" 4 returned fayly.
When we met at breakfast Dlcly raised
his eyebrows at Katies entrance. but
made no comment until she had left the
room.
DlCkY BORROWS KATIE
II see the prodgal has returned" he
said attacking his grapefruit vigorously.
"'ouldnt you screw up your courage to the
point Of firing her or did she put up too
pitiful plea?"
20 Dicky, I know she never meant to
steal H. ! said warmly. she said she
Just wanted (" look at it, she could get
one like It," | added demurely.
"Geo, that's "A good one" Dicky retored
CyncalIy. What did you tell herr"
THAT il cos: a great deal of money" I
went ON smiling. but Katie assured me
that it didn't, that she could get one almost
like II, only with a big red stone, for four
dollars aud fifty cents, and that she intends
TO buy 1t for herself for an Easter pres
cnt"
We'll I'll be" Dicly threw back his
head and roared, But, honestly. Madge,
you don't believe that yarn of hers do
YOU"
"Of course I do" returned Indignantly
Why : wouldn't keep her in the house a
minute il ! thought she were a thief"
We'll, it's perhaps just as well you didn't
fire her. I've got a chance this week to
do some work ON that portrait of her as
Poland, that | have planned for so long
can yet let her come over to the studio this
morning for three or four hours?"
80 Dcky." I gasped. dismayed. "a don't
see how | can this morning. Your mother
Is coming tomorrow you know, and I've
got TO get ready for her"
What in the world have you got to do
that can't be done in two or three hours?"
Dicky demanded irritably
I made a quick decision. I knew that
Dicky was utterly unrea sonable to ask for
katie'S services at such time. But knew
also that, like most men, he had no idea Of
the time which housework takes. or the
anxiety every housekeeper has to have her
domain spicIt and span for the inspection of
u woman guest. Perhaps we could COM
promise the matter, At any rate, / would
not risk a quarrel about it.
you are talking on q subject of which
you know nothing" ! said. making my voice
gay and bantering. but I'll tell You what
III do. I'll let you have Katie for two
hours this morning, but not a minute more
| really can't do it, dear"
well, / suppose that will have to do"
Erumbled Dcky, but ] must say I don't
think you are very accommodating"
Any day would have done for the paint.
ing, but / told myself with a sigh that
Dicky's selfshness was something I could
not hope TO cure l could only endure it,
(Copyright)
CONTINUED TOMORROW