New Britain herald., 1917-07-09
News For zhedter80ery and Women Readers
OF A WIFE
By ADELE GARRISON

How Katie Broke the News to NIadge.
 Wasn't that Lil?" Dicky demanded you were going to let me talk to her.
 'I don't think she would have been able to talk to you,' I said soberly. Her voice sounded broken, as if she had been weeping, and she seemed very much hurried. She wants to see me as early fin the morning as l can get there. She says something has happened about which she wants to talk to me-
 Dicky gave long, low whistle:
 ''So it's come!' he said, half-mus- ingly and fell to staring into the fire.
 was filled with bewilderment What could this, thing be which menaced Lillian's peace of mind, and about which Dicky appeared to have toreknoWledge? But l made no at tempt to question him. I would not force his confidencc.'
 After long pause he raised his head and looked at me dxedly.
 See her." he said a trifie roughly. Tt isn't a particularly pretty story you are going to hear from Lil. l happen to know one end of it. But don't let your rampant Puritanism run away with you. Remember to make allowance-if you can.'
 The hesitancy in his last words af- fected me queerly. It was as if he were pleading for something of some one, and was ashamed to put his plea more definitely.
 q fancy I shall look at the matter, whatever it is, from Lillians stand point" I said quietly.
 "No doubt" Dicky returned dryly, and then there was a long silence. Evidently he did not feel like talking, and I was too busy with my forebod- .ngs about Lillian to speak.
 What Troubles Katie?
 You better not plan for any dinner here tomorrow night Dicky broke the silence suddenly. You don't know how long Lil's affairs will take, and if you don't stay with her, suppose you come out with me for dinner somewhere
 That will be very nice,"I returned. 'T will tell Katie about it at once so CndC SHe won l. pldu ally LHlHS. ho1lO generally makes her desserts early in the morning. even before she prepares 
 I shrank little from meeting Katie as I went toward the kitchen. The girl had seemed so unlike herself for weeks past, so morbidly moody, and so prone to gusts of weeping that I disliked seeing her. ConScientlouSly I had tried to find out what so sorely troubled her, but she had hysterically me at each attempt, and l had finally resolved to let her alone until she should come to me with her trouble of her own accord.
 But my resolution vanished as entered the kitchen and saw the faith full girl who had done so much for me crouching by the side of her chair, sobbing violently. Jim, her husband, was nowhere to be seen.
 I went swiftly to her side, took her hands, and raised her to her feet.
 Katie" I said firmly, "I want you to tell me now, at once, what troubles you. I can't have you grieving like this unless know what is the matter, You will make yourself ill if you go on in this way. Now dry your eyes and tell me all about it.
 Oh, Missis Graham, dear Missis Gra- ham, Katie sobbed, clinging to me with convulsive twitching hands "I no want to tell you. I have to tell you pretty qveeck but I no can joost yet Y ou send me away qveeck as you T know, and I want to stay here joost as long as I can."
 I almost dropped her hands in my amazement at her words. The widest conjectures flashed into my mind Had Katie been taking things, from me? Was there series of petty thieving behind her emotion? In a moment, however, I had drawn her close again. No matter what she had done she was but an ignorant child, and had been a most faithful servant.
 What nonsense, Katie," I said soothingly. You know it would take something very, bad indeed to make me send you away from me. And I'm verry sure you have done nothing very wrong. And you know, too,' I shook her playfully, what a strong imagina- tion you have. I'm sure you are mak- ing yourself sick over nothing"
 "I Tell You-''
 Dot all right for you to say," Katie returned with sullen note in her voice. But I noted with qualification that the convulsive sobs had stopped, and that she was calmer. And I know you not care so mooch. It Meester Graham and dot old vomans. Dey make one devil of row ven dey hear vot is matter"
 "Katie" I exclaimed, out of all pa tience with her air of mystery. T shall not leave this kitchen until you tell me what you mean. And if you have not told me in five minutes I shall bring MT. Graham out to ques- ton you"
 "Oh, no bring him." Katie said, ter rified. q tell you right away"
 She put her hands together against