Mountain Home Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1915-1946, 1918-03-23
ABSENCE DID HELP
BY CATHERINE PARSONS.
1918, by the Mcclure New
per Syndicate.)

Katrina flung her book on the
ground and sprang to her feet impa,
tiently.
I'm fool" she told herself cross
ly, "a stupid, silly girl came here to
get away from Carter--because /
thought hated him-and I've never
passed such miserable week in my
life!"
"Hellow piped shrlll, childish voice
near her. Katrina looked around and
saw small ragged little girl regard
ing her intently.
Il live over the hill in the gray
house, she began by way of introduce
ton. Il seen you sittin' here yester-
day and you looked so sad that l
thought maybe you got some trouble,
too"
Katrina smiled. "How old are your"
she asked with more interest.
Il amt sure. Ma says I'm nine and
Pa says ten. There's so many of us,
we get mixed. We got eleven in all,
countin' my cousin that spends week
with us once year, an Joe when he
marries Mollie-if they do get married
now. That's another trouble"
rs your sister engaged?"
swell, she's been keeping company
with Joe, but they've broke up now
Ma says it's all foolishness and she's
awful upset cause she thought she'd
got Mollie off her hands for keeps. And
Mollie cries and says she hates him
and she won't ever get married to no
onel l gotter go, now, it's supper
time, | guess. I'll be round tomorrow,
if get time. My names Elfreda, af-
ter my aunt that died. Good-by."
The next afternoon Elfreda came
again. She was fairly bursting with
excitement.
what do you think has happened?"
And without waiting for an answer,
she went on: "Mollie's made it up with
Joe, and they're goin' to be married.
Amt it grand"
Indeed it is, dear. How did it hap
penn"
Yesterday when Mollie was over to
her place to work, the lady was all
broke up because young Teller she
knew had gone away from home to
stay always because some girl give
him the slip. An she told Mollie If
folks would have more sense such
things wouldn't happen. When Mollie
come home she said I could take note
to Joe, an | did an he grinned and
said was a good girl. He gave me
penny, tool"
For a moment there was silence,
then the child seized Katrina and
pointed at two figures crossing a near
by field. The man had his arm about
the girl and their faces were radiant.
THAT'S them!" whispered Elfreda.
saint they made it up great!"
"Will you mail letter for me, on
your way homer" asked Katrina. ut
won't take me a second to write"
1t was dusk in the field by the old
apple tree, but Katrina had forgotten
all about time. She was thinking that
the letter ought to reach Carter the
next evening. Would he come? Wear
lily, she leaned her head against the
tree and closed her eyes.
Unseen by her, young officer hur-
ried across the field towards the rustic
seat. When he was quite near he
called eheerfully: wake up and
speak to mep Katrina opened her
eyes and for a moment gazed at him
dazedly. Then, light dawned and she
spring to her feet.
why, CarterI" she cried. "You got
your commission Oh, isn't it wonder
full. But what made you come? Tell
me, quickly, please"
"Well, you see, just couldn't keep
away. I've missed you so, and I've hat
ed myself terribly, and then, yester-
day / got my commission and I'll have
to go away, and | had to see If you
would go with mel knew you would
never send for me, so came.'
but did send for you-the letter
went an hour ago. And l begged you
to come-shamelessly, / did"
His arms went about her.
"What made you do it, dearestf" he
asked her.
"a ragged, dirty little girl. She
made me feel so mean and lonely and
miserable that there wasn't anything
else for me to dol" Then, her voice
changed, and she caught her breath
in sob. "Oh, Carter, I've missed you
so dreadfullyl There hasn't been
night when | have not cried myself to
sleep and Aunt Alice thinks am per-
fectly mad, / know. Please never leave
me again-please !"
II guess not Wen be married the
minute we get hoMel"
The next day Elfreda called to ask
Katrina to come to Mollie's wedding.
I'm sorry, dear, but I'm going home
to my own wedding" she told her.
"How will / do for husbands" ask
ed Carter, with mock fear in his voice.
Elfreda looked him over appraising-
ly. "Well. guess you're all right, but
Of course you amt joe"
Katrina and Carter laughed hap
PLY.
Here's a present for Mollie," prof