The herald. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1905-1953, 1918-04-18
ABSENCE DID HELP
1918, by the MCCl
per Syndicate.)
BY CATHERINE PARSONS.

tiently.
I'm a fool" she told herself cross
". "a stupid, silly girl came here TO
| get away from Carter-becauSe l
! thought / hated him-and I've never
passed such a miserable week in my
| lifew
"Hellow piped shrill, 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. 81 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.
II 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 u week
with US once a year, an Joe when he
marries Mollie-if they do get married
now. That's another trouble"
as 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
one! i gotter go, now, it's supper
time, guess. I'll be round tomorrow,
If l 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 happenedF'
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
|
him the slip. An she told Mollie If
folks would have more sense such
things wouldn't happen. When Noble
come home she said could take a note
to Joe, an 1 did an he grinned and
said was good girl. He gave me a
penny, too"
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 themw whispered Elfreda,
saint they made 1t up great"
Evil you mail a letter for me, on
your way homer asked Katrina. at
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
fly, she leaned her head against the
tree and closed her eyes.
Unseen by her. a young officer hur
ried across the field towards the rustic
seat. When he was quite near he
called cheerfully: awake up and
speak to mew Katrina opened heI
eyes and for a moment gazed at him
dazedly. Then, light dawned and she
sprang to her feet.
| "Why, Carterw she cried. "You got
your commission! Oh, isn't it wonder
full. But what made you come? Tel
me, quickly, please"
"Well, you see, just couldn't keeI
away. I've missed you so, and I've hat
ed myself terribly, and then, yester
day l got my commission and I'll have
to 60 away, and 1 had to see If yor
would go with mel knew you would
never send for me, so came"
"But / did send for you-the lettel
went an hour ago. And begged yot
, to come-shamelessly, 1 didl'
His arms went about her.
"What made you do 1t, dearestT hi
asked her.
}. "a ragged, dirty little girl. Slit
made me feel so mean and lonely ant
miserable that there wasn't anything
= else for me to dor Then, her vOic'
changed, and she caught her breat
In a sob. "Oh, Carter, I've missed yo'
so dreadfully! There hasn't been
night when 1 have not cried myself L
sleep and Aunt Alice thinks i am per
fectly mad, know. Please never leav
me again-please"
| II guess not Well be married tn
minute we get home!"
Il The next day Elfreda called to asl
Katrina to come to Mollie's wedding
/ I'm sorry, dear, but I'm going hom
to my own wedding" she told heI
How will / do for husbandT ask
ed Carter, with mock fear In his voice
Elfreda looked him over appraisint
ly. "Well, guess you're all right, bu
of course you amt Joe|
] Katrina and Carter laughed haI
= PLY.
Heres a present for Mollie," pro
fered Katrina, slipping bracelet froI
her arm. "And 1 hope she'll be q