Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1918-06-04
ABSENCE DID HELP
BY CATHERINE PARSONS
ISIo, by the Mcclure N,
per Syndicatel

a Il ~
Copyright, 1918, by the McCl0re News1ss
per Syndicate.)
Katrina flung her book IN tha
ground and sprang to her feet impa-
tiently.
I'm a fool" she told herself cross
~, "a stupid, silly girl !! came here to
get away from Carter-because
tnought | hated him-and I've never
passed such miserable week in nv
life!' "
"Hello!" piped shrin, childish voice
near her. Katrina looked around and
saw a small ragged little girl regard
ing her intently.
nVe over the hill in the gray
mousse" she began by way of introduc-
tlon. Il seen you sittin' here yester-
Jay ana you looked so sad that I
thought maybe you got some trouble,
too"
Katrina smiled. "How old are your
she asked with more interest.
amt sure. Ma says I'm nine and
Ia says ter. There's so many of us.
we get mixed. We got eleven in all,
countin' my cousin that spends a week
WIN US once a year, an Joe when he
marr1es Mollie-if they do get married
now. That's another trouble"
rs your sister engagedP
wei, 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! 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-hy."
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 a 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 could take note
to Joe, an did an he grinned and
said was 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 themI" whispered Elfreda.
"Ain't they made it up great!"
"Will you mail a letter for me, on
your way homer" asked Katrina. 'It
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 cheerfully: "Wake up and
speak to mel" Katrina opened her
eyes and for moment gazed at him
dazedly. Then, light dawned and she
sprang to her feet.
"Why, CarterI" she cried. ''You got
your cOmmissionl Oh, isn't it wonder
full. But what made you come? Tell
me, quickly, please"
swell, 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 begged you
to come-shamelessly, did,"
Ills druS went dDOuL uSrs
"What made you do 1t, dearestY 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 doW Then, her voice
changed, and she caught her breath
in a sob. "Oh, Carter, I've missed you
SO dreadfully! There hasn't been a
night when 1 have not cried myself to
sleep and Aunt Alice thinks I am per-
fectly mad, I know. Please never leave
me agaln-please!
81 guess notl Well be married the
minute we get home"
The next day Elfreda called to ask
Katrina to come to Mollie's wedding.
"Tm sorry, dear, but I'm going home
to my own wedding" she told her.
"How will 1 do for husband?" 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 Joel"
Katrina and Carter laughed hap
PLY.
Here's a present for Mollie," prof.
fered Katrina, slipping bracelet from
her arm. "And I hope she'll be as
happy as ami"