South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-05-08
WHY MADGE DECIDED TO KEEP
KATIE.

dIOSt Unusually ear y AOlAay
morning. wanted TO be in the
kitchen when Katie came, If she
came back at all She might be so
angry l told myself, at being bar
red from the apartment by the
janitor the day before that she
would never return.
Would 1 be glad or sorry if she
did not come? Frankly, l did not
know. on the one hand l did not
know just how 1 was 10 get along
without her. Dicky's mother was
TO arrive in a little over "a hours.
Then in week began my series of
talks 10 the history class Of the
Lotus study club. 1 needed a good
deal Of time TO outline the course
l was to give. If ever 1 needed
Katie, l needed her during the week
before me.
But. on the other hand. the
knowledge that had come to me the
day before that Katie had been
rumraging in my trunk, and hal
taken my priced lavalliere from its
case, had been a distinct shock
True. she had put the ornament
back. but 1 could not decide wheth er
she had returned it from fright al
someone's sudden entrance or
whether she never had intended 20
steal it at all
II she were a thief at heart. Of
course, / could not keep her. But
IL she were simply curious ami
meddling-well those traits were
annoying, | reflected, but katie's
good qualities certainly Outweighed
them.
With a sudden thought, l took
the lavalliere from it's case and fas
tened ii about my neck, the beauti-
full black opal pendant resting out
side my simple blue morning gown.
| knew that Katie would not fail %
notice its appearance, for / never
wore the ornament unless | went out
in the evening. and then only with
my prettiest gowns. She, of course
would realize that | had discovered
her tampering with the case. 1 hal
seen enough of the mental workings
Of these alien girls in my teaching
days to know that she would be
tray herself i'm some manner.
As | walked into the kitchen,
heard the sound of a key being turn
ed cautiously i'm the lock, and | knew
that Katie had returned. OF course.
she supposed us to be still asleep,
and this was the reason for the
quietness of her movements. The
knob turned. but the door refused
to move as | had not yet drawn the
bolt I had slipped the day before.
| heard Il muffled exclamation and
/ hurried to the door, drew the bolt
and threw the door open.
Come in, Katie" l strove TO
make my voice cordial. The door
was bolted. that is all"
Katie came in, pale, wide-eyed,
utterly unlike her usual noisy.
cheerful self. She looked at me and
tried to smile, then she caught sight
Of the lavalliere around my neck.
She lifted a shaking finger and
pointed TO il.
why you got dot on?" she de-
manded.
why do you ask that, Katie?'
returned. speaking very slowly. and
looking her squarely in the eyes.
Her answer was to throw herself
on her knees by my side and grasp
my hand in hers.
How Katie Explains.
ooh. Missis Graham. plees forgive
me I no mean steal locket. / never
steal noting, but I tink il so pretty,
want to get me one. so 7 sneak one
day, watch you put it away. Den
one day YOU out, I go look at it. try
IL on. Bell ring queeck, l put il
back. but not nice put back, not like
you. and go to door. Dot Missis
Underwood she dere. Den yOu
came. den no chance since TO feeX.
oh. I so sorry. Don't send me to
jan. Oh"
She began to howl, and ! put my
hand on her shoulder and shook
her.
Get up. Katie" 7 said sternly,
and stop this nonsense. Nobody IS
going to put you in Jail. But I am
going 10 scold you. Don't you know
how dangerous ii is 10 NEEDLE with
Things MANY NbAtAch NcNAN ANNA
that YOU meant 10 steal the laval
liere. whether you really did or not,
and would discharge you"
"Oh. Missis Graham. dear Missis
Graham. You not fire me. You
keep me? oh. you so good" The
girls face was convulsed with grief.
I thought Of the time, only two or
three DAYS before when Katie had
declared that she would leave be-
cause Dicky's mother was coming
10 live with US What bundle OF
contradictions she was, this untrain
ed. undisciplined girl. But there
was something about her that APP
pealed TO me. I determined to give
her another trial.
NO. Katie. will not discharge
YOU this time, but you must promise
that as long as you live you will
never NEEDLE with anything that
aoes not belong 10 YOU"
NO. never. promise. See. I
swear"
Very well. Katie Wash your
ewes now and get breakfast. We
have a long day before Us. and there
is much 20 do. You know Mr.. Ora
hams mother comes tomorrow. AMI
I want 70 have everything nice for
her"
Yes know. T feex so nice.
cto fraI .b~oruN Hpv