The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1918-06-13
ABSENCE DID HELP
BY CATHERINE PARSONS.
(Copyrlght, 1918, by the Mcclure Nowspa-
per Syndlcate.)

per Syndicate)
Katrina flung her book on the
ground and sprang TO her feet inapa-
tiently.
I'm a fool" she told herself cross
ly, "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
| "Hello" plped shrill, childish voice
near her. Katrina looked around and
saw small ragged little girl regard
ing her intently.
II 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.
81 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"
us your sister engaged?"
"Well, 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! 1 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 happenedT
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
pen?"
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 1 did an he grinned and
said l 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 themw whispered Elfreda.
"Ain't they made it up great!"
"Will you mail a letter for me, on
your way home" asked Katrina. ut
won't take me a second to write"
twas 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: awake up and
speak to me-" Katrina opened her
eyes and for moment gazed at him
dazedly. Then, light dawned and she
sprang to her feet.
why, Carter" she cried. "You got
your commisslonl Oh, isn't it wonder
full. But what made you come? Tell
me, quickly, please"
well, you see, l just couldn't keep
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 90 away, and l had to see if you
would go with mel knew you would
never send for me, so l came"
But l did send for you-the letter
went an hour ago. And 1 begged you
to come-shamelessly, / did"
His arms went about her.
"What made you do it, dearest?" 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. ooh, Carter, I've missed you
so dreadfully! There hasn't been a
night when | have not cried myself to
sleep and Aunt Alice thinks l am per-
fectly mad, know. Please never leave
me again-pleaseW
81 guess not! Wen be married the
minute we get home"
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.
GLOW will ! do for husband?" ask
ed Carter, with mock fear in his voice.
Erreda looked him over appraising'
ly. swell, l guess you're all right, but
of course you amt JoeW
Katrina and Carter laughed hap
PLY.
Heres II present for Mollie," prof
fered Katrina, slipping bracelet from
her arm. "And ] hope she'll be as
happy as / am -
First European Artesian Well.