Smyrna times., 1918-03-20

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 I
thought l hated him-and I've never
passed such a miserable week in my
life!"
Hello" 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 ain't sure. Ma says I'm nine and |
Pa says ten. There's so many of US,
we get mixed. We got eleven in all, |
countln' my cousin that spends a week !
with us once year, an Joe when he |
marries MOllie-if they 30 get married
now. That's another trouble"
rs 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! l gOtter go, now, it's supper
time, l guess. I'll be round tomorrow,
if 1 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 hapTenedY
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 grandT"
Indeed it is, dear. How did 1t hap
pen?"
Yesterday when MOllie was over to
Der place to work, the lady was all
broke up because a young feller 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 l could take u note
to Joe, an l did an he grinned and
said was a good girl. He gave me
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 them" whispered Elfreda.
"Ain't they made 1t up great!"
"Will you mail a letter for me, on
your way homer asked Katrina. 1T
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 h'
called cheerfully: wake up anC
speak to mel" Katrina opened he
eyes and for a moment gazed ut hin
dazedly. Then, light dawned and sh'
sprang to her feet.
"Why, Caster!" she cried. "YOu go
your commission! Oh, isn't it wonder
full. But what made you come? Tel
me. quickly, please"
well, you see, just couldn't kee
away. I've missed you so, and I've hat
ed myself terribly, and then, yestel
day | got my commission and I'll hav
to 20 away, and l had to see If yo
would 20 with me-I knew you wOul
never send for me, so l came"
But 1 did send for yOu-the lette
- went an hour ago. And 1 begged 20
to me-shamelessly, 1 did!'
His arms went about her.
"What made you do it, dearestf" /
asked her.
"a ragged, dirty little girl. 81
made me feel so mean and lonely ar
miserable that there wasn't anythiI
=. else for me to dol" Then, her vOi'
changed, ana Sne caught ACl DAS"
IN q sob. "Oh, Carter, I've missed "
50 dreadfully There hasn't been
night when l have not cried myself
sleep and Aunt Alice thinks l am pt
fectly mad, know. Please never lea
me again-please
81 guess not! Well be married t
OF minute we get home =!
TIE next day Elfreda called to
Katrina to come to MOllies weddiI
I'm sorry, dear but I'm going hol
to nv own wedding" she told h
"How will 1 do for husbandT al
cd Carter, with mock fear In his vol
IN Elfreda looked him over appraisll
Iy. "Wen, 1 guess you're all right
of course you amt Joe!
Katrina and Carter laughed hi
PLY. ,-u,y
o. fered Katrina, slipping bracelet fr