The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1920-09-13
Revelations
Ofa Wife
BY ADELE GARRISON
How Madae "sribedn Katie.


give Katie directions for the day be-
fore starting on my sigh seeing trip
with my mother-in-Iaw.
Katie was standing by the sink,
slamming things around as if she was
venting her feelings upon the kitchen
utensils. Her eyes were bright with
unshed tears, her face was unnaturally
flushed, she was evidently in a tow
ering temper.
OF course l knew that she must have
overheard part of our conversat ton,
but L hoped if I pretended not to
notice her anger she might recover
herself.
Mrs. Graham and are going out,
Katie" said pleasantly. Her trunks
will be here some time this morning,
l think, perhaps not until this after
noon. There is a large trunk and
steamer trunk. 1 am sure the charges
are all paid. but if the expressman
should claim they are not, pay him
what he asks out of this, and make
him give you receipt for the money"
1 held out a two dollar bill to
Katie, but she shook her head mu-
tinously.
Il no be here. I go home right away.
Dot old womans, she call me sneak
tief. nevaire touch her things. 1 not
stay where l called dot"
L did some rapid thinking in the
next minute. l felt that I simply must
keep Katie for while. She knew my
ways, she was a fairly efficient house
keeper, and above all she was capable
Of preparing nutritious, appetizing
meals. The history class of the Lotus
Study Club. which l had promised to
conduct, would begin in another week.
If tried to do that work either with
out maid or while 1 was trying to
break in a new one I knew that the
work or my home must suffer.
thought 1 knew the surest way to
retain Katies services, and I resolved
to take it, although not without mis-
givings.
Katie, 1 am ashamed of you" I
said coldly and firmly. in much the tone
that 1 would have used with a sullen
child-and,, indeed, she was no more.
Mrs Graham did not call you a sneak
thief at all. You heard her say sneak
thief, and the only way you could have
heard the word was by listening at the
keyhole. Were you doing that?"
Purposely 1 made my voice as con-
temptuous as possible. Katie dropped
her eyes and her lips quivered.
Il want to hear what she say about
me- she said sullenly.
That wasn't the only reason, Katie
said, land you know it," Then per-
emptorily: Katie, look at me-"
Katie raised her eyes to mine reluct-
antly. I knew the next minute or two
would decide whether Katie was to
stay submissively or go rebelliously.
You know, Katie" went on, that
your greatest fault is curiosity. do
not think you mean any harm by it,
but it leads you into all kinds of
trouble and mistakes. 1 have known
that you have listened so conversations
before
"Oh, no, no, 1 nevaire," began Katie
protestingly, but put up my hand au-
thoritatively.
ooh, yes. you have, Katie" I said.
%;and-it was curiosity that led you to
go into my trunk that time" paused,
l hoped impressively, and said slowly:
Suppose I had told my mother-in-
law about that Katie. What do you
think she would have said?''
Katie looked at me in startled sur
prise.
You no tell herr" she queried. IT
thought you tell her and dot reason
she call me tief"
A Mastery Stroke.
you see. Katie" 1 said slowly, that |
is the punishment of people who listen
to conversations not intended for them.
They get things all mixed up. Now 1
am going to tell you just what was
said, and then you'll see. how foolish |
you were.'
1 could not tell from Katie's man
ner whether she was in receptive |
mood or not Her eyes were steadily
fixed on the floor, and her face was
still flushed.
Mrs. Graham, of course, does not !
know you, Katie" l began, and nat !
urally she is nervous about leaving her
things in the care of a stranger. She
asked me if you were honest, and /
told her that 1 was sure you were.
Then she asked me how long l had
known YOU. and 1 told her only two
weeks, but that you had come well
recommended, anu LIlehI 49,
had known you before.
Then she said: There is nothing
to be done but to trust her. She can
get into the trunks without keys unless
she is a sneak thief, and 1 do not think
she is that.
80 YOU see, Katie" 1 went on
smoothly, there is nothing for you to
get angry over. Instead, you ought
to be very grateful to me- 1 paused
Suppose 1 HAD told
her of the time you opened my trunk
Katie looked up at me, hey eyes
swimming in tears.
"Oh. I know. Mrs. Grham, such a
bad girl. sorry 1 so mean to you
Very we'll. Katie I said. and then
paused, for I was frankly puzzled how
best to say to Katie what 1 wanted TO
tell her. /
Can you keep a promise, Katie, If /
you make one?" I finally asked
sure" Katie answered. She was