, 1921-01-13
In the Last
Edition
Ccopyright)
BY HELEN A. HOLDEN

library. Aunt Matilda chung to this
relic of former days with grim per-
sistency.
1t was not so impressive rs the
previous announcement, Coffee will
be served in the drawing-room.' But
in a small apartment, the library was
the best substitute Aunt Matilda had.
I'm sorry, Northumberland Matil-
da's tone was mildly apologetlc-
''that, as you read tile paper only once
a fortnight, you are not able to read
the latest news"
Katherine's attention had been divid-
ed between the cup of coffee she was
slipping from one hand and a newspa-
per she was trying to read from the
other.
All at once her hand shook so she
could scarcely put her coffee down
without spilling it. The paper in her
other hand ratified as though a sud
den storm had attacked 1t. Her eyes
grew big with surprise and terror.
She glanced quickly at her aunt.
Had she noticed her sudden agitation?
1t seemed as though the cup had
crashed onto the saucer, that the pa
per had ratified, and that her heart
was beating, loud enough to he heard
for miles.
But her aunt vas peacefully uncon-
sclOus of any unusual excitement.
Katherine started up, exclaiming:
Lets go to the theater, Aunt Ma
tilda. You need cheering up. Don't
say you dent, for you know you
haven't been out for days. I'll tele-
phone Mariana"
but, my dear" Aunt Matilda Of
fered as a feeble protest, Mariana
won't go without Dale BrintOn."
zone has so few chances with an
engaged girl" Katherine's grip tight
ened on the newspaper she was hold
ing. "1'iis IS my turn for an inning
with Mariana. Dale is out of town"
Which was part of the truth, but by
no means all.
Before Aunt Matilda had time to ar
que further, Katherine was gone
The subway was surprisingly
crowded for n rainy night. Katherine
looked anxiously about for her friend.
When at last she found her, she
gave her a quick glance of keen
scrutiny.
With her customary Southern cour
tesy, Aunt Matilda stepped aside as
she felt The crowd jostling against her,
So, the last ones in the car. it was
with difficulty they found seats
The train had stopped and was
about to start again when Katherine
remembered Aunt Matilda. Leaning
over to see If she was all right, she
gave a sudden gasp of horror.
Getting 10 her feet, she cleared the
space in a single bound. AS she
reached the platform the door changed
shut behind her.
She glanced back. Mariana's face
peered grimly out from behind the
closed door as the train pulled slowly
from the station.
Here's a pickle" Katherine felt
%nervously of her empty pockets
mariana gone. Aunt Matilda some
where unknown with the family pOck,
etbook.
'"Thank goodness, there she is !" she
exclaimed f%ervently as she caught
sight of her aunt through the crowd.
She hurried toward the little lady,
who was looking wildly about.
81 saw your empty seat in the car
just in time" Aunt Matilda put her
hand I'VE her heart TO stop its excited
beating. "Why didn't you tell me IT
was time to get offT"
There was a vacant place next to
Mariana Katherine explained. $50 !
had just crossed over to sit next to
her"
II thought we had to get off at Sew
enty-second street and take a local to
Times Square" said Aunt Matilda.
"Is this Seventy-secOnd street2'
asked Katherine in amnzement. "Of
all thingsl Mariana and | were talk
ing and never noticed IT,"
"What can we do about 1t now?'
asked Aunt Matilda.
Wen go right ahead" explained
katherine confidently.
Thanks to the rain. Katherine was
able to get three fairly good seats.
Handing one of the tickets back
through the window, she asked the
man 20 reserve II for Miss Macleod.
She watched the man write the name
carefully on the back, making sure
there would be no mistake.
While waiting for the curtain to go
up, they watched eagerly. But no
Mariana. AS soon rs the play began
Aunt Matilda forgot all about her, but
Katherine became seriously worried.
"Oh. dearl" A sudden sickening
fenr came over her. "What II Mari
n knows? What II she has net
some one who has told her? What II
she got hold Of a paper?'
But as the curtain went down, be-
fore Katherine had time to move, a
familiar voice greeted her. and then
her aunt:
al Miss Katherine and Miss Mac