Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1921-05-12
By GRACE MILLER WHITE

A New Romance of the Storm Country


things waited for, the opportunity
came one day while the family was at
dinner.
Philip MacCauley entered in great
excitement.
"You look as If you had swallowed
the sun, my dear lad" smiled Doctor
Paul.
'I've got to go away" flushed the
boy, laughing, "and won't go alone"
He gazed meaningly at Tonnibel.
Pardon my rushing in this way, but
but want Tony to go with me-"
Mrs. Curtis flashed him dark look.
He rarely paid her, or her frowning
daughter, any attention nowadays, so
he did not notice that a pGllOr settled
on Katherine's face, or that her fork
fell from her limp fingers to the plate
The mother saw her daughters mental
distress, however, and studied the
young mans face, grooming to herself.
He had grown so manly and handsome
in the past two years, and he YVES
the one person she desired for her SON.
in-law. He was rich, too, which only
added to his attractiveness.
"You might explain a little more,
my boy" Doctor John spoke up in a
deep voice.
An embarrassed laugh fell from
Philips lips.
"There isn't any secret about it,"
he answered. "Tm going abroad for
the Salvation Army for year! longer
perhaps, and 1t would be too much to
ask me to go all by myself"
Lines appeared between Doctor
Paul's brows. At last the day had
come when he must give up the girl
who had taken rare place among
those he held dearest. He noticed
with a quick sigh that Tony's eyes
deepened softly, and her red lips were
parted in smile.
It'll hurry up our marriage a 1T
tie" Philip continued, "but-but-"
The sound Of chair scraping back
from the table broke off his state
ment.
'Then Wen adjourn and talk 1t
over" remarked Doctor John. "You
ask a mighty big thing, Phil, when
you demand our little girl without
more warning"
Little girl" sneered Mrs. Curtis,
after the four had left the dining
room. 1t happened, much to her sur
prise, that Doctor John sought her
out within the hour.
"Those children have won Paul and
me over, Sarah" he said a little
grimly. ''They're going to be married
a week from today. 1t won't be much
trouble to prepare the house, will it?
You needn't make a fuss. It'll be
very quiet Tony can buy everything
she needs In New York on her honey
moon"
In the rage that overlook her, Mrs.
Curtis wished the speaker dead at
her feet.
1.-THE house isn't mine, Cousin
john" she said maliciously, "but, of
course, I'll do what 1 can, although
Katherine isn't at all well. fear the
child Is going to be ILL.,"
Doctor John found Katherine with
her eyes dull and heavy, prescribed
for her, and, before leaving the room,
announced:
: "Paul and are going over to SYRIA
cuse tomorrow afternoon to make a
few purchases, but Wen be back on
the night train. Stay in bed, Kathie,
until morning, and you'll be all
right"
Tne moment he had disappeared,
Katherine sprang up.
Tomorrow they're going awayl
You heard, you heard, mother?" she
cried. "NOw then, where's Reggie?"
Darling" advised Mrs. Curtis,
moved to tears by her daughters dis
tress, II have premonition! We'd
better not interfere at all. Oh, child,
If you could only get your mind off
that boy! He isn't worthy of love
like yours. We've got nice home"
mice home" hurled back Kath-
crime, wildly. "Nice home! Look what
she's gOtl Just think of her and then
Of me! Oh, God, that such misery
could be in the world! I'll never for
give you, mamma, If you don't keep
your promise to me-"
Don't say that, darling, DON'T"
groaned Mrs. Curtis. 'Pll see your
brother, and who knows" she bright
ened and smiled through her tears;
who knows but what that horrid girl
will be gone by tomorrow nightT'
RnARTEn NNIO