The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-08-01
MISS EMILY FINDS HERSELF.
BY Bertha Rice.
Copyright. 1927, by Wheeler Syndi
cate, Incl

BY Bertha Rice.
Copyright. 1927, by Wheeler Syndi-
cate, Inc.)
Miss Emily Van Dustin was mark
ing time in her beautifully furn-
ished den Her good looks, good
taste and charming clothes success
fully camouflaged her 35 years to
an easy 2S. She had good sense,
too, and admitted that life was be-
coming increasingly stale.
! 1t was the Father of His Country's
birthday, therefore a holiday Miss
Emily hated holidays, the time fo.'
| family gettogethers. When one
person comprises the family it is
difficult to evolve the holiday spirit.
| firing OF reflection, she decided to
| take a walk.
Katie hommCn, rosy, freckled
maid of 20, walked listlessIy down
Pedigree avenue, on which was the
home of Miss Van Dustin. Katie
was alone, and her usually sunny
face looked like a rain cloud She
had no place to go and no COM
panions. A holiday was such a
useless gift. She was glad that only
a fraction OF the day was hers.
Mea ming that Katie was a domestic,
and her loneliness in the strange
city was the kind that makes a
young girls heart ache with feel
ingS of self-pity and bitterness.
Katie, too, hated holidays.
1t was a mild, sunny day, and she
took seat in the little park that
terminated the avenue. SeIf-pity
in
her arm on the back of the seat,
rested her head on it and released
the flood
Being alone, she cried unrestrain-
eddy, which was good for her. Tears
are a safer vent for imprisoned
emotions than other things.
What is the matter?"
Feeling ashamed, Katie hid her
face and made a little gesture of
avoidance
A hand was laid on her shoulder.
and the question kindly repeated
Won't you tell me why you are
crying?"
With a broken sob, Katie walled,
I'm so lonesome. l hate HOLIDAYS"
so do l." Miss Van Dustin sat
down beside the weeping maid.
But crying won't help US. Now
sit up and tell me about it"
Katie adjusted her hat and her
temper, treated her red ewes and
redder nose with very damp hand
kerchief, then turned TO look at her
questioner.
MISS Emily was smiling. Tell me
your name, where you live and
why you are SO lonely"
I'm Katie Kommon, and I'm a |
general in Mrs. Coats family
"a general?"
"Yessum. General maid"
oh! Haven't you any friends in
the city?'
Nom. I'm a stranger, and don't |
know anybody. 1 want. a chum to |
go around with, like other girls"
We're both in the same boat.
Katie. | want chum, too. Come
home with me, and well finish this
iresome holiday together"
Katie looked at the beautifully
lady beside her in astonish-
nent as she stammered, why, II
oh, yes, you can. Come"
And so it occurred that the syrn-
1olic "Colonefs lady and Jhdy
)'Grady," who were SO much alike
meath the skim walked down
Pedigree avenue in comradely in
ercourse.
They soon reached the Van Bus
in residence. Admitting with a j
atch key. Miss Emily led the way
o her den, where was arranged /
for an afternoon tea. h
Now, Katia," she said. as she
made the tea, tell me where your ]
lone is?"
IN Maine. Father is dead. and !
m the oldest of five. ! send money
Iome to help out" 7
And you've no friends here?" {
Nom. It's awful lonely. Sun |