The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1921-01-22
In the Last
Edition
BY HELEN A. HOLDEN
(Copyright.)

After-dinner coffee was served In tn
library. Aunt Matilda chung to THU
relic Of former days with grim per
sistency.
II was not so impressive as thu
previous announcement, Coffee VII
be served In the drawing-room." Blu
In a small apartment, the library wa!
the best substitute Aunt Matilda had
"Pm sorry, Northumberland NATL
da's tone was mildly apologize
"tilat, as you read the paper only once
a fortnight, you are not able to reae
the latest news"
Katherine's attention had been divid
ed between the cup of coffee she wat
sipping from one hand and a newspa
per she was trying to read from the
other.
All at once her hand shook 30 she
could scarcely put her coffee oowl
without splitting it. The paper IN mel
other hand ratified as though sud
den storm had attacked it. Her eyes
grew big with surprise and terror.
She glanced quickly at her aunt
Had she noticed her sudden agitation
It 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 be heard
for miles.
But her aunt was peacefully uncon'
scious of any unusual excitement.
Katherine started up, exclaiming:
Lets go o the theater, Aunt Ma
tilda. You need cheering up. Don't
say you don't, for you know you
haven't been out for days. I'll tele'
phone Mariana"
"But, my dear" Aunt Matilda Of.
fered as feeble protest, Mariana
won't 60 without Dale Brinton."
zone has so few chances with an
engaged girl" Katherine's grip tight
ened on the newspaper she was hold
ing. "This 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 a 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, 1t 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 to 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 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 fervently as she caught
sight Of her aunt through the crowd.
She hurried toward the little lady,
who was looking wildly about.
II saw your empty seat In the car
Just in time" Aunt Matilda put her
hand over her heart to stop its excited
beating. "Why didn't you tell me 1t
was time to get Off"
"There was a vacant place next to
Katherine explained, so /
had just crossed over to sit next to
her."
II thought we had to get of at Sew
street and take local to
Times Square," said Aunt Matilda.
'Is this Seventy-second street?"
,sked Katherine In amazement. "Of