South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-02-03

upon the exquisite things which the
Virginia girl had chosen IL 1 had not
been so distracted with the calls up
on my own time. And this after
noon. with the nervous strain OF
my mother-in-law 8 eXacsions still
upon me, and the prospect before
me Of a memory-haunted and emo
tional evening with my father
turned 10 the exquisite 1imsy thing
with relief. I felt my nervous ten
sion lessen as my stitches multiplied,
and gave myself up TO reminiscent
dreams OF the happy hours when
sewed upon my own wedding gown.
Absorbed in my task l heard
neither the doorbell nor Katie's foot
steps hunting me. Her knock at the
door made me fairly jump from my
seat, so far away from home had
my mind wandered.
"Oh-h! Missis Graham" Katie's
familiar salutation meant visitors, L
knew. Il been hunting you all over
house. 1 ask old womans we're you
vas, und she say she not know. she
not care. l guess she mad by you,
VOTE"
My little maids face was alive
with the Unsuitable curiosity which
is her gravest fault. looked at her
forbiddingly.
we will not talk Of that. Katie"
l said quietly. What is it you wish
of me? Are there callers down
stairs? I did not hear the bell
Den you should vOt de boys say
see a doctor for you ears" giggled
una Dashed Katie. Dot bell she ring
tree four times before = could get
me to door. for l have got hands
in flour for biscuits. and cant take
out right off qveeck."
who came, Katie?" / asked wear
lily, rising and preparing 10 put
Leila's wedding gown back in it's
case. l was in the worst mood pos
sible for entertaining formal callers,
and cast self-depreciatory glance
over my rumpled, threadstrewn
gown.
Nobody you need care" Katie
announced with superb impertinence
! "JoOst dot redheaded teacher und
anOder vomans. l no like. She look
at me dis way out Of her eyes and
laugh TO herself like / vos one of
dose monkeys up in zoo"
I My little maid. red with indigna
| ton. crinkled her eyes and grinned
| in luricrous imitation Of the woman
whose mirth had excited her anger.
/ wondered who one of my visitors
might be. The other 1 recognized
| instantly, Of course, as Alice Hol-
combe, from Katies epithet Of red
] headed teacher She never employs
any other in speaking of Miss Hol-
cOmbe, who for some reason or
/ other she dislikes.
From long experience I knew il
was no use asking my little maid for
/ the name Of the woman accompany
/ ing Miss Holcombe. Katie's inabil
| ity to pronounce names correctly
amounts, Dicky declares to absolute
genius. The only use 1 have ever
/ found for il is TO exile the risibles
! of the family when retailing her last
1effort
SO 1 depressed my curiosity. and
with Katie's aid brushed and
| smoothed my gown into a semblancc
| OF respectful ility, and went down
stairs to greet my visitors. If Alic
HolcOmbe had been alone [ SHOULD
| have sent for her to come up to tn
sewing room, but, OF course,
| wished no stranger admitted TO il
/ intimacy.
/ II was no stranger. however vi
\ rose laughingly to greet me when
/ had reached the living room. But
almost wished it had been when
! looked into the eyes of a girl 1 ha
not seen for many months, the COO!
mocking. smiling eyes Of Bess Dean.