The St. Mary banner., 1921-01-29
- In the Lasi
T -
Edition
BY HELEN A. HOLDEN
(Copyright.)

(Copyright)
After-dinner coffee was served in the
library. Aunt Matilda chung to this
relic of former days with grim per-
siStency.
1t was not so impressive as the
previous announcement, Coffee Will
be served In the drawing-rOom." But
In small apartment, the library was
the best substitute Aunt Matilda had.
I'm sorry, katherine"-Aunt Matil-
das tone was mildly apologetic-
that, as you read the paper only once
fortnight, you are not able to read
the latest news"
Katherines attention had been divid-
ed between the cup of coffee she was
slipping from one hand and 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 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!
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 be heard
for miles.
But her aunt was peacefully uncon-
scious of any unusual excitement.
Katherine started up, exclaiming:
Lets 20 o the theater, Aunt Ma
| tilda. You need cheering up. Don
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 a feeble protest, "Mariana
won't 20 without Dale Brlnton."
zone has SO few chances with ar
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 b!
no means all.
que further, Katherine was gone.
The subway was surprislngl!
crowded for a rainy night. KATHERINE
looked anxiously about for her triend.
When at last she found her, ST.
gave her a quick glance OF keel
scrutiny.
With her customary Southern cour
tesy, Aunt Matilda stepped aside a
she Yel1 the crowd jostling against her
So. the last ones In the car, 1t wa
with difficulty they found seats.
The train had stopped and wa
about 70 sfars again when Katherin
remembered Aunt Matilda. Leanin
ovey to see If she was all night, sh
gave a sudden gasp Of horror.
Getting to her feet, she cleared IN
space In 0 single bound. AS IN
reached the platform the door clange
shat behind her.
She glanced back. Martana's 1ac
peered grimly out from behind IN
closed door as the Grain pulled slogi
from the station,
Here's a pickle" Katherine 7el
nervously Of her empty pocker'
mariana gone. Aunt Matilda some
2 where unknown with the family poci
etboOk.
.Thank goodness, there she Isl" sh
t exclaimed fervently as she caugf
, sight of her aunt through the crowd
, She buried toward the little lad.
! who was looking wildly about.
l II saw your empty seat in the ca
: inst in time" Aunt Matilda put ne
: hand over her heart to stop Its excite
, heating. "Why didn't you tell me
| was time to get Off"
! "There was q vacant place next
. Mariana" Katherine explained, so
4 had just crossed over to sit next
' her"
81 thought we had to get off at Se7
enty-second street and take local
, Times Square" said Aunt Matilda.
9 as this Seventy-second street
asked Katherine In amazement. It
all things! Mariana and l were tall
ing and never noticed it,
"What can we do about 1t now
: asked Aunt Matilda.
: "We'n go right ahead" explaine
e Katherine confidently.
Thanks to the rain, Katherine Wa
4 ohio TO get three fairly good seats.
!, Handing one Of the tickets bae
. through the window, she asked II
man to reserve it for Miss MacLeo
She watched the man write the nan
csrefully on the back. making SUI
there would be no mistake.
yx,h,Io ,ratting for the curtain to 6