New Britain herald., 1922-08-22
The Reason Katie Nearly Ruined
 Liiiian's Carefully-I.aid Plan.

Lillian smiled appro,ingly al Kntle's impassioned declaration then as she bent forward her eyes tensely holding those of my little maid realized that the real business of the evening had been reached,
 Katie - Her voice was serious, al- most solemn, "I am going 10 ask you some questions, and l want you 10 tell me the truth in your answers, but l want you 10 remember this. You do not need 10 tell me who Joe really is, or what hold he has on you -l don't care two pins about that but do want 10 know this You did know him years ago. didn't you?"
 Katie flashed me an agonized glance twisted her hands together in her lap, then answered slowly;
 "Ye.es, I know heem"
 Good. Now we all know you were afraid or him, so we shan't blame you If you pretended 10 be willing to help him. Tell me"-her eyes upon katies were fairly hypnotic-'if you should tell some one you were worried about Joe, and Joe should hear Of it, would
  truth 2"
 Again the twisting of the fingers, the dismayed look at me. Then gleam in her eyes which meant that something amusing had come into her mind
 "Eet he have any sense he ought to know I hate heem. afraid of heem for vun devil" she said. But I tink he like all rest of men--he tink no vomans could hate heem. l tink eef anybody tell him Katie worry. he say, I fought so She like all rest of vimmens. Dey all crazy bout me"
 Her mimiory was inimitable, and was not surprised to hear a laugh from Lillian, for I guessed that she realized laughing with Katie would be the best tonic for my tempera- mental little maid, It was merri- ment in which the rest of us were glad to join. although we had re- pressed out risibles sternly for fear of upsettng Katie.
 You Must Be Sure"
 What every woman knows" Lil- Han commented, wiping her eyes, while Katie grnned delightedly at her Now, Katie, this fixes every thing very nicely, and I will tell you | what you are to do.'
 She paused for an instant as if | arranging her items and katie's face lost it's nlirth and became strained, serious
 Tomorrow night Lillian began measuredly, when I give you the word, you are to go down the road to that big wild apple tree, where there is gap in the hedge-you know the place, don't you?"
 Katie nodded a mute assent
 There will be man there" con- had just thought of this detail of her plan who will give you the word | when to step out into the road and walk up and down as if you were waiting for somebody. Right after that you will see a man riding toward you on a bicycle. or--perhaps walk Ing. He will in all proba bilty have a bandage tied around his head. but the man in the hedge behind you will tell you whether or not he is the man you want. If he is the right one, you are to call out: Oh Joe as he comes near you, and then add, I thought you would never come . in your native languag ge. Can you do that and make your voice tremble as If you were excited and worried ?"
 katie's face beamed.
 "Shoost as eef I actress on stage"
 Just the same" Lillian returned yravely, "Only you must be sure to make it sound very natural"
 Sure. I know dot Katie returned oftily My lesson book she say you must make art shoost like-ike 'orget-but anyway it means act ,hoost as eef you had kitchen apront ,n."
 Lillians lips twitched as she went ,n.
 That's fine, aktie, I'm sure you will 10 exactly the right thing. Now, this nan will stop-I am sure of that lnd when he gets close to you, you will pretend to be very frightened md say you thought it was your riend, Joe He will then tell you he 8 a friend of Joe's and ask you 3 lot # questions. From this point you will have to carry on the conversa- ion in your own way, remembering