Omaha daily bee., 1922-03-29
The Way Katherine Took Lillian:
News,

I
News.
An unworthy little feeling, not
positive enough TO be dubbed envy
or Jealousy. but having in !, sle-
meats ei both emotions. spFaaE into
lie At Lillian's words.
So Katherine was my friends "aee
OF ,Fumps" in the game she MAS play
ing 10 learn the identity aud neiafl-
Gus design OF the man who had been
40 terribly injured by a motor car
just as We were about 10 oyefhear
his conversation with Katie.
For 4 tense second the JOY with
which | was already welcoming
Katherine IN my thoughts Was
chilled, Then. with a swift reaction
"A feeling OF abysmal disgust at my
own li,,leness-l seoufged from my
soul every yestige OF the thought
and ! irantieally hoped that Lilllan's
keen eyes had not detected any trace
OF !, in my face,
That would never know. how
ever, and we went on with our plans
for ka,herine's coming. which In.
eluded giving her the maximum OF
res, possible before sending her 10
the hospital TO care for the wounded
man.
ITS a crime 10 rush her over
there so soon after her long train
journey" Lillian said. "but | simply
am al my wits end. The people
back OF that man may appear at any
time, and | must have somebody OH
the spot continually"
III | know Katherine" ! inter
posed quietly. "and think do.
there will be nothing in the world
she will welcome more than a chance
to take up her old profession. She
won't feel any fatigue, and III wager
that few hours rest at the longest
will be all she will consent to take.
Just remember that she hasn't had
much physical labor-shc has always
had woman accustomed to heavy
work, and keeping her tiny house In
order and cooking for two must
have been child's play to Katherine's
capability. But | can read between
the lines and see that she is about
starved for some outside interest.
Can't you imagine how she'll well
come getting into the great game
again i'll any capacity
Lillian Praises Madge.
"Yes. | can,' Lillian answered
promptly, 1and l wouldn't trade for
farm my first look at her face
when she realizes the ruse we have
played to get her here"
Neither would |! Therefore. you
and | will go to meet her. Dicky
would be sure to get things mixed
up"
What have you told him about
Katherine's coming"
THAT she was coming to US for a
visit. taking advantage OF Jacks pro-
iected trip, and that she probably
would do some nursing if she had
good opportunity. OF course, he
wanted her for his mother right
away"
Lillian made an exasperatcd little
moue.
81 might have thought of that"
she said. What did you say?"
"Nothing-knowing Dicky,' re-
joined dryly. "But you'll be able to
manage that end of things through
Mother Graham. Just give her hint
of why you want Katherine, and her
melodrama-loving soul will straight
en- Dicky out admirably, so he will
not suspect anything"
"You are very wise, shrewd and
helpful lady, my dear" commanded
Lillian, and there was an approval
in her voice which made my heart
beat high with pleasure and it partly
atoned to my soul for my littleness
of few minutes before. And when.
at last the day Katherine had named
in her telegram came, and I drove
Lillian to the station to meet her.
there was nothing in my heart but
joyous loving welcome for my cous-
ms wife.
"Oh, Boy!"
We saw her before the train
stopped, for in an eagerness almost
child-like. she had come as near as
she possibly could to the steps of
the car. And my thoughts went back
swiftly to the days when I had first
met her. and she had crept swiftly
and surely into my heart
She was as slender, as agile, as girl
ish in general appearance as she had
been then. But the face under the
modish eauzy brown veil was thinner
that I liked to see it and bore only
too plainly the traces of a spirit re-
pressed. of an individuality trying to
fit itself into a mold planned by some
one else.
I was suddenly glad-fercely glad
that my brother-cousin had gone
so far away. I hoped he would wait
a long while before returning--long
enough to give this high-spirited girl
chance to be her untrammeled self
again. And when I had advanced to
meet her, Lillian close by my side,
and Katherine had set down her
bags mechaniclly and stared at me
as if I were a wrath.
"But-but-" she stammered, turn
ing to Lillian. surely I read your
wire Alright Didn't you say that"
"That Madge had nervous break
down and needed vou." lillian inter.