South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-07-08
WHAT KATHERINE ANSWERED.
TO LIIIIAN'S QUESTION.

I think Katherine read in org
faces that she had startled US by hsi
gamin-like JOY at illian's news. for
the next second she dropped her
hands while an embarrassed flush
stole over her charming face.
you must think I've gone daft"
she said apologeticaIly. But, oh. if
you know how tired I am of being
on my dignity! You see, Jacks po-
sition IN the little town in which we
lived required that l keep the proper
appreciation Of the most formal con-
duct in mind. so you"H just have to
forgive me-"
Forgive youl" I echoed. reading
between her words. that it was not
Jacks position, but Jack himself
who had so repressed her.
"Of course. your levity is a great
trial TO both Madge and myself. 90
Lillian interpOsed with an impudent
grimace at me, but Wen try to
struggle along under the handicap
And when we get out TO the farm
Wei put you out with Marion TO
turn a few haadsprings
II wonder If I've forgotten how, q"
Katherine said speculatively, with
such seriousness in her tone that
Lillian and I laughed outright
But I really felt more like tears
There was such unconscious betrayal
in her abnormally high spirits. 1
remembered suddenly a treasure Of
my small girlhood. a Jack -in-the-
box, for whom 1 used to y so sorry
in queer childish fashion Whenever
l was allowed TO play with him, and
I never would willingly crowd him
back into his confined quarters.
Absurdly enough. the Joy and Keller
which Katherine was unconsciously
betraying at this interval OF respite
from her life with Jack Beckett
seemed 10 me like that old-time es-
cape of my plaything.
NIadge is Thankful.
Something else came TO my mind,
and came with a little feeling OF
paaicky Joy. as II had escaped some
danger by a narrow margin. re-
membered the devotion which my
"brother-cousin." Jack Beckett, had
showered upon me from childhood.
and the memorable day when he had
come back from a long trip and
ignorant OF my marriage TO DicIxy
had asked me TO marry him before
I could tell him my news and stop
the revelation. so surprising 10 me.
Of his love.
had often wondered what would
have been my answer To Jack II I
/ y
early, stressful. sometimes miserable
days OF my first year Of marriage
I had sometimes been guilty Of won
dering whether Jacks quiet dignity
and strength would not have beeu
a better anchor 10 my marriage shin
than Dicky's volatile. tempestuoil4
lovableness.
had answered the question long
ago decidedly in Dicky's favor but
Katherines unconscious attitude
brought home TO me most forcibtv
what marriage with Jack Beckett
would have meant TO me. True I
have not Katherine's high glrlish
spirits. but l have a stronger will
than she. a more tenacious grin uDon
my own way, and sent up q
silent little prayer OF thankfulness
that Providence had given me Rich
ard Graham instead OF Jack Beckett
as my life companion.
Lillian tumbled Katherine's bags
into the tonneau Of my car. ana
notioned Katherine authorltfvelv
into the rear seat.
Undertake IT."
ut viii save time 20 tell you what's
up while we are going home" she
said, 80 get In here with me. AIadge
knows all about IL already"
Il am all ears" Katherine laugh
ed, settling herself in the car.
For several minutes there was No
sound save the steady murmur OF Lii
lian's voice relating the story which
I knew 50 well, the story OF Katie.s
strange terror OF the unknown mar.
OF her domination by him. OF her
queer. furtive searches OF the house