The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-28
.. .. The Emerald From Baroda


forced to adopt. At that age the
glance does not jump from near OBJ
jects TO far in perfect focus.
Every evening. precisely at eight
that is, If he had not arranged to go
to the theatre or to some reception
with his wife-he settled himself
comic rtably in his study chair and
read for half an hour or more. 1t
was understood that during this Pc
riod no one was to disturb him. So
tonight he was rather surprised to
hear a PREDATORY "Ahem" directly in
front Ct him. He lowered his paper.
''Ah, Mullins?' he said somewhat
irritated.
Yes, sir" said the butler. Sorry
TO disturb you, but l was wondering
if 1 could have the night off My
daughter Katie isn't feeling well, SIR"
The butler was fine specimen of
a seryitor, upright in carriage, dig
nified in mien. His attitude was
courteous there was nothing humble
or .servile in his manner as he made
his request. In all things except
money and station he was the equal
Of his master; and his master knew
it, unenviably.
"Katie?' cambridge wrinkled his
palm. whats become of Katie?
Haven't seen her in months
Il have an apartment for her now,
sir. l didn't feel that l was doing my
duty to keep her in boarding house
any longer"
quite right How old is Katie
now?9
eighteen last March, sir"
"IIigateen last March, sir"
Eighteen? Why, it seems but yes
terday she was running about this
house calling me Uncle Simon. I re-
member now. You took her away
when old Mrs. Wrenn died-the
housekeeper."
school, sir" A certain. grimness.
settled at the corners of the buffers
lips.
ITO he sure. So little Katie is IS?
Why, bless me, she's woman"
Yes, sir For a moment the but
ler's eyes lost a fraction of their
brightness.
TT begins to look as if you and 1
were getting on. Arthur is "a, and
Katie is is. When did you say her
birthday was-in March? 1 must re-
member that. She must be a mighty
winseme little lady at this day."
She has grown up like flower,
sir"
That's the way it goes. You spend
the greater part of your life in
bringing them up. and then they go
and get married. Well, Mullins, so
long as you stick 1 shan't want
much for material comforts. Fifteen
years; that's pretty faithful. Null
Inns
you've been very generous and
considerate, sir"
You'll be back for breakfast? You
know Low fussy / am over the way
my bacon is crisped."
"Tn DC back. sir. Miss Maggie will
bring your matted milk at H.
Good night, and remember me to
Katie"
The butler left the house almost
Immediately lie did not proceed di-
rectly, but laid zigzag course to the
nearest subway. He took the express
up-tewa and got out in the Nineties,
then crossed toward Riverside Drive
and FASTENED into the apartment
house where his daughter lived.
The Resedale was like thousand
others in the great city. Mullins
alghted at the eighth floor and
walked around to the west wing.
There he stopped before door ap
piled a latch-key and entered.
A DIOnue little creature was mud
died in a living room chair, a small
table-lamp casting over her mellow
golden slow. The face was more than
pretty: there was fine strain of
pride in it, and there was something
half angel in her eyes.
Daddy. 1t was paen of joy; she
ran quickly to him.
The butler wrapped his hungry
arms around her and rocked, his
cheek resting on the top of her
head. MY Katie!" 1t was not the
voice of the butler; it was human
choking, pain-wrung. Shall 1 turn
out the 1ights2'
please. Come over to the sofa. We
can. watch the stars. Every night
they come back. Aren't they beauti-
full? See! There's a ship going down
the river to the sea"
Her rather turned out the lights,
and they sat down on the sofa, their
arms around each other. For a long
time neither broke the silence.
My daddy" she whispered. do
you th;all that mamma. ="
'Husn, Who knows? Up there
among the stars, maybe, where she
Knows everything-or nothing. Some
times I don't quite understand God"
he mustered.
cambridge picked up his newspa-
per again and set his glasses on his
nose; but almost at once the paper
sank to his knees and he stared at
l.. IL. T.