New Britain herald., 1923-03-01
What Madge Did to Ranish Katie's
Fear About Jim


katie's eyes went back to Jim.
photograph again, and her voice took
on a eaioling tender tone, as II her
husband himself were opposite to her
A little SILVER ran down my back. II
this sort of thing kept up, ] feared
for the girls reason.
"Ah, Jeem--Jeem," sne crooned.
you tink no care anything, tink ]
like dot oder mans shoost because
no tell you vot 60 see heem for. But
Jeem he keel you. keel Everybody eef
l tell He sooch devil oh, l hope
he dead Jeem. hope he dead But
! so fraid he no die"
She turned her tortured eyes to mo
again.
YOU know, Meesis Graham, who
dot oder mans, dot Joe ISL" she de-
manded.
II think do, Katie" ] answered
quietly
You hear anytings about heem?
You tink he die?"
II haven't heard anything lately"
] returned. with vivid realization OF
the fact that save for Harry Under
woods startling knowledge of kath-
crimes whereabout there had come no
word from my little friend who was
nursing the wounded Joe under such
dangerous conditions. But he never
will trouble you again"
She shook her head mollrnfully
with a repetition OF the fataistic
comment | had heard her make once
before.
He never stop deyilment till he all
dead like snake"
Secretly / agreed with her but /
knew better than to let any hint of
my conviction escape me.
That's nonsense - l said sharply,
but Katie shook her head.
You see, sometime" she said dui-
ly, then with sudden change OF
manner she seized my hands, and held
them in a tight grip.
"Oh. my Meess Graham, | so tired
Waiting !" she said "Erery night, J
sit me here looking at hees picture.
und call him soft, 'Jeem COON home,
forgive your Katie, she want you SO.
Plees COON home. Fer seem some
time almost as eef I hear heem spih
to me, kind and lofing Ike he used
to do ind vunce | see heem."
Katie Is Overweight
Her voice lowered to whisper, and |
] tried in vain to shake off the I'M
canny feeling which crept over me.
tried to emphasize instead the touch
of grotesque pathos which is rarely |
absent from anything Katie. does or
says. But there was IL dignity OF |
grief about the girl which forbade
anything save respect or the emotion
which was swaying her.
Il see heem shoost as plain as
see you now" she repeated. "Eet
vos today. He vos sitting on upside
down boat und he have hee's head in
hee's hands, thinking, linking. Und
Ven call so glad, Jeem,Jeem,' he
lift COP hee's head qvick like und |
look around, und den de drop Get
down again. Jnd den no see heem
no more
You mean you woke up, Katie"
said practically. You must have
been dreaming. But l think 1t is
dream that will come true. Jim will I
come back soon. am sure of it,"
Maybe so . Maybe not" she re-
piled. Long time l tink he COON
sure, but now / so tired"
Her voice trailed away hopelessly,
and for a minute neither Of us spoke.
I welcomed the low imperative knocs
upon the door which ! recognized as
but Katie's overweight
nerves exploded in a shrek at the
sound.
BE quiet" / commanded sternly.
Its Mrs. Underwood"
Lillian spoke noncha lantly to the
girl over my shoulder
What's the matter. Katie? Don't
you know my knock yet? Go to bed,
girl. you're all of a-tremble. I'll
bring you up a glass OF not milk pref
ty soon if you're good Madge, would
you mind coming downstairs with
me? I've some letters / must get off
by the first mail. and l must have
your advice ON them"
"Jecm Jeem I"
Surely" | said, with answering
though / was certain
hat the letter were only pretence
'or summoning me. III come back
n little while, Katie" ] turned TO
my little maid "and l want to find
you in bed"