The Washington times., 1930-08-28
Cathie's Yuletide Festival
Develops Into Squabble
CHApTER : "a

S&@4@- - @@eN -
Mary Paige would not come
TO the Farnsworth'S for Christ
mas. dinner, and before the day
was over Cathie was glad. The
big party she had planned
dWindled to a foursome, Farms
worth and Cathie. and Enid
and Chester.
Not q very cheerful foursome.
In spite of the festive table, and
the decorations that had cost
Catf1ie so much time and
trouble. Cathie wore the star
sapphire her husband d had
6iven her, and Chester could
not keep his eyes off Of 1t.
"a beautiful stone" he told
CatEaie over and over "a1d one
that cost a fortune, my girl"
"It's very lovely" Cathie mur-
INJURED. and tried to interest
hirn in Ends back peal., but
he would hardly glance at 1t,
coming back every time to the
star sapphire.
catherine appreciates it. She
knows it's valueI" Farnsworth
cut in, rather testify, at last.
Chester paused to light a
cigarette. The flare Of the
match showed his sallow face
distorted with malice. Il dare
say. She has learned very
quickly" he drawled. For a
girl raised without any OF the
advantages she does very well.
Very well, indeed. I don't sup
pose that my own wife, accus-
toned as she has been to every
luxury, could spend money
faster, or make better use OF
the Canary diamonds, or the
star sapphire than our Cath
eri1el" z
Cathie clutched at the sap
phire on its slender cord around
her neck, looked appealingly at
her husband. But no help
came from him. He was eat
ing plum pudding, his eyes on
his plate, and if he heard, he
SNAP. The thin black cord
broke under her frenzied
fingers. "Here!" She was slid
ing it across the damask cloth
to: ,Chester's place. Take 1t!
I don't want it. ! don't want
to take it from Enid. She can
have the diamonds, too, for all
Of me. I don't want anything.
Anything but peace!" Her voice
was breaking. They were all
staring at her.
"Catherine!" Mr.. FarnSworth
quavered. -,
chester, still smiling manci.
: ously, picked up the jewel. Il
really wouldn't throw 1t, II I
were you," he advised. TITS
very delicate!"
Enid stood up, 1T you're
going to have a family brawl
you'll have to excuse me. MY
nerves aren't equal to it," she
said.
But she wasn't quick enough.
Cathie had already rushed from
the room. ......
After Chester and his wife
were gone Alfred Farnsworth
tiptoed into Cathie'S room. He
had the sapphire, on its brok-
en- cord, in his hand. Chester
is so sorry he hurt you," he
said gently. 'The boy doesn't
mean to be cutting. I wish
you two would try to be bet
ter friends" He sighed. n
Cathie came and hid her face
against his shoulder. I'm sor-
ry," she whispered. I'm so
ashamed Of myself. Losing my
temper like that. And on
Christmas day. Oh, what will
become of me? What will be-
come of mem
He stroked her ruffled hon.
ey-colored hair. There, there"
he soothed. "You mustn't cry
sol! It's nothing. We all lose
our tempers sometimes. You
mustn't worry
But I'm such a .failure-af.
ter all you've done for mel"
Catherine, you'll really make
yourself sick. Try to calm your
self. For my sake!"
Promise Unkept
For his sake she tried. The
sobs died into small, Strangled
whimpers. She lifted her head,
M~AI ~ooor1ounl - SVnoi1a f1NNoH1oRA