The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-06-03

can get this feeling in city apart ment," unused Dr. Kaye, You have to have the noise of tree branches bending in the wind and the sweep of water pounding on rocks and maybe the lighthouse bell tolling occasionally to give you a taste of real drama, in the storm. Katharine" he disgressed sudden | ly, putting his cup down, you've been happier of late, haven't you? Or, do I imagine it? Somehow you and Bertine sem to be hitting it off better than you did,
 "Oh, yes. Bertine is all right" Katharine said politely. It wouldn't do to tell John that the reason she was able to bear her stepmother's s irritating ways, her trick of whin- ing and 'fussing" at everything was because she had found new outlet for her energies and affec- tions. The Merser house was open to her now whenever Bertine made home unbearable. Violet Merser was her confidante and Kath- arine loved the children. too, as she hadn't dared to love anyone for years. But if Bertine knew how of ten she sought out the little white house in the hills behind Innicock, she would be sure to interfere.
 How grand 1t would be, Kath- are in thought, if Michael Heather oe were to come walking in that door this very instant. She would say, "Hea, Michael?"
 She would say. I'm sorry, but do you take sugar and cream? l don't seem to remember ."
 But she could never ask Michael Heatheroe to her home. Her step- mother would never allow it. Ber- tine, for all her smiles and appar- ent suitability, ruled the Stryk- hurst menage with a rod of iron. Her portly husband did exactly as she wished; in fact, he often thought, said Katharine rather con temptuously to herself, exactly what his wife told him to think.
 Michael Heatheroe did not, be long,"
 Who is he?" Bertine would say, with lift of the eyebrow. Where did he come from and who are his people?"
 Well, some day Katharine would have place of her own. She could ask her own friends there, as often as she liked. No one would dare to criticize then: or, if they did, she would not listen.
 "Wool-gathering, Princess Kit sy?"
 She smiled at the lean, ascetic- looking man across the hearth. "I guess so. You used to call me that when you first came here, John. Princess Kitsy.' You were very grand young man and was in pigtails."
 "A funny child you were, too," said John Kaye. "Just like a prickly pear. I tried so hard to make you smile."
 "Was that bad?" cried the girl.
 "Well, you were afraid of people. Shy-no, it wasn't exactly shyness. Distrust, I'm afraid. Poor little grill"
 Her throat frightened, her voice thickened as she said, Don't, Doctor John. You'll have me burst ing into tears"
 "well, you've changed lot, any, how" said the man. You're not afraid of anyone any more. That's the stuff, Katharine. Look life in the face and tell 'em all to go to he'll"
 Good advice" said Katharine. smiling.
 Lights flashed up in the over head fixture and Bertine Stryk- hurst hustled in.
 What are you two doing, moon ing here in the dark? You ought to get into your things and take a brisk walk" cried Bertine. "Kath- arine doesn't take enough exercise. That's why she droops around so, half-alive."
 Angry words sprang to the girls lips and were suppressed. Dr. Kaye