The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-07-08
yNnsmex .Nte,eetheorta BY Mabel McEIIiott
CHAPTER XLVIIT
0 Ia,,. NEA senies, Ine.

Katharine and Michael did not ko to England at once, after all. When she was well enough Michael took Katharine back to Silencia where Miss Daisy and Miss Roxana and Mis- Vincent and wheezy Mrs. Houghton fussed over her. She was still definitely the invalid. The doc tor made her stay in bed part of every day and Michael, who had another cell-like room across the hall, would carry her out into the heartening sunshine.
 He was still unable quite to be- fieve that this delicate, golden haired girl was really his wife. He had nearly lost her-and all along the way their path had been tangled with briers It was dif- ncuIt to believe that everything nou1d be strengthened out at last.
 one day about a week after their return to Silencia Michaei had been out riding on one of the fine Arab horses the Millards had left. He came into his room, almost blinded by the glare of the patio. and found the interior dark { and cool. But after his vision had cleared a trifle he saw Katharine sitting in his one deep chair. Katharine, dressed in a green linen frock with delicate hand, work on it. She looked older, more poised and mature.
 Darling! You're really feeling better?''
 He raised his hand to her lips. He felt, reverently, that he was literally unworthy of her. Here he stood, strong and crude in his riding things, reeking of horses and the out-of-doors, and here was this girl, very fairy princess of elegance and fragrance, conde- ecending to him
 Some of this he said. haltingly and slowly. When he looked up, to his amazement he saw she was laughing at him.
 
 Was it true then - this thing he had long suspected that the girl had regarded her impulsive bargain with him, that she was certin she did not love him? His heart stood still.
 Michael, you great fool!" Her 1nelodious' voice pronounced the words Lngeringly.
 Don't you love me any more?"
 You know I dol" he stam- mered. His eyes devoured her.
 Well then, why don't you take me in your arms? You behave as though I were made of glass. I'm your wife ."
 T thought you were ill.," he be- gan. But she was in his arms that very moment; she was half laughing, half-crying against his stalwart shoulder.
 4Tt's a great scandal. really, when a girl has to woo her man in this shameless fashion Michael stopped her mockery in the only possible way - with kiss.
 They sat side by side at the long dark dinner table that night, the fashion of lovers. Afterward they walked in the moonlight for a little. Michael. coming to find her later, discovered her at her window, dreaming against the easement.
 '.Did you ever see anything so lovely? ?" The gnarled tree in the courtyard made a stark shadow on the flags. There was an inde- Unable scent in the room.
 -What sort of perfume is { fhat?" He crushed her to him, this creature of light and air and in- describable sweetness.
 s1 can't remember" she said vaguely.
 ''It's very nice" he told her in- eloquently. Her fair hair was loosened about her face; her breast rose and fell under it's cov- ering of blond lace.
 There was silence after that long murmuring interval. The stars shone down on the desert and the soft southern air moved the curtains gently to and. fro. And Katharine slept like a cAild, soundlessly and blissfully against her lovers shoulder
 
 Three weeks later they were in London, to all eyes the usual, good-looking young American cou- pie in we'll cut tweeds; the girl with 6 fat pigskin bag punched under her arm; the man tall and possesisve in a pleasant way. ehouldering his way through crowds and holding her elbow gently when they crossed the crowded thoroughfares. MT. Down. rigg had been surprised to find that the new Lord Garden had wife, and such pretty one, he told his wife at tea that evening.
 "She doesn't talk like an Amer 1can," he said. That is, I can Understand every single word she says." MT. Downrigg had gleaned most of his impressions of the Americans from the cinema.
 Katharine said he was an old lamb, and Michael agreed more temperately. After a brief stay at She Savoy the two were to go to Ireland to see the castle which had come to Michael from his fathers people.
 Tt probably has S7 rooms and one bath" he told his bride. And old retainers in hunting coats Humping out of the hedges"
 ssOh, Michael. we must do some tiding there. They say the horses ere marvelous!"
 He smiled at her glowing face. HPerhaps you'll want to stay-not &c back to the states at all."
 1T don't know. Wherever you Are.s said aKtharine, will be home to me-"
 They came in to their suite one day at tea time. The girl. loosen {ne her scarf of dark rich sables, fIfE1ed the mail on the table.
 Her face altered. Michael who knew every expression of it, watched her anxiously.
 A letter from John Kaye" she EaId. "Oh, darling, I am sorry