Katharine Frensham

was more beautiful than ever, and with her generous heart recognised that her sister-in-law was one of those women born to be worshipped by the men they marry, to the extinction of every on

the enormous outlay which her toilet implied; whilst in the management of the luxurious home, too, money seemed to be of no consideration to her. Katharine remembered th

e altered since you were here. One is obliged t

e into the country suddenly one day, with the excuse that you have become violently in lov

ound him had changed too. None of his old personal friends belonging to their old happy free life visited his home. All the people who were in touch with him now were acquaintances only, o

ant and interesting as that bona-fide demi-mondaine with whom I travelled across America for four days. She had a

inquired after t

ms? Where is Willy T

y comes down to the office to see me. He prefers that. He says he doesn't

endolen was becoming jealous of her, and that if she continued to stay, she would soon be a source of discord between husband and wife. For although Ronald was passiona

ion she admired Katharine, and wished to be friends with her. But one morning her manner was so insufferable, that Katharine, without giving any warning of her intention, packed her

d whole-heartedly to be with them. I would much prefer to live alone in a top-garret than to be on difficult terms in a luxurious house with my everyday companions. It saps all my strength and all my pleasure in life: and to no purpose. If I were benefiting you and Ronnie, I might perhaps be virtuous enough to wish to stay; but as I

and even shed two or three metall

ding my jealousy so beau

t. It requires no exquisite and dainty power of penetration. Jealousy is

and Katharine laug

he said. "Come now, put on your pre

g completely made up on the subject. And when Ronald came home tha

words?" he as

d that she had not come home from her wanderings to make our home unhappy. She was lovely about it, and I don't wonder you love and admire

I am sorry. My good old Kath who gave you so uncomplainingly to me! To think she has c

rawing-room, his heart tor

ck stru

ly six-if you are not too tired, le

tened up

see her, Gwen," he

"You can't imagine how muc

as overcome with remorse, which gave her an added beauty in her worshipper's eyes. It was nearly seven o'clock when they knocked at Katharine's door. Katharine did not hear. She had drawn her chair up to the fire, and was busy wi

d love of the old country. But even then, if one has no ties and is not wanted, what is it all worth? One country is as good as an

h a certain temperamental genius which could not be classified, but only felt and seen. It was this which drew people to her; and because she knew that they were always ready to like her, her manner had that simple ease seen often in unself-conscious little children. Bitterness and harsh judgments were foreign to her nature; and s

lucky enough to have thirty-six years of close companionship with some beloved one.

ions," she said. "I could not have expected that happiness to continue. And perhaps

outside, but Katha

to face a new kind

arine heard it. She went to the door and op

dolen cried, put

to come,"

urned to warmth. Perhaps it was only then that she knew what she had been through; for she collapsed into the armchair and cried. They watched her silently. They felt that they could do and say nothing. So t

little," she cried, "

hey said i

ecause you cared to come. You

be so different. You have taught me such a lesson.

. "Some other time perhaps. But not now. No, Ronald, old f

out of your life, Kath

, and now put her arm through ea

of your home, but not out of your lives. No; I am yours always, and always ready for you. And now I think we ought

ppy evening; and when they were say

to us again, Kath, you will

d behind a m

re alone-I feel it dreadfully-won't y

gered for a few moments in the hall, watching some of the people who were standing together talking and laughing. Every one seemed to have some belonging

they said, and the thr

er; and that happy young couple yonder, the centre of a group of friends; and that crippled ma

again. She went slowly

she thought, "and forget

ng near the fire, and she drew up her chair to the fire too, and began to read. She had previously greeted him; for Katharine did not observe the rigid English r

" and retired quickly into 'The Graphic' again. At

Graphic' if you h

glanced at her shyly. Something in his w

mber?" she said,

" he

dded wit

nd our football team-here it is-it

asked, looking at his face and the

t there. I've not been

broken knee or nose-what other ailments do boys have? I used to be so

a little

not been i

seemed to gain confidence. He was evidently very shy; but

he said, "m

ly, and for a moment there was silence between the

or a few months," he said. "But nex

re you going

-heartedly. It was obvious that his h

aid. "You are a lucky young man. And you speak of it as

nd all the queer things and people he would see, and succ

k I shall like t

" she said. "You wil

in his own boyish way. He looked desolate too. He reminded her of some one she had met lately-who was it? Oh, well, she did not re

football. Besides, it is a good thing to go and see if Japan would make a suit

nearer to her; for he felt that she was distinctly a se

ecoming more at his ease and more inclined to talk, she went on laughing a

opened, and a man came in. Katharine a

said awkwardly, not k

harine said, with a start

aid, with an eager sm

rm-chair as though he