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Show ILOVE and MARRIED LIFE! 3353, "fee noted author A VISIT TO THE CLUB. John's exclamation of "silly ass, which I was alnust sure that Karl i3hepard overheard, . embarrassed me gieatly. 1 would not-havc blushed because Kail kipsed my hands, because I felt that he was enthusiastically trying to tell me that he was glad that I had recovered enough to he anion? friends. But John's exclamation put an entirely different aspect upon tho act, and I felt wave nftcr wave of hot blood rush to my face. I strew more and more embarrassed as it sec-med to mc the entire company wno had gathered around me, and who of course, had seen tho salutation, was t vying lo read the motive behind his sonif-what unconventional method of expressing his joy in my recovery. Kan seemeu to realize mat nr- nuu embarrassed me, for as soon as possible pos-sible he withdrew to the outer edgo of the little circle and it was with gratitude grati-tude on my part that I realized ht was paying mc the greatest deferenco in effacing himself I reall had longed in my heart to see this gay -company again, and I think that unconsciously I had expected expect-ed just the wonderful spontaneity of the welcome they were giving mc. It warmed my heart. I could sec that! John was proud of me, although tho frown was still upon his brow. Complimented by Eddie. 1 But even John smiled whon Eddie! Milton edged his way through the group and said: "For the first time! since I can remember, Mrs Gordon, 1 ! wish I were younger than I am, and J "You can play you're my kid brother, Eddie, if you want to," 1 said, and with that Eddie gave me a true schoolboy school-boy hug and a kiss that resounded through tho piazza. I lobked at John in apprehension, but this did not seem to worry him at all. Ke knew as I did, that Eddie Miilon's kiss was just a bit of boyish bravado in the way of showing his affection for me. "Are you as old as that?" said aj soft, insinuating voice in my ear. I "As old as what?" I asked quickly, I for at first I did not recognize the voice, but turned to face Elisabeth Moreland. "I think I'll begin lo call you Aunt! Katherine," she said, as though that I were tin; answer to my question. "Oh," I said with sudden understanding, understand-ing, "you recognize that Eddie kissed me as ho would his mother." ' "No, I didn't either," was Eddie's I earnestly boyish remonstrance. I "Well, at least you kissed me as I some one very near and dear to you," I I said, "and 1 want you lo know that I shall bo very proud to be the mother of a boy like you, some day." She's All Right." "She's all right, Eddie," said John "But she isn't so much older ihan you, boy, that I want you to make a practice prac-tice of giving her a filial kiss." I avo John a grateful look. He had risen to the occasion beautifully, but I just couldn't understand why ho took Karl Shepard so seriously. Karl was I his best friend until John married mc but since then I could sec that ihey had been growing steadily apart. I had been standing quite a long while and I must have grown pale, for very unostentatiously a big ensy chair was moved up behind me und as ! I sank into lis depths I did not have 1 lo turn my head to know that il was Karl who had paid me the' little attention. at-tention. "Some one mentioned dinner a'nd John said, "Why, of course, we will stay to dinner." "I don't believe I can, John," I whispered whis-pered to him. "Oh, yes you can, it will do you good." ' I did not answer him, but I felt that I could not sit another moment among the merry throng. The reaction had been overpowering overpower-ing and I just felt that I must get away from it all now. As Well as Ever, j "Here, let me take you to the dress-I dress-I Ing room," J10 said. "Wth a little doll- ing up you will be as well as ever." "I couldn't walk to. the dressing room 10 s.ivo my life, John," I insisted. "Won't you please take me home?" "If 1 had known you were still an invalid I should not have brought you out here." I closed my eyes to shut back the tear.-? and Alice saved the day by coming com-ing up lo say: "I am sure, that we are all tiring Katherine. lohn, we'll lcavo you while, you help her into the car and take her jhouie. Be sure, dear ftirl, that we'll) all call upon you as soon as you willj lot. us." 1 I As Elizabeth Moreland left with the I others 1 hoard her say, and I am sure I thai John did, too: ! j "Tn think of John Gordon, of. all ; jiiin. being lied lo an invalid!" j j Tomorrow An Uncomfortable Day. 00 1 |