rms and kissed repeatedly.

"I'm so glad to see you, auntie!" she cried. "How are you?"

"Very well," the old woman answered in a thin, tremulous voice. "How
is thee?"

"Me? Oh, you know nothing's ever wrong with me!" She laughed in her
buoyant young strength. "But you, auntie?" She grew serious. "You look
very tired--and very, very worn and worried. But I suppose it's the
strain of father's headache--poor father! How is he?"

"I--I think he's feeling some better," the old woman faltered. "He's
still lying down."

They had entered the big, airy sitting-room. Katherine's hat and coat
went flying upon the couch.

"Now, before I so much as ask you a question, or tell you a thing,
Aunt Rachel, I'm going up to see dear old father."

She made for the stairway, but her aunt caught her arm in
consternation.

"Wait, Katherine! Thee musn't see him yet."

"Why, what's the matter?" Katherine asked in surprise.

"It--it would be better for him if thee didn't disturb him."

"But, auntie--you know no one can soothe him as I can when he has a
headache!"

"But he's asleep just now. He didn't sleep a minute all night."

"Then of course I'll wait." Katherine turned back. "Has he suffered
much----"

She broke off. Her aunt was gazing at her in wide-eyed, helpless
misery.

"Why--why--what's the matter, auntie?"

Her aunt did not answer her.

"Tell me! What is it? What's wrong?"

Still the old woman did not speak.

"Something has happened to father!" cried Katherine. She clutched her
aunt's thin shoulders. "Has something happened to father?"

The old woman trembled all over, and tears started from her mild eyes.

"Yes," she quavered.

"But what is it?" Katherine asked frantically. "Is he very sick?"

"It's--it's worse than that."

"Please! What is it then?"

"I haven't the heart to tell thee," she said piteously, and she sank
into a chair and covered her face.

Katherine caught her arm and fairly shook her in the intensity of her
demand.

"Tell me! I can't stand this another instant!"

"There--there isn't going to be any celebration."

"No celebration?"

"Yesterday--thy father--was arrested."

"Arrested!"

"And indicted for accepting a bribe."

Katherine shrank back.

"Oh!" she whispered. "Oh!" Then her slender body tensed, and her dark
eyes flashed fire. "Father accept a bribe! It's a lie! A lie!"

"It hardly seems true to me, either."

"It's a lie!" repeated Katherine. "But is he--is he loc