Page:Caroline Lockhart--The Fighting Shepherdess.djvu/142

 THE FIGHTING SHEPHERDESS

for Kate—stammering a welcome that had a doubtful ring, but Kate did not appear to notice. She looked older, Mrs. Toomey thought, in swift scrutiny. Yes, she had suffered terribly. Her heart went out to the girl, even while she glanced furtively through the windows to see who of the neighbors might be looking.

While Mrs. Toomey wondered what excuse she could make for Kate's presence, if anyone called, she indicated a chair and said nervously: "I've been hoping to see you and tell you how sorry I am for all that's happened." "I've been disappointed that you haven't," Kate re- plied, simply, "for your friendship has loomed like a mountain to me in my trouble."

She was still counting on it! Mrs. Toomey got out a frightened: "Really?" "When we shook hands on it up there in the draw," Kate went on, sadly, "I didn't dream how soon or how much I should need you. And women do need each other in trouble, don't they?" earnestly.

Mrs. Toomey nervously tucked in her "scolding locks." "Er—of course," constrainedly. Her mind was rambling from Jap to Mrs. Pantin and the vigilant neigh- bors.

Kate rose suddenly, and crossing the room stooped to lay her gloved hand upon Mrs. Toomey's thin shoulders. Looking into her eyes she demanded: "You don't believe I did it, do you?"

This was a question Mrs. Toomey could answer truth- fully and she did, with convincing sincerity: "No, I don't!" "I knew it!" There was a joyous note in Kate's

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