"But I can't stay.

I must get back, to-night.
I'll telegraph father not to come.

A blank, please ?" The clerk handed her one.

She pondered a second, then wrote: Dear Father: A change of plans makes me return home at once.
Please wait and see me there.

I've something important to talk over with you.
Affectionately, Kate.
Ordinarily people try to squeeze their message to ten words, and count and prune and count again; but not so, Catherine.