Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1911-09-21


Mrs. Stevenson and possibly the gen
tleman himself thought OF question
ing.
well, mother, 1t will seem good to
have talk with Ralph suppose
must call him Mr.. Grangeford now
and l am glad he is still our friend
The bell rang before Sarah left the
table and Ralph was soon hearing all
the details of their changed condition.
His unaffected interest and sincere
sympathy We're real source Of com
fort to the two lonely women.
Ralph Grangeford was handsome
fellow. He had been travelling through
Africa. His own mothers fortune had
passed to him, her only child, and he
had decided to take this trp before
settling down to the life of country
gentleman-though that would never
be life of idleness in Ralph's case
Sarah and Ralph had been friends
since childhood. Then Ralnll's< trip
abroad had come and though he insist
ed that it was Sarah's duty to write
to him she had only laughed and said.
II cannot spend my time in writing
letters to wander over all Africa, and
never to be read by anyone. When
you come back we car tell each other
our experiences"
So though seSeral letters and some
curious articles of native make from
far-off Africa had reached Sarah,
Ralph received no response; and as
his stepmother took pains that he
should not be informed of the change
in the Stevenson household 1t was a
complete surprise to him.
Upon his family's return Ralph held
stormy interview with the second
Mrs. Grangeford.
why did you not tell me Of Mr..
Stevenson's death?" he asked bluntly
and his stepmother tried to answer
carelessly, Really never thought that
that the matter could interest you,
Ralph"
But this reply was not accepted, and
after several severe comments as to
her silence had been uttered by Ralph,
she lost patience and said cuttingly
VudI pOoSlUlC O1ASlCAC0 Cdu IL
make to you If one of our village girls
who works for her living should have
lost a parent? You can hardly expect
me to know all the history Of the
lower classes"
Pardon me, l fear we have both
lost our tempers!"
Had Mrs. Grangeford been a wiser
woman she would have realized that
she was taking just the way to bring
about the event which she dreaded.
But, instead, she said to herself with
satisfied smile, upon being left alone,
"a word in season was all that was
required; that remark about the lower
classes has settled the matter, am
sure"
1t was early evening when Ralph
held this conversation with his step
| mother, and it was still early evening
when sharp ring came at the Ste
vensons' doorbell and upon opening
the door Sarah found herself clasped
in pair of strong arms and heard
Ralph's voice say, Sarah, want you
to marry me this minute. You kfow
have always loved you, and / cannot
bear to see you living such hard
life: Won't you come now to DR.
carleton and give me the right to
take care of you always?"
Sarah, laughing and blushing, tried
to free herself.
Ralph, you must be crazy" she
said. II have never thought of mar
rying anybody"
Think now, dear, of yourself and Of
your mother. but give me the RICH,
to think of you BOTH"
Here she comes to speak for her
SELF" said Sarah, as Mrs. Stevenson.
voice was heard in gentle astonish
ment.
why, children, what is the mat
ter?"
| 81 want Sarah to marry me now
want you both to live with me al
ways" explained Ralph. You know
have loved Sarah since we wer,
babies and l want her for my own"
What does Sarah say?" asked Mrs
Stevenson-but Sarah's face was hid
den on her lovers shoulder.