The Monte Vista journal. (Monte Vista, Rio Grande County, Colo.) 1888-1921, 1911-10-14
Mrs. Grangeford Fails
By M. D1BBELL

| trouble came; and his father 10 20
deeply buried in his books that
doubt II he would make . good corre-
spondent."
But l should think Anna or Janet
would have mentioned it," persisted
Sarah.
Perhaps their mother warned them
not to do 20. You know 1t was always
said that It was love Of money and
not love OF Ralph's father that caused
her to become the second Mrs. Grange
ford-and sometimes I fear Il may
be true"
That the handsome but penniless
widow with her two daughters to pro-
vide for ever loved anything but Mr..
Grangeford's money no one but gentle
Mrs. Stevenson and possibly the gen
tleman himself thought OF question
ing.
well. mother. It will seem good to
have a talk with Ralph. l suppose I
must call him Mr.. Grangeford now
and ! am glad he is still our friend"
The bell rang before Sarah left tho
table and Ralph was soon hearing all
His unaffected interest and sincere
sympathy were a 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 trip before
settling down to the life Of a country
gentleman-though that would never
be 4 life of idleness in Ralph's case.
Sarah and Ralph had been friends
since childhood. Then Ralph's trip
abroad had come and though he insist
Cd that 1t was Sarah's duty to write
20 him she had only laughed and said.
Il cannot spend my time in writing
letters to wander over all Africa. and
never to be read BY anyone. When
you come back We can tell each other
our experiences"
30 though several letters and some
curious articles Of native make from
far-o6 Africa had reached Sarah.
Ralph received NO response: and a.
bis stepmothsr took pains that he
should not Be informed Of the change
In tho Stevenson household II was .
complete surprise to him.
Upon his family's return Ralph held
. stormy interview With the second
Mrs. 0rangeford-
why did you not tell NE Of Mr..
8tsvenson's death?" he asked blunly.
and his stspmother tried to answer
carelessly. Really never thought that
that the matter could interest yoa.
Ralph"
But this reply was not accepted. and
after several severe comments - 70
her silence had been uttered BY Ralph,
she lost patience and said cuttingiy:
What possible diRsrsncs can Il
make to you II one Of our village giris
who works for her living should have
lost parsntf You can hardly expect
me to know all the history q The
lower classes."
Pardon ne. fear W have both
lost our temporal"
Had Nrs- 0rangsford been . Wiser
woman she would have realised that
she vas taking Just the way to bring
about the event which she dreaded.
But. instead. she said to herself with
satfsdsd smile. upon being Isft alone,
"A word In season was al that vas
required: that remark about the lower
classes has settled the matter, ! aa
SURF"
II was early evening when Ralph
held this convsrsation With bic step
mother. and Il was still early evening
whsa . sharp ring cane q the Ste
vensons' doorbsil and upon opening
the door Sarah found hsrssR clasped
ID pair q stroag arms aDa heard
Raiph's voice say. Sarah. I want 200
70 marry ne this minute. You know
have always loved you, and cannot
oeas 70 - you hving such Q harl
lite. Wont you come nov 70 d.
DaFsstoa and givs ne the hsht -
take care q you alwaysf"
earaA. laughing and biushias, tssel
70 free herself.
RalpA. yes must b crasy,- ~
said. Il have never thought q nv.
ryins anybody"
Think now. dear. q yourself and q
your mother. but give Ne the risht
. think q you both"
Here she comes to spsak tor hse.
sslf." said Sarah. ~ Mn. 0tsvsnsee0
voice was heard u geals aseoaisA.
meat
Why. cAiidrsa. what y he uias.
teri"
= waat Sarah 70 Many ~ sov. I
vast yoa both . live WITH ~ a.
waya." explained RalpA. "You knov
have loved 0afaA eiaco ~ wOto
babeoo an1 I want her far ~ ovn.s