Deming graphic. (Deming, N.M.) 1903-1948, 1912-03-08
Mrs. GrangefOrd
Fails
BY M. b b E LII

patience Is one OF the CaTulnal VIZ
tues" said Sarah Stevenson in any
thing but a patient tone Of voice. she
deposited her hat with a very decided
bang on the hall table, But where
can 20 for fresh supply OF II when
my own Is utterly exhausted
why. TO mother, of course, and
elderly woman answered, What has
been troubling YOU today"
"Oh, mother, It does seem as II |
need to be regular encyclopedia ana
directory combined to fill my position
so many questions are asked that |
wonder where they all originate ana
some Of them are simply impossible to
answer
Sarah's was apparently not such Il
strenuous occupation. She was second
assistant TO the postmaster Of fair
sized country village.
II am sure things Will look brighter
after you have enjoyed the nice sup
per that is waiting for YOU" Mrs Ste,
venson said consolingly 1T IL Il long
day, but II brings us lots Of comforts
Sarah followed her mother into their
pleasant little drawing.room to seat
herself before the repast that her
mothers own hands had prepared for
her, and with the perfect appetite of
u healthy young woman she soon
made serious inroads upon It. Pres.
entity she turned 10 her mother and
laughlngly declared
Mother. YOU are certainly true
prophet | don't believe anyone could
feel cross after such a meal as that.
They sat and talked over the events
of the day Sarah told of the nnner
Gus small worries and eXasperatIne
happenings which had seemed so hard
TO bear, but they AL melted into In.
slLuid.aury before her MOTHER gentle
smile ana helpful word
Bread winning Na- new cNprw
oucc 10 Sarah l'nui arr fathers doo'h
q },ar before their home had been One
Of comfort and luxury But upon Mr.
Steyensons demise his affairs were
found to be In such a state that, after
paying all debts, nothing was left for
his widow and daughter but small
cottage
Sarah was n well educated young
woman Of twenty, and when vacancy
occurred In the postofllce stan she
secured the place through friends, and
for nine months she had been work
Ing steadily.
Sarah was popular and at first 1t
seemed hard to settle down to III"
routine of business life
ON the morning following Sarah q
last declaration Of impotence, as
Mrs Stevenson called these little out.
bursts. that young person took her
way TO the postotiice with $c de,ormi
nation TO see only the bright side OF
things.
All the morning she performed her
work cheerfully and answered the M
mcrous questions asked her 10 the very
best of her ability Al midday wi, n
she was alone at the office and just
as she was putting the bunch OF let
rers back into the IS" box after assur.
ing an insistent yOungster for the
third time that there was really moth.
ing there for Mrs James Small, some
one entered the door with a quick,
firm step and she heard familiar
voice asking for supply Of postage
stamps. but as the speaker came with
in sight OF her face he exclaimed in
evident establishment;
Sarah Miss Stevenson are
YOU doing here"
81 am trying 10 perform the duty
Of postotlice clerk, Mr. Grangeford,
answered Sarah, with slight smile
In fact have been studying the part
for nine whole months"
The bewildered expression upon H.,
Young mans face did not change unit
his eyes rested on the plain blacb
frock which Sarah wore
You have lost your-father7'
Yes. year ago, most unexpected
ly: and now am the bread winner fol
mother and me"
Il am so sorry had not heard
have been gone over fifteen months
and of In the wilds Of Africa | heart
little OF matters here reached home
late last night, coming boat earlicl
than | expected, and found the famil,
all away for the week, so have n
chance TO talk with anyone. Whel
may ! see you and hear what has hap
pened?"
I'VE are living In the little May
wood cottage which Is mothers, YOU
remember. and our friends are Away
/ welcome there"
/ Il shall come this evening, Just a,
early as YOU can receive me"
People came In TO require Sarah
attention and with a brief Good morn
ing" Ralph Grangeford turned ant
passed out
Mother, said Sarah at supper tina
evening Ralph Grangeford came int,
the office this morning. He had hear,
nothing Of our troubles--don't yol
think that is strange? He said h,
would come here tonight"
Il am hardly surprised, Sarah. 70
! YOU know we seem to have become in
visible to his stepmother since tn
trouble came; and his father Is .,
deeply buried In his books that
doubt II he would make good CORE
spondent."
But should think Anna or Jane
would have mentioned IT," perslste,
Sarah.