The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-04-06
Mrs. Grangeford
Fails
By M. DIB B E L L

deposited her hat with a very decided
bang on the hall table. But where
can go for fresh supply of it 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 il l
need to be a regular encyclopedia and
directory combined to fill my position;
so many questions are asked that |
wonder where they all originate and
some of them are simply impossible to
answer
Sarah's was apparently not such
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. ut is long
day, but it 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
healthy young woman she soon
made serious inroads upon it. Pres
emily she turned to her mother and
laughingly declared:
Mother, you are certainly a true
prophet don't believe anyone could
feel cross after such a meal as that"
: They sat and talked over the events
| al ~ tha
Gus small worries and exasperating
/ happenings which had seemed so hard
to bear, but they all melted into in
significance before her mothers gentle
smile and helpful word.
r Bread winning was a new expert
t ence to Sarah. Until her fathers death
5 a year before their home had been one
] of comfort and luxury. But upon Mr..
Stevenson's demise his affairs were
e found to be in such state that, after
e paying all debts. nothing was left for
: his widow and daughter but small
:. cottage.
+ Sarah was a well educated young
: woman of twenty, and when vacancy
occurred in the postoffice staff she
e secured the place through friends, and
for nine months she had been work
l. ing steadily.
a Sarah was popular and at first II
d seemed hard to settle down to the
routine of business life.
On the morning following Sarah's
)" last declaration of Impotence" as
E. Mrs. Stevenson called these little out
bursts, that young person took hel
way to the postoffice with the determi
nation to see only the bright side o
things.
All the morning she performed he
1t work cheerfuly and answered the nu
ia merous questions asked her to the yer.
| best of her ability. AT midday whel
she was alone at the office and jus
id as she was putting the bunch of let
IL tiers back into the IS" box after assur
H. ing an insistent youngster for tn
third time that there was really moth
Id ing there for Mrs James Small, som
lr- one entered the door with quick
firm step and she heard familia
i'd voice asking for a supply of postag
stamps, but as the speaker came will
ID in sight of her face he exclaimed i
evident establishment:
Il "Sarah-Miss Stevenson-what ar
IN you doing here?"
= Il am trying to perform the dut
of IA postoiiice clerk, Mr.. Grangeford
ad answered Sarah with a slight smil
to "ln fact | have been studying the pal
1T for nine whole months"
The bewildered expression upon tn
aln,, :
ad his eyes rested on the plain blac
b? frock which Sarah wore.
You have lost your-father?"
nd Yes, a year ago, most unexpecte
ng ly; and now am the bread winner fl
mother and me-"
Il am so sorry had not heard.
have been gone over fifteen month
,s;. and off in the wilds of Africa | heal
eot little Of matters here. | reached hon
sty iate ias' hish'' ooni,ns ooa' eai !,
~ than | expected, and found the fami
tic all away for the week, so have l
chance to talk with anyone. Wht
On may see you and hear what has ha
70 pened?"
MO I'VE are living in the little Ma
10 wood cottage which is mothers, "
~, remember and our friends are alwa,
- welcome there"
-. 81 shall come this evening, just
-. early as you can receive me-"
People came in to require Sarah
-, attention and with brief Good NOR
80. ing" Ralph Grangeford turned al
passed out.
Mother" said Sarah at supper tn
- evening Ralph Grangeford came in
''"' the office this morning. He had hea
nothing of our troubles-don't v
think that is strange? He said
iui would come here tonight"
'"e Il am hardly surprised, Sarah. {
you know we seem to have become
p's visible to his stepmother since I
yin trouble came; and his father is
ie deeply buried in his books that
full, 49,. % ~, would ,,ol,o ,ro,s -.
'on spondent."
But | should think Anna or Jar
would have mentioned it," persist
Sarah
Irs Perhaps their mother warned the
not to do so. You know it was alwa
lib said that it was love of money a
1t | not love of Ralph's father that caus
arti. her to become the second Mrs Gran,
lsti- ford-and sometimes | fear it m
cry be true
you That the handsome but pennile
o." widow with her two daughters to D
vide for ever loved anything but y