The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-04-06

Grangeford's money no one but gentle
Mrs. Stevenson and possibly the gen.
tleman himself thought of question
ing.
We'll, mother, it will seem good to
have a talk with Ralph. | suppose
must call him Mr. Grangeford now
and | am glad he is still our friend.
The bell rang before Sarah left the
table ard Ralph was soon hearing all
the details of their changed condition.
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 country
| gentleman-though that would never
! be a 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
ed that it was Sarah's duty to write
to 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"
So though several 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 it was a
complete surprise to him.
Upon his familys 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 l never thought that
that the matter could interest you,
Ralph"
But this reply was not accepted, and
her silence had been uttered by Ralph,
she lost patience and said cuttingly:
What possible difference can it
make to you if one of our village girls
who works for her living should have
lost parent? You can hardly expect
me to know all the history of the
lower classes"
Pardon me, 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 a sharp ring came at the Ste
5 vensons' doorbell and upon opening
the door Sarah found herself claspet
r in pair of strong arms and heart
: Ralphs voice say, Sarah | want you
W marry ne LUIS IliHute. ou hHoW
have always loved you. and | canno
r bear to see you living such a hare
+ life. Won't you come now to DR.
y carleton and give me the right t
n take care of you always?"
t Sarah, laughing and blushing, triet
/ to free herself
: Ralph, you must be crazy" sh
e said. 81 have never thought of maj
l. rying anybody"
e Think now. dear, of yourself and o
(, your mother, but give me the RICH
+ to think of you both"
e Here she comes to speak for hel
l. SELF" said Sarah, as Mrs. Stevenson
n voice was heard in gentle astonisf
ment.
e why, children, what is the ma
teri"
y 81 want Sarah to marry me now.
;" want you both to live with me a
e. ways" explained Ralph. You kno'
TT | have loved Sarah since we wer
babies and | want her for my own"
lie what does Sarah say?" asked Mr.
il Stevenson-but Sarah's face was hit
* den on her lovers shoulder.