Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1919-06-23
SANDRA MEETS EVERETT
GRAHAM.
CHAPTER |.

thing for a girl not to be the first
in mans affections To be a sec
ond wife seemed like having a warm
ed over dinner, only it was affection
instead of dinner that was warmed
over and served in tempting form,
so tempting often that the camou-
fage wasn't even noticed.
| was only eighteen when Everett
Graham asked me to marry him.
Eighteen-with all that it, in a small
town girl, implies of ignorance, of
innocence, and of lack of adaptable
ity.
Everett was just forty-one. He
had been widower two years.
That age and youth-even age as
typifed by forty one-were intoler.
ant of each other l had no slightest
idea. 1t was one of the many things
| was to learn by experience; that
grabbed teacher, who everlastingly
insists that they will not mix no mat
ter how we try to amalgamate them.
Everett seemed crazy about me the
very first time we met. At least
thought so. 1t was at a lawn tennis
a game. He was in our town on bust
mess, and had been invited to the
party because he was friendly with
Lulu CAROLS father. It was Lulu's
party.
l recall perfectly how l was dress
ed that afternoon. A simple tennis
costume of white skirt and shirt
waist, white sport shoes, and soft
white felt hat. Everything girlish-
ly simple and inexpensive. Surely
nothing to attract man SO exqui-
site in his taste so critical of fem
nine attire as was Everett Graham,
a New York broker. Yet his eyes
scarcely left my face after Mrs. Car
roll introduced US.
He had a branch office in Lake
ville-the town where l lived-and
he remained nearly a week. In that
time he constantly seemed to seek
me; and as constantly found me will
ing to spend my time with him. He
was nearly as old as father, and
such a thing as marriage did not
enter my mind. I was simply fiat
tered that he singled me out for his
attentions because he was handsome,
had exquisite manners, and so much
money.
sent me flowers and books
When he found that l was an omni-
vorous reader, he ordered me sever
al of the latest books from larger
town near by. Then he never ap-
peared where ] was without box
of bonbons, telling me laughingly:
"All young girls like candy" Or
declaring, "You are so sweet have
no fear of making you sweeter; that
is impossible"
Is it any wonder that I was at
tracted to him? l never had been
accustomed to such attentions. The
laundering village boys were bash
full, and even when they tried to be
nice were sure to BIZ clumsy. While
Everett was so graceful in all that
he did.
felt lonely when he left, but he
continued to send me books, and
CANDY occasionally. Often accompan-
led by a short note. Just few
words that anyone might read, but
enough to keep up my interest IN
him.
Everett was a widower. So any
>girl or woman who married HIM
would naturally get warmed over
affection which I then thought must
be terrible unsatisfying.
In a few weeks Everett came to
Lakeville again. He only remained
a few days, but again he sought me-
And again l was fiattered that ne
should single me, young girl, OUT
for his attentions.
Long afterward I learned that IA
Their had been rather pleased that
Everett seemed to like me, and that
in a mild way he had encouraged
him. Not that he ever said anything
much to him; but he let him see
that he was welcome when ne came
to the house. I knew nothing OF 1t,
but father had some sort OF heart
trouble. He also had made some un-
fortunate investments, so that ne
would not have very much to leave
if it were divided between mother