The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1922-07-05
Carved Oak and
Spanish Leather
By HARRIET BRUNKHURST



9. 1922, by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.
Dorothy vas comfortably ~ensconced
upon the cushioned chaise Tongue in
the great luxurious chamber as
signed to her as a guest in the home
Of her frances grandparents, the
Aldens.
Tt is a wonderful home,' unused
Dorothy, land they are perfect dears.
Yet there is something strange-just
a little bit uncomfortable. l wonder
why?"
Dorothy was the prettiest and
daintiest little blonde creature imagin-
able, with a sunny smile and "a temper
so sweet that brains were a wholly
s%uperfluous addition. pretty good
top-piece," her brother conceded.
observation-disclosures is not in the pic
ture, but you get used to it," said her
father.
So being accustomed to using her
wits, Dorothy set them to discover
just why amid all the luxury and
kindness of her prospective relatives
home there was so singular an air of
constraint.
Gould it be that they are d~ispleased
because we came before the decorat-
ing was finished in the dining roOm?"
she puzzled. mo, it couldn't be that.
for they specifically asked us to come
before they went South. Then what?"
Suddenly she sat erect among the
cushions.
why" she exclaimed, these old
dears have not spoken to each other
since we have been fsere-two days!"
Dorothy nodded her head solemnly.
n wonder there is a peculiar at
%mosphere! The old lovers quarreled
just before we came and are dying for
us to be gone so that they may make
up. I'll find out If Ted has noticed,
n we must get away at once"
Her fiance, however, gave her a
queer little smile when she sounded
him upon the subject. i
Mother wins" he said lightly. "She
said you would find it out within
forty-eight hours. Dad and l bet that
granddad and Mamma would fool you"
"How? Why?" Dorothy came as
near to a puzzled frown as was posi-
BILE with her round, smooth brow.
1T is the family skeleton" said Ted
with an odd gravity. Mother said you
should be told, but I've heard you say
you abhor quarrels, and l IA afraid
you might not want a husband with
such a record in his family"
HJ boya ~, ipfallibIa papna1v for ho1
-temper-never knew it to fall" smiled
Dorothy.
Tell me-" pleaded Ted.
Not II laughed Dorothy. "Espe-
cially with all this dark family history
as yet a mystery. Tell me all about
this family skeleton of yours"
swell first, mother said l might tell
and dad says he can vouch for moth
er's."
"Old goose!" scoffed Dorothy, ten
derby.
"That's approximately what mother
said you'd say" Ted returned, with a
sigh of relief. "Well granddad and
Mamma quarreled thirty years ago and
BuNC Iot SIohth W td1h otbt OlliCC.
1t was something about the redecora-
ton of the dining That is why
it Is unfinished"
GLOW dreadfully uncomfortable for
the poor dears," murmured Dorothy.
"Oh, | don't know !" said Ted. "They
quarreled %furiously all the first eight
cen years of their married life, while
1865, xIo., layo 1yxnJ In naooD Co.,
thirty years."
"You cynical boy 7" chided Dorothy.
mo, really" insisted Ted. Dad and
I have felt like That about it for q
long time. But it worries mother, for
she thinks it a disgrace. The truth is
that she is banking upon you to fix
things up"
"How could IT Dorothy looked her
bewilderment.
"Oh, little merry sunshine and all
that! But take my advice, Toots, and
keep out of it. See nothing. l don't
want to let you in for my squalls. If
they made up they'd start quarreling
directly"
81 wonder?" unused Dorothy.
BeIOre the emu Oh TIE week DOTOlny
regretfully admitted her agreement
with Ted. The quarrel was dead and
peace reigned. Grandfather was court
illness Itself, grandmother always the
daintily exquisite old lady.
"They really do talk to each other,
although it is through the butler or
the cat, and there isn't a trace of Bit
terness about their relationship"
Dorothy said to her fiance. 81 did not
believe that l could become r~econciled
to a situation that seems so dreadful.
but | am"
Then write mother just how you
feel about it," urged Ted.
The following day turmoil seized the
household. Grandfather Alden was
suddenly stricken with illness, and
surgeons and nurses tool posses
sion.