The Press., 1922-10-26
Carved Oak and Spanish Leather
By HARRIET BRUNkHURsT

4
 Dorothy was comfortably ensconced upon the cushioned chaise tongue in the great luxurious chamber as signed to her as a guest in tue home of her tiance's grandparents, the Aldens.
 Tt is a wonderful h0me," unused Dorothy, ''and they are perfect dears. Yet there Is something strange-just little bit uncomfortable. I wonder why?"
 Dorothy was the prettiest and daintiest little blonde creature imagin- able, with a sunny smile and temper so sweet that brains were wholly superfiuOus addition. Pretty good tOp-piece," her brother conceded.
 "Level-headedness is not in the pie 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 kindliness of her prospective relatives home there was so singular an air of cOnStraint.
 Could 1t be that they are displeased because we came before the derorut- ing was finished in the dining rOOm?' she puzzled. No, 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 here-twO days !"
 Dorothy nodded her head SOlemnly.
 "NO wonder there is peculiar ut- moSphere! The old lovers quarreed 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, and we must get away at once"
 Her tiance, however, gave her queer little smile when she sounded him upon the subject,
 "MOther Wins," he said lightly. "She said you would find It out within fOrty-eight hours. Dad and I het that granddad and Mamma would fool you."
 "HOw? Why?" Dorothy came as near to puzzled frOwn as was pOsSi- ble with her round, smooth brow.
 Ut 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 was afraid you might not want husband with such record in his family"
 ''I have an infalIible remedy for bad temper-neVer knew it to fail," smiled Dorothy.
 '"Tell me-" pleaded Ted.
 "Not IT" laughed Dorothy. "EsDe- calIy with all this dark family history as vet d mystery. Tell me all about this family skeleton of yours"
 Well first, mother said might tell you that she will vOuch for my temper and dad says he can VOuch for moth er's."
 "Old goose 70 scOffed Dorothy, ten. derly.
 '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 have not spoken to each other, since. It was~ something about the redecoFa- tiOn of the dining room. That is why 1t is unfinished"
 "How dreadfully uncomfortable for the poor dears,' murmured Dorothy.
 "Oh, I don't know!" said Ted. They quarreIed furiously all the first eight cen years of their married life, while now they have lived in peace for thirty years"
 You cynical ybOy!'' chided Dorothy
 No. really" insisted Ted. Dad and I have felt like that about it for a long time. But it worries mother, for she thinks it a disgrace. The truth is that she is banking upon you 10 Bx things up."
 How could I?'' Dorothy looked her bewilderment.
 'Oh, little merry sunshine and all that But take my advice. TOots, and keep out of it. See nothing. I don't want to let yOm in for~my squalls. If they made up they'd start quarreline directly"
 'T wOnder?" unused Dorothy.
 Before the end of the week Dorothy regretfully admitted her agreement with Ted. The quarrel was dead anl 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 the cat, and there isn't trace of bii terness about their relationship Dorothy said to her fiance. II did no. believe that Iscould become recOncilet Nn eli hot ,Ie.- hut 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 took posses sion.
 Grandmother, tense with anxiety talked of grandfather as might any wife. Dorothy, gripped with the pos Sibility of a tragic outcome, found il difficult to believe that grandmother had not forgotten the quarrel. But the readiness of each of the old peo, pie to talk in friendliest fashion ot the other was from the beginning one OB LAC HOSN EpHdSCS VI AhC SIl uation.
 Grandfather came through. with fly ing colOrs. It was then that grand mother revealed how severe was the strain.
 Never once in their 30 years, es- had either of them ad- mitted the situation. Grandmother broke her reserve. Never once when l broke my arm did Henry ask me how 1t vas she | said crisply. "He will expect me to | yield now that he is i'll. I shall do l of the kind"
 The nurse appeared in the doorway l to announce that her patient, was cut ! of the ether and she. would take any | message they wished to send, assur- ing them they might see Mir Alden | In fho un0Pnin0