The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1922-12-06
GREATEST OF THESE
BY ALICE q. PALMER.

Il
father lived like some of the other
boys folks. I'm going to graduate
this month, and l don't know what to
do. I'll send them an invitation, l
guess, so things won't look SO funny
here.
II love you, Gram-you're the only
one that seems to care-but wouldn't
/ be proud If l. could introduce my
mother and father to the boys, and
perhaps have spread with mother
you'll come to graduation, though,
won't you, Gram? SIT right down in
front, where can see you when read
my essay. If the boys say anything
about my folks I'll make some excuse
business trip. l inclose my picture.
7 I've ordered my suit. Father told me
to get anything l want. You'll be
proud of your grandson. Some boy
With love. JUNIOR" ~
| Grandma Blank sat in the library at
the close of June day. Tears blurred
the faded eyes as she read the letter.
room, She gazed for some moments
at the pictures of man and woman
her son and his wife-comparing the
photograph, with them. Like Junior,
she wondered why.
| When Richard Blank had brought
home to- the big house his bride,
Grandma Blank was pleased. Sylvia
was very charming and won everyone.
Life seemed sunny and rosy. What
/ more could be desired? Then came
the crash. Grandma never really
knew what happened-a woman, 1t
was rumored Richard stayed at the
Office in the mill more, ami Sylvia
! busted herself with social duties. A
divorce was limited at, but Sylvia sud-
denly left for Europe, and the excite
ment abated.
"What might have been" grandma
thought. She was awakened from her
reverie by call from the kitchen.
and left the room hurriedly, dropping
the photograph and letter.
Late that night an automobile
honked, stopped and whirred away
again. From it had alighted woman,
whose dress betOkened that Of a trav-
eler. Running lightly up the steps she
opened the door with latch key, en-
tering noiselessly.
Something crumpled under her foot
and she stopped to pick it up.
photograph and letter-someone had
been careless.
"My baby" she murmured, as she
read the letter. Hugging the picture
to her breast she threw herself into
the nearest chair and sobbed.
"To think you have suffered so. You
, shall have your party, darling, and
mother will be there, never to leave
you again. Oh, God, If it isn't too
late, help me to atone to the precious
life entrusted to my care! l never
realized until wv what .iave done"
Suddenly t'e door opened and Rich
ard Blank entered. He thought he
heard someone crying. Could it be
grandma at this hour? No, it wasn't.
The handbag with its foreign marks
told the story. sylvia" was all he
could say, "you have come back to
u.s."
Sylvia's tear-stained face met his,
and In another moment she was In
his arms. Richard, read this she
said.
"What a terrible accusation for us,
Sylvia. We promised to love and cher
ish each other till death us do part
and an innocent child has borne the
agony. Can't we patch up this breach
and start anew?"
"But, Richard. that woman :.
You were seen with her many times
even my nearest friends told me that
you neglected me-yOu never ex-
planned
''That woman. Sylvia, is part own
er of one of our mills. Very clever
invented something. We had to keep
things secret until we got ii patented.
swear to you that there was moth
ing else. You are the only woman
love, Sylvia. VIII you come back to
Junior and me? We both need you
so much"
The answer must have been in the
affirmative. for grandms was aroused
from her sumbers by Richards voice.
saying. "M0ther, Sylvia has come back
TO u.s.
Truly, grandma thought. there are
miracles In the Twentieth century.
Twas graduation day. The scent of
June roses and the hum of voices
filled the air. The voices ceased, and
presently a clear Young voice rang
out with the valedlctory. Before
Junior rose to speak. he sawhis moth
err. father and grandmother come down
the aisle and seat themselves in the
front row. Was he dreaming? BE
wildered but happy, amid ringing ap
plause. he took his seat lie could
hear the principal saying that Mr.. and
Mrs. Richard Blank. -Sr,, would give
"sprcad" to the class Immediately