The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1922-07-19
Carved Oak and
Spanish Leather
By HARRIET BRUNKHURST
y Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.

Dorothy was comfortably enSconced
upon the cushioned chaise Tongue in
the great luxurious chamber as
signed to her as guest in the home
Of her fiance's grandparents, the
Aldens.
1T is a wonderful home" unused
Dorothy, land they are perfect dears.
Yet there Is something strange-just
little bit uncomfortable. l wonder
why?"
Dorothy was the prettiest and
daintiest little blonde creature imagin-
able, with sunny smile and temper
so sweet that brains were wholly
superfluOus 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 displeased
because we came before the decorat-
ing was finished in the dining roomY"
she puzzled. mo, 1t 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.
mo 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,
and we must get away at once"
Her fiance, 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 bet that
granddad and Mamma would fool you"
"How? Why?" Dorothy came as
near to puzzled frown as was posi-
BILE 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 I was afraid
you might not want husband with
such record in his family"
II have an infallible remedy for bad
temper-never knew it to fail" 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
you that she will vOuch for my temper
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
have not spoken to each other since.
1t was something about the redecora-
ton of the dining room. That is why
1t Is unfinished"
How 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
now they have lived in peace for
thirty years."
You cynical boy!" chided Dorothy
mo. really" insisted Ted. Dad and
/ have felt like that about It for
long time. But 1t worries mother, for
she thinks it disgrace. The truth Is
that she is banking upon you to f,x
things up"
"How could r. Dorothy looked her
bewilderment.
"Oh. little merry sunshine and al,
that! But take my advice. Toots, and
keep out of 1t. See nothing. I DOM
want to let You In for my SQUALLS. n
they made up they'd start quarrplinp
directly"
II wonder?" unused Dorothy.
Before the end Of the week Doro,hv
regretfully admitted her arreemen,
with Ted. The quarrel was dead and
peace reigned. Grandfather was conrt.
illness itself. grandmother ALWAYS tho
daintily exquisite old lady. ~ 81.
"They really do talk to each oth.r
although 1t is through the butler or
the cat and there isn't trace Of hi,
terness about their Relationship, !"
Dorothy said to her tiance. ~ did M,
believe that | could become reconciI.d
to situation that seems so dre,dfr,
hut l am"
Then write mother Just how va,
FEEL about it," urged Ted.
The following day turmoil seized rho
household. Grandfather Alden WINS
suddenly stricken with illness. and
surgeons and nurses took possns.
sion. >
Grandmother. tense with anv;o,r
talked of grandfather as might on,.
wife. Dorothy. gripped with the Nos.
slbllity of tragic outcome, found i,
dlfhcult to believe that grandmorhor
had not forgotten the quarrel On,
n