The Missouri herald., 1922-09-22
GREATEST OF THESE
BY ALICE q. PALMER.
GO by Mcclure Newspaper syndicate.)

father lived like some OF the other
boys folks. I'm going to graduate
this month, and ] don't know what to
do. I'll send them an invitation, l
guess, so things went look SO funny
here.
IL love you, Gram-you're the only
one that seems to care-but wouldn't
1 be proud If | could introduce my
mother and father to the boys, and
perhaps have a spread with mother.
you'll come to graduation, though,
won't you, Gram? Sit right down In
front, where l 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.
I've ordered my suit. Father told me
to get anything i 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.
Going to a desk in the corner of the
room, She gazed for some moments
at the pictures of man and woman
her son and his wife-comparlng 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 happencd-a woman, 1t
was rumored. Richard stayed at the
office in the mill more, and Sylvia
busted herself with social duties. A
divorce was hinted at, but Sylvia sud
denly left for Europe and the excite
ment ahatcd.
"What might have been grandma
thought. she was awakened from her
reverle by a call from the Kitchen
and left the room hurricdly, dropping
the photograph and letter.
Late that night an automobile
honked, stopped and whirred away
again. From il had alightcd II woman
whose dress betokened that of Il trav.
eler Running lightly up the steps she
opened the door with a latch key, en-
tering nolselesSly.
Something crumpled under her foot
and she stopped to pick 1t up. A
photograph and letter-someone had
been careless.
"My baby" she murmured, as she
JInppinO
to her breast she threw herself into
the nearest chair and sobbed.
ITO think you have suffered So You
shall have your party, darling, and
mother will be there, never to leave
you again. Oh, God, If 1t isn't too
late, help me to atone to the precious
life entrusted to my care! / never
realized until LOW what / nave done"
Suddenly = q door opened and Rich
ard Blank entered. He thought he
heard someone crying. Could it be
grandma at this hour? No, ii wasn't.
The handbag with IT'S foreign marks
told the story. sylvia" was all he
could say, you have come back to
us"
and in another moment she was in
his arms. "RichaTG, read this she
said.
"What terrible accusation for u.s.
Sylyia We promised TO love and cher
!sh each other 'till death us do part.
and an innocent child has borne the
agony. Caa't we patch up this breach
and start anew"
"But. Richard, that woman 4.
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 it patented.
1 swear To you that there was moth
Ing else You are the only woman /
love, Sylvia. VIII you come back 10
Junior and me? We both need you
so much"
The answer must have been In the
affirmative, for grandma was aroused
from her SlUrherS 10y Richards voice
saying, Mother, Sylvia has come back
to u.s.
Truly grandma thought, there are
miracles in tho Twentieth century.
Twas graduation day. The scent o.
June roses and the hum of voices
filed the air. The voices ceased, ant
presently a clear young voice rams
out with lhe yaledictory. Befor,
Junior rose to speak. he saw his moth
er, father and grandmother come down
the aisle ana seat ths4asclyes in th'
front row. Was he dreamingf BE
wlldered but happy, amid ringing al
plause. he took his seat. lie coult
hear the principal saying that Mr.. an'
Mrs. Richard Blank, Sr., would Civ,
Q "spread" 10 the class immediately
following the exercises, in the dinInr
hail.
The strains of the farewell ode {
dear alma mater had hardly cease