The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1922-11-24
GREATEST OF THESE
BY ALICE 3. PALMER.

father nVeu IKE some VI lhc Vlhci
boys folks. I'm going to graduate
this month, and / don't know what to
do. I'll send them an invitation, !
guess, 80 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 II could introduce my
mother and father to the boys, and
perhaps have spread with mother.
"Youll 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. / inclose my picture.
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 a 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 a 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, and 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
reverle by a call from the kitchen,
and left the room hurrIedly, dropping
the photograph end 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-
terlng noiselessly.
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
read the letter. Hugging the picture
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 it isn't too
late, help me to atone to the precious
life entrusted to my care! I never
realized until now what have done"
Suddenly the 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 It's foreign marks
told the story. "Sylvia," was all he
could say, "you have come back to
us"
Sylvia's tear-stained face met his,
and in another moment she was in
his arms. Richard, read this" she
said
"What 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
err of one Of our mills. Very clever
invented something. We had to keep
things secret until we got it patented.
swear TO you that there was moth
ing else. You are the only woman !
love, Sylvia. VIII you come back to
Junior and me2 We both need you
so much"
The answer must have been in the
affirmative, for grandma was aroused
from her Slumbers by Richards voice,
saying, Mother, Sylvia has come back
to u.s."
Truly, grandma thought, there are
miracles in the Twentieth century.
a. =
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 valedictory. Before
Junior rose to speak, he saw his 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. He could
hear the principal saying that Mr.. and
Mrs. Richard Blank, ST., would give
a spread" to the class Immediately
following. the exercises, in the dining
hall.
The strains of the farewell ode to
dear alma mater had hardly ceased
when Junior was in his fathers and
mothers arms. Their tears of Joy
mingled.