The Glenwood post., 1922-11-09
Carved Oak and
Spanish Leather
By HARRIET BRUNKHURsT

G. 1922 by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate


g. 1922. by 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.
"It is q wonderful home," mused
Dorothy, "and they are perfect dears
Yet there is something strange-just
little bit uncomfortable. l wonder
whyT
Dorothy was the prettiest and
daintiest little blonde creature imagin-
able, with sunny smile and temper
Superfiuous 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 1t be that they are displeased
because we came before the decorat-
ing was finished in the dining room?"
she puzzled. mo, it couldn't be that
for they specifically asked US to come
before they went South. Then what7"
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 Il 4 peculiar at
mosphere! The old lovers quarreied
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 a
queer little smile when she sounded
him upon the subject.
Mother WINS" he said lightly. "She
said you would find 1t out within
forty-eight hours. Dad and 1 bet that
granddad and Mamma would fool you"
How? Why?" Dorothy came as
near to a 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 1 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 fall" smiled
Dorothy.
"Tell me-" pleaded Ted.
mot I!' laughed Dorothy. "Espe-
cially with all this dark family history
as yet mystery. Tell me all about
this family skeleton of yours"
"Well 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!" scofred 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.
1t was something about the rsdecora-
tion Of the dining room. That is why
It is unfinished"
"How dreadfully uncomfortable for
the poor dears," murmured Dorothy.
"Oh, don't know y 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 boyl' chided Dorothy.
mo, really" insisted Ted. dad and
I have felt like that about 1t for a
long time. But it worries mother, for
she thinks 1t n disgrace The truth is
that she Is banking upon you to fx
things up"
"How could II" Dorothy looked her
bewilderment.
"Oh, little merry sunshine and all
that! But take my advice, Toots, and
keep out of 1t. See nothing. don't
want to let you in for my squalls. IF
they made up they'd start quarreling
directly"
81 wonder?" unused Dorothy.
Before the end of the week Dorothy
regretfully admitted her agreement
with Ted. The quarrel was dead and
peace reigned. Grandfather was court
illness itself, grandmother always the
daintily exquisite old lady.
"They really do talk to each other.
although 1t Is through the butler or
the cat. and there isn't q trace Of bit
terness about their relationship"
Dorothy said to her fiance. Il did not
believe that could become reconciled
to situation that seems so dreadful.
hut l 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
eli ~ oUfr nufCorno fo,,1I IL