The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1922-09-14
Carved Oak and
Spanish Leather
By HARRIET BRUNkHURsT

1 - lssa - MeciaSs NswspzFsf sfndiests
Dorothy Was comfortably ensconee,
upon the cushioned chaise Tongue IL
the great luxurious chamber as
signed 70 her a. . guest 10 the home
u her hanee's grandparents, the
Aldens.
IL is a wonderful home unused
Dorothy, "and they are perfect dears
Yet there Is something strange-Jusi
a little bit uncomfortable / wonder
whyT"
Dorothy was the pre,tlest and
daintlest little blonde creature imagin-
able, with a sunny smile and q temper
so sweet that brains were a wholly
superfuous addition. Pretty good
topplece.' her brother conceded.
observation-disclosures Is not In the pie
ture. but you get used to it, said her
father.
So being accustomed 10 using her
wits, Dorothy set them 10 discoves
just why amid all the luxury and
kindness OF her prospective relatives
home there WAS SO singular an air OF
constraint
Gould II be that they are displeased
because we came before the decorat.
ing was finished In the dining room7"
she puzzled. mo. II couldn't be that
for they specifically asked Us 10 come
before they went South. Then what T.
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 solsmnly.
mo wonder there Ia a peculiar at.
mospherel The old lovers qusrreled
just before we came and are dying for
us TO be gone 20 that they may make
up. I'll ind out II Ted has noticed,
and we must get away NJ once"
Her iance. however, gave her a
queer little smile when she sounded
him upon the subject
Mother wins" he said lightly "Shs
said you would find II out within
forty-sight hours. Dad and bet that
granddad and Mama would fool you"
"How3 WhyT Dorothy came as
near to puzzled frown as was posi-
BILE with her round smooth brow.
1T 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 | was afraid
you might not want a husband with
such record in his family"
Il have an infallible remedy for bad
temper-never knew II to fail" smiled
Dorothy.
Tell me-" pleaded Ted.
mot Iw laughed Dorothy. "Espe-
cially with all this dark family history
as yet a mystery. Tell me all about
this family skeleton Of yours"
"Well first, mother said | might tell 1
you that she will voueh 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
sigh of relief "Well granddad and
Mamma quaTeled thirty years ago and
have not spoken TO each other since
II was something about the redecora.
ton Of the dining room. That is why
II 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 r. chided Dorothy
mo, really" insisted Ted. Dad and
] have felt like that about It for a
long time But IL worries mother. for
she thinks Il disgrace. The truth Is
that she is banking upon you to fix
things up"
How could ~" Dorothy looked her
bewilderment.
"Oh, little merry sunshine and ali
that But take my advice Toots. ana
keep out ~ H. See nothing. don't
y HHl " iNA YOU tAl TUT Wy rlAatiNt itt
they made up they'd start quarreIing
directly"
4 wonderT unused Dorothy.
Before the end Of the week Dorothy
admitted her agreement
with Ted The quarrel was dead and
peace reigned. Grandfather was court
iness itself grandmother always the
ialnIily exquisite old lady.
''They really do talk to each other
II is through the butler or
he sat. and there isn't a trace Of bit
erness about their relationship
Dorothy said TO her lance. i did not
believe that could become reconclled|
% a situation that seems 50 dreadful
UT am.
Then write mother just how you
eel about H., urged Ted
The following day turmoil seized the
.uusehold Grandfather Alden was
uddenly stricken with illness. and
urgeons and nurses took pusses
son.
Grandmother. tense with anxiety