Milford chronicle., 1925-04-10

One afternoon the sisters, their pail
young skins and fair hair accentuateC
by little gowns of mourning black, were
summoned by old Harris, the house
man, who seemed to carry q weight o.
mystery under the wool which fitted
him like gray skull cap.
mis- Margaret an Miss Flo Lee, II
he began tremendously, "Ole Miss wish
to see yOu-au in huh ROOM"
What does she want, Harris2"
asked Margaret, impressed: for Grand
mother Peake, old invalid that she was,
usually held court at tea time.
"Ah dunno, Miss Margaret" adj
mitted old Harris. But All reckon
it's refurrin to de Will"
| Flora Lee frightened at once and
went bounding up the stairs, but Mar
garet followed on leaden feet. The
matter-of-fact mention of her mothers
| will summoned q pathetic ghost. She
thought she could hear the languid
voice, a mixture Of good humOr and
petulance, satirizing the habits of her
black servants, scolding, laughing, max
ing something of life as long as it
remained in her tired body. Sally
Livingstone Peake had dotted on Flora
Lee, loved her much, much more than
Margaret. Yet here was Flora Lee,
fairly leaping after the news while
Margaret fingered on the stairs, tears
springing to her eyes as she listened for
the voice that seemed forever to be
floating from the oval room with its
gilded chairs and golden swans.
She found Grandmother Peake seated
In vice.. 3hair in the room whose
walls had bounded her physical world
for seven years. The interior, like her
self, was eminently Victorian. Her
large, sunlen body harmonized with the |
angular polished furniture. An oval |
portrait of General Peake, the rebel, |
hung over the black walnut bed: at |
intervals along the formal wallpaper
were Landseer engravings Of senti-
mental interest.
Margaret, my dear" said the old
lady, reaching out long arm and en-
circling her favorite granddaughter,
you're looking pale. You must be
getting out"
Il am" said Margaret, kissing the
grand old lady on her wide brow.
Daddy, come in this minuteI Flora
Lee was demanding from the next room.
'Grandma's going to tell us about the
Will"
Grandmother Peake's fine eyes rolled
With look of annoyance as the sprightly
title sister appeared at the door, pull
ng her father after her. Garnett ,
oeale's sullen face was lightened by a
ook of amusement; he regarded Flora ,
Lee with a faint approximation of !
pleasure. Just then Judge Peake came
n from the corridor, blinking like a
handsome old Owl-a noble Roman owl I
With finely carved beak and a crown of &
livery ringlets. His appearance was
mother innovation in the household. il
had seldom seen her grand
arentS together. Like two ancient Y
they lived in self-imposed
the wife in her bedroom, the !,
usband with his books. r.
81 thought might tell the children II
ow, " said the old lady, looking up at p,
le Judge as if for an endorsement. q
"Yes. Yes" This came absent W
His thoughts were some n,
here in Carthage, city which he VI
udied Unfortunately down in his big
0rary. p,
With an air of bored detachment he L
Ossed the room and divided the ~
utters to look across the street. u
"Garnett, what S all this noise lately?" -
asked his son, making it plain that M
arnett was in some way responsible. ~
They're tearing down the Temple
'use," explained Garnett, shutting dc
er to share the view.
whats wrong with the Temple
use?" asked the old gentleman,
lring.
Your brother-in-law sold the prop so
~" said Garnett with a sarcastic iGS
lie. Maybe you haven't been fol- VI
wing the real estate news" ne
why should II" The Judge re- US
'ded his son with a whitening scowl. Oh
THAT sort of house are they putting Co
here?" yea
"A United Brotherhood Lodge Hall. col
elieve that's the complete name" ru l
You're talking nonsense. Such a SCI
ng as that-oTa Inness Street, This an an
residence section, sir" IN
1t was" admitted Garnett and con- SIN
Jed to stare out the window. i nul
Grandma, pleaded little Flora Lee, ket
nding close against the wide black sue sue
It's and begging with her big hazel I Nv"
S, now tell us about the will" oll5
There isn't much to tell, honey" sol
the old lady, drawing the childs