The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1935-06-14
BY Ida Nj. Evans

She murmured with the childish de-
sire Tor a strangers sympathy which
marks extreme old age. She came home
enc DAY from her own shopping and shut
nerself in her bedroom n wouldn't talk
10 me-until dinner time"
Maybe she was tying up gifts"
No. She left them on the table in the
1lVlng room. I looked inside one or two
perhaps she saw me and was offended"
i don't think So"
cred.
Yes. Wouldn't mind a little snow"
She barely spoke to me at the break
last table. Her father noticed. He frown-
ed at her. Then he left the house."
That sounds a But she might
nave had a tiff with her boy friend"
She has confided nothing of the kind
10 me. No" desolately. She reproaches
me for t~rifles."
What trifles?" He thought that she'd
1eel better after telling everything.
You see I had not seen my grandson
for many years. And to me he is a
young man. Il always loved him the
best of the children But why should
valencia mind if I called her father a
young man hat first day.
'Volcncia?" Russell's eyes snapped like
his exclamation,
40 Tilo lie llehJ ddy Die WIZ
me he had gone but she'd find him
again for me. And there he wa stand
ing before my eyes n hers! And I
said, That's a falsehood, miss. I see
him Possibly" she pleaded to Russell
that ~antagonized her at the start? Blu
l thought it was a falsehood."
Russell rose. Maybe I begin to see
about her shoulders hat she might
rise.
Now listen: I think you misunder-
stand those two people. I bet they are
missing you and frightened, and want
ing you back"
1t was pathetic-the will to believe
which came weakly into the %upturned
think I was mistaken" she asked, ire
mulously. Perhaps your judgment is
better than mine"
Wen drive back and find out" he
declared, opening the car.
She faltered back. But if I was not
mistaken"
I'll bet two tickets to the game in
the Rose Bow next week that you were!
Why. maybe you don't know they've got
the police all over this end of the State
looking for you. And thank God I found
you-and found out plenty" he added
low.
On the way, she told him everything.
He nodded SO many times that occupants
of all passing cars believed he bowed to
them.
They drove at dignified speed into the
Redd yard. Gilbert Redd, with drawn
face and blank eyes, came forward.
Valencia's younger eyes were quicker.
Gran! Russell! Where did you find
her? Why did she pack and go away?"
He commanded under his breath, Hug
her. At once"
Gran darling" Valencia Rugged her.
why did you do this?"
By now, the old heart had regained
spirit. She replied briskly, I've always
heard that on the third day company
and fish smell. And I'd been here more
than three days"
But, Gran! You aren't company! We
thought you'd like to live with us!"
Gilbert Redd said huskily, an arm
about her small shoulders, II thought
you'd come to stay. Gran, you can't 60
back"
Russell said under his breath to VAL
|encia, I've been wondering If you were
MT just joking when you added my name
to that list? Maybe I've been a thousand
kinds of fool
Il was joking" she answered him, so
breathlessly that he gulped.
Her great-grandmother spoke.
Valencia, shall I be taking a liberty
to ask this young man for our Christmas
dinner? He saved me a heated walk
Valencia's eyes shone with laughter
and tears. "Only for dinner? You'd be
surprised, Gran"
Calling all cars . calling all cars
cancel order one hundred and eleven
. aged woman located :.
THE END