The Coolidge examiner., 1936-10-16

mothers chair. Tubby and Simon
were standing helpless on the grass,
Sally and Madeline had retreated
to the doorway, and stood there,
hand in hand, watching Grandmoth-
er, too. And Pillar, still and un-
moving, sat in her chair behind the
vines.
Stuart Graham, with that black
smile of his, came across the grass
from the driveway. He swung his
wide shoulders confidently, and Deb
orah wished wildly that Bryn would
go out and do something to him
anything to stop that
confident, steady advance, to wine
off that triumphant smile, to save
Grandmother. But it was too late.
He stopped on the lowest step. He
faced Grandmother. He bowed to
her.
"Good-morning," he said brightly.
Grandmother inclined her head.
"Goodmorning," she replied.
You are Mrs. Larned," he stated.
Il think you will have heard of me.
and from me. My name is Graham"
'Indeed?" Grandmother murmured.
entirely calm. Her pulse beat was
swift, but steady.
He Stiffened at Grandmother's
"Indeed?' Stuart Graham" he re-
peated distinctly. From Boston" D."
Grandmother inclined her head.
How do you do" she said coolly,
with perfect self-possession, per-
fectly unmoved. 81 knew your
grandparents, / believe. And your
father, too. l hope they are quite
well?"
Say" Graham demanded rough
ly of Bryn. This isn't Mrs. Lar
ned herself. It's somebody dressed
up to look like her. What're you try
ing to do, put something else over
on me-"
II am Mrs Larned," Grandmoth-
er said quietly. You are Stuart
Graham. ] quite understand. Is
there something l can do for you?
Your father, as | remember him
was gentleman, and he was on?
friend. Can l help you in any way
for his sake?'
You are Mrs. Larned?" he asked,
incredulOusly. you are Mrs. Lar
ned, and you sit there as calm as
ice when l tell you that am Stuart
Graham, and that this :" he in
dicated Bryn contemptuously that
this fellow is nothing more than an
impostor, a man who's been taking
advantage of you, who's married
your granddaughter without your
cOnSent"
This is all you have to say to
me?" Grandmother asked. Moth
ing that you have said seems to me
particularly interesting, or of any
Importance. l understand. And
what, then?'
Graham stood foolishly for a mo-
ment, regarding her with disbeliev-
ing eyes. Then This is a fine ket-
tie of fish," he said. Your husband
took every precautiOn to see that
Deborah and | should marry each
other and without any compunction
whatever you let her marry another
man. What about me? I've been
banking on marrying her, all my
life !"
Il am sure that banking is a
very we'll chosen word" Grand
mother commented.
He flushed darkly. That's all
very well. / suppose you realize
that she doesn't get the money,
now that she's married this smart
guy who's got you wound around
his finger? l suppose you can af-
ford to snap your fingers at that, at
deliberately throwing away every
thing your family ever had?"
Mr.. Graham, | cannot think that
this is any of your affair."" said
Grandmother, quietly. Il am sorry
but | cannot possibly see why you
concern yourself with this matter.
1t no longer is any concern Of yours
Your interest, it seems to me, is a
trihe belated." Grandmother put
DebOrah'S hand firmly away from
her, and stood up. And | will add
now that | have seen you, that
shall thank God every moment of
the remainder of my life that 1t
is none Of your concern that when
you had the opportunity to make it
so. you thought us beneath your re-
sDect. | would rather have starved
and Deborah with me, than to have
her marry you. l would rather SEE
Deborah where her mother is, in
her grave, than in the hands of
such a man as you are"
Graham drew back. "You be-
lieve anything you're told, don't
yOu" he sneered. Il suppose you
think this Is very romantic mar
riage, this match between the girl
and young rolling-in-gold million
aire, this James Weldon Shipley
Brynildson, Third, who pretends to
fall in love with your precious
granddaughter and marries her at
sight. Well, let me tell you. it
isn't half as romantic as 1t looks
Do you know what he ISL He's
nothing but a cheap adventurer,