Coulee City dispatch. [volume] (Coulee City, Wash.) 19??-19??, 1936-10-22
CHAPTER X-Continued


Grandmother inclined her head.
SLOW do you do" she said coolly, with
perfect elf-possession, perfectly I'M
moved 81 knew your grandparents, l
believe And your father, too. hope
they are quite well?"
Say" Graham demanded roughly of
Bryn. This isn't Mrs. Larned herself.
her What're you trying to do, put
something else over on me-"
II am Mrs Larned," Grandmother
said quietly. "You are Stuart Gra-
ham. quite understand. Is there some
thing l can do for you? Your father,
as remember him, was a gentleman,
and he was our friend. Can l help you
in any way for his sake?"
*'You are Mrs. Larned?" he asked,
incredulously. "Yeu are Mrs. Larned,
and you sit there as calm as ice when
tell you that am Stuart Graham,
and that this - he indicated Bryn
contemptuously, "that this fellow is
nothing more than an imposter man
who's been taking advantage of you,
who's married your granddaughter
without your consent?"
"This is all you have to say to mel"
Grandmother asked Nothing that you
have said seems to me particularly in
teresting, or of any Importance. l un-
derstand. And what, them"
Graham stood foolshly for q mo-
ment, regarding her with disbelieving
eyes. Then This Is fine kettle of
fish," he said "Your husband took
every precaution to see that Deborah
and I should marry each other, and
without any compunction whatever
you let her marry another man. What
about me? I've been banking on mar
rying her, all my life!'
81 am sure that banking Is very
well chosen word" Grandmother CON-
mented.
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? suppose
you can afford to snap your fingers at
that at deliberately throwing away
everything your family ever had?'
"Mr. Graham, cannot think that
this is any of your affair."" said Grand
mother, quietly. II am sorry, but l
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 trife belated."
Grandmother put Deborahs hand firm
ly away from her, and stood up. "And
will add, now that I have seen you,
that l shall thank God every moment
of the remainder Of my life that it Is
none of your concern, that when you
had the opportunity to make 1t so, you
thought us beneath your respect /
would rather have starved, and Deb
orah with me, than to have her marry
you. I would rather see Deborah where
her mother is, in her grave, than in the
hands of such man as you are"
Graham drew back. you believe any
thing you're told, don't your" he
sneered. II suppose you think this is
very romantic marriage, this match
between the girl and young rolling
in-gold millionaire, this James Weldon
Shipley Brynildson, Third, who pre-
tends 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 it looks. Do you know
what he is? He's nothing but cheap
adventurer, that's all, going around the
world buying thrills with his money.
This is new one, this is. He hasn't
done this before. But wait when
he's tired Of his new toy, then you'll
see what'll happen. He'll drop her like
wrung mOp-rag."
'"Thats enough" Bryn said sharply,
and stepped forword. He turned to
Grandmother. as there anything fur
Their you wish to say to him?" he asked
her quietly
Nothing my boy" Grandmother an
swered steadily, still standing proudly.
"Then," Bryn said directly to Ora
ham, ION your way. Go on" he said
between his teeth, IF you know what's
good for you"
Graham, backed off precipitately
'Just a minute Tubby said softly.
w hNiS uu wv SCI oil yOuI IuIUFuld-
ton about our hero?"
Its none Of your damn business"
Graham said.
Let him CO." Bryn said sharply to
Tubby. "Its obvious, isn't it?"
Pillar, back in the shadows, stirred
With set frozen face she rose,
walked past Grandmother and Deborah
and Bryn, standing together at the ton
Of the steps, and past Graham staring
at her. She went across the grass and
got into her car. She started the mo-
tor. The car turned on two wheels.
scraped Graham's fender, and darted
Off without backward glance from
Pillar.
The morning, Bryn discovered, had
somehow whirled itself away. Pillar
was gone; Graham was gone. Tubby
and Madeline had gone wandering off
into the woods, with an apple apiece,
and an Injunction from Sally not to