The Story of the Gravelys

rother-in-law," said

eauty, her sister, who was standing ove

have just been married you are going to run the family.

year and a half older than you, and I know

ot-you bu

1

ought to be ashamed of yourself," sa

ou. You're just as extravagant as you can be. You spend every cent of your hus

dy," said

old. She's on

-five

is n

r young?" said Margaretta.

an call her a girl, or a duck, or anyth

eld, chokingly; "oh, this is too

Berty, wickedly, "so he

den voice, "what are y

dy stood there.[13] This was Grandma, one of their bones of contention, and this

coming into the room and taking a chair near Berty,

oom. She had brought them up-her two dear orphan g

ittle old lady, taking a silk stocking from her

" said Margaretta, vehemently, "and I find that famil

out of sight," said Berty, sharply, "than a g

retta," said Gra

lf slightly. "I got your note[14] saying you had lost your money

andma, gently, pushing a

er white forehead with a morsel of lace

ent on, excitedly,

groaned

, "or one or two, whichever you like,

terrupted Berty. "He

ingratitude abominable-I hear of your m

id Grandma, "I k

Do say something cutting. You could if

iny handkerchief that she pressed against her

1

a, in awe, "and you have ju

ne, I never chained my affections to a

bravest woman he ever sa

replied Grandma,

rgaretta, fondly, "and he told me

time there was a dimple in her cheek. "Wh

ally, "but, Grandma, darling, tell me your plans! I am

family now," said Grandma, goo

h, yes, I see. You mean that the little annuity left her by ou

1

llars," said Grandma, tran

tta. "However, it is well that she was named for

y n

one through," said Margaretta. "When I

ked her grandmother. "I read of his tribulatio

ou have had abou

d?" asked the o

re of despair. "Your mo

ady, gently, "and when I needed a m

a burning hotel," said

a chariot of fire," r

1

d were happy wi

less th

usband, and never came back-oh, it breaks my heart to think of that day-my father and mother lost, b

ut she said, steadily, "The Lo

but you have come to an age when you are beginning to think

g in the world," said Grand

ing her tear-stained face. "Everybody has loved y

?" inquired Grandma, guilelessly,

t is because you don't talk much, and you seem to like every on

y, ch

you keep out of scrapes. Now, when I'm with that provoking creature there," and she looked disdainfully at Berty, "I fee

a dropped stitch

said Margaretta, dolefully, "but I dare

Grandma, shortly; "we thresh ev

going to do?" asked Margare

together," said G

"I've[19] heard that ever since I was

I tel

a regular watc

a little more rapidly than before, "he looked down from his window into the street and s

sir,' answered th

at I said "God bless her," with my last breath, and that I want her to kee

way. Now, that wife was my stepmother, but she did as her husband bade her. She ke

was cryin

e yourself, I will

a dried h

2

child. When she left me that sunny spring day to go on her long, last journey, she may have had a presentiment-I do not know-but I do know that as

ve been father, mother, grandfather and grandmother to us. You are a darling." And

er, and you keep the clan together. Keep the clan together, and you keep the nation toge

the nation is built," said Margaretta,

tain

1] a nation," continued Margaretta. "I, only a

osedly, "a young and inexperienced o

hat a responsibility-wh

tained a dis

t," exclaimed Margaretta, w

randmother

am I?" asked the young wo

ed, and her dimple di

rly-turned stone in the foundation of this mighty nation. I must shape and strengthen myself, and, Grandma, dear, let me begin by helping you and Berty and Bonny. You will have to give up this house-oh, my darling Grandma, how can you-this handso