They Grind Exceeding Small

"They Grind Exceeding Small" By Helen Kimball Or gill She was a vision of blonde beauty: fair beyond compare. Thus thought Fred Branton as he watched Gretta Sommers, a visitor in town, gliding over the Elton opera house floor. In fact, Fred had never been so deeply impressed with feminine attractions since his beloved Ethel had died two years before, leaving a brood of f jive sturdy, but noisy children. But this Miss Sommers, he must know her. It wasn't an impossible feat, for Fred was a handsome man at 36. of the rosy-hued, medium complexioned type. He danced with her twice during the evening, and succeed- ed in gaining permission to call upon her the following evening. The attraction seemingly was mutual and it was not long before they were "keeping company." As the days went by Fred felt sure that this was the one being in the world who could make him happy, and he was also certain that it would be wisest to propose before she left. If he had any chance whatever it would be now before she was snatch- ed up by some rival. Of course, thoughts of the children loomed up like a ghost to haunt him. To be sure the subject had ne^ er been broached between them but somehow he could not associate this exquisite creature with those romping but loving offspring of his. However, just before the date set for the leave taking, Fred asked Gretta to share her life's lot with him. She was very matter of fact in answering. "Of course, Fred, you understand, I could ne>er consent to take your children if I married you." "WAy, Gretta," he faltered, "don't you care for children?" "Well I might have affection for my own, but to try and rear another woman's ." She waved a depreciating hand as if that explained clearly. "But Gretta, I was reared by a stepmother whom we children all loved as our own, and I'm certain of her feelings for us." "Of course, there are many such cases in the far distant past, but times have changed. For my part I don't see why it should be expected of a girl." It was a glorious evening in June. The perfume of the

632 IMPROVEMENT ERA blossoming gardens, with Gretta by his side filled Fred Branton with a form of intoxication. After a~~ space of silence, he ejaculated, "You're hard- hearted, Gretta." "No, I'm not. I'm merely being straight-forward with you. How many cases do you and I both know of where the wife has {literally driven the step children from home after she had taken the pledge to mother them." And he had to confess that in this one particular she was right. "Well, let me consider a few days. Of course, I love my children and I love you, Gretta. It will be a hard decision which e^er way the scale runs." It was a serious father who some time later viewed his off- spring as they lay in their beds. With a twinge of pain he gazed at curly-headed, blue-eyed, dimpled, baby Dorothy, the chubby darling of the home. She had been left an infant at her mother's death. Curled up beside her was Kathleen, brown-eyed, auburn- haired, four years old. She had always had an affectionate way of curling up to her little sister. But the pain of this inspection did not compare with the next one. Donald, the apple of his eye, his six year old son, lay in the next bed in the nursery. He dared not linger here but passed out hurriedly into the hallway. Fearing to waken the two older daughters, Marion and Tressie, by entering their room, he passed up to his own chamber. His widowed sister was the housekeeper, having no chil- dren or ties of her own. During the days that followed this man was torn and tossed between man's primal love for his own, and the infatuation for a worldly, pleasure-seeking girl. Could he have spent these days getting more acquainted with his children things might have been different. But he would come home from the office, tired with the day's cares, and after a rest usually prepared for the evening's pleasure and was gone. Conscience was growing weary of repeating its promptings to ears which did not heed, so practically left him for a spell. Circumstances also helped on the affair for one day he re- ceived a letter from his sister Grace, part of which ran: "You know, Fred, I've always wanted Dorothy ; in fact, I'd like Kathleen, too. Mary complains of her health in her letters, and it would ease her, I know, not to have so many, although she never mentioned it to me."

"THEY GRIND EXCEEDING SMALL" 633 When sister Mary was interviewed she answered; "O Fred, I couldn't part with Dorothy. I've had her since she was born. Surely you know what that means to me." Grace, upon receiving a wire from her brother, arrived in a few days. She was happy to carry Donald and Kathleen away with her. Gretta in the meantime had gone home to the metropolis to prepare for a hasty wedding. It was all being done in such a headlong manner, worthy more of a couple in their early teens, than lovers of 26 and 36. Fred burned all his bridges behind him. Another sister who lived in his home town came one eve- ning for a straight talk. "Fred Branton, do tell me, isn't there one spark of man- hood left in you? Do you realize what you are doing?" "I'm perfectly calm about it," he answered. "I thought I knew you, but I don't." "Grace, you know I have done nothing during the past two years to arouse unfavorable comment. In other words, I have been true to Ethel's memory. Now because I wish to wed the loveliest — " "Stop, Fred, the acquaintance has been far too brief, why could you not have let things slide along for awhile until you could have known her in her own home?" "It's too late for that kind of argument, and the strength of our love bids no waiting." "You talk like a child, Fred. O, I had better hopes of my only brother. God pity you for such folly." The next day he carried home a letter from Grandma Bendon. The words which interested him most were: "I understand yon are letting the children go contrary to previous plans. Now Fred, I respected your will for they were yours. But Ethel was heart of our heart and flesh of our flesh. Oh, how we loved Ethel! Now don't forget that next to her comes her offspring in our affection. Grandpa and I would be filled with joy to have the ones you have not already parted with." "That settles it," he ejaculated, "Marion and Tressie they shall have." He did not linger long over these lines for in the same mail had come a letter from Gretta's parents inviting him for a brief "get acquainted" visit. Gretta's parents were well-to-do, and she had practically had her own way since birth. So it was not surprising that, though they had opposed her rushing into matrimony in this manner, she had recapitulated her intentions. They finally gave way retiring in a somewhat penitent mood for even oppos-

634 IMPROVEMENT ERA ing her wishes. But Gretta quickly assumed a very forgiving attitude. She knew that many favors were to be asked of them in the next few weeks. Tressie and Marion went to their grandparents. They had always delighted in making trips to their quaint home in a neighboring town. Another thing which made the going easier, their own had been rendered very lonely since Kathleen and Donald had left. In fact, it had never been the same since Gretta Sommers had appeared upon the scene. The partings and necessary explanations were gotten over with as much dispatch as possible and the bridegroom to be soon found himself being ushered into the overly-furnished drawing room of his fiance's city home. Unconsciously he gazed round the room. The whole effect rather jarred on his finer senses, for evidently each article had been chosen with an eye for show rather than good taste. Behind her paint and powder the mother greeted him effusively, the father saying little. It had become a life-time habit with him. So the visit went on, Fred as deeply in love as ever, though not quite so confident concerning his future bliss. A few weeks later, with all the display possible, the wed- ding was carried to an end, and the bridal couple were on their honeymoon. The bridegroom's suspicions were not to be allayed. They had words soon after leaving home. Gretta was extravagant to a marked degree, while Fred had an eye for retrenchment. He had had his home completely renovated and this with other expenses had sadly depreciated his pocket book. Oh, it meant something to marry a girl who had been cradled in the lap of luxury. But everything was seemingly peaceful upon reaching their future home. As they walked up the path Fred thought with a glowing heart, how Ethel would have appreciated the changes he had made. It was in reality all of her dreams come true, but she was not here to enjoy it. Gretta merely glanced around, Fred imagined he heard a slight sniff but not being certain, straight-way dismissed it from his mind. He was dismayed before long to discover that his young wife had made plans of launching out on an extensive social life in Elton. He had hoped to settle down quietly, at least reasonably so; he knew, of course, that she required more of the frivolous

"THEY GRIND EXCEEDING SMALL" 635 things of life than did he, and he meant to pamper her to a degree. But she was self-willed and petulant as a child. Upon entering the house at eve, he would seek an easy chair only to have words similar these flung at him : "Fred, you'd try the soul of an angel. Surely you realize there is just one half hour before we are due at the Country Club." There was always something to mar his peace. Gretta was trying with all her might to show the Elton people what "real style" was. She had ordained herself the new "social leader." But with a few exceptions they did not fall in line. They were satisfied with life as it had been here- tofore. Upon seeing her cherished plans fall through, there came a period of fretful discontent in her life. Over and over she would declare, "I'm sick of this dead town." And nothing which her husband could do would erase the puckered lines around her pretty mouth. "Why can't we live in the city? Honest, Fred, I'll just die here." "Surely your love for me, wouldn't let you do that, dear." "But I wasn't reared to it, and I'm hard to be transplanted." So it proved, and after many urgings he decided to sever his connections with the firm which, recognizing his ability, had given him numerous promotions. "I might do better in a larger place," he thought, trying to pacify himself, all the time knowing the bright future that would be his could he but stay with his present employers. But there was no peace for him, once Gretta saw his de- cision waver; so it was but a short time before they found themselves seeking a flat in the wife's home city. Fred insisted that it be very moderately-priced, uncertain as their fortunes were at present. But this did not deter her from entering the social whirl. If life in Elton had been bad, this was many times worse. The parents might have helped a little, but they insisted upon looking upon her doings as nothing unusual, and often financed her parties themselves. No physical nature could stand such a life very long, and Fred was making no headway in his profession. When a man goes to work with a weary tread, he can not go far in attaining to his ambitions. Affairs went from bad to worse until finally their little

636 IMPROVEMENT ERA bark of matrimony was stranded on the rocks. It was the old story of an untrue wife. With all 1ier faults, Gretta, until now, had remained true to her marriage. But one can't always play with fire and not get burned. The wheels of the gods grind slowly, but they grind exceed- ingly small. Fred Branton was a man of inherent stamina of character with a superb physique. And like a tiger fighting for its young he had struggled for his happiness. Yet every effort had come to naught, until at fifty he was practically an old man. But even then the resilence of his nature would not let him giVe way to despair. Picking up the threads of his life again he faced a new future. Seeking forgetfulness he went to the halls of pleasure, but they so reeked with memories of Gretta, that he would turn homeward trying to find solace in reading, only to sit listless for hours. Some unseen power was pulling him downward. At last, unable to bear up longer, his system gave way: a nervous collapse was the result. For weary months he lay in the sanitarium. Not once dur- ing this time would he entertain a thought, of sending for a friend or relative. They must never see him like this. With the return of spring he was convalescing, upon the spacious verandas with many others. . He listened to the chirp of the robin and breathed deeply the perfume-laden air. Ah, who can resist the message of hope which spring bears to us? So, during the sunshiny days he concocted a plan to visit Elton. He felt certain that Mary would be kind. She was always so free from harsh criticism, and he would see his baby girl after all these long years. It was a strange home coming, this one of Fred Branton's! Again the flowers were sending forth their sweet perfumes as he walked up the familiar streets. With mixed emotions he found himself pressing the doorbell of Mary's familiar cottage. The door opened at once upon a young maiden fair and radiant who breathed forth the very essence of springtime. She was blushing and not until then did he notice she held a scrub- bing brush and her arms and hands were covered with dirty water, though her sack apron was almost spotless. "I thought it was Aunt Mary or I'd have washed this off. I was expecting her." "Don't you know me?" he asked awkwardly. "0 yes it's — no it isn't."

"THEY GRIND EXCEEDING SMALL" 637 A light of recognition faded on her countenance a8 she glanced at a framed picture on the wall. "I'm sure I don't know you, but no doubt Aunt Mary does, so come in." The latter appeared upon the scene just then. Looking the stranger squarely in the face she cried, "Broth- er, my brother Fred!" and embraced him. It took some time to sink through Dorothy's consciousness that this was her father. "Well, I must kiss you, too, then!" she cried impulsively. Soon they were telling him all the news. The children were doing nicely. Donald was preparing for a civil engineering career; Tressie and Marion were both happily married. "And Tressie has the cutest baby boy," cried Dorothy. How Fred's heart hungered for a sight of his onlv grand- child! So the days passed. The townspeople treated him kindly, feeling that he had suffered for his folly. One afternoon the father sat watching his daughter fro about her household duties. Mary had gone to the store. He tried to keep the soul-hungry look out of his eyes. Finally he spoke. "Dorothy, wouldn't you like to come home with me for a visit, you don't know what it would mean to me, and I'd see that you had a royal good time in the city." "I'd like to, father, but really I can't leave auntie. You know what she has been to me, and she's so frail. Perhaps when she get's stronger we'll both come for a trip." "You're right to stay by her that way," he answered deject edly. Arising, he passed quietly up to his room. Standing just within the door he spoke: "If retribution be mine, 0 Lord, help me to bear it like a man and cease trying to catch the joys which I have forfeited." With these words untold peace filled his turbulent soul, and he fairly plunged into the nearest chair. Clutching his face with his hands the tears flowed freely between them. He wept on and on. At last, feeling spent, he arose and passed over to the window to watch the sunset, the in'ermingling of crimson and gold. He seemed to be gazing into the far distance as he breathed. "And somewhere — in that' great future — Ethel — 0, I feel that Ethel — will forgive." Raymond, Canada.