The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-05-15
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LITTLE NARJORIE'S MISSION.



rious home thinking over the past sew
en- years Of her life, and, If one may
Judge by the expression upon her fair
face, then hers were no pleasant rev.
cries.
Yet they were not all sad memories,
for her face would brighten up with
An almost holy lovelight In her eyes,
as IL the dark clouds were almost dis
PEELED by the strong rays Of golden
sunlight.
And 1t was so. Hers was the not I'M
familiar story Of old-a life begun I'M
der the most promising conditions,
domestic happiness and welded unity.
Harold Worthlngton, the trusted and
trustworthy cashier in large banking
institution, had welcomed his bride to
an elegantly appointed home. For
three years theirs was a life Of Ideal
happiness, and when little Marjorie
came to bless their union they felt rs
II their happiness had been crowned.
Then came the time when that de-
mon jealousy had entered the breast
OF Harold Wcrthington. unfounded, II
Is true, and sOwed by the poisonous
tongue Of an envious clubman. But
the little seed so cunningly planted
grew until It's thorns ranked and cut
deep, and as time wore on GOODNESS
sprang up between the once united
hearts. Each was too proud to make
humble concession, and Harold re-
manned oftener and longer at his club,
until finally, after an open dissension,
be remained away altogether.
Hourly each had lOnged for the old
happy days of sweet. sweet home, but
pride-that barrier to so many happy
firesides-pride forbade.
On this particular evening May had
put little Marjorie to bed, and then
she sat down and, relaxing her self
control, threw her arms upon the ia
BILE and, burying her white face in
them, cried out:
ooh, Harold, Harold! If it had not
been for your unreasonable Jealousy,
we might have been so happy"
So absorbed was she that she did
not hear the ring at the doorbell nor
the footsteps Ia the hall.
The man who had just entered start
ed back as he saw the bowed form.
Then, advancing, he said gently:
"Mayw
She started to her feet, and for an
instant the old glad look of welcome
sprang into her eyes. Then, suddenly
remembering, she drew herself up
proudly and coldly said:
Harold You here? don't under
stand 1t has been so long"
"Yes," he replied. In an equally cold
tone. Il am going away for a year,
two years, ten years-I cannot tell
and l have come to make settlements
for your support and Marjorie's educa-
tion before leaving forever
"Hush! She must not hear"
He paused, and his glance followed
that Of his wife. There, between the
parted curtains, stood a little white
robed figure. almost angelic In its puri-
ty. Then she sprang forward with
glad cry Of Papa! Papa! l knew
it was my papa's voice!"
Straight into his arms she sprang
and was clasped close to the fathers
heart.
The almost heartbroken mother
could bear no more and quietly with
drew, leaving them together.
"PapaT
eyes, darling"
"Where have you been so long? We
have been so lonesome. 1t made man.
ma cry, and when | said my prayers
mamma said If l prayed hard God
would keep you safe and bring you
home, and, oh, papa, he has, he hast
You will never 90 away again, viii
your And she twined her little arms
around his neck and kissed him with
childish fervor.
The strong man shook with emotion,
and a great sob burst from him as he
bowel his head upon little MarjOrie's
neck and asked:
"And mamma-would she wish itY'
"Oh, yesl She will not cry any
more If you stay-mamma, mammal
Where are your
"Here. dear" responded May as she
entered the room.
"Papa is never going away again,
and we shall have him all of the time.
Oh, aren't we glad, mammaT
May, remembering her husbands
words when he came In, looked at him
inquiringly.
"Shan / stay, May"
"Say yes, mamma - oh, say yes,
quickw cried the child.
Harold" she said, and her voice
rang with truth, "as my Heavenly Fa-
Their bears me witness, your suspicious
were most njust-unfounded. From
the day that l met you at the altar
your honor has been as dear to me as
my own, and l have been faithful to
you In thought, word and deed. can
only answer your question by asking
another: My husband, can you trust
meY'
"Yes, May, my own true wife. My
eyes have been opened, and l have
longed = oh, how ! have longed : for
this hourl Take me back to your heart,
my darling one, and let us begin again.
Come, May, come to meT
Half an hour later the young wife,
with a happy smile upon her sweet
face. pointed to little Marjorie as she
lay sleeping In her fathers arms.
EYES," said the father as be gazed
upon the upturned face, "the little
peacemaker's mission is finished, and
she sleans."