Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1902-07-24
THE SWEETNESS OF SARAH.

They were on a train bound for Chi.
cago-her home.
He was tall, big, athletic, with
strong, manly young face that had not
lost its boyish curves.
She was small and dainty, with
rare sweetness of expression that
seemed out of keeping with the haugh-
ty uplifting of the exquisitely poised
head.
AT home, among her girlhooG
friends, and again at college, she had
been fondly known as Sweetness of
Sarah"
Perhaps he remembered, for he
made sudden half-irresolute move
ment as If about to appeal to her.
but her head was still studiously
averted as il nothing Interested her
beyond the flying objects that met her
gaze as the train swept on.
He looked at the little child between
them. 1t was the mothers golden
brown head the mothers sweet. rose.
bud mouth, but the eyes that gazed
so fearlessly up into his were the
fathers own-big frank and honest
eyes to be trusted A little hand
reached out and touched his. A sob
rose in his throat
IL was during the summer-was II
indeed such a short time ago?-when
they had both hung so anxiously over
the crib that held the same little
form now nesting within his arms.
Then she lay feebly gasping for
breath, and he saw the mother throw
herself on her knees and with clasped,
uplifted hands pray. ooh, God, in
Thy heavenly mercy spare our baby
She is all we have. Spare her, we
beseech Thee, and, oh, Father, our
voices will be lifted up with
gratitude that will never ask another
boon-only just this-our baby! Our
Father, who are in heaven. hallowed
be" and her voice quivered and
broke beneath its weight of sobs; he
mad put his arms closely around her.
and with her head pillowed upon his
breast-he who had never prayed
since ne was child at his mother
knee-humbly added: Thy will be
uone, u LOfd!"
He remembered when the little life
was first given into their keeping.
how beautiful and proudly happy she
had looked with the exquisite glow of
motherhood shining in her eyes-when
with loving outstretched arms sne
drew his head down to hers.
we were so happy before, dear"
she said, but now-it is a completed
happiness
Had she forgotten?
He leaned forward suddenly.
Margaret he said.
She turned her head slowly, reluct. |
antly.
Are you still determined Toto"
His voice broke and she quietly, pitt. |
lessly filed in the pause.
Am | still determined to remain
with mother-yes."
There was a silence that neither
felt inclined to break. He sank back
in his seat with strained, haggard
look about his mouth and despair in
his eyes, that, If she did not see, she
seemed to feel.
She shivered slightly. Suddenly IA
shrill, childish voice rang out.
VIII you stay w\h us long time.
papa? Mamma says we're going to
live with grandma a long, long time.~
Eyes, know. dear" the man an
swered with a strange choking souno
in his throat
The child looked up with big, ques.
tioning eyes.
Mamma says she wants grandma.
but want you most, pap-you'l stay |
long time" she pleaded.
I'm afraid not, darling" he said |
Papa is only seeing you and mamma |
safely at grandma's, then he is going |
backbone"
The word came slowly-like a gasp
of pain--what was home without Mar.
garet and the baby?
Then I'll go back too, papa" the
little voice insisted.
The mother WINGED and her lips
quivered painfully.
NO, sweetheart, you will stay with
mother and make her happy" the
father answered.
But she can't be happy without
you, papa. She loves you-mamma
does"
Do you think so, little one?" and
ne looked wistfully at the woman be-
side him, as If seeking confirmation
OF the baby's declaration, but none |
came and her eyes were still turned |
away.
Yes, mamma cried the other day
mamma did, an she said cause papa
didn't love her any more-but you do.
don't you papa?"
More than | can say? She rs
dearer than life, God knows!" he