The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-02-08
ALMA---A SKETCH
How the Barrier Against ymen Was Broken the Old
Archer OF Love-

how my pulses beat and my head reeIed
when the nurse laid in my arms this
tiny living creature, bone Of my bone.
flesh OF my flesh Ny tears mingled
with those on the mothers white cheek
when / leaned over to lay our treasure
once more beside her. IN the years that
followed other little ones came to rs
and loved them, but never, God forgive
me, as I loved her That first wondrous
tendril that crept forth from the root
Of our happiness twined inextricably
about the warmest spot in my heart.
"She was so like a beam of sunshine
in the house: her first thought even as
a little child seemed always TO be for
others. It is natural for us 10 ideeIize
those whom we have lost, to fancy them
as perfect, but I do not fdealize my
Alma. She had her faults like any nor
NAL child, though when she was taxed
with any mischievous wrongdoing she
admitted her fault and was ready 20
take her punishment. There was never
any tickery or deception about her. and
her fervid I'm so sorry was something
which her father, at least, could never
Withstand.
One awful time there was when we
came near 70 losing her dread dis
ease of childhood attacked her. and for
days her mind was fever cloude6. At
last, one night as I sat holding her hot
little hand in mine, she looked at me
and, even in the dim light, I recognized
the reason in her eyes.
" Daddy. she said, feebly. and I made
answer as best I could
'Alma's been very i'll. hasn't she.
daddy
&c Very i'll, yes, darling. I said: but
you'll be better now
I think will, for saw the angels
daddy, and asked them please to let me
stay, because my daddy would miss me
so, Don't cry. daddy. And she fell into
a peaceful sleep.
she had asked the angels to let her
stay, so that I might not miss her, That
was so characteristic OF her-always con
sidering the happiness Of her daddy, OF
some one whom she loved
AS the years passed and my little
girl grew into my daughter 1 watched
her maturing beauty jealousy. proudly,
selfishly. dreading unspeakabIy the time
when some one would take her from me.
Kind, indeed, were the fates which with
held from me all knowledge of the flu
tUre
cit seemed at first that I was not TO
lose her, for when she finished school she
begged to be allowed to take up the
study of medicine under my direction, so
that We were together more constantly
than ever. Our preference for each other
was of such long standing that it was an
accepted fact in the household and never
caused any jealousy or unpIeasantness.
was her guide. philosopher and friend.
and she was my right-hsnd man She
took entire charge of my study, kept my
books and copied my manuscripts when
ever would let her
For several years she was quite indif-
ferent to the yourg men who sought her
out. Their friend she was glad to be, but
nothing more
They are not. any OF them. half so
nice as my daddy, she told me, laugh
ingly.
Even when the inevitable came she
fought against her happiness for fear OF
grieving me, until her lover took the
law into his Own hands and told me how
things were. He was a STRAIGHTFORWARD,
manly young fellow. an engineer who
had accepted an appoint nent that would
take him 10 South Africa IN a few
months. He said that Alma loved him.
but would not become engaged 10 him
because she knew how we should feel
to have her go so far away sent for
Alma: when she came shyly in I saw
that what Fred had told me was true,
so ! gave her to him. had had my
full share OF her bright young life.
Even in her new-found happiness she
never forgot ne-devoting. in fact. SO
much of her time to me that at first
Fred rebeIled. but
I shall be leaving him so soon. my
poor old daddy she told him And
with a look that should have compen-
stated him for anything-'you will have
me always
Or her wedding morning she came to
my room in her spotIess bridal white.
and with her own dear fingers tied my
necktie and gently reminded me Of one
little point and another which she knew
I should be apt 10 forget indeed. I was
in more need than usual of reminding
that day. for I felt dazed and numb.
could not realize that after that day the
old home would know Alma only for