Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1904-11-17
A VAIN SACRIFICE,
BY Dorothy Baird.

Pihoo eHeiS coulu De no thought OF a
refusal. The expedition was to be
commercial AS vel as missionary: the
resources of the co,mtrv were to be
opened UP, the heather civilized. and
vast fortune acquired by the promo
tiers OF the scheme. Thc promoters
were to stay ar home, provide the
capital. and wait for the fortune; the
work was To lie done ty Harold and Z
few other men as brave as be- 1t was
the chance of lifetime for him, and
II he played his cards well, there was
no reason why he should not make his
fortune also. Net that he wanted the
money for his own sake, but there were
Marion and the baby, and so far he had
not been able to lay by for the future.
And so he accepted the post without
demur, although his heart was heavy
at the mere thought of leaving Marion.
Marion agreed that it was best, though
all the while she felt that the trial was
greater thar she could bear. The ap-
pointment was for five years, the doc
tors cons ,iering that no American
could stand The climate for a longer
period and to both the young people
those five years seemed to stretch
away in boundless infnity. Yet neither
complained, and both were outwardly
calm and blight
And the days fled by so swiftly. 1t
seemed but d moment from the time of
his appointment to the helpless agony
n lac nd inh -
Marion broke down once, only once,
and that was when he bent over their
sleeping child to take his last kiss.
Il can't bear it," she said, struggling
with the terrible, fearless sobs that
shook her frame. Life is so short
and-and-we've only been married
eighteen months"
Harold dared hot trust himself 10
comfort her as he wished So he just
kissed her and went away downstairs.
But she understood, and presently she
followed, dressed ready TO go with him
u the docks. She was quite calm,
and heart broken smile was upon her
lips.
From the first a sense of hopeless
ness oppressed her, and, as the weary
days dragged by the feeling grew.
Harold's cheerful letters did not com
fort her. She was only conscious OF
the dangers that beset him-noth'ng
beyond. So she was not surprised
when the news of his death reached
her; it seemed merely the inevitable
for which she had long been prepared.
II knew it," she whispered, bending
over the child. 81 knew it all along.
And Twas not with hm-six whole
months lost-and not there at the last
when he wanted me most. It need
not have been-it need not have
been!''
That was the bitterest thought of all
he might have been at home, alive
and well.
her. He had been at school and
college with Harold, and the two had
been the closest friends. Marion's
calm frightened him Save for the
torture in the depths of her eyes, her
face was like mask, and only when
she show any animation.
81 am going to the Philippines" he
said. Il thought l would like to see
to find out all can. thought you
would like me To-
He stopped, for he had loved Harold
dearly.
Marion held out her hand.
Bring me photographs, Charlie" she
SAID. And find where he lies. Any
little memento-''
And SO Charlie started on his jour
ney.
He disembarked at Manila and
waited there some weeks, collecting
men for his journey. It was difficuIl
task, for nearly all the available
natives had been taken for the expedi
ton, and most Of the villages on his
route were hostile. Not only was he
unable to reckon on adding to his
troop further up country, but he must
travel with sufficient force to overcome
any opposition that might be forced to
his progress.
But at last he was ready, and he was
glad. The state of inaction was un
bearable, especially n the horrible eli
mate which seemed to sap at his
very life. He fingered long at the
camp the night before he was to
start, making quite sure that all was
right. Then he hurried back to his
hotel to write to Marion and tell her
that he was off at last.
His room was in darkness when he
entered, and he gave a muttered ex'
clamat:on at the carelessness of his
nan. Then he stood still. Something
somebody, was il the room, and the
horror brought by the certainty OF
some unknown and mysterious pres
ence seized hold of him.
Who's there?" he asked sharply
He hardly expected reply, for he had
feeling that the presence was not
human
But an answer came, and the voice
tl.at spoke was that of his dead friend
For a time the shock seemed 70
numb him-eyeryth:ng was blurred