The Marietta journal and courier. (Marietta, Ga.) 1909-1918, 1915-04-30

"Msry. you're discharged" she said.
Sawyer had drawn the boy to him
very thoughtfully. but now he thrust
bis hand IN bis pocket and produced
some money. He counted out some Of
Il and gave It 60 the nArse
"You needn't blame mel" dared the
nurse. Il didn't teach him 10 say those
things, The boy has a nasty temper.
The doctor said so"
"rhat will do. Mary" said Mrs. Saw.
yer quietly. You may go" She stood
motionless until the nurse walked ont
will you hold the baby, HarryT
I'm bet you. Come here. Buster"
And be gaSed down fondly not ut the
baby, but into the eyes Of bis wife. as
he took the tiny burden.
She smiled up at HIM Thare were
tears trembling on her lashes. She
caught up the curly headed little girl,
took her over TO the washbasin in the
corner and vigorously scrubbed that
chocolate begrimed countenance and
kissed 1t; then she stopped down by
the boy and put her arms around him.
Mother doesn't want you to say
naughty words like that" And there
was heartbreak In her tones. A tear
dropped ON the boys upturned face
He Struggled his head on her shoulder
and chubby arm stole about her neck
Elizabeth Sawyer was half laughing
and half crying as she sat at the desk
with the curly haired little girl on her
lap and the boy leaning against her
She took up the telephone.
Edward Jones. please
Betty There was such ring In
the voice as neither the man nor the
woman had heard for years
She held up her hand 10 him. Her
lips were twitchiuG. and her eyes were
swimming. but she could not speak
She spoke clearly, however, when tap
OF the telephone bell announced her
call.
This Is Elizabeth Sawyer. MIR
Jones. I've been looking over your
proposition Of purchase" moment of
silence. She turned her eyes upon her
them. Il might be tempted IL you made
the price high enough Another 81.
lence. Now, Mr.. Jones. you'll have to
come higher than that Make me youl
very best offer" Her face suddenly
glowed. I'll take II. I'll ill In the con
tract. sign II, and you may give the
check to my secretary. III send Il over
Immediately
Her husbands arm wnS about her ii.
she tilit0 III The aLiouLt which had
been agreed upon aud signed II. IL
Hurry Sawyer's other arm was the
baby. The four members Of the Saw
yer FAMILY were clustered In an un
usually small space for them. The hus
bnnd witnessed the agreement with
great JOY Mrs. Sawyer's secretary
signed II with her notarial seal and
went away
Betty" The mans face was against
her cheek "Sweetheart!'
She kissed him and rose briskly. She
took the toddlers each hy hand.
Harry, dear. let's go to the house
and start homer
The office was empty except for the
forgotten little figure near the window
and from that corner there cane low
moan. June Warner rose unsteadily
Something dreadful had happened. Tht
rock to which she had chung had crum
bled under her grasp. Was indep2nd
ence. too. n failure? Nothing could
have been more perfect than the mu
tual esteem In which the Sawyers had
held each other. and in their love had
existed no taint OF obligation or OF
bounty YET through all these years
they had missed something which now
for the first time. they were to find
June was dazed as she hurried to the
bare little room She had left Ned tc
achieve her Independence. MS Eliza beth
Sawyer had done. hut June had not
taken motherhood into her calculations