The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-10-19

HX uhe margaret Ieit sno
 would be better off earning s her own living again. clerk
 ing in a store as she had be- fore marriage. But because of her marriage VOW, because of her sense of duty to Joe, no matter what he did, and above all, for baby Marga- tie home where she and Joe had lived for two years.
 Margaret was just e girl, but moth CT love demanded that her baby be raised properly, .hould live in its own home, with the united love and care of both parents. So constantly Margaret hoped for a change that the baby might grow up not remember ing what had been. Besides, she knew Joe had a right to the love of his child as long as he deserved 1t And surely Joe loved baby Margaret dearly.
 Soon after they married Joe had fallen in with a drinking set and de- veloped a love of liquor. The young wife tried to make her home comfor- table and happy to win him from it. After the baby came he stopped for while, but soon resumed. While he loved his wife and baby, drink brought out the brutal in him. Mar garet was never so happy as when Joe came home evenings and romped with the baby till her bedtime, then rocked the little thing to sleep. But more and more she dreaded the nights he was in no condition to rock the baby. At those times he grew wildly jealous of his wife and accused her of receiving the attentions of oth- CT men.
 When the baby was two the climax came. Joe, one night while drunk. struck Margaret. The baby saw. Wild eyed she ran to her mother, pulling at her apron and crying, As hard as 1t was to make the resolve. Margaret decided her baby would bet ter be without father than to see such things. She knew Joe would re- pent after his eullenness, but that wouldn't mean reform. Next day she packed her things. She left a note that she couldn't bring her baby up to remember drunken father. She went to her mothers and from there found a place to work and support her child. But she didn't tell Joe where she was.
 For months she stayed away. From time to time Joe wrote the mother to persuade Margaret to return. After six months Joe's pleading prevailed. Margaret consented to let him see her and the baby at her mothers. Baby Margaret was playing on the porch when her father came. He stood at the gate and called eagerly. Come to meet papa!" The baby star ed and made no advance to meet him. She gave no sign of recognition.
 Joe went nearer with outstretched arms. Comet" he called softly, Catch papa!" The widp open baby eyes were looking at a stranger.
 "Six months is a long time," said Margaret from the door. "let her look at you" Joe waited. He held out his arms and called. The child stood still, stolidly staring, then ran to her mother and caught hold of her dress.
 Joe sank Imply to the porch. Two tears ran down his face. My God! 10 think she should forget mel" he said. "It has been bad enough to be there at home without you and her. I've been waiting for months to see her, and now she. doesn't know mel"
 Margaret came weeping and sat by her husbands side and took his hand. How much better to be at home to- gether and happy" she said.
 tCome home," pleaded Joe. "If 1 can have you and my baby back again I swear to you she'll never have rea- son to see me as anything but fa- ther to love and remember"