The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1916-08-31
WELDED
LINKS
BY BARBARA PHlPPS

ever broken upon them.
A few hours later they met and
agreed TO separate. There should be
no divorce-at least not at present
and they would divide the children,
the boy TO go with the father, the girl
20 remain with the mother. The father
was now packing his belongings, some
thing he had not done for long while,
and 1t came hard TO him, not only be-
cause he was not used to 1t, but be-
cause OF the sadness of breaking up a
home.
The mother was In the nursery with
the children. Her little boy was on
her lap, the mother caressing him in a
way he did not understand. Now and
again she would start 10 go TO her hus-
band, fearing that he would not get his
packing done Alright But the specter
OF discord interposed. All that had
passed forever. She could endure the
separation stoically were 1t not for the
children. Poor little things, uncon-
scious of what was before them! Ev-
cry harsh word that had been spoken
between their parents was TO bring
pang to their young hearts that would
wear upon them till they were grown
and had families Of their own, and
even then 1t would be a spot sore TO
the touch.
A conveyance was to call for the Ia
fher and the boy at O'Clock. Inc
child's belongings had been collected
by the mother, and as she deposited
them in the trunk each article seemed
10 fall like a clod on his coffin. The
playthings he loved smote her 10 the
heart Finally she got them all III.
But 1t was not like disagreeable work
done and relegated to the past; 1t was
the beginning of horror mat "ouiu
never end.
At O'Clock a carriage drove up to
the door. She heard its wheels on the
pavement and, going to the WINDOW
looked out. Tears started afresh. she
stood facing the window to conceal
them. Her husband came to the door,
and she heard him say;
"Ethel!"
How many times she had heard her
name spoken by that same voice. al
WAYS lovingly, until the day OF the
quarrel. when it had burned IKE
lightning. Now, she fancied there was
in it a deep sadness. She waited ~
dry her tears, then turned and Face
him.
"Say goodby to Robbie
Goodby to Robbie; better goodby TO
life,
She steeled herself for the parting.
Approaching the boy, she clasped him
in her arms. The children looked at
their father and mother and saw that
some trouble hung over them, but they
knew not what. Releasing her boy,
she went to a closet, took down his
overcoat and his hat and began to
put on the coat
where am I going, mammaT ne
asked, with trembling voice.
She tried to ten him, but she could
not sneak the words. A look told her
husband to do 1t for her.
"You are going away with me, Rob
bic" he said.
when am I coming back?"
There was an ominous silence.
'Im not going away" said the boy,
refusing to put his arms In the sleeves
of his coat His sister went to him,
threw her arms about him and, look
ing up at her father, said;
A,1,, Dbl uyorv
The mother gently tried to separate
the children, but they chung to each |
other and to her She looked roseate
appeal to her husband for help.
Come, come, little girl" he said, |
laying his hand on the soft little arm.
But she only chung the tighter to her
brother and her mother.
Papa" said the boy, take mamma
and Ethel, and I'll 60 with you
mo, no." said the girl; you and
papa stay here with mamma and me"
Selling her fathers hand, she tried
to put it round herself, her brother and
her mother. The boy, seeing what she
was endeavoring to do, caught his
mothers hand and tried to do the
same The mother looked at the ia
Their. The eyes of both were wet
Then the father arose and beckoned
his wife to join him In another room.
Sweetheart" he said and paused.
The words he would speak were chok-
ing in his throat. Finally he found
voice to go on: ''Give me another trial.
/ was-well. crazy, to talk to you as
l did. Forgive me. l think | can go
forever without
He could not bear to designate the
brutality of what he had said.
She covered her face with her hands; /
he went to her and put his arms about
her
For their sake, for yours, promise
that / will never again lose my self
control
II will try to bear with you as you
bear with me-" she moaned For
their sakes perhaps we can
1--WE must"
When they left the room the father
went down and dismissed the carriage
at the door while the mother went to
the children.
Papa and Robbie are not going
away" she said. kissing them.
The children clapped their hands and
danced about the room.
That was their last violent quarrel !
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