Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1919-03-28
After Darkness
BY AGNES C. BROCAN

She had lain like that for days-the
little whltefaced one, silent, her
pathetic eyes gazing without recogni-
ton. The tiny warm body at her
side, the imperative baby cry, had
failed to rouse her. Much the nurse
and doctors had counted upon baby's
power, but the young mother heart
had grieved too deeply, to turn at
once to rejoicing.
The very appeal of the girls help
lessness had won for her loving care
freely bestowed. In the chilly fall
night she had come to the hospital.
IF may stay" she had begged, II
will make myself useful, scrubbing
floors II that may be, anyway"
The matron looking at the small
white hands had smiled.
II could carry trays, at least" An
Mabel Lee eagerly suggested.
Then the matron comforting the
little homeless creature before the
gas fire In her own pleasant room,
had drawn from Annabell Lee her
story.
She had fallen in love with young
civil engineer who had been upon the
broad road near her Southern home.
Annabells hollow, dark eyes shone
and her white cheeks flushed rose
color as she unfolded the romance of
her girlhood.
81 ran away with Jack Lee" she
confessed, back to his own Northern
country. My people would not listen
to reason. Jack was just struggling
along In his profession. Why, this
highway, where we met, was almost
his first commission. But he would
make good, he told me, when we mar
ried. And If you knew Jack" the
girl paused eloquently, "Ohl you
would have no doubt Of his success.
80, he brought me first to the home
Of his mother" Annabell's voice
broke tremulously-"And his mother
was angrier even than my people had
been. I-could hardly blame her.
You see, she had sacrificed a great
deal In her wldowhood to put Jack
through college. to start him upon the
career they had chosen together.
Jack tried TO reason; he plead for
her patience; he would soon be able
to care for us both, he said. But the
mother was obdurate. Oh she was
very severe, and she told us to go
to make our way as we could and
leave her to her own. So we found
the coolest rooms" Annabell's eyes
were allght again, "and Jack taught
me to cook
Il was 40 strangely alone that he
spent more time with me those days
perhaps than he should, and business
did not make much progress but"
the girls voice sang "Ohl we were
happy, happy Then came the ter
rible war. Jack and talked 1t over
seriously. We could see that he must
go. The responsibility of 1t was in
his eyes before he spoke to me, and
while my heart sank like lead, l
smiled at him.
"'Why, Of course, DEAR said, your
country needs you most He was
troubled at leaving me alone, but all
at once / had grown very brave and
confident. I shall keep the one little
room told him, with our small saw
lngs I will manage my housekeeping
nicely And 50 l should" Annabell
hastened to add, "but for the sickness
which came upon me and took It all.
Jack never knew of that. And now,
because | am still so frall, come to
you to beg work In exchange for
slight care"
Suddenly the young wife leaned to-
ward the matrOn, the strong capable
hands were clasped Aercely by the
small frenzled ones
81 must-work" Annabell said,
"fOr this Is now my haunting sorrow,
my terror by night and day--Jack has
been taken prisoner by the Germans.
DO you know what that may meant
II was through the Red Cross / OBJ
tanned my information, but they could
tell nothing further He is--a pris.
oner Those fends are his keepers"
So0thngly the matron caressed the
girls soft, dusky hair. II was then
that Annabell Lee was admitted into
the home and heart Of the great city
hospital.
But the haunting terror fingered in
her eyes A newspapers heading was .
sufficient to drive all color from the
face upon which suffering had left its
mark. And then one night like
weary child she sank into a sort OF
waking sleep from which not even
the cry Of the little new life at her
side could rouse her.
The doctor sighed as though weary
Of the hopelessness about him. The
matron's eyes were filed with tears.
Little Annabell Lee had endeared
herself to all. Then, toward the
dawn OF one long night came sud
denly sound Of bells through the
city-whlch grew rapidly to a uni
versal clamor Of triumph.
Voices called out In the street be-
low. Above all came the newsboyb'
jubllant cry: "PeaceL Germany has
surrendered"
Cautiously the hospital matron
stepped forward TO close the window;
when she looked back again, Annabell
Lee, blinking like Weakened child
was bending over her baby
II dreamed It ALL" murmured the
girls happy voice, "and 1t is true.
Peace, peace, and little Jack here to
welcome his father
"They will open his prison DOORS"
sang Annabell, they will set him
freep
"All men will be free" the matrOn
said softly. And IN silent thanksgiv.
ing they listened TO the bells.