Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1919-11-07
PEGS SACRIFICE
BY MARGARET WILDER.

out the tangled curly hair. singing tc
herself. Tonight, oh, what fun That
great big marvellous dance she hae
looked forward to for the last three
weeks was really about to "happen.'
Before her on a chair lay the blue
evening dress and slippers, and they
actually seemed to match her shining
eyes.
+Oh, mamma" she cried. as the door
opened, I'm just crazy to go-why--
why mamma, what is itY'
Surprise and alarm were mingled in
Peggy's voice. Her mother, sweet and
young looking. came to her daughters
side and put her arm around Peggy's
waist.
Darling, IL can hardly tell you
Oh, Peggy, what if should ask you
to give up that dance tonight?"
Peggy's eyes lost some OF their glow.
"Why, mamma-whats happened9'
she managed to say.
Mrs. Palmer's voice broke little. !.
your Aunt Alice is i'll out in Chi.
cago. / just received this telegram
from Uncle Jack, and he wants me to
come there tonight And--and-y
know, Peg, I can't leave two-year-
old baby alone in the bouse and since
he is not well anyway, hate to en-
trust him to neienbor, yet hate
Peg, hate to keep you home"
Peggy's heart seemed to be sinking
!, hut h cd
and smiled at her mothers wistful
face.
Run right along, mamma OF course
I'll stay with Bob Boy. Give my love
TO Aunt Alice, and just make her get
well. Probably knowing you are near
will do her more good than any
amount of medicine"
Mrs. Palmer kissed her daughter
several times, and Peggy understood
the deep sympathy and appreciation
which her dear little mother could not
express in words.
At eight O'Clock that night all was
still in the Palmer. house. Peggy sat
by little Bob Boys crib, musing. The
music was starting now, she knew. She
could picture the orchestra jazzing
away at their many different instru-
ments. and she wondered what the
girls We're wearing, and how pretty
they looked.
Bob Boy was sleeping peacefully.
| Peggy's mother heart went out to her
tiny brother, and she was glad a hun
drnd fi,,,oe o,,o, +t,o+ eba bod cfavad
with him, instead of leaving such a
warm little bundle with some careless
neighbor. But she could not help that
dull ache in her heart, In spite of
everything but not d tear passed her
| eyes.
An hour dragged by, and the house
was still as a mouse. Peggy leaned
over her little brother and kissed him.
Strengthened the cool sheet under his
| pink chin and then tip-toed quietly
down the stairs. She went to the par
| Tor window and looked out. What
night A glorious moon hung low in
| the sky, and every little star twinkled
and filrted with her, as if trying to en-
| tice her out into the night. AS she
| looked she saw a tall, slender soldier
boy limping along the sidewalk. She
| rested her head against the window
sash and her thoughts flew back over
| the space of a whole year. She, too.
| had had soldier boy, but he had not
been her sweetheart. They had not
| known each other long enough for that
| Yet why had she watched the papers
| for every battle fought. in hopes OF
seeing his name. and why had she felt
that stab of keen disappointment when
the postman had failed to bring even
| one of those longed-for letters? She
! was watching the limping soldier as
| he approached with dreamy, wistful
eyes, and not until he had actually
| turned and came up her front steps
| did she realize the truth. She heard
the bell as in a dream; then the color
| rushed into her face, and she went
| quickly to the door.
The boy entered and looked intently
into Pegs flushed face.
Peggy! Are you surprised?"
His voice was eager as he awaited
her reply. Peggy couldn't speak. She
didn't trust herself just then.
He continued: Il hope you don't
mind my running in this way. Our
ship arrived this afternoon. l have
day or so 20 go home in before leave
for camp. My ticket is for the one
o'clock train tonight"
Peggy suddenly took his big hand in
hers.
Roy, why didn't you write ever?"
Because replied Roy slowly. i. st
one little girls image has been in my
mind for this past year-it was yours.
peg-I didn't believe you cared-so-
SOL was afraid TO write for fear I'd
ssy too much"
Suddenly Peg was in his arms.
YOU never, never could say too
much !" She was halflaughing, half
sobbing.
Late that night after Roy had left
I