The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1919-11-28
PEGS SACRIFICE
BY MARGARET WILDER.


herself. Tonight. oh. VIA. fun. That |
great big marvellous dance she had |
looked forward to for the last three |
Weeks was really about To happen"
beiore her on chair lay the blue |
evening dress and slippers, and they |
actually seemed 10 match her shining |
eyes.
oh, mamma" she cried, as the door |
opened. I'm just crazy 10 go--why-
why mamma. what is liz"
Surprise and alarm were mingled In
Peggy's voice. Her mother. sweet and
young looking came 10 her daughters
side and put her arm around Peggy's
waist.
Darling. II can hardly tell you.
On. Peggy, what II | should ask you
TO give up that dance tonightf"
Peggy's eyes lost some ct their glow.
Why. mamma-what's happenedr'
she managed TO say.
I AIRS. Palmer's voice broke little.
Your Aunt Alice is Ill out In Chi
caso. | just received this telegram
from Uncle Jack. and he wants me to
come there tonight And--and-you
know. Peg. | cant leave twoyear-
old baby alone In the house and since
he Is not well anyway. l hate to en-
trust him 10 neighbor, yet ! hate
Peg. ! hate to keep you home''
Peggy's heart seemed TO be sinking
within her, but her sweet lips turned
and smiled at her mothers wistfui
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
I
away at their many different instru-
ments, and she wondered what the
girls were wearing, and how pretty
they looked.
Bob Boy was sleeping peacefully.
Peggy's mother heart went out 10 her
! tiny brother. and she was glad hun
dred times over that she had stayed
with him, instead of leaving such a
, warm little bundle with some careless
neighbor. But she could not help that
dull ache I'm her heart. in spite of
3 everything, but not tear passed her
. eyes.
D An hour dragged by, and the house
: was still as mouse. Peggy leaned
e over her little brother and kissed him,
D Strengthened the cool sheet under his
: pink chin and then tip-toed quietly
y down the stairs. She went 10 the par
Tor window and looked out. What
{ night. A glorious moon hung low In
! the sky, and every little star twinkled
and fiirted with her. as II trying 10 en-
tice her out into the night. As she
looked she saw 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 whole year. She. too
4 had had soldier boy. but he had mol
been her sweetheart. They had not
known each other long enough for that
Yet why had she watched the paper
for every battle fought. In hopes OF
/: seeing his name. and why had she fell
: that stab of keen disappointment whei
!. the postman had failed to bring ever
: one of those longed-for letters? Sh'
= was watching the llmping soldier a.
: he approached with dreamy. wistfu
h eyes, and not until he had actually
4 turned and came up her front step
did she realize the truth. She heart
$ the bell rs In dream then the colo
: rushed into her face. and she wen
u quickly TO the door.
n The boy entered and looked intent.
: into Pegs flushed face.
e Peggy Are you surprisedf
His voice was eager as he awaitc'
: her reply. Peggy couldn't speak. sh
u didn't trust herself just then.
lie continued: Il hope you don
mind my running In this way. ou
ship arrived this afternoon. have
: day or so to 20 home In before ieaS
for camp Ny ticket Is for the on
o'clock train toni ght-'
Peggy suddenly took his big hand il
+, hers
:. Roy. why didn't ven write ever"
Because" replied Roy slowly. "jns
: one Iitile girls image has been In M
\. mind Cor this past year--it was your
Peg didn't believe you careti-so-
sol was afraid 10 write for fear L
r. say too much.
D. suddenly Peg was 10 his arms
If .You-neser. never could say to
Of much - She was haiflanshing, hal
:. snhbin-
= Late that night after Roy had Jet
Peg received telegram. The crisl
VAS past-Aunt Alice would get Ne
and they would pack mother q