Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-09-11
DAILY NOVELETTE,
PEGS SACRIFICE
BY Margaret Wilder

Doggy was excited and happy. Sit
ting before the big mirror, she
brushed out the tangled curly hair. sing
ing TO herself. Tonight, oh, what fun !
That great big marvellous dance she had
looked forward to for the last three
weeks was really about to happen"
Before her on a chair lay the blue eve
ming dress and slippers, and they &C
tually seemed to match her shining eyes.
"Oh, mamma" she cried, as the door
opened, '1'm just crazy to go-why-
why mamma, what is it,"
Surprise and alarm were mingled in
PCggy's voice. Her mother, sweet and
young looking, came to her daughters
side and put her arm around Pcggy's
waist.
Darling, II can hardly tell you.
Oh. Peggy, what il I should ask you
to give up that dance tonight?"
Pcggy's eyes lost some of their glow.
nv III udl y hullNt
she managed to say.
Mrs. Palmer's voice broke a little.
Your Aunt Alice is i'll nut in Chi
Cago. | just received this telegram from
Uncle Jack. and he wants me to come
there tonight. And-and-you know,
Peg. I cant leave n twO-year-o old baby
alone in the house and since he is not
well anyway. I hate to entrust him to
n ncighbor, vet | hate-Peg, ! hate to
keep you home. ~
Pcggy's heart seemed to. be sinking
within her, but her sweet lips turned
and smiled at her mothers wistful face.
run right along. mamma. OF
course I'll stay with Bob Boy. Give
nv love to Aunt Alice. and just make
her get we'll. Probably knowing you
are near will do her more good than an
amount of medicine.
Mrs. Palmer kissed her daughter sew
cral times and Peggy understood the
deep sympathy and appreciation which
her dear little mother could not eX-
press in words.
At 8 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 Jazzlng
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.
PeCcv's mother heart went out to her
tiny brother. and she was glad a hun
drcd times over that she had stayed
with him, instead of leaving sucn a
warm little bundle with some careless
neiyhbor. But she could not help that
dull ache in her heart, in spite oil
everything, but not a tear passed hcr
eyes.
An hour dragged by, and the house
was still as a mouse. Peggy leaned
ovcr her little brother and kissed him,
straightened the cool sheet under MS
mink chin and then tiptoed quietly
down the stairs. She went TO the par
lor window and looked ont. what a
night, A glorious moon hung low in
the sky. and every little star twinkled
and firted with her, as If trying to en-
tice her out into the night. AS she
looked she saw a tall. slender soldier
bov 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 a 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 longcd for letters? She
was watching the llmping soldier as
lc approached with dreamy, wistful
ewes, and not until he had actually
turned and run up her own front steps
did she realize the truth. She heard
the bell as in a dream then the color
rushcd into her face, and she went
quickly to the door.
The boy entered and looked ~intcntly
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.
ne continued. L nope you uOn I
mind my running in this way. Our
ship arrived this afternoon. / have a
day or so to go home in before l leave
for camp. My ticket is for the 1 o'clock
train tonight
Peggy suddenly took his big hand in
lcrs.
Roy, why didn't you write ever?"
Because" replied Roy slowly, Just
one little girls image has been In my
mind for this past year-it was yours,
Peg didn't believe you cared-so-so
Il was afraid to write for fear I'd
say too much"
Suddenly Peg was in his arms.
"lou-never, never could say too
much - She was half laughing, half
SobDing.
Late that night after Roy had left
Peg received a telegram. The crisis
was past-Aunt Alice would get we'll
aud they would pack mother off home
tomorrow.
Peg prayed long and earnestly that
night. She thanked God for his many
blessings.
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