The herald. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1905-1953, 1920-01-29
THE. HERALD, NEW ORLEAN1
PEGS SACRIFICE
By MARGARET WILDER.

1
ting before the big mirror, she brusheo
out the tangled curly hair, singing 10
herself. Tonight, oh, what fun! mat
great big marvellous dance she hau
looked forward to for the last three
weeks was really about TO happen.
BEFORE her on 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 itF"
Surprise and alarm were mingled In
Peggy's voice. Her mother, sweet and |
young booking, 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-what's happenedF
she managed to say.
Mrs. Palmer's voice broke a little.
"Your Aunt Alice is i'll out In Chi
cago. / just received this telegram
from Uncle Jack, and he wants me 10
come there tonight. And-and-you
know, Peg. I can't leave two-year-
old baby alone in the house and since
he is not well anyway, I hate to en-
trust him to neighbOr, yet hate
Peg, 1 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. or course
I'll stay with Bob Boy. Give my love
D to Aunt Alice, and Just make her get
well. Probably knowing you are near
will do her more good than any
: amount of medicine"
v Mrs. Palmer kissed her daughter
several times, and Peggy understood
4 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
e by little Bob Boys crib, musing. The
music was starting now, she knew. she
= could picture the orchestra jazzing
e away at their many different instru'
II 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 to hei
tiny brother, and she was glad hun
dred times over that she had stayed
with him, instead of leaving such 9
warm little bundle with some careless
h. neighbor. But she could not help tina
O. dull ache In her heart, in spite o.
Il everything, but not tear passed he
20 eyes.
An hour dragged BY, and the hous
was still as a mouse. Peggy leane'
= over her little brother and kissed him
IL Strengthened the cool sheet under III
e- pink chin and then tip-toed quietl
ed down the stairs. She went to the pal
lor window and looked out. What
~ night A glorious moon hung low
ho the sky, and every little star twinkle
and fiirted with her, as II trying to er
tice her out into the night. As sh
Gu looked she saw q tall, slender soldie
boy limping along the sidewalk. Sh
rested her head against the windo
On, sash and her thoughts few back owe
res the space of a whole year. She, to-
ste had had a soldier boy, but he had NJ
been her sweetheart. They had n
known each other long enough for tina
III Yet why had she watched the pape
for every battle fought, in hopes
seeing his name, and why had she re
60 that stab of keen disappointment WHIT
to the postman had failed to bring eve
ne one of those longed-for letters2 81
in, was watching the limping soldier
he approached with dreamy, VISIT
eyes, and not until he had actual
ry turned and came up her front ste
ed did she realize the truth. She hea
the bell as in a dream; then the col
rushed into her face, and she we
quickly to the door. 80
ing The boy entered and locked intent
into Pegs flushed face.
Peggy Are you surprised"
- His voice was eager as ne await
ne her reply. Peggy couldn't speak. 5
didn't trust herself Just then.
ext He continued: II hope you do
mind my running in this way. 0
ship arrived this afternoon. have
En- day or so to 60 home in before 1 lea
ntic for camp. My ticket is for the o
and o'clock train tonight"
Peggy suddenly took his big hand
hers.
IN Roy, why didn't you write everr
I'll Because" replied Roy slowly, ~
~ one little girls image has been in
'cci. mind for this past year-it was you
Iged Peg-I didn't believe you cared-st
was SOL was afraid to write for fear
anu say too much"
anu Suddenly Peg was in his arms.
"You-never, never could say
much" She was half-laughing, n
sobbing.
Late that night after Roy had
on Peg received a telegram. The CT
lef was past-Aunt Alice would get
the and they would pack mother
rn' home tomorrow.
l. .