The Grangeville globe. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho) 1907-1922, 1920-01-01
EG'S SACRIFICE
BY MARGARET WILDER.

| Peggy was excited and happy. Sit
| ting before the big mirror, she brushed
out the tangled curly hair, singing to
herself. Tonight, oh, what fun! That
i great big marvellous dance she had
looked forward to for the last three
weeks as 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 it?'
| 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-what's happened?"
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-you
know, Peg, can't leave a two-year-
old baby alone in the house and since
he is not well anyway, hate to en-
trust him to a neighbor, yet / hate
Peg, hate to keep you homer
Peggys 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 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
J 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 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 in her heart, In spite Of
everything, but not a tear passed her
: eyes.
An hour dragged by, and the house
/ was still as 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
lor window and looked out. What a
night! A glorious moon hung low In
, the sky, and every little star twinkled
, and fiirted 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 few back over
the space of a whole year. She, too
had had a soldier boy, but he had moi
been her sweetheart. They hard moi
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 fell
that stab of keen disappointment wher
the postman had failed to bring ever
one of those longed-for letters? She
was watching the limping soldier al
he approached with dreamy, wistfu
eyes, and not until he had actually
turned and came up her front steps
did she realize the truth. She heart
the bell as in a dream; then the color
rushed into her face, and she wen
quickly to the door.
The boy entered and looked intentIy
into Pegs flushed face.
Peggy Are you surprisedT
His voice was eager as he awaited
her reply. Peggy couldn't speak. Sht
didn't trust herself just then.
He continued: II hope you dom
mind my running in this way. Oul
ship arrived this afternoon. have {
day or 30 to go home in before / leav,
for camp. My ticket is for the on,
o'clock train tonight"
Peggy suddenly took his big hand II
hers.
Troy, why didn't you write eyer?"
Because" replied Roy slowly, "jus
one little girls image has been in IN.
mind for-this past year-it was yours
Peg-I didn't believe you cared-so-
SOL was afraid to write for fear II
say too much"
Suddenly Peg was in his arms.
"You- never, never could say. to-