The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1921-08-12
AlIr1iE CHILD
ny JULIA A. aosINsoN.

N@YN@N

""n " HViht W Nnith ne WuN kuiuk
Could that bar. room In the lodging
house be called homer Once he had
had n home. coxy and cheerful. with a
little wife TO mike him happy. but
they Ind quarrelled. lie nir,ily re-.
mcmbcred what II was about. In bit.
ter anger they had separated. lie huJ
come 10 the city and had lived his
lonely life and had heard no word from
Sally since he left.
II came back 10 him IN vivid recol.
lection MS he walked the street. oblIv.
ious Of surroundings. Perhaps II was
because II was just six years today
since he left her that he was thinking
OF the past. lie had kept the date.
Sally was pretty girl. with laugh.
Ing eyes, bright and witiy--saucy some
times, changeabIe aud hlgh-splrlted |:
yet loving aud tender. always begging
for pardon after each outbreak. arms
ciIngIng about his neck.
Jack had loved this fiery young thing
whom he had won.
To drown his sorrow Jack had
plunged Into business. He had made
money. but II brought him no happi.
ness. Once he had gone back, remorse-
fully, longing for Sally. The old town
looked as II did the morning he went
away.
The grent elm tree spread It's friend.
" branches In front OF the cottage.
as OF yore tSally loved that tree).
Lilacs were In bloom. The house had
n friendly air. lie almost expected TO
see Sally open the door and come out
With her old bright smile.
The door did open, but II was not
sally's face that met him. A man.
young and vigorous. paused on the
step as he saw Jack confronting him.
Good day, my friend" he accosted.
What can do for your
Jack stared. rs - does - where's
Sally?" he jerked.
Sally" laughed the man. who's
Sallyr
"Sally-she lived here" stammcred
Jack.
u don't know anyone by that name"
returned the man. mo one by that
name lives here
Jack stared, bewildered. but soon re-
covered himself. OF course the man
would not know her by her first name
Mrs. Mason he explained. "Is she
at homer"
"Oh, Mrs. Mason" the stranger an
swered. "She left two years ago. We
bought the house of her. She needed |
money, believe; was in tight place
and had to give 1t up TO raise funds"
Jack gasped. Gone! Where did she
go?" .-r |
Sorry | can't inform you," an
swered the man. "She left town."
Jack turned in daze and stumbled
Into the street. All the sunshine had
gone out of life. Sally gone!
II was drizzling storm, but what
did 1t matter to the man dragging him
self to his lodgings? He reached the
crossing. Vehicles obstructed the pas
sage, and he waited
Many Others waited, too. Among
them was little child, who feared to
cross. She looked timldly at the heavy
teams and the slush In the street, then
scanned the faces OF those
about her. With a look of relief and
a smile on her baby face, she crowded
her way to Jacks side, placing her
tiny hand in his.
please, sir, take me across" she
isped. her blue eyes looking into his
with chlld's confidence.
The touch of the little hand thrilled
him. He answered, took her In his
rms, and carried her across the street.
"Thank you, sir" she beamed, as he
anded her on the sidewalk.
"Tell me where you live and will
AXE you home," he said, a new inter.
,st awakening in his heart.
She led him down q side street, chat
Ing all the way.
Have you a baby girlc'' she asked.
My mammals got me. but she cries
III the time, and when say my pray.
RS pray for daddy to come home"
She stopped before a tenement
Ouse. gassss4 "A.
Here 1t is she cried as she sprang
lt0 her mothers arms.
Roxy, it's SO late !" cried the wom-
n. II was afraid you were lost"
She turned to thank the stranger for
ringing her child home. but started
'ith cry.
Jack started, too. SALLY" he
asped.
Jack Y she cried, drawing away.
ITO think that / should find you
nus. You have suffered"
Let that pass. Why have you
Dme:"
,"rhe baby brought me--this cl,ill--
no Is she?"
"Shes ours, Jack-our baby. She
as born six months after you went
way" smf
"Our baby, and l never knew!"
"How could you? l came to the city
} get work--Jack, I've missed you
u" ,a,.ssga
sally, I've wanted YOU more than l
In tell want you now. Can't we Z
sgin again? love you. Can you for
We the pastY'z
Forgive your" she moaned. 1T was
y fault. Can you forgive me? oh,
lck I've lOnppd for Won so ts-