Rockingham post-dispatch. [volume] (Rockingham, N.C.) 1917-1965, 1921-09-29
AlTTlECHILD
y JULIA A ROBINSON.
s1NeA1NeNpNgN QNp9eeE

bowed. head and Knitted brow. Homei
Was II home to wAlch he was gcingl
Gould that bare ROBIN In the lodging
house be caned home9 Once he had 4
had home, coy and cheerful, with 81
little wife to make him happy, butt
they had quarrelled. He hardly re-
membered what It was about. In bit
ter anger they had separated. He had
come to the city and had lived. his
lonely life and had heard no word froml
+! Sally since he left
1t cAne back to him In vivid recOl-
lection as he walked the street, obliy-
ious Of surroundings. Perhaps It was
because II was just six years today
since he left her that he was thinking
OF the past. He had kept the date.
Sally was pretty girl. with laugh
| ing eyes, bright and witty-saucy some
times. changeable and high-spIrited;
| yet loving and tender, always begging
for pardon after each outbreak. arms
ciinging pbout his neck.
Jack had loved this fiery young thing
whom he had won.
To drown hisA sorrow Jack had
plunged into business. He had made
money. but. It brought him sno happi-
i ness. Once he had gone back, remorse-
fully, longing for Sally. The old town
looked as 1t did the morning he went
away.
| The great elm tree spread its friend
" branches In front Of the cottage,
as of yore tSally loved that tree).
Lilacs were in bloom. The house had
a friendly air. He 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"
i Jack stared. is - does - whereas
SaliyT he jer&ed.
1 "Sally?" laughed the man. who's
Sily"
4 ''sally-7she lived here" stammered
Jack.
II don't know anyone by that name,"
returned the man. '"No one by that
name lives here"
i Jack stared, bewildered, but soon re-
covered himself OF course the man I
would not know her by her first names
Mrs. Mason" he explained. as she
at homer
Il ''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 It up to raise funds.'
Jack gasped. "Gonel Where did she
go2'
-Sorry can't inform YOU" an
swered the man. "She left town.
Jack turned Id a daze and stumbled
into the street. sAll the sunshine had
gone cut of life. Sally gone!
1t was drizzling storm, but what
did II matter't to the man dragging him
self to his lodgings? He reached the
crossing. Vehicles INSTRUCTED the pas
sage, and he waited.
Many others waited, too. Among
them was little child. who feared to
cross. She looked tiInidly at the heavy
teams and the slush in-the street, then
carefully scanned the faces Of those
about her. With look Of relief and
smile on her baby face, she crowded
her way to Jacks side. placing her
tiny hand in his.
"please, sir, take me across" she
hsped. her blue eyes looking into his
with child's confidence.
The touch of the little hand thrilled
him. He answered, took her In his
arms. and carried her across the street.
'"rhank you, sir" she beamed, as he
landed her on the sidewalk.
''rell me where you live and will
take You home" he said, a new inter-
est awakening In. his heart. ~
She led him down side street, CHAT
ting all the way.
"Have you baby girlf" she asked.
MY mammals got me. but she cries
all the time, and when say my pray
ers pray for daddy to come home"
She stopped before a tenement
house.
"Here it Is" she cried. as she sprang
into her mothers arms.
"Roxy, it's so latel" cried the worn-
an. II was afraid you were lost"
She turned to thank the stranger for
bringing her child home, but started
with cry.
Jack started too "Sallv ~ ha