Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1921-08-03
ALTTTLE CHILD
BY JULIA A. ROBINSON.


bowed head and knitted brow. Homel
Was il home 10 which he was going7
Could that bare room In the lodging
house be called home? Once he had
had home. coy and cheerful. with a
little wife 10 make him happy, but
they had quarrelled- he hardly re-
membered what IL was about. In Bit
ter anger they had separated. he had
\ come 10 the city and had lived his
lonely life and had heard no word from
I Sally since he left.
1t came back 10 him In vivid recCl-
lection as he walked the street. Obliv-
I lous OF surroundings. Perhaps IL was
because IL was Just six years today
since lac left her that he was thinking
Of the past. He had kept the date.
Sally was a pretty girl, with laugh
ing eyes. bright and witty-saucy some
times, changeable and high-Splrited;
Y yet loving and tender. always begging
for pardon after each outbreak, arms
I clinging about his neck.
Jack had loved this fiery young thing
whom ne had won.
To drown his sorrow Jack had
plunged into business. He had made
money. but il brought him no happi-
ness. Once he had gone back, remorse-
fully, longing for Sally. The old town
looked as il did the morning he went
away.
The great elm tree spread It's friend
I ly branches IN front of the cottage,
rs Of yOre (Sally loved that tree).
Lilacs were In bloom. The house had
a friendly air. He almost expected 10
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 acc0sted-
what can l do for your"
Jack stared. Is does = where's
Sally?" he jerked.
"Sally?" laughed the man. who's
SallyT
sally she lived here" stammered
Jack.
Il don't know anyone by that name"
returned the man. NO 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" Ire explained. rs she
at homer"
"Oh, Mrs. Mason" the stranger an
swered. "She LETT two years ago. We
bought the house Of her. She needed
money. l believe; vas in a tight place
and had TO give IL up TO raise funds"
Jack gasped. "GOnel Where did she
gO?"
sorry I can't inform YOU" an
swered the man. "She left town"
Jack turned In a daze and stumbled
into the street. All the sunshine had
gone out of life. Sally gOnel
II was a driZZling storm. but what
did II matter 10 the man dragging him
self 10 his lOdgings7 lie reached the
crossing. Vehicles obstructed the pas
sage. and he waited.
Many others waited, too. Among
them was little child, who feared 10
cross. She looked timldIy at the heavy
teams and the slush In the street, then
carefully scanned the faces Of those
about her. With a look OF relief and
a smile on her baby face, she crowded
her way 10 Jacks side, placing her
tiny hand in his.
please, sir. take me across" sho
dsped. her blue eyes looking into his
with a child's confidence.
The touch Of the little hand thrilled
him. He answered. took her In his
arms, and carried her across the street.
"Thank you. sir" she beamed, as he
landed her on the sidewalk.
Tell me where you live and / win
take you home" he said, a new inter
est awakening In his heart.
She led him down a side street, chat
ting all the way.
"Have you a baby girl7" she asked.
My mammals got me. but she cries
all the time, and when l say my pray
ers pray for daddy to come home"
She stopped before a tenement
house.
Here 1t IS" she cried. as she sprang
intO her mothers arms.
Roxy, It's so latel" cried the worn-
IN Il was afraid you were lost"
She turned to thank the stranger for
bringing her child home. but started
with a cry.
Jack started. too. "SallyI" he
gasped.
Jack :" she cried. drawing away.
''To think that should ind You
thus. You have suffered"
Let that pass. Why have you
conner
"The baby brought me-thIs child
Who Is sheT'
shes ours. Jack-Our baby. She
was born six months after you went
away
"Olr baby. and / never kneurn