Vashon Island news-record. [volume] (Vashon, Wash.) 1919-1954, 1922-07-07
GRATITUDE
BY MoLLIE MArHgR


covers, that gave Barbara the idea
though II was more than AN idea to the
lonely young woman, for II became
her constant longing. Barbara Waincol
had so long known only the care OF
others that sacrifice was q part OF her
life, SO when the last Invalid, an aunt,
passed on TO her rest leaving Barbara
quite alone with simple legacy TO
barely cover Der needs-wcll, the kind
ly young woman began to look about
for another needy charge. The baby
In It's lacy nest typRed heretofore
unknown need of her own.
"Why not" she asked herself her
soft checks glowing, "why not adopt n
baby and have something to love and
something TO love me?" The thought
grew to fill Barbnra's dreams. With
the assistance of friend Barbara
was able to find the little one OF her
desire. The baby's mother had died
at Its birth-the father just before.
Barbara made arrangements for ndop.
ton, which had been the sad mothers
WISH She named II Sylvia.
Sylvia sounds so prettily romantic"
she told the friend.
II hope that my little girl will know
In life all those beautifur1hlngs which
have been obliged TO forego"
But all too promptly had Barbara
put girlish dreams aside. Just as Syl.
via was learning to lisp the name
Bah which was the nearest baby lips
could get TO Barbara, along came Bar.
bara's delayed lover Paul Strong pos
sessed qualities which made him
worthy to be Barbara's mate, but In
the friendship which followed his fail.
ing became unpleasantly evident-Paul
was unreasonably, persistently Jealous
and as the only occasion for jealousy
must come through baby Sylvia, Paul
was jealous of Sylvia.
An impcrious small ruler was Paul
Strong's rival. And Barbara's tenoer
heart was torn, her will lowering, for
she had learned to love Paul, and he
would accept only undivided homage.
Surely" she begged her lover you
would not ask me to give Sylvia up?
Why, dear, she loves me MS she would
have loved mother of her own.
you are not that MOTHER" Paul an
swered sharply, land in a very short
time another could take your PLACE in
the child's affections
a pang crossed Barburas heart. Yet
she knew that this little clinging thing
needed her guiding care, no other must
substitute. This her charge, so grev-
ing deeply, she sent Paul away.
The years went on. In her carefree
girlhood Sylvia Haunted more and
more her happy rule.
"Babs will do anything in the world
for me-" she lovingly boosted. Sylvia
had grown very lovely-Barbara had
grown paler, thinner. Then Paul
Strong came back. Sylvia was the
first to see him as he came down the
village street
"Sweetie," she addressed her foster
mother, 81 saw a most distinguished
man turning In to the old Strong place
today. Why here he comes now"
Barbara looked to see her old lover.
Then, trembling little, Barbara went
to open the door to him. She fancied
flash of disappointment in his eyes
as he looked at her, Her own heart
was singing, He has come back
come back"
During the following weeks Paul
was a constant visitor at Barbaras lit
tie house.
"You still love Sylvia better than
life?' Paul asked Barbara, but now
his tone was merely humorous.
Eighteen years has not made me
love her less" Barbara answered quiet
ly. Paul and Sylvia, walking one eve
ming In the moonlight, stopped to rest
on the porch steps. Barbara, seated
just inside the open window, knew
what was coming, and she told herself
that she could not blame Paul Sylvia
had grown into such a lovely creature,
Sylvia, sweet and desirable, who
counted admirers by the score.
How could one help but love you,
Paul dear2" said Sylvia, on the moon
lit porch, The mans response came
sadly:
81 am old, child, old in years. with
an unruly heart still young to love-
Slowly Barbara went up to her
phiI1'S tnpp, Clio MOULD vol, g., II