The Ontario Argus. (Ontario, Or.) 1???-1947, 1922-10-12
GRATITUDE
BY MoLLiE MATHER

It was q baby, nesting under lace
covers, that gave Barbara the idea
though 1t was more than an idea to the
lonely young woman, for 1t became
her constant longing. Barbara WaincOi
had SO long known only the care Of
others that sacrifice was a part of her
life, so when the last invalid, an aunt
passed on to her rest leaving Barbara
quite alone with a simple legacy to
barely cover her needs-well, the kind.
ly young woman began to look about
for another needy charge. The baby
in its lacy nest typified heretofore
unknown need of her own.
"Why not" she asked herself, her
soft cheeks glowing, 'why not adopt n
baby and have something to love and
something to love me2" The thought
grew to fill Barbara's dreams. With
the assistance of friend Barbara
was able to find the little one of her
desire. The baby's mother had dice
at its birth-the father just before
Barbara made arrangements for adop.
tion, which had been the sad mothers
wish. She named it Sylvia.
Sylvia sounds so prettily romantic" /"
she told the friend
81 hope that my little girl will know
In life all those beautiful things which
l 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
Bab, 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 imperious 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 as she would
have loved a mother of her own.'
you are not tina: MOTHER" Paul an
swered sharply, land In a very short
time another could take your PLACE in
the child's affections"
A pang crossed Barbara's heart Yet
she knew that this little clinging thing
needed her guiding care, no other must
substitute. This, her charge, so griev-
ing deeply, she sent Paul away.
The years went on. In her carefree
girlhood Sylvia flaunted more and
more her happy rule.
''Babs will do anything in the world
for me-" she lovingly boasted. 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 most distinguished
man turning in to the old Strong place
today. Why here re comes now"
Barbara looked to see her old lover.
Then, trembling a little, Barbara went
to open the door tc 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 constant visitor at Barbara's 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 Sylvie, 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 lovely creature
Sylvia, sweet and desirable, who
counted admirers by the score.
How could one help but love you.
Paul dearT' said Sylvia, on the moon
ut porch. The mans response came
sadly:
II am old, child. old in years, with
an unruly heart still young TO love-"
Slowly Barbara went up to her
child's room. She would wait to give
Sylvia her goodnight kiss-and Sylvia
must never know.
Coming gayly, Sylvia switched Bar
bara around to face the light.
81 thought So" she triumphed, "you
10 care for the delightful Paul after |
lH. And had to deliberately make |
YOU Jealous in order to be sure. Go |
iown and tell him so, sacrificing per-
son. and make him happy after all
hese years. oh. Paul has told me
IF his undying love for you'll refuse
% be cruel barrier any longer. And
my way" added Sylvia, .smilingly, 81
nay be married myself one Of these