Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-12-26
A SHORT STORY FOR LONG NIGHTS
CADWALADER BARTON'S BIRTHDAY

pleasantly and Cadwalader reused.
He had not realized he was sitting
on the windswept porch.
"a calendar?p he said. Il am
afraid I don't need another. Already
have, 1 think, at least half
Dozen"
That is all right" she smiled,
"but a house is not at it's best with
too many calendars and things
around Well, 1 must be going. I'm
bound to sell these before it gets too
late" She blinked up at the SUM-
and turned away
Cadwalader heard as though some
one else was speaking, his own.
voice say: Yesterday was Christ,
mas. Was Santa good to you?"
She whirled back, her eyes shin
ing and her face all smiles. He
gave me these furs. I should think.
he was pretty good. Wouldn't you?"s
She laughed aloud; Cadwaladeri
laughed with her not in the least
knowing why. Santa was all right:
he told her, without adding what
even his inexperienced eyes saw
that the furs We're motheaten and
worn and several sizes too large
I'm wondering if you live near by,
because if I find can possibly use
another calendar I might hunt you.
up" "vgA
"Oh, that would be nice! 1 live at
the orphans home" A red-mitteneds
hand gracefully indicated huge,
building a few blocks away. Noe
I'm not an orphant." She was grave.
now, her eyes suddenly heavy. "Yea-
see," she went on, pa and mother
are missionarying in China, and
they've given me to Gran, but Gran
has a long job of nursing, So
One little shoulder lifted and the red
lips twisted into a grimace that said
what words could not have ex,
pressed. sse
Cadwalader felt a mighty impulse
to take her in his arms and pet
and comfort her. What is your
name?"
Nellie Arabella Bordman Bella
for Short" She was smiling again.
This time Cadwalader did not
smile with her. mo more Bellas ina
my family" he savagely thought.
I'LL call her Nellie"
When she was out of sight his
gaze came back to rest on little
purse in the snow next the walk,
and he caught it up and hurried aft
er her. A block away he saw her
retracing her steps, scanning the,
walk, glancing hastily from side to
side, but after the first look his eyes
never left the woman who walked "
with her.
1t was Mildred cad" she cried
when she met his eyes. 20, l am
glad to see you. I've always wanted
to tell you that l made mistakes
There was never any happiness, and
the money went with my husbands
death. l worked to support my child
and I'm working to support hers.
We should have been happy, Cad.
in spite of poverty. / made a great
mistake"
Cadwalader thought of the sister
who had lived her life out with not
a word to show she noticed what he
had done for her; then of the chill.
dren he had loved and sacrificed for,
and of Toms speech.
1.-THE mistake was not yours alone,
Mildred" he told her. I'VE We're
both wrong, but wen right things
now. I wonder if your daughter
would give Nellie AraDella 10 me-
to u.s.
An hour later he stepped from a
cab to meet Sarah Frisby at the,
gate.
cts been great day for you, Mr.
Barton" she smiled. ut has made
you young" &
He laughed. Laughing had all at
once grown easy. "a great day,
Sarah" he said. IA great day.
But to the woman who a moment
later went with him up the walk,
he said, Welcome home, Mildred,
my wife. Welcome home"