The herald., 1922-07-27
GRATITUDE
ey MOLlIE MATHER

70 ID
Copyright. 1922. Western Newspaper Union
1t was baby, nesting under lace
covers. that gave Barbara the idea
though it was more than an idea to the
lonely young woman, for 1t became
her constant longing. Barbara Waincot
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 a heretofore
unknown need of her own.
why not" she asked herself her
soft cheeks glowing, "why not adopt q
baby and have something to love and
something to love me?" 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 died
at its birth-the father Just before.
Z
ton, which had been the sad mothers
wish. She named it Sylvia.
sylvia sounds so prettily romantic"
she told the friend.
Il 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 fall
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
Strongs rival. And Barbara's tender
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 that mother" Paul an
swered sharply, land In very short
time another could take your PLACE In
the child's affections"
| aop0 orocsa1 Do rho haorf Yof
she knew that this little clinging thing
needed her guiding care, no other must
substitute. This, her charge, so griev-
ing deeply. she gent 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 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, II 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 fanciet
a flash Of disappointment in his eye:
as he looked at her. Her own hear
was singing, He has come back
come back"
During the following weeks Pau
!, was a constant visitor at Barbara's Lit
l tie house.
"You still love Sylvia better thar
life?" Paul asked Barbara, but nov
his tone was merely humorous.
=. Eighteen years has not made M
love her less" Barbara answered quiet
". Paul and Sylvia, walking one eve
}. ming In the moonlight. stopped to res
on the porch steps. Barbara, seate
lust inside the open window, knew
what was coming, and she told hersel
that she could not blame Paul. Sylvi
= had grown into such lovely creature
70 Sylvia, sweet and desirable, VIII
counted admirers by the score.
"How could one help but love yo'
Paul dearY' said Sylvia, on the mooI
Lit porch. The mans response cam
sadly:
81 am old. child, old In years. wit
an unruly heart still young to love
Slowly Barbara went up to he
child's room. She would wait to civ
Sylvia her goodnight kiss-and Sylvl
must never know.
Coming gayly, Sylvia switched Ba
bara around to face the light.
81 thought So" she triumphed. "yo
do care for the delightful Paul aft
all. And had to deliberately NAL
You Jealous In order to be sure. c
{ down and tell him so, sacrificing pc
I son. and make him happy after
these years. Oh, Paul has told n
!. of his undying love for you-1 refu
TO be a cruel barrier any longer. Al
any way" added Sylvia, smilingiy.
may be married myself one OF the
days"