The Red Cloud chief., 1922-06-15
GRATITUDE
BY MoLLlE MATHER

1t was n baby, nesting under lace
covers, that gave Barbara the idea
though II was more than nm idea to the
hnely young woman, for II became
her constant longing. Barbara Walncot
had so long known only the care OF
others that sacrifice was n part Of her
life, so when the last Invalid, IN aunt,
passed IN to her rest leaving Barbara
quite alone with a simple legacy to
barely cover her needs--well, the kind
" young woman began to look about
for another needy charge. The baby
in Its lacy nest typlfied a heretofore
unknown need of her own.
why not" she asked herself, her
soft cheeks glowing, "why not adopt a
baby and have something to love and
something to love me?" The thought
grew to fill Barbara's dreams. With
the assistance of q friend Barbara
was able to find the little n Of her
desire. The baby's mother had died
ut Its birth-the father Just before.
Barbara made arrangements for adop-
zion, which had been the sad mothers
NAsb. Dht uuIutu IL oylNbus
Sylvia sounds so prettily romantic"
she told the friend.
II hope that my little girl will know
IN life all those beautiful things which
J 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
Dara'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 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 upf
Why, dear, she loves me as she would
have loved a mother Of her own.'
"Yop are not that mother" Paul an
swered sharply. land In a very short
time another could take your rlace in
the chlld'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 e on. In her carefree
glrlhood Sylvia Haunted more and
more her happy rule.
"Babs will do anything In the world
Tor 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.
"Sweetle," she addressed her foster
mothef.. az saw d most distinguished
mar turning In to the old Strong place
today. Why here he comes now"
Barbara looked 10 see her old lover.
Then, trembling u little, Barbara went
70 open the door to him. She fancled
n flash of disappointment In his eyes
as he looked Mt her. Her own heart
was singing, "He has come back
rome back"
During the following weeks Paul
was a constant visitor ut Barbara's lit
tie house.
.You still love Sylvia better than
hfeF' Paul asked Barbara, but now
his tone was merely humorous.
Eighteen years has not made me
Ove her less" Barbara answered quiet.
". Paul and Sylvia, walking one eve
ling in the moonlight, stopped to rest
"a 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.
Faul dear?' said Sylvia, on the moon
Mt porch. The mans response came
sadly:
II am old, child, old In years, with
IN unruly heart still young to love"
Slowly Barbara went up to her
etild's room. She would wait to give
Sylvia her goodnight kiss-and Sylvia
must never know.
Coming gayly, Sylvia switched Bar.
aara around to face the light.
a. thought So" she triumphed, you
10 care for the delightful Paul after
all. And / had to deliberately make
you Jealous in order to be sure. Go
down and tell him so, sacrificing per-
son, and make him happy after all
these years. oh, Paul has told me
Of his undying love for you'll refuse
10 be q cruel barrier any longer. And
any way" added Sylvia, smllingly, 81
may be married myself one Of these
days."
Intelligent Mistletoe.