The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1923-10-13
PRoDIGA, RETURNS
BY ADELAIDE r. KEMP
(@. 1924. by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate

OISuoIU Ill d-DlOOm VIII Lu0 WlSty
white of apple blossoms; but resent
ment surged in her breast.
"Oh," she thought, rebelliously, lit
isn't fair. Ann always gets the best,
never mind what she does"
For five years, since Ann had left
the old farm for the lure of the city,
Martha had struggled to keep the
worry and tears from her mothers
eyes.
And tomorrow Ann was coming. She
had written sad letter. Mother flung
herself into fathers arms after read
ing 1t, tears Of joy streaming down her
wrinkled face. They must "red" up
the big front room with the windows
facing the sea. Ann had always loved
the view from there.
"She's been cooped up in little hall
bedroom no bigger than our pantry"
mother had told them, land she's half
sick and so anxious to get back
Martha recalled AIMS wild-rose
beauty modify. She felt that the past
five years of Overwork and worry had
faded whatever claim she might have
had herself to prettiness.
She remembered the night before
Bruce Darlington left for college. They
had walked down through the old
orchard, now full of fragrant, haunt
ing memories.
Last month he had come back to
take his fathers practice, and the old
friQnHShin hoH hoon ronou,o1 Ann
must have the best. Perhaps she
would find Bruce to her liking, also.
To Martha's weary mind came some
old remembered words: "Lo, these
many years do I serve thee, neither
transgressed I at any time thy COM
mandment." It seemed as if all her
toll and self-sacrifice had been taken
as matter of cSurse.
When Ann stepped from the train
the next afternoon Martha, at the
sight of her white face and Swallowed
eyes, suddenly forgot everything but
deep sisterly affection and pity. In
the big front room she made Ann COM
Portable.
well have Bruce over in the morn.
ing to see you," she said with slight
flush on her fair cheeks. "You know
he's our doctor, now"
ooh, Martha" Ann exclaimed, trem-
ulously, tits 50 good to get home
again. I wish you'd sleep in here with
me-"
Martha remembered letters from
Ann the previous year-letters full of
Richard Gordan.
Young Doctor Darlington found
AIMS condition one of nerves and lack
of nourishment, which good air and
food would soon improve. He made
many nonprofessional visits during the
mild spring evenings, and Martha
often stole quietly away and left them
on the piazza.
One bright June morning when
Bruce drove up to the house in his big
car and called out cheerily, "Come on,
girls, have to 60 over to Cross Cor
ners, and it's dandy day for long
drive" Martha answered, "Can't be
done, Bruce. promised Dad I'd make
him some crullers, but it's just what
Ann needs'
She saw them start off down the
long, white road, and there was dull
pain in her breast. Perhaps today's
sunshine would bring it's golden beauty
to AIMS heart. She was not home
when they returned. she having gone
for the mail. So absorbed was she by
the thick letter for Ann, postmarked
Cleveland, that for the time being she
forgot her own sorrow.
She hurried up to the big front room
and tossed it lightly into her sisters
lap. Ann went suddenly white, and,
without a word, tore open the envelope
and hungrily absorbed it's contents.
When she had finished she handed the
open pages to Martha and threw her.
self on the bed.
Martha's startled eyes read:
'Dear Little Wife of Mine:
81 shall be with you nearly as soon
as this letter, as leave here on the
morning train. I have been in the
hospital, too ill to know anything for
days. I will tell you all about it when
I see you. I have landed the job
went after, and oh, my dear, we will
be so happy out here"
Martha did not turn the page. She
was too stunned to go on. Suddenly
Ann came and hid her face on her Sis
ter's shoulder.
Martha, I've been suffering terribly.
When Dick and I were married we
planned to come here for our honey
moon, but the very next day his firm
failed. He was too proud to come then,
and went out to Cleveland, where he
had the promise Of q position. And
I've never heard a word all these
weeks"
Later, downstairs, Martha had her
reward.
"Oh, Martha" her mother whis-
pered, "I'm so thankful you'll never go
so far away from u.s."
Martha slipped unnoticed out into
the twilight and down to the old
orchard. The moon was just coming
up out Of the bay. and making a silver
path across it. Suddenly she saw
Bruce coming.
you're always running away from
me, Martha" he said quietly. "But
you can't this time"
He drew her close to him. Neither
spoke for few moments. Then Bruce
bent and kissed her lips tenderly.
Dear little girl" he whispered,
you have given the prodigal daughter