#sarwin baxter

[snapdragonsimming]

Sarwin became a healthy, good-spirited youth. He was quite proper, but still loved the music and dancing that could be found at the local tavern.

[snapdragonsimming]

Theresa and Marcella celebrated their third birthdays together on one windy winter morning. They weren't twins, but they were as good as: they had been born the same month, and they did most everything side-by-side.

Theresa grew up into a curious little girl who loved to poke around the farm and play with her blocks. Meanwhile, Marcella became strangely sickly. She wandered through the rooms of the house, cheerful despite the headaches of which she frequently complained. Then one evening she collapsed.

Upon hearing the cries of the family in the house, Sarwin rushed in from where he had been playing in the garden. At once he felt a terrible chill down his neck. Something was calling him to the other room...

When he finally managed to slip away, Sarwin could not believe his eyes. Was it really--? He wasted no time pleading for his sister's life. He begged as much as he dared, but in the end it was no use. They buried his last remaining sibling in the yard beside their parents.

[snapdragonsimming]

Gabriel's grief over his brother persisted as weeks turned into months and the sickness receded from their little island. Yet he could not afford to slow down. It was harvest-time, and he was in charge.

With a little help from his father, his wife, and his young nephew, he managed to collect all the year's crops. It was a bountiful harvest. At least he had that for which he could be thankful.