Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-10-23
SACRIFICE

anOier world. she crlSd. fef Tone
implied no regret for that other world.
and she went on gayly: Why, Laura!
You have not changed at all but you.
Torrance, am afraid should not
have known you" She led them into
the sitting room. giving u proud crit
zeal glance about her.
What do you think my little ras-
ca!s?" she cried happily. They are
three whole. big worlds to me.
Laura looked al her wonderingly.
How she had changed. She was faded
and Old and-yes-pla!n. But no. not
beauty Of great happiness. But she
seemed tired, so tired. and shut out
from the things which. to Laura.
seemed life" Could this be the same
Doris OF eight years ago, the beauti-
full. brilliant young artist with the
world at her feet"
And your painting" Laura asked
at last. DO you still find time for
that"
Doris faced her slowly. There. was
a sadness in her eyes as she answered
softly: NO. Laura not now" Then
she turned to Torrance and changed
the subject quickly. oh. 1t seems
so good 10 get Oack." she said. Il
think we will always stay"
Yes, dear" broke in Laura gently.
land It seems good to have You back"
Doris arose then and showed them
around the little house and took them
out into the garden. her face beaming
with joy and contentment.
Laura was very silent as she and
Torrance walked homeward, silent and
thoughtful.
Laura" said Torrance gently. does
not the picture OF her happiness make
your heart soften a little? Can 1t
not be. dear--not ever:"
Laura caught her breath sharply.
Don't" she said. Don't. Can
you not see what it has meant to me.
1t means that know that it can never.
never be. ! am not capable of such a
sacrifice as that. We were students
together. She succeeded and al
most failed-not quite. Torrance, but
almost. Still l must 60 striving on
after the unattainable. My art is MY
life: l cannot give 1t up. No, Ter
rance, ! know now that I cannot.
Some day | may be able to portray.
even as she has done. the wonderful
things I can see in my mind. Her
pitiful sacrifice had answered for me.
Think Of the future which she had be.
fore her. and look at her now"
YES. Laura, she is fulfilling Gods
highest mission-she IS a wife and "a
mother. But | understand, dear, and
! will--wait"
Laura reached what had seemed the
unattainable. TIE great world paused
to take norice and her pictures sold
at fabulous prices. But her success
left her still following the will-o'-the-
wisp. There was something beyond,
something for which she reached in
vain.
One night she attended banquet
given in honor CT Rev. Philip True.
He had just returned from India and
the world was singing his praises.
Laura had met him uron several
occasions and could not understand
the feeling Of unrest which his pres
ence gave her. sense OF helplessness
and insuf.ciency.
Tonight as she stood in the center
Of her great assembly she felt strange
" alone. but it seemed loneliness
that cried out for solitude and she
moved towards the gardens.
Rev. Philip True followed her as she
slowly lifted the curtain and stepped
out into the night.
May I accompany YOU" he asked
as he reached her side.
She started. then bowed her head
Neither OF them spoke for some time.
There was no need for words. II was
a night when silence indeed seemed
golden.
Suddenly he bent his head and
looked down into her face
Laura" he said. ont there In the
darkness there is work for you and
for-me. There is a place and PEG
pIe which need us and they need US
together"
Then she knew. Her thoughts went
hack to the little cottage. to Doris and
her babies. and the world seemed
great. glorious. wonderful! place. Then
once 10 every woman mus: come
love. q love such a this. that is great
or than lie itself. that makes sacri- '
fice q glorious thing.
She thought again OF Doris. OF the
little tncdiers clineipg 10 her skirts.
and as she looked mp at the strong |
true face bending 50 near her own
her hear; stood s;i!I with JOY 50 in
tense that 10 overwhelmed her. She
glanced through the windows at her
world. the world that Was throwing Its I
iau-e;s a, her feet. and u seemed .
small thing
Laura he said gently. am