The bee., 1908-11-05
SACRIFICE

skirts, but her face was radiant
Seeing you comes as a breath from
another world" she cried. Her tone
implied no regret for that other world,
and she went on gayly: why, Laura!
You have not changed at all, but you,
| Torrance, l am afraid | should not
have known you" She led them into
The sitting room, giving a proud crit
ical glance about her.
What do you think my little ras-
cals?" she cried happily. They are
three whole, big worlds to me-"
Laura looked at her wonderingly.
How she had changed. She was faded
and old and-yes--plain. But no, not
quite that, for her face still held the
beauty of a 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: mo, Laura, not now" Then
she turned to Torrance and changed
the subject quickly. ooh! 1t seems
so good to get back" she said. Il
think we will always stay"
Eyes, dear" broke in Laura gently,
"and II 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 little? Can 1t
not be, dear--not ever?"
Laura caught her breath sharply.
Don't" she said Don't. Can
you not see what 1t has meant to me.
1t means that know that it can never,
never be. l 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 must go striving on
after the unattainable. MY art is my
life; / cannot give 1t up. No, Ter
rance, I know now that l cannot
Some day l may be able to portray,
even as she has done. the wonderful
things 1 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
mother. But / understand, dear, and
will-wait"
Laura reached what had seemed the
unattainable. The great world paused
to take notice and her pictures sold
at fabulous prices. But her success
left her still following the wilI-o-the-
wisp. There was something beyond,
something for which she reached in
vain.
One night she attended a banquet
given in honor OF Rev. Philip True.
He had just returned from India and
the world was singing his praises.
Laura had met him upon several
occasions and could not understand
the feeling OF unrest which his pres
snee gave her. a sense Of heiplessness
and insGfficiency.
Tonight as she stood in the center
OF her great assembly she felt strange
ly alone. but It seemed a loneliness
that cried out for solitude and she
moved towards the gardens. Il
Rev. Philip True followed her as she
slowly lifted the curtain and stepped
out into the night.
May i accompany your 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. 1t was
a night when silence indeed seemed
golden.
Suddenly he bent his head and
looked down into her face.
Laura" he said, "Out there in the
darkness there is work for you and
for--me. There is a place and a PEG
pie which need us and they need us
together"
Then she knew. Her thoughts went
back TO the little cottage, to Doris and
her babies, and the world seemed a
great, glorious, wonderful place. Then
once to every woman must come =
love, love such as this, that is great
or than life itself, that makes a sacri-
Gee a glorious thing. II
She thought again Of Doris. OF the
little toddlers clinging TO her skirts,
and as she looked up at the strong,
true face bending so near her own,
her heart stood still with Joy so In
tense that II overwhelmed her. She
glanced through the windows at her
world the world that was throwing its
Iaurels at her feet, and it seemed a
small thing.
Laura" he said gently, u am
afraid II is work l am Offering you,
work and sacrifice. But l will try and
,noooth tho rou0h ulapaa for Won dear