The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-11-13
SACRIFICE

Doris came down the steps to meet
them. The babies were clinging to her
skirts, but her face was radiant.
Seeing you comes as 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 l should not
have known you She led them into
the sitting room, giving 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. .Oh 1t seems
so good to get back she said. i
think we will always stay.
Yes. dear" broke in Laura gently
"and 1t 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 beamine
with JOY and contentment.
Laura was very silent as she and
Torrance walked homeward, silent ant
thoughtful.
Laura said Torrance gently, does
not the picture of her happiness MAKE
a your heart soften a little? Can !
n not be- dear--not ever?"
a Laura caught her breath sharply
a "Don't-" she said Don't Cal
YOU not see what it has meant TO me
;. It mcars that know that it can never
never be | am not capable of such
. sacrifice as that We We're student
together. She succeeded and Ia
- most failed-not quite, Torrance, br
N almost. Still must go striving Q
=. after the unattainable. My art is m
10 life: cannot give it up. No, TIE
a rance. know now that canno
ID Some day | may be able to portra
even as she has done. the wonderf
things | can see in my mind. HI
no uitiful sacrifice had answered for m
:, Think of the future which she had b
-, fore hcr, and look at her now"
YES. Laura she is fulfilling God
highest mssion-she is wife and a
,,a motlal. rul | understand, dear, al
m. will-wait.
- Laura reached what had seemed &
-. unattainahle. The great world paus
=. to take notice and her pictures SC
od nj fabulous urces. But her succe
'un left her still following the wll-o-tl
~, wisp. There was something beyol
~. something for which she reached
vain.
One night she attended a banq'
~ given in honor of Rev. Philip TT
lie had Just returned from India a
the world was singing his praises
IN Laura had met him upon seve
~ occasions and could not understn
80" the feeling of unrest which his pr
ence gave her. sense of helplessn
-. and insufiiciency.
Tonight as she stood in the cen
of her great assembly she felt stran
un " alone, but II seemed loneln
''u that cried out for solitude and
moved towards the gardens.
Rev. Philip True followed her as
a n slowly lifted the curtain and step
rug out into the night.
, in MAY | accompany YOU" he AS
and as he reached her SIDE
b;a She started, then bowed her he
He Neither of them spoke for some II
tn There was no need for words 1t
the a night when silence indeed seer
one golden.
,mo Suddenly he bent his head
ter ! looked down into her face.
,nu Laura" he said, "out there In
ting darkness there is work for you
, In for-me There is place ana a
tho ple which need us and they need
able together
the linen siie hne"' ~ -,
hack to the little cottage, to Doris
.or,. her babies and the world SCENE
great. glorious, wonderful place l
once to every woman must com
,;on love. a love such as this, that is 81
81 er than life itself that makes s.
H. flee a glorious thing.
on She Thought again of Doris. Of
- little toddlers cling'ng to her SIX
,,,,,,, and as she looked NJ at the str
-, true face bending so near her
-. her heart stood Sill with JOY 81
tense that it overwhelmed her.
-. glanced through the windows at
-, world. the world that was THROWN
-, laurels at her feet and j scent
a,,d small thing,
~ Laura" he said gently, Il
afraid il is work ] am Offering
work and sacrifice. Tut ! will try
smooth the rough places Tor You.
Look mp at me, Laura for all,
you so.
ssod Then she turned to MIN and
is q ~ har hands and stoopin
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