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


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, | am afraid | 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 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! It seems
so good to get back" 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 it
not he. 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 il 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. bu
almost SIN | must 80 striving on
after the nnat ainahle. Ny art is my
life; | cannot give it up. No. Ter
rance, | know now that cannot.
Seine day | may be able to portrar
even as she has done, the wonderful
things can see in my mind Her
pitifu 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 God
highest mission-she Ia a wife and a
motte" PW | understand. dear, and
will--wait"
Laura rn"che1 what had seemed tie
lnat;a'nah'a The great world pau ,ed
10 take no'ice and her pictures sold
at fabul0u prices. But her success
left her still following the will-o-tho
wisp. There was something beyond
sCmethin" for which she reached in
vain.
One night she attended a banquet
given in honor Of Rev. Philip True.
He he'd lust 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, a sense of helplessnoss
and insuFciency.
Tonight as she stood in the center
of her great assembly she felt strange.
ly 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 | 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. 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 place and peo-
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 a
great, glorious, wonderful place. Then
once to every woman must come
love, a love such as this. that is great
er than life itself, that makes a sacri-
fee a glorious thing.
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
laurels at her feet, and il seemed a
small thing
Laura" he said gently. Il am
afraid il is work | am offering YOU.
work and sacrifice, But | will try and
the rough places for you. dear.
Look up at me, Laura. for ah, need
you So
Then she turned to him and held
out both her hands. and STOPPING he
kissed them tenderly.