South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-05-31
4 Romantic Sacrifice
BY Vincent c. Perry

angry on that occasion and had
nefer returned. He had taken her
no" for final. there was no doubt
about that Oh. why had she been
so silly-sO like the mere school
girl she was. or rather had been.
for she was all changed now! Sand
ford was rich and could have helped
her father out OF money jificulties
as well as this strange man who
somehow had got his clutches on
their family honor. Ia was too late
10 appeal TO the man she loved.
though, she decided. and the realiz-
alton or that only increased her IN
happiness. As the day drew nearer
and nearer things looked more
hopeless. she had tried 20 find con-
ISOLATION in her novels. but had
thrown them away in disgust Sand
ford was right-they we're trashy
things. only a girl such as she had
been would have read them and she
was glad she was changed.
The night before her wedding day
arrived Her clothes were beauti-
full. but that did not interest her
What mockery it was 10 have a biz
wedding. she thought Somehow her
mother and father did not seem
concerned about her. They appeared
to consider the affair a wonderful
one for her instead Of great un-
happiness. Surely they could see
she was unhappy. although she had
carried out the heroines role 10 q
finish and hidden il from them. Oh,
II there was only someone she could
tell her troubles TO and receive com
fort from, There was someone. the
only one who would listen sympa-
thetically, and no matter what he
or anyone else thought, she was go
ing to tell him all, she decided. and
went TO the telephone before her
courage failed her.
1t was a very plaintive and meek
voice that sanford Ross heard over
the wire. please come. Sandforo.
/ want you was all it said. but
ne recognized II as Geraldines. and
that was enough. He arrived at the
O'Connor home in record time.
She did not mind when he took
her in his arms and she cried out
her troubles on his shoulder
oh, l am so unhappy. and being
a heroine is the worst thing / ever
tried to do, / hate sacrifices and !
was never meant for martyr" she
walled
"Of course YOU weren't dear. and
knew il all along. but you've been
a little brick" he comforted. If /
had known you would have taken
IL so seriously I would not have al
lowed your father to play this trick
on you. l am all To blame. Jerry
dear. II is all my fault"
Your fault. Sanford >" she
stopped sobbins and looked at him
in wonder.
Yes I am the man you would
have met at the altar tomorrow. 1
knew / would never be able TO get
YOU there until you were satisfied
by making some kind of sacrifice"
But father told me"
~He didn't tell you very much
dear" her father said, rs he stepped
into the room. He just told you
one little fb and you took the rest
Two fibs, father" she corrected.
smiling through her tears. You said
I had never met him, and it would
save YOU from great unhappiness.
so il will" her father smiled,
knowingly. Il knew you loved sand
ford. and it would have made me
unhappy if you had rejected him. be-
cause of a silly little notion about
heroines and such things. But you
have been a heroine, Jerry"
Not much of one" IL was sur
prising how quickly her appearance
had changed. for she was smiling
radiantly. "Oh. wouldn't I have
looked foolish when I found YOU at
the altar waiting for me, sanford -
She was able TO laugh for the first
time today.
would YOU have? Then / am
glad / came tonight. Tomorrow you
will look wonderful-the way you
always look"
"Oh. 1 hope So she said enthu-
sia stically as she rang for her maid
II will send for my dress. ! haven't
really had A good look at it. What
a funny bride -to-be l have BEEN
Copyright 1879