Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1922-08-02
The Greater
Gift

BY JUSTIN WENTWOOD
Observation-Disclosures
1922. Western Newspaper Union

wandering BACK into a maze OF
memories that began with their
earliest childhood association, thirty
years before.
Beatrice had had so much, and she
had had so little. Beatrice and she
had less in common than any sisters
could possibly be supposed to have.
Beatrice was beautiful, Lillah was
plain; Beatrice was clever and ac-
complished, and taking" All these
gifts had been denied Lillah the elder.
1t was small wonder that Beatrice
had always had her own way. Their
father had spoiled Beatrice, he had
sent her to good school, while Lillah
stayed at home and looked after the
house. All the gifts of the gods had
been poured into Beatrice'S lap.
Even when the spoiled beauty ran
away and became a second-rate
actress, touring with a transforming
company, Lillah had scraped together
all she could raise and helped support
her until better times came"
Those times were always coming,
they never arrived For years Lillah
had scrimped to assist Beatrice, and
for years she had heard from Beatrice
periodically, always about the rosy
future that was to dawn as soon as
her talents received due recognition.
And now Beatrice was coming home
for the summer, to recuperate.
A mans shadow fell across the let
ter. Lillah looked up with a start. Her
eyes softened as she saw Henry
Linton.
She knew him to the core. The
softening was rather the maternal
sense of the woman who recognizes
the weakness of the man she loves
than the happiness which comes to the
woman who gives her heart in utter
acknowledgements.
For even love had come to Lillah
like life-grey and little sombre
She loved the young farmer, but with
out illusion, and with a sober recogni-
ton of loves exact value.
what is it, honey?" he asked. bad
newsY"
NO" answered Lillah, folding up
the letter.
only letter from Beatrice She's
coming home"
And she watched Beatrice with quiet
anticipation as she sat in the hammock
on the stoop three weeks later.
Beatrice had hardly changed at all.
She was little more petulant, little
more selfish but the years which had
begun to leave their mark on Lillah
had only added to the sisters charm
1t was small wonder, thought Lillah,
that Henry Linton called so often now,
or that he and Beatrice were always
to be seen together.
Henry had seemed shamefaced, but
Lillah had been so frank, she had
seized every opportunity of throwing
the two together while she toiled at
the housework. So Henry's love-mak-
ing had come to be accepted as a
matter of fact, and Lillah seemed to
have forgotten everything that had
gone before.
If there came a sudden stab at
Lillah's heart when she heard a vague
report of Henry's intention of selling
out and leaving the village, she never
betrayed the wound. And so time wore
on toward the date of Beatrice's de-
parture.
Beatrice kissed Lillah effusively.
1--WE had lovely time here" she said,
"and Klanz thinks he will be able to
give me part in his new show. Broad
way at last for mine, Lillah, and your
little sisters fortunes made"
Lillah smiled YEARLY. II hope so,
DEAR" she answered. I'm glad you've
had nice rest here"
Better than l expected" answered
Beatrice contentedly, but say, Lillah,
I'll be glad to shake that Linton man.
He's been logging me every minute
I've hardly been able to call my soul
my own since I've been here. /
thought I'd have little fun with him
at first, but he's sure got adhesive
properties"
"You--you don't care about him?"
asked Lillah.
Beatrice stared at her. "What? Me?
| A rube like that?" she demanded. MY
dear, sometimes | don't know whether
you want to make me laugh or cry !'
Beatrice went next day, and Lillah
resumed the routine of her monotonous
existence. Sometimes she heard from
Beatrice. The part had fallen through
but Beatrice had other prospects. Soon
fortune would shine on her.
1t was weeks before Henry Linton
stood, shamefaced, before her.
live been so busy, Lillah," he
stammered
you see there was fellow wanted
to buy the farm, and he's been hang
ing on and off, but-well I've about
decided to stay on and make the best
of things"
Lillah's heart began beating very
quickly and softly, and then, out Of
their common wretchedness, some
thing was born in her-something that
was to be forever after a part of
her. 1t was like d revelation.
For she knew that this was the one
gift the fairies had given her, this
compassionate understanding, by which
she was to give, give, and receive