The pioneer-review. [volume] (Philip, Haakon County, S.D.) 1920-current, 1922-06-08
Lora's.c Great
Sacrifice
By wiNIFRED DUNBAR


.'oh, Lora. think what it means to
met"
"And, Dorothy what Of myselfy
sRather what of Lewis Martin.
Don't you see, dear. that 1t Is his
future, his success In the world that
is at stake? Oh, | love him 50! !
love him so!
"And T."
Lora Bissell leaned her face with
In her arms and wept as though her
heart would break. The eyes OF the
pale, thin, hectlc-faced girl at her side
were also glistening, but eagerness,
selfishnegs, hope were the influences
that moved her.
Both loved the same man--Lewis
Martin. Lora had reasons to believe
that he would ask her to become his
wife very shortly. Dorothy had also
received many attentions from the
brilliant ambitious young man who
was their hearts desire.
Listen to me, dear" urged Dorothy
almost breathlessly. "You know that
Lewis has in him the making OF
great man. Ii he settles down In this
sleepy town, what will he ever amount
to? With my means he can have
leisure to go on with the scientific
education that will make of him an
expert engineer"
LOra stole glance at the excited
face Of her companion. She had
nothing to offer to Lewis Martin except
love, and he had not yet asked for 1t.
Perhaps her might never do It. II he
married Dorothy II would add at least
brief period Of bliss to that lonely
heart.
Dorothy" she said, Il shall go away
tomorrow to visit a distant relative.
] shall remain away until hear from
You. When you have gained your
hearts wish, and not until then, will
! return"
.'BIess you'll Oh, bless you!" sobbed
the grateful Dorothy. II shall win
Lewis Martins heart, for 1t will break
my own II ] do not
The very foundation of the life Of
Lora Bissell seemed shaken the next
morning letter came from Lewis
Martin. It asked permission to call
upon her two evenings ahead Be
tween the lines she read deep signifi-
canoe to the brief epistle. She did
not answer it.
At last to her distant refuge there
came letter from Dorothy. She
was married to Lewis Martin. The
lines dubbed over with JOY. Lora
returned to her home and, took up
anew the heavy burden Of her loneli-
ness and silenced love.
Only casually did she hear from the
Martins during the next four years.
A little child was horn to them. The
father was winning high rank In his
profession. Then one day rush tele-
gram came to Lora. 1t was from
Dorothy. II gave an address In dis
tant city. It read:
"Come quick. nm dying"
It was no exaggeration. The pitt
ful heart Of loyal Lora forgot all Of
the past save her steadfast girlhood
love for the poor wife, whom she
found dying almost in the midst Of
poverty.
''Your husband, Mr.. Martini" was
almost Lora's first question:
sHaye you not heard?" inquired the
wretched woman. He was lost in a
great snowstorm In the frozen north
mo word for nearly year. He is
probably dead--and dying And the
little child, Mae. What Of herr"
81 win take the child, Dorothy"
she said simply. sShe shall have all
that love can give to make her
happy"
''Oh.. may heaven bleAs you, my one
true friendr breathed the poor SUI
ferer.
And then q new life opened to Lora
Blssell. II seemed as II the child were
! slit from heaven.
Two years went BY and Lora cher
ished the little one Us her own. And
then one dark, stormy night she an
.sweregi d knock at the door, to face,
breathless, aghast, the returned wan
tlerer Lewis Martin.
He had 4 strange stirring story to
tell. Illness. the severe weather had
held him practically : captive for two
years.
He had traced his child 10 his pres