Rockingham post-dispatch. [volume] (Rockingham, N.C.) 1917-1965, 1922-03-16
Lora's Great
Sacrifice
By WINIFRED DUNBAR

mel"
"And, Dorothy what Of myself?
Rather 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 sol
love him sol"
Lora Bissell leaned her face with
In her arms and wept as though her
heart would break. The eyes of the
pale, thin, hectic-faced girl at her side
were also glistening, but eagerness,
selfishness, 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 hisI
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 q
great man. If 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 a 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 he might never do 1t. II he
married Dorothy 1t would add at least
brief period of bliss to that lonely
heart.
Dorothy" she said, II shall 80 away
| tomorrow to visit distant relative.
/ shall remain away until hear from
| you. When you have gained your
| hearts wish, and not until then, Will
I return
"Bless you! Oh, bless yOu!" sobbed
the grateful Dorothy. II shall win
Lewis Martins heart for 1t will break
my own If do not"
| The very foundation Of the life OF
Lora Bissell seemed shaken the next
morning. A letter came from Lewis
Martin. 1t asked permission to call
| upon her two evenings ahead. Be
tween the lines she read deep slgnif-
canoe to the brief epistle. She did
not answer 1t.
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 loneii-
ness and silenced love.
| Only casually did she hear from the
Martins during the next four years.
A little child was born to them. The
father was winning high rank in his
profession. Then one day a rush tele-
gram came to Lora. 1t was from
ngr9thv. 1t gave an address in dis
tant city. 1t read: -, ->.-.
"Come quick. am dying"
1t was 10 exaggeration. The pitt
full 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.
"Have you not heard?" inquired the
wretched woman. HE was lost in
great snowst0rm in the frozen north
no word for nearly year. He is
| 1nnl-op1 Twin An tha
little child, Mae. What of herr"
Il will take the child, Dorothy"
she said simply. "She shall have all
that love can give to make her
happy"
"Oh, may heaven bless you, my one
true friend!" breathed the poor suf-
ferer.
And then new life opened to Lora
Bissell. 1t seemed as If the child were
a gift from heaven.
Two years went by and Lora cher
ished the little one as her own. And
then one dark, stormy night she an
swered knock at the door, to face,
GREATNESS, aghast, the returned wan
derer-Lewis Martin.
| He had strange stirring story to
tell. Illness, the severe weather had
held him practically captive for two
| years.
| He had traced his child to his pres
ent hostess.
III "Aunty-mamma" spoke only few
| words to little Mae, TO have her under
stand that this was the papa Of whom
they thought every passing day of
their lives.
| 81 have good position offered me
on the Coast" replied Martin. "What
/ shall l say to you, dear Miss Bissell
\ for what you have done for me and
mine"
Lora's heart was beating fiercely
with emotion and apprehension
"Oh, what an aunty-mamma she is =
cried Mae, lovingly. "And we never
forgot you, papa. See"
The speaker ran to stand in an