Love’s Sacrifice

Love's Sacrifice By Ernest H. Linford A brilliant yellow light streamed out of the French win- dows of the Aiding home, and) danced and played among the trees and shrubbery. Inside, a group of young people were dancing in time to the floating music. Idle boys and girls they were, spending most of their time at parties. A young couple danced through the velvet curtains into the hall, and soon were on the veranda. "They won't miss us," the young man was saying, "let's have a few moments to ourselves." He followed her closely until she seated herself on the fountain where the bright lights from the parlor glittered and sparkled. "Your ring that I ordered from New York arrived to- night," he said, as he drew out the velvet case and produced the shining jewel. "A week ago tonight," he was saying as he slipped the ring on her finger, "you gave your promise to me. Do you remember, dear?" The girl gave, a little cry of joy at the sight of the ring. Soon she was in his arms. "I must show it to Aunt Margaret," she insisted. "Hurry back," he told her, and sat down with a smile of genuine happiness beaming on his face. A tall stranger entered the gate and spoke to the young man who gave a start and turned quickly to face him. "'Are you Wayne Barnes?" asked the tall stranger. "You will no doubt remember about two weeks ago you rescued a man from a burning building on Madison street. I am that man ; Patterson is my name. I am a minister iof the gos- pel. May I call at your home toorrow, I would like to talk to you?" "Certainly, I will be delighted." "Thank you, I must be going. Good night." Scarcely had he left when Ruth returned. In a few mo- ments they joined the rest of the party in the parlor. The next morning about ten o'clock a1 servant awoke Wayne Barnes and announced that a man was downstairs to see him. "Bring him up, Jarvis."

LOVE'S SACRIFICE 1109 In a moment Mr. Patterson was introducing himself to Barnes. "I am a missionary of the gospel." "What church?" "Jesus ,Christ of Latter-day Saints." "The 'Mormon?' " "Yes." "Then I cannot talk to you." "Sir, surely you will let me talk an hour." Wayne gazed out of the window for a hrief moment and finally said, "Begin, I am listening." The man started out (first giving a little history of the Church, explaining and describing as he went along. The hour passed, but Barnes did not realize it. He forgot that he wasn't listening. He forgot that he was talking to a "Mormon." He became enthusiastic and began asking questions. Two hours passed and noon came. Wayne asked the missionary to stay to luncheon which was served in his own room. At four o'clock the missionary left, leaving behind him a few books and tracts which Wayne promised to read. He made his call at the Aiding home short, which sur- prised Ruth very much. Hurrying home, he began his long hours of study on the strange doctrine. Sometimes he would conquer himself and throw the books away from him, but he always picked them up again. The missionary called every day and Wayne always had dozens of questions ready for him, but they were always answered. Wayne missed a luncheon engage- ment, two club meetings, and declined an invitation to a party. Ruth Aiding noticed that his visits were less frequent and was curious to know what he was doing. "I'm studying religion," he told her, and that was all she could get from him. One day while Wayne sat studying the precious Scripture, his mother stepped up to him noiselessly and snatched the book away. She did it only in fun, but when she saw the title of the book, she became very stern. "So you have been reading the 'Book of Mormon?' " She received no answer and continued, "Do you believe it, or is it just curiosity?" "Why, I— believe it." "Do you know it will kill me if you turn out that way after all my hopes. Do you intend to join that Church?" "I don't know." To tell the truth, he had not even thought of it. "The day you join that Church, Wayne, you are turned out of this home, besides your disgrace and losing your friends.

1110 IMPROVEMENT ERA Think of Ruth; she would never forgive you." She stood there stern and unaltered, with cold eyes. "I'll not do it," he resolved as he went to bed, but after hours of sleepless thought, he decided that he could not go on this way. This doctrine was true no matter what happened. He would always believe it. If he believed it true, he must join it. After long talks with Mr. Patterson he finally announced that he would join the Church. He spent most of the night pleading with his heart-broken mother. "When are you going?" she asked. "Tomorrow afternoon." "What are your plans?" "I am going West with Mr. Patterson and his companion. I will get a job on Mr. Patterson's farm." "In the morning, my son, the town will know of your dis- grace." Neither of the two slept that night; both wondered what the future would be. II. "Two gentlemen downstairs to see you, sir, and here's your mail," a servant announced. Wayne jumped with a start. He had slept two hours. From the pile of mail he picked up a tiny parcel. The moment he saw it he ,knew what it was — the diamond ring he had given to Ruth. He picked up the note with it, and read : Wayne: You needn't come to say goodby to me before you go. You have chosen between me and the "Mormons." I never want to see you again. Ruth. "Oh, God," he cried, "must I sacrifice everything?" When he came downstairs the two young men waiting noticed that his face was haggard. If any man could persuade Wayne, it was Jack Bagely, and everyone knew it. They had always been as twin brothers. "You don't know the pain you're causing us, old top. Can't we persuade you to give it up?" "Sorry, but I've got my heart set on it." "But remember, you're our chief at the lodge. We can't do without you, Wayne." "I suppose you've come to represent all the boys in the lodge?" "Yes." "Well, tell them then that it tears my heart loose to think of it, but I cannot go on this way."

LOVE'S SACRIFICE 1111 "I'll tell them, but remember this much, we're through with you!" Bagely gave a stiff bow, but the other man did not even look at Wayne, and the two friends passed out of his life forever. At the last moment Mrs. Barnes came down to bid her son goodby. She was calm and dry-eyed, and looked at him with cold eyes. When she kissed him, Wayne noticed her lips were cold as ice. She remained calm until he passed out the door; then she broke down and poured out her feelings in tears. in. Nearly two months have passed. Wayne Barnes stood smil- ing over his first earned money. Two months ago he would have laughed at such a small amount, but it was different now. This was hard earned money. But he had a place for it. Since he started to work for Mr. Patterson he dreamed of owning land of his own. For nearly a year he watched with jealous heart an eighty acre field joining Mr. Patterson's ranch. After look- ing over his bank account, he decided to try to buy this lovely ranch. Mr. Drofnil, the owner, met him at the door one eve- ning and invited Barnes in. "So you want to buy that eighty acres do you?" Mr. Drofnil inquired. "Yes, very much." They talked it over for hours, and Wayne went home smiling. "I've bought it," he cried to Mr. Patterson, "he sold it at a low price and at such easy terms." "God is good to you," smiled Mr. Patterson, "success smiles on you." The next few months Wayne spent working on his own land. What a satisfaction it was to improve and toil on his own soil. And the friends he made! Every time he went to church he was invited out to dinner or to go on a picnic. What a pleasure it was to go up the canyon on horseback with the rest of the fellows. Such were the things that helped him to forget what burned in his soul. People wondered why he was so grave and silent. Little did they know of how his mind longed for those loved ones back home. How he wished he could per- suade them to come. He wanted to write to Ruth, but the memory of the note she sent him made his heart pain. "You have chosen between me and the 'Mormons,' I never want to see you again." How those cruel words burned his soul. He wrote long pleading letters to his mother. For two months he received no answer, but at last a letter from her came. With shaking hands, he opened it. It read:

1112 IMPROVEMENT ERA Wayne: I am glad you are well and happy, but I am not. My heart may never be mended. I appreciate your letters, but please do not ever mention your Church to me again. Mother. "Well, ya' needn't look so sad about it. Isn't it a letter from home?" Wayne turned and faced Mr. Drofnil. The old gentleman was looking at him with half pitying and half smil- ing eyes. Wayne handed him the letter and watched the float- ing clouds while the old man read it. "I guess it's pretty hard for you ta git letters like that. Aire ya sorry ya came here, Wayne?" "Never." "Say, why don't ya choose one of these pretty maidens around here, and settle down?" "I guess God never meant for me to marry," Wayne re- turned. IV. Wayne had secured lumber and started to build him a house. Each spare moment was spent with his tools working on the neat little cottage. He would hire a house-keeper and make the best of it. But then came the call for more mis- sionaries. Wayne Barnes was the first to be called. This would have meant another sacrifice, had not Mr. Patterson of- fered to loan him the money to carry him through, and Mr. Drofnil, still ready to do his part, bargained to take the farm back until Wayne returned. Wayne joyfully accepted, and two weeks later he stepped in the train to go East. For two long successful years, he and his companion preached the truth to the people of Maine and New Hampshire. He loved the work and had great success. When his work was nearly finished he was transferred to Pennsylvania his boy- hood home being only a few miles away — his beloved home where Ruth and his mother lived. He resolved not to go near that city, but was obliged to go there to attend a conference. After the conference he decided to take a walk down the avenue where he had walked so much. How his heart throbbed when he stood in front of his old home. It was evening, and the lights shone out of the windows. Wayne gave a start; someone was walking down the path. He started to move on, but it was too late, he was recognized by the man. "Mr. Barnes!" he exclaimed. "Jarvis!" As it was Jarvis, the butler, why not talk to him? "Jarvis, how is mother?" Not very well, she stays at home and seldom admits anyone but Ruth."

LOVE'S SACRIFICE 1113 "How is Ruth? Is she married?" "No, her aunt died a month ago. I heard her state to your mother that she would never marry ." But he suddenly became aware that someone was coming down the walk, so he hurried on. Led by his longing or perhaps a faint hope, he soon paused at the gate of the Aiding home. To his surprise he saw a figure sitting on the edge of the fountain. The silver moon came from behind the clouds, and its rays shone on the lovely girl dressed in white. Her head was bowed and the breezes played with her hair. The man at the gate watched and hoped. The longing of his heart was so great that he let a groan escape his lips. He saw her sigh and shake her head, but that was all. He moved on with hot tears in his eyes. The train pulled in to the station and two men, Wayne Barnes and his companion, stepped off on western soil. Two men, a tall, smiling one, and a short, fat-faced one, with a little sandy beard, met them with a welcome handshake. It was Mr. Patterson and Mr. Drofnil. Mr. Drofnil invited Wayne to his house saying, "Come on Wayne, stay here tonight, I want you to taste some more of themi good muffins Ella can make. Ma, here's Wayne Barnes back again, hurry up and make some muffins for supper, I'll bet he's half starved," he told his wife. After supper the two men went out on the porch. With a little encouragement, Wayne poured out his story, and found Mr. Drofnil a very sympathetic friend. He was now a man, but still boyish in many ways. He wanted sympathy; he wanted to pour out his story to someone who would understand. "Well, Wayne, it's gettin' late, we'd better turn in. Don't forget, boy, about the just God; he will cause it to come out all right." For the next two months Wayne worked on his land and house with the help of Mr. Drofnil and was very successful. He took an active part in the Church and found himself delighted to be home again. "A telegram for you," a small boy announced, as he rode up to where Wayne was plowing. Wayne thanked the boy, and hurriedly, he opened the telegram. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Wayne Barnes: Come quickly. Your mother is ill. She calls for you night and day. Ruth. Three hours later Wayne bade goodby to Mr. Drofnil and started for the station. Mr. Patterson overtook him and begged to accompany him. Barnes was pleased to have him along and they departed for the east.

1114 IMPROVEMENT ERA V. At the Barnes home all was quiet. The doctor looked very grave and finally told Ruth it was useless. Ruth knelt down beside Mrs. Barnes' bed and told her that Wayne would be there that evening. While she was speaking the door bell rang. Ruth hastened to answer it and met Wayne and Mr. Patterson with a bow. It was an embarrassing moment as she stood there facing her former suitor. "Hurry, your mother is in there," she said, as she pointed, "If you have any faith, save her." The mother lay there white as death; her breathing was rapid; now and then she would sigh heavily. Ruth sat down in the comer and folded her hands, half hoping,- half praying. The two men placed their hands on the sick woman's head and gave her a blessing that came straight from heaven. How Wayne did pray, pouring out his soul's faith that the years of grief had made strong. For hours afterward he sat by his mother's bed- side, watching every move she made. The next morning when the doctor called, he found Mrs. Barnes smiling and holding the hands of her son. Ruth had lain down to rest. When the doctor left he called Wayne into the hall. "Do you know that if you do not go to bed you'll make her worse? If you get sick it might put her in the same condition she was in last eve- ning." The doctor took one arm and Ruth the other and they helped him upstairs. Mr. Patterson had returned home earlier in the morning. Wayne fell heavily on the bed and realized how ill he felt. "Don't worry," the doctor told him, "in a week your mother will be well." Ruth hurried downstairs to make him a hot drink. "Poor boy," she murmured, "I guess the strain on his nerves was too great." When she returned he was asleep. Three hours later she found him awake, but miserable. He thanked her for the delicious food she had brought him, but not once did he look into her eyes. She noticed it, but little did she know how it pained him to see her again. She did not realize how her last words to him still burned. "How is) mother?" he asked. "She's feeling better now, much better. She inquired where you were, and I told her you were resting." "You'd better go to her, I think." But she did not know why he sent her away. The next morning Wayne arose. He felt better now, but his heart was still heavy. The door of his mother's room was open. All was silent.

LOVES SACRIFICE 1115 "She must be asleep," he thought, as he sat down to wait. But soon he heard a voice. It was Ruth's. "How terribly we have treated him," she was saying, "I wonder if he will ever forgive me." "Surely," his mother replied, "God sent him to show us that we were wrong. God meant for him to forgive us, I know he will." "Last night I dreamed I was with him; you were there, too, Mrs. Barnes. We lived in a little cottage out there in the West; what a sweet dream it was!" Wayne did not wait to hear more, he slipped out into the garden. In a few moments he returned; his mother was alone. "Oh, mother dear, I heard. I didn't mean to, but I'm glad I did. Are you going to join my Church? Will you go West to live with me?" "Yes, my son," she murmured, as he kissed her, "our Father in heaven sent you to prove to us that his Church was true." For a long time they talked. She told him of how their bank had failed, and left her almost penniless, and then came the scarlet fever which left her weak and sickly. She had now been suffering with a nervous breakdown. "What you need," he said in a low voice," is to breathe the pure, dry air of the West." "And to live with you, Wayne, to be near you and know you are safe," she concluded. A few moments later he walked out on the veranda. Out in the garden, surrounded with nodding roses, stood Ruth. Her face was turned away from him and he could only see the brown, wavy hair. Noiselessly, he walked up behind her. He could resist no longer, why should he? Did she not say she wanted to be forgiven? He leaned and kissed her as she turned around. He held her in his arms for a long time. At last the gulf between them was bridged. "You said you dreamed of a little cottage out there in the West. Was it surrounded with vines and flowers? Was it nestled in the mouth of a canyon where Crow Creek with its crystal waters gurgled by? Were the fields surrounding it cov- ered with nodding wheat, and were there little children playing near the house?" "Yes, yes." "Then yours and my dreams have come true." The roses nodding in the breeze helped to make the pic- ture more beautiful to the old lady lying by the window, who saw it all, and smiled a happy smile as she thought of how Wayne's sacrifice of love had been rewarded. Afton, Wyo.