to reconcile her will to Nature's, she did
begin to perceive that her sacrifice would have its recompense.

Perhaps she perceived it the more clearly because it was given to her
to see what motherhood meant to other women. For she was enough like
the rest of humanity to value what others held precious.

On the day after her interview with Mrs. North, Sheila went to confide
her expectation of maternity to her grandmother. She found Mrs.
Caldwell in her sitting-room, a peaceful, lonely figure, lifted, at
last, above the stress and surge of life--and above all its sweet
hazards, its young delight. She turned a pleased face to Sheila:
"Dear! Ah, what would I do without my child?"

At the words, Sheila's news rushed to her lips:
"Grandmother--grandmother--_I_ am going to have a child!" And then she
was on her knees, and her face was hidden against Mrs. Caldwell's
breast.

There was an instant of silence. Then: "How happy you and Ted must
be!" murmured Mrs. Caldwell, "how happy!" And something in her tone
touched Sheila more nearly than even her close-clinging arms, something
that was at once joy for Sheila's joy and a measureless regret for
herself. Suddenly the girl, trembling in the fold of those gentle old
arms, realized how far behind her grandmother lay all youth's dear
hopes and adventures. And she realized, too, that she herself held
treasures in her hands--the treasures of youth and youth's warm love.
After all, even if she must lay her work aside, she was happy. Youth
and love were hers--youth and love!

Nor was it only from her grandmother that she received confirmation of
her fortunate estate. A few days later came Charlotte, to congratulate
her upon Mrs. North's belief in her gift.

"Alice North says that you have a wonderful future before you," she
told Sheila glowingly. "I'm so glad for you!--so proud of you!"

"Mrs. North said I had a future before me _if I did not have
children_," corrected Sheila. "She thinks I can't be a writer and a
mother, too."

"Ah," remarked Charlotte reflectively, "then that _was_ why--" She
paused a moment, leaving the significant sentence unfinished, and then
went on more earnestly, "Sheila, she was wrong! Don't be persuaded to
her views. She judged you by herself. Probably she couldn't be both
writer and mother--she isn't really strong, you know. But that is not
true for all women. Why, there have always been women who have done
great things intellectua