Old love stories with new variations, or, The reward of a useful unselfish life

Contents

Chapter Page

Introduction ...... 5

I. Lorane’ s School Days .... 7

Introduction

From my earliest recollection I had very high ideals, wonderful visions and great imaginations for the future, accompanied with exalted ideas as to what one must achieve in order to be successful, useful and happy in this present world.

I was inspired by the most spiritually-minded writers of the Bible, and I besought Divine Wisdom to place in my hands the best books that would teach me the highest truths.

I believed every one had latent talent, which if cultivated and used would make him successful, unselfish and useful in all lines of work. I prayed earnestly to God to reveal to me my talent and to place me where I could serve Him best and do the greatest amount of good to the greatest number of people.

One evening, while sitting in a public hall, waiting for a lecture to begin, a strange lady came in and took the seat nearest to me. She spoke to me, and we began discussing first one subject, then another. Finally she asked me if I wrote very much. I answered, No, that I had never written much except a few short poems. She then inquired if I would like to know what my greatest talent is. I replied that I certainly would and that I had been beseeching Divine Wisdom in its own wise way to reveal my talent to me and to help me use it for the good of my fellow beings.

She said, “Your greatest gift is writing. Some day you will take up your pen and write.”

Following this, I tried to write at several different

PREFACE times, but my most diligent efforts met with no success.

One morning, however, just before awakening, I had a very vivid dream. I dreamed that a lady appeared to me — a very advanced soul — and she said to me :

“I have come to assign people to their rightful place in the path of life. You will begin your work by writing a book. The title of this book will be, 'Old Love Stories, with New Variations, or, The Reward of a Useful, Unselfish Life.’

"You will place your book before the minds of the people, especially young men and young women, to teach them the higher relations of love between men and women as it will exist between the sexes in the New Dispensation that will soon be ushered in.

"Whoever reads and studies this book, acquires its true, spiritual meaning and makes its teachings practical in everyday life, will find a solution for every problem and be able to triumph over all difficulties. Then this book will have accomplished its mission, and its author will be rewarded by the same Spirit of Inspiration that guided its compilation.”

So it was that as my dream or vision faded, the words of this book began coming into my mind spontaneously and without effort. No longer was there a labored attempt to write, but instead there was the joyous expression of thoughts that flowed from my pen freely and fully, through no volition of my own, but a message from the great Infinite, sent to all those who long for happiness and perhaps wonder why they do not find it. To all such I say, Read, study, acquire and benefit by this message to you !

LAURA ISABEL IRELAND 1315 West Avenue Fifty-one, Los Angeles, California.

OLD LOVE STORIES, WITH NEW VARIA- TIONS, OR THE REWARD OF A USEFUL, UNSELFISH LIFE.

CHAPTER I. Lorane’s School Days

Lorane Mayhan was left an orphan at the age of six, without any means of support whatever. She had no relatives that she knew of, and but very few friends. However, one kind family, in good financial circumstances, offered her a home, where she made herself useful as the little nurse of their five months' old baby.

Lorane had never had a good home. She had gone to kindergarten but a few days and had received very little training. She was a very pretty little girl, with large bright, blue eyes, and light golden-brown ringlets covering a well proportioned and good-shaped head. Her features were even and round, with a very soft, rosy complexion, and she possessed all the good qualities that were necessary to develop into a beautiful, bright and intelligent woman.

Lorane was very happy in her new home, always singing like a lark and ready to assist with any kind of work. She soon became very much attached to the children of the family, who in turn were extremely fond of her, and with her cheerful, happy disposition it was not long until she became a favorite with the entire Allen family.

They sent her to school with the rest of the children. She was very studious, brought home the best reports, and advanced so rapidly, from one grade to another, that all the teachers marveled at her unusual brightness.

She loved to help the children in their little problems and was willing to give instructions in all lines of study.

As she grew older they all came to rely on her sweet, unerring judgment more and more, and Mr. Allen often asked her advice as to what course to pursue in his business transactions, and when he would listen to her ideas and suggestions he would be successful far beyond his own expectations.

Lorane graduated from the grammar school at the age of 14. She appreciated and loved her home and family, but she had a deep desire to earn her own living. She frequently discussed this matter with the Allens, expressing her own ideas as to what line of work she would like to take up and asking their advice.

Her own ideas, however, were so much in advance of theirs and possessed so much merit that they refrained from advising her beyond counseling her that she should go on with her studies until she had finished high school.

While Lorane thanked them gratefully for their interest and kind counsel, she decided in her own mind that she should enter into some occupation without further delay.

It was nearing Christmas time, and the downtown stores were advertising for help in all lines of work. Lorane applied for work in one of the large drygoods stores and was given a position at one of the notion counters. She did everything so neatly and nicely, and was so pleasant and polite to every one she came in contact with that the manager very quickly saw she was capable of holding a better position and transferred her to another department where she received higher wages. For thus she was very thankful and from her unselfish heart resolved to please her employer as well as her customers.

In the same manner she made good everywhere she was placed until she soon ranked as the best saleswoman in the house. Her salary advanced with her preferment, and it was not long before she was not only paying all her living expenses but was able to fulfill her cherished ambition to take lessons in music, for Lorane was gifted with natural musical talent and the possessor of an unusually fine mezzo soprano voice, and the deepest desire of her heart was that she might become a great singer. To be sure, her employment left her but little time to devote to her music, but she gave every spare moment to its study and practice in order to realize the fulfillment of her beloved ideals.

This, of course, meant rapid and sure progress, until her longing eyes seemed to see the fulfillment of her life-dream coming ever nearer and nearer, while her days grew fuller and sweeter with the satisfaction that work faithfully done ever yields.

Chapter II

Lorane’s Appearance in Europe as a Red Cross Nurse.

When war was declared against Germany Lorane Mayhan was among the first to offer her services. She loved to do good to suffering humanity, and she deemed it her duty, as well, to do all she could wherever most needed.

She entered the Red Cross training school and in due time received a first-class certificate as a practical Red Cross nurse. She made all necessary arrangements required for the voyage and started with the first of those who left positions, home and friends to go to the battle fields in France.

The nurses found plenty of work on the way over. There were the sick to be administered to, sad hearts to be comforted and the lonely to be cheered and strengthened.

Lorane's first patient was a Captain, who never crossed the ocean without suffering terrible seasickness. This time he had an unusually bad attack, and the attending physician said that it would require the best of care and nursing to bring him through. Lorane, with a brave and courageous heart, resolved to do her best.

“I can and I will!” was Lorane’s motto, whatever the work she entered into. She was gifted with great spiritual intuition and had advanced ideas, far above the ordinary, and was always kind and cheerful and happy when using her God-given talent so graciously given her, for all human needs wherever and whenever called to serve without any selfish motives whatever.

She could not always conscientiously follow the doctor’s advice, but would follow the promptings of her own better judgment. All of the physicians were amazed and astonished at the amazingly rapid recovery made by her patient who was so very low when she undertook his care and questioned her closely as to the methods she had employed.

With simple candor she told them that she had no method, but acted on the first good impression that came to her mind.

“I always look on the bright side of all problems,” she assured them, “and ask Divine Love to guide me to the right action. I never entertain any dark, sad or evil forebodings, nor allow my mind to harbor suggestions of any worrying nature whatever. I find that cheerfulness and good, loving, kind thoughts, words and acts for every one are the secrets of success in all lines of work.”

Lorane gave concerts and sang patriotic songs in all parts of the ship. Her lovable ways soon made her a favorite with officers, crew and passengers. The captain called on her to lend aid in various plans, and more than once the crew recognized her spiritual authority in emergencies.

At one time, when a severe storm was aproaching, the captain and all the crew were very busy making all arrangements for the safety of those on board. Most of the passengers were badly frightened, some of them screaming and running wildly to and fro. Lorane, with her calm, peaceful presence of mind, mounted some high structure that had just been put in place to keep the waves off of the deck, where, with one hand clinging to the ropes and the other waving Old Glory, she sang in a loud, clear voice, “The Star Spangled Banner,” with new variations all of her own arrangement. Her smiling face and golden hair floating out from her uncovered head made her appear a veritable angel of light and a vision of promise to all who saw her.

Soon the storm calmed and the passengers became quiet and peaceful, their sorrows changed to joy, their fright to composure and cheerfulness. So it was that Lorane, with first thought for others, ever met all threat of danger and won the love and confidence of all on board.

At the end of the voyage, as Lorane was bidding her friends good bye, the Captain of the ship came to her, with tears in his large brown eyes, expressing his deep regret at their parting. He also complimented her on her good singing and her cheerful willingness to help in all lines of work and at all times of emergencies, and declared that he had never had a more pleasant trip across the ocean in all his experience.

Lorane, in the hospital in France had many varied experiences. In her nursing of the soldiers, she won the love and deep appreciation of all to whom she ministered. She was given the name of the Ministering Angel, and all expressed their feelings of peace and quietness when under her calm influence.

After Lorane had been in the hospital several months and encountered so much of the horrors that were to be met there, her health began to fail. She therefore began to think seriously of returning to her native country. She longed to see her old friends and again to resume the work that is required to make one a great singer. The stage from early childhood had had a great fascination for her, and she felt that her talent should be expressed there.

She had not decided just when she would start for home, so kept right along with her duties in the hospital. She felt that just at the time she was needed awhile longer for some special work, and although the outlines of what that special mission might be were not clear to her yet, she was willing to be patient and await future developments.

One morning, after one of the hardest drives, the ambulance brought to the hospital a young officer, who was found lying on the ground in an unconscious state, his face and eyes badly burned with the poisonous gas. His condition was very critical, and the physicians knew that the most skillful care and nursing would be required to save his life. They called for the best nurses to assist them in bandaging and dressing his wounds, and after they had finished their work they bade the nurses good bye, thanking them for their bravery and cheerfulness which they had manifested throughout the trying ordeal of the operation.

They consigned the wounded man to the especial care of Lorane, who had won the honor of being considered the best nurse in the hospital. She sat silently by his side, with a prayer in her soul for his recovery. In a few minutes she noticed symptoms of returning consciousness.

She took his hand and gently asked him if he was comfortable. Moving his head a little, he replied, “Yes, thank God, I am.”

After he became entirely conscious and was able to bear it, Lorane thought best to tell him all about how and why he came to be in the hospital. He listened intently, then thanked her and asked wistfully if she would not help him to forget it all.

“With all my heart I will,” she answered him tenderly.

And then Lorane prayed as she never had before, with her soul filled with faithfulness to God, imploring that the wounded man should have erased from his consciousness all the horrible scenes of the past, his mind filled with the glory and joy of living and placed where he could be of the best use for the good of his fellow beings.

The young captain lapsed into a natural, peaceful sleep, and while sleeping had a vision. He dreamed that he was back in good old Southern California, living in a neat, beautiful home on his 50-acre ranch, which was given to him by his Uncle Tom on his twenty-first birthday.

In his vision he saw a beautiful young woman, with blue eyes, light golden wavy hair, rosy complexion and a bright, sunny, smiling face as his helpmeet.

Alzaro knew in his dream he had seen this fair maiden somewhere but his dream was of such a mystical nature, he could not remember it all on first awakening.

Lorane wondered as she sat by his side why she seemed to take more interest in this young man than she had ever done with all her other patients and so longed for his entire and complete recovery and so earnestly desired to see his face and know something of his past life. She also wondered if he was a native of the United States, or of France, England or Italy.

However she quickly dismissed this thought wandering from her mind and began to thank God for his loving kindness and mercies, knowing full well that he would reveal to her all that he in his own wise judgment wished her to know.

As she sat silent, watching her patient, a new poem came to her mind, whose rhythm seemed gradually to fall into certain strains of music. While she was setting the words to the music, humming the softer tones her patient awoke. He asked for a drink of water, and while Lorane was preparing this he raised himself, sat upright in bed, helping himself as though nothing had happened to him.

Now, the patient had been awake a few minutes before and had been listening to Lorane’s singing. The physicians had forbidden Lorane conversing with her patients, but she saw that in this case it would not hurt him to express himself a little.

He tried several times to remove the bandages from his eyes, as he desired very much to see the face of his kind and loving nurse. This, however, she would not permit him to do, thinking it better that his eyes should have time to become accustomed to the light after being so seriously injured.

They sat in this way for some time, chatting happily about music. The patient had taken his feet off the bed and was sitting up, declaring that he felt as well as he ever had in his whole life. Just at this time some of the doctors opened a side door, coming in to see about their dangerously ill patient. To their great surprise and astonishment they witnessed a scene that they could not at once persuade themselves was real. They had thought it would require several days with the best of care, before there would even be much change in his condition.

The patient on his part at once began begging them to remove the bandage from his eyes. This they would not consent to, but told him that he was improving so nicely that he must not spoil it now by impatience; that they would be back in a short time and would then take whatever course seemed best to insure his speedy recovery.

They praised and congratulated Lorane for her wise judgment and nursing, and hoped she would remain with them to the end. “We feel your good natural healing powers and appreciate your wise, unerring judgment. You have been a great and willing helper in most all the trying and critical cases.” They asked God’s blessing to accompany her all through life, bidding her good-bye; they turned to remove the bandage from Alzaro’s face.

Just then another physician came and called for Lorane, whom he wished to assist him in a very bad case of pneumonia that had suddenly attacked one of the nurses. She shook hands with her patient, little dreaming that this would be their last meeting for some time to come.

CHAPTER III. Alzaro Stanton’s Home in California

Near the foothills overlooking one of the most beautiful and picturesque valleys in the glorious climate of Southern California, on a large ranch crowned with lemon, orange and walnut trees, there cozily nestles a typical California bungalow, albeit built on rather a more palatial scale than usual. A thoroughly up-todate modern house, its twelve spacious rooms provide an appropriate setting for the residence of Stanley Stanton, retired capitalist, with his sainted wife Elizabeth, the mother of four bright and happy children.

Alzaro, the eldest, is a handsome young man, 21 years of age, with fine physique, straight, athletic figure, large brown eyes, dark and slightly curling hair and fine olive complexion. Standing 5 feet and 11 inches high and a weight of 150 pounds, he reflects credit on the training received at his college, having (just graduated from one of the best educational institutions in the state of California.

Louise, a fair young maiden of 18 summers has deep blue eyes, dark golden wavy hair, a rosy complexion and a graceful and well-proportioned form. She graduated from high school at the age of 17, is naturally gifted with an unusually rich contralto voice and possesses a fairly good musical education. She has never expressed herself as to what line of work she would like to take up, but is very devoted to her parents and seems to be perfectly contented to remain home and help her dear mother care for the two younger children, Tom, aged 9 years, and Grace, 4, and assist with the house duties.

Mr. Stanton has in his service a very refined and well educated Japanese, named Canngo Cong, who has his wife and two nice, obedient children with him. These faithful Japanese have been with the Stantons for several years. They are always ready and willing to assist the family along all lines of work when needed. They live near by on a portion of the ranch, in a neat cottage planned and built according to specifications furnished by the Japanese himself, after the style of his native home.

Mr. Stanton is very kind to his Japanese assistants and pays them well for their labor. In fact, he could not do otherwise, being a firm believer in the Fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man, deeming every one, regardless of color or nationality, his brother in Christ.

Alzaro since graduating from college had not thought of taking up any kind of work, but was willing to assist Cong in the flower garden. He loved flowers, and admired the style and artistic methods of the Japanese in arranging everything to harmonize.

One morning he took his long pruning knife out to cut away some useless branches from the honeysuckle arbor near the front gate. It was one of those soft, balmy breezy days that stirs the heart of all nature in California. The foothills had been visited a few days previously with refreshing showers, and everywhere orchards, lawns, shade trees and shrubbery were putting forth their new dress of vernal green in response to the welcome rain, so much appreciated in spring time.

Alzaro was busy trimming the vines, whistling a patriotic air as he did so, when he caught the musical strains of a mocking bird, which had selected the topmost branch of a beautiful magnolia tree, where its golden throat was voicing praise to the All-Good in a melody so wonderful that it seemed incredible it could be produced by so small a specimen of God's handiwork.

Alzaro wondered as he listened to the last notes if this songster had a mate close by that made him seem so happy, also why it was that he had never selected any particular one more than another of his schoolmates to care for, but admired all alike. He often thought of Homer Moery and his sister Louise, — how happy they were together, how gentlemanly Homer always acted in her presence, and how glad, cheerful and willing he always was to assist her in all her little troubles.

And what an expression of love, smiles and cheerfulness Louise manifested when referring Homer's good, manly and generous qualities.

While pondering all this in his heart, he heard a rustling among the leaves overhead, and looking up he saw that his little feathered friend had returned with its mate. They hopped, skipped and flitted from one bough to another, then would dive down to get something to eat or the lily pond for a drink. They busily carried bits of string to weave into a nest which they were preparing for their future home and young ones. The singer was not so industrious as its mate, but would perch itself on its chosen bough and pour out its heart in song while its mate did the work of building the nest.

To Alzaro it seemed that the bird sang sweeter and louder than before now that its mate was near. Just as it seemed to attain its most exalted state and to sing with the sweetest inspiration, Alzaro saw a young lady walking slowly along. She had a heavy veil wrapped closely around her head, nothing but her eyes revealed. She had caught the strains of the little feathered songster, and was almost tiptoeing as she passed along, lest the noise of her footfalls would disturb it and cause it to cease its singing. She paused just opposite the magnolia tree, gazing upward to catch a glimpse of the bird.

Alzaro, whom she had not yet observed, thought that she had the most beautiful blue eyes of any woman he had ever seen, — eyes as blue as the skies above and filled with tender love as she drank in the sweet melody of the mocking bird.

She listened in breathless silence until the last notes died away, then softly clapping her hands, said, “Thank you, dear fellow songbird. I, too, love to sing. I am on my way now to practice the songs I shall sing tonight at the Orpheum for the Red Cross benefit. I trust I can give some one the same joy, hope and pleasure by my singing that you have just given me with your lovely song this afternoon. Good-bye !”

So saying she turned and hurried on her way, all unconscious of the presence of any one near by. Alzaro watched her until she reached the little station, where she took a car that carried her from his sight but not from his thoughts. When it was too late, he reproached himself bitterly that he had not availed himself of the opportunity to address her and let her know that he had been near and overheard her words to the mocking bird.

Alzaro well knew by the emotions of his own heart that they were sometime and somewhere to meet again.

and made up his mind to be patient and trust to Divine Love to arrange that time and place. He could not quite understand the new light that was filling his soul and that his young love dreams were soon to be realized.

<f Is there really a soul mate ordered by Divine Wisdom for me?” he questioned his inner consciousness eagerly. “It seems to me as if the new awakening is coming, — is very close.”

Alzaro kept on busily pruning the vines, not caring to have his thoughts diverted from the new light that life was manifesting to him since seeing those heavenly blue eyes. He was aroused from his pleasing reverie by the shrill whistle of his little brother Tommy, reminding him that the dinner hour was near and it was time for him to get ready.

That evening after dinner was over Alzaro went to his room and dressed himself as if going out. He then went to the music room, where Louise was practicing a new piece presented her by Homer, whom she expected to call later that they might practice together. Alzaro kissed his sister Good Night, telling her that he was going into the city to the Orpheum, as there was something special there that he wanted to hear. He promised her that he would tell her all about it the next day.

On arriving at the theater, Alzaro bought a ticket in one of the best boxes. There, seated comfortably, looking over the program, he saw by the synopsis that the first number to be presented was the rendition of an old story he had read when a mere boy.

It was the narrative of a young prince, whom his parents had forbidden to look on a beautiful girl, attaching the penalty that if he did so and was caught at it he would lose his crown. A sweet and lovely youthful singer became infatuated with this prince, but would not allow herself to meet him, knowing what the consequences to him would be in that event. However, she would get as near to him as possible, without revealing her face, and entertain him by her glorious voice in song. She always concealed herself where he could not see her, but could hear her sing.

This his parents did not object to, — in fact they rather approved of it, as they thought it a good idea just to let him listen but not to look on her face.

Alzaro felt as he thought the prince must have done when he heard the sweet notes of the singer, but could not see her beautiful face illumined by those deep blue eyes again. He knew intuitively that it was the same voice that he had heard speak this same afternoon, as his heart responded to the same emotions of love that had swept over it a few hours before.

He felt sorry for the rich young prince who knew he could never realize the hope of his young love dreams, nor enjoy the company of the sweet singer who so mysteriously had won the affections of his young tender heart.

Alzaro left the theater that night, not with disappointment, but with a firm determination to win. He well knew that he must culivate patience and courage before he could hope to win the heart of any true and trustworthy woman, and he was willing to undergo such training if it was necessary to prepare him for the wise and loving companion he desired.

He implored Divine Wisdom to teach him to act wisely and help him to solve every problem that came to him. Alzaro had been taught from earliest childhood to trust the all-providing law of an all-good

Father, and now, with a prayer to God end full confidence in his all-loving care, he resolveo to make the best of whatever came. He knew that iv was the law of God that our own would come to us if we wait patiently on the Lord and expect nothing ibut the best, for, “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he,” and so will he be.