Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-12-20

come tomorrow. You know she was married
again, Miss Celia, to a French gentleman, so
they buried here there and sent all her papers
and things to Mrs. Brace, and Elna says there
is something in these papers about you and she
The red crept into Celias cheek; she drew up
her slim figure haughtily. You see it is an easy
thing to forgive the dead-the living are an
other matter.
81 wish Mrs. Brace no HARM" said Celia in .
clear tone, ''but our paths lie apart She chose
it when she would not come to our father on
his death bed: But that is not why sent for
you, Maddox"
Maddox told Teena that she felt herself "fair
snapped in two"
seven years since the old general died. was
second girl then and know for q fact how Miss
Celia persuaded him to alter his will and leave
money TO Miss Grace, that's what she was then.
Well, don't guess she could been more
they had sent the kilograms, they waited and
waited. And the general made Miss Celia get
out the papers and find out about trains It
was only from Chicago. for they were there
then. And he'd keep asking the time, saying,
do you think she Il come this time, daughter?''
He did it till the hour before he died, for Miss
Celia never showed him the telegram she got"
"Yes. l remember" said Maddox, who had
heard the story plenty of times before. But it
was the first time for Lizzie. the other auditor,
the telegram! said she.
mo, but know. knew the telegraph man
and he told me. It said: 4 cannot come and
not another word"
80 he died." said Lizzie in IN awe-struck
voice, land without seeing her? Goodness,
mew
Eyes, but the last words he said before he fell
asleep, and he never rightly did wake up from
that sleep. was to give little Oracle his love.
He was sorter wandering then and kept think
ing she was just little thing"
'And did Miss Celia give her his lover
"You better b'lievc she didn't" said Teena,
theoretically; NOR me neither if r d been in her
place. And ! don't blame her if she never
speaks a mortal word to her.
"Bu: she was SO young" urged the more
merciful Maddox, land you and know Teena,
that young girls is awful FOOLS
So the philosophers in the kitchen discussed
her tragedy, while alone over the gray ashes of
the fire Miss Celia watched all night through
with her memories.
She went back step by step through the
qua<rels. Did they look so unpardonabie now
that the slight creature that had caused them
was past all mischief making in her grave?
Vain. selfish, ignorant, playing with grave
mans honor as il it were tinsel, taking to
Mysteries AID her bed whenever her husband
refused her anything, flying into tropical RACES
and equally tropical remOrses, frnntically jeal-
Gus of little Grace's affection for her sister
and utterly reckless in her wiles to win the
child. vet generous, devoted to Grace, q
creature without conscience surely, but not
without heart. II never liked her, could
not like her anywhere said Celia honestly,
but might have been kinder to her."
And even the end did not seem 30 incon-
ceivably black as before. What could this
brilliant little creole, who never could keep
the principles Of the two parties distinct, know
about public honesty or public honor? She
took the tremendous bride offered her quite
complacentiy until she perceived her husbands
horror. And he-he extricated his wife at the
expense of his own stainless reputation. He
saved hcr-and never forgavc her.
Neither had Celia forgiven her until now.
But Grace. Grace was different. II she was
her mothers daughter. so, too. was she her
fathers, with his very eyes ard smile, his very
courage, Celia knew well (for do you suppose
she had not listened eagerly TO the talk about
her sister? Listened. looking the other way
and not seeming TO hear), his honor and his
pride.
The chimes were ringing again:
''Star of wonder, star of might