Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-02
CHAPTER I.


p-YH thing that I know least about
is my beginning. For it is pos
sible to introduce Ethel Rawdon
I'm so many picturesque ways that
the choice is embarrassing, and
forces me 10 the conclusion that the actual
circumstances. though commonplace. may
be the most suitable. Certainly the events
that shape our lives are seldom ushered in
with pomp or ceremony; they steal upon
US unannOunced, and begin their work
without giving any premonition OF their i'm
portance.
Consequently Ethel had no idea when she
returned home one night from a rather
stupid entertainment that she was about
to open a new and important chapter OF
her life. Hitherto that life had been one
of the sweetest and simplest character
the lessons and sports of childhood and
girlhood had claimed her nineteen years;
and Ethel was just at that wonderful age
when, the brook and the river having met
she was feeling the first swell Of those ir-
resistible tides which would carry her day
by day to the haven Of all days
1t was Saturday night in the January OF
1900 verging toward u o'clock. When she
entered her room she saw that one OF the
windows was open, and she stood mo
ment or two at IT, looking across lne
Iumined shadows thousands Of sieepets
were holding their lives in pause. 1t
1T is not New York at all. she WINS
rered cit Is some magical city that l nave
soon hut have never trOd. Ii VIII VANISH
about o'clock in the morning. ana theIe
will be only common streets. nun OF Gun
mon people. or course, onq To -,S,ot ,fa
closed the window and leisurely removes
her opera cloak. "Of course, TINS IS ollty
dreaming but TO dream waking, OF 70
dream sleeping. IS very pleasant IN
dreams we can have men as we ike them,
and women as we want them ana make al
the world happy and beautiful so.,,ue,
She was in no hurry OF feellhe
or movement. She had been IN
20 I've quite alone and talk to herseli
a little. Ii was also so restful to gradually
relinquish all the restraining gauds OF ldsn-
fonable attire and as she lelsuIsiy PeI
formed these duties she entered into con
,,ersation with her own heart-talked over
with Il the events Of the past week ana ue
cided that its fretleSs days, run OF sOoo
things had been from the beginning TO the
end sweet as a cup of new milk or W.
mans heart is very talkattve, ana requires
little to make II eloquent in It's own way.
In the midst of this intimate companion
shin she turned her head and saw Two let
tars Wing upou table She rose and lifted
them one was an invitation 10 studlo
reception. and she let II nutteF lhuetsi M ~,
nately from hor hand; the other was ooth
familiar and appealing; none OF htt CORE
Erondents but Dora Denning used that Pc
S'it.I5n tb1de ~ niue paper. and she Instantly
began to wonder why Dora had written 10
her. ,.o, :, che re-
fected. land she told me everything she mad
10 telI-and what does she mean py s9ch a
tantaliZng message as thisF Iearest I r,
/ have the most extraordinary news Sot ~,
to me Immediately. Dora ROW eNseNS
like Dora" she commented. come 10 me
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. you are IN pea OF
aslep-whether you are sick OF 49,
whether II Is midnight or high 1oon- 'soi.s,
to me Immediately. Well, Dora, am soing
to sleep now and tomorrow is SUNDAY anu
/ never know what view father IS soiIs ~
take OF Sunday He may ask me 70 go 10
church with HIM and he may not ne may
want me to drive in the afternoon, ana aea'n
he may not: but Sunday is rathers nome
day, and Ruth and make point OF ophs
ing him In regard to it. That Is one OF our
family PRINCIPLES; and girl ought 10 ha ,s
a few principles OF conduct involving SELF
denial. Aunt Ruth says, Life cannot staho
erect without self-denial,' and aunt Is
usually right-but l do wonder what poIa
wants. cannot imagine what extraorai-
nary news has come. /, must try ana see
her tomorrow-it may be difficult-but l.
must make the effort''-and with this salts
Tying resolution she easily fell asleep.
When she awoke the church bells were
ringing and she knew that her father and
aunt would have breakfasted. The fact did
not trouble her. II was an accidental sleep
over; she had not planned II, and circum-
stances would take care of them
selves. In any case. she had no
fear of rebuke. No one was ever
cross with Ethel. II was a matter of pretty
general belief that whatever Ethel did was
just right So she dressed herself becom-
ingly in a cloth suit, and. with her plusned
hat on her head, went down to see what
the day had to offer her.
The first thing Is coffee, aud then, all be-
ing agreeable. Dora. ] shall not look
further ahead" she thought
AS she entered the room she called Good
morning. and her voice was like the voice
OF the birds when they call Spring. and
her face was radiant with smiles, and the
touch OF her lips and the clasp of her hand
warm with love and life: and her father
and aunt forgot that she was late and that
her breakfast was yet to order.
She took up tbs reproach herself. II am
30 sorry, Aunt Ruth. only want a cup OF
coffee and q roll"
MY dear. you cannot 60 without proper