Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-06-28
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT that the end was 9

acknowledgment that the end was at
hand received no contradiction
Once again the silence was unbroken
save for the soft swish Of the fan and
Mrs. Cary's heavy, irregular breathing
Yet the five women who in the full swing
of their life had been dramatically OPP
posed to one another were now united In
a common sympathy. Death. far more
than a leveler Of class. is the melting pot
into which are thrown all antagonisms
all violent discords OF character. The one
great fact overshadows everything. and
the petty stumbling-blocks OF daily life
are forgotten. More than that still-it is
the supreme moment in mans existence.
when the innermost treasures or unsus-
pected hells are revealed beyond all de-
NAL. And in these five women, hidden
in two cases at least beneath a mass OF
meanness. selfshness and Indifference,
fee and pity. Death was drawing near
to them all, and their one thought was
how to make his coming easier for the
other. When the silence grew unbear-
courage to break it with a trivial crtti-
cism respecting the manner in which
Lois was making the sandwiches.
You should put the butter on before
you cut Them" she said tartly, land as
little as possible. I'm quite sure 1t has
gone rancid, and then George won't touch
them. He is so fussy about the butter"
Mrs. Berry looked up. The perspiration
of physical fear stood on her cold fore
head. but her reused will power fought
heroically and conquered.
And. please. would you mind making
one or two without butter?" she said.
Percy says all Indian butter is bad. OF
course. it's only an idea of his. but men
are such faddy creatures, don't you
think?"
"They wouldn't be men if they
WEREN'T" Mrs Carmichael had be-
gun, when she broke of. and the scissors
that had been shipping their way stead
lily through the rough linen Jagged and
dropped on the table. She picked them
up Immediately and went on with an i'm
patient exclamation at her own careless
ness. But the involuntary start had CO.
incided with loud report from outside
in the darkness and smothered scream
Lois put down her knife.
Wont you come and shelp me?" she
said to Beatrice. Your mother will not
notice that you have gone"
Beatrice nodded. and. letting the heavy
head sink back among the cushions, came
over to Lois side.
How brave you are.' she said. in a
whisper. you seem SO cool and col
lected. just as though you believed your
sandwiches would ever be eaten!"
II am not Drawer than you are. Look
how steady your hand is-much steadier
than mine"
Beatrice held out her white hand and
studied 1t thoughtfully.
Il am not afraid she said, but not
because l am brave. There rs no room
for fear. that is ALL" She paused an in
slant, and then suddenly the hand fell on
Lois. The two women looked at each
other. Lois. / am SO sorry"
For me?"
For you and every one. I have hurt
SO many. 1t has all been my fault /
would give ten lives Il had them TO see
the harm undone. But that isn't possible
Oh. Lois, there is surely nothing worse
than helpless remorse!"
The hand within her own frightened in
its clasp.
lis 1t ever helpless. thought"
II can't give the dead life-I can't give
back mans faith, can II?
The light Of understanding deepened In
Lois eyes.
'Beatrice-I believe KNOW
Yes. see you do. Do you despise me?
What does II matter II you do? It has
been my fear OF the world and its opin-
ion that helped To lead me wrong. Isn't