Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-06-28
CHAPTER VIII.-Continued.

II was a merely formal offer and ac-
ceptance Both knew that 1t would be
scarcely worth while to bandage men al
ready in their full health and strength
marked out for death. Nicholson went
out, closing the door after him. and once
more an absolute stole silence fell upon
the little company In moments Of crisis
it is the strict adherence to the habits OF
a lifetime which keeps the mind clear
and the nerve firm. Lois went on quietly
preparing some sandwiches, which in all
probability would never be eaten, and
Mrs Carmichael resigned martial occupa-
tion for the cutting out of baby's pima
fore for an East-end child whom she had
under her special patronage. But her
mind was active. and stern. self-opinion-
ated martinez that she was. she could not
altogether crush the regrets that swarmed
up in this last reckoning up OF her life's
activity. Better had her charity and in
terest been conferred on the dirty little
children whom she had Indignantly toll
Grated on her compound! Better for them
all would 1t have been had each one of
them sought to win the love and respect
Of the subject race! Then. perhaps, they
would not have been deserted In this last
hour Of peril.
Mrs. Carmichael glanced at Beatrice
Cary with a fresh pricking Of conscience
What. after all. had she done to deserve
the chief condemnation? She had played
with fire. Had they not all played with
toy At to play with, to break and throw
away. Did they not all, behind their
seeming tolerance and Christian prin-
ciples, hide an equal depreciation? Was
men revealed to their syces their darkest
moods. their lowest passions? How many
women were to their ayahs subjects for
contemptuous bazaar gossip. They were
all to blame. and this was the harvest.
the punishment for the neglect Of a heavy
responsibility. The thought that she had
been unjust was iron through Mrs. Car
michaers soul. for above all things she
prided herself on her fairness. She pushed
her work away and went over to Bea-
trice's side. Mrs. Cary's head still rested
against the aching shoulder. and Mrs.
Carmichael made a sign to let her i'm
provise a cushion substitute. Beatrice
shook her head.
mo, thank you.' she whispered. glanc-
ing down at the flushed, sleeping face.
I'VE have done each other so little real
service that / am glad to be able to do
even this much. I don't suppose 1t will
be for long. How quiet everything Isl"
Mrs. Carmichael looked at the clock on
the writing table.
TT is not yet midnight" she said.
Probably the rajsh Is keeping his prom
ise." Her expression relaxed a little.
Don't tire yourself" she added. brusque-
iys 10 MIS-. Betty, WHO udO OccH AdHHttlS
the unconscious woman's face with an
improvieed paper fan. II don't think she
feels the heat"
The missionary's wife continued her
good work with redoubled energy. 1t
was. perhaps. one Of the few really un-
selfish things which she had ever done
In the course Of a pious, but fundamen-
tally selfish life, and 1t gave her pleasure
and courage. The knowledge that some
one was weaker than herself and needed
| her was new strength to her newborn
heroism.
1T il SO frightfully hot" she said. half
apologetically. why isn't the punkah
man at work.
The 'punkah man has bolted with the
rest OF them" Mrs. Carmichael answered.
II dare say could work II. though I
have never tried"
ut - hardly worth while to begin
now" Beatrice observed. and this simple