Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-06-13

trousers We're the first and most neces-
sary step toward salvation" He looked
quickly at her to see if she was offended
at his outspokenness. but she only
laughed
Poor Mr.. Berry is a Phi,istine." she
said He can't help thinking absurdities
of that sort
Would you mind telling me what You
mean by a Philistine?'' he asked
"A Philistine is a person who sees
everything in its wrong proportions she
answered. He mistakes the essential
for the unessential. and vice versa He
can never recognize the beauty in art or
nature. because he can never get any
farther than tie unpleasant details One
might call him mental earthworm, who
has only the smallest possible outlook
Mr.. Berry, for instance. has never. | feel
sure. felt the charm of India and its peo-
pie. He is always too overpowered bv
the fact that the clothing is too scarty
for his idea Of decency. You must not
take him as an example Of European
taste. although you will find only too
many like him
II am glad to have your reinsurance
Nehal Singh replied. Mr. Berry anCerel
me, and I can well understand that he
has no influence among my people. They
are very innocent in their way. and they
cannot understand where the wickedness
lies. Nor do | wish them to understand
1t does not seem to me necessary His
mouth settled in a new and rather stern
line. Il shall order Mr.. Berry to leave
them in peace"
She smiled at this little outburst of au-
tocracy
You do not wish your people to be-
come Christians" she asked
Il shall not interfere in their religion"
was the quick nSwer-'or at any rate
l shall force nothing. If my people be-
lieve truly and earnestly in their gods. +
shall not destroy their belief for then
they will believe in nothing. And the
voice sank and grew suddenly gentler-"I
am different ] have been led By light
which | must follow"
After a moments thoughtful silence he
changed the subject and began pointing
out to her the improvements he had
brought about in the native dwellings.
Even Beatrice. who had seen little of the
old conditions. felt that the change was
almost incredible. A conservative. in
dolent and superstitious people had within
few months been transferred from
loathsome dirt and squalor into a model
village such as an English workman
might have envied Nehal Singh showed
her the houses at the end of the bazaar
which belonged TO the chief men. or those
responsible to him for the cleanliness and
order of the community. Small. prettily
planted gardens separated one low dwell
ing from the other, and each bore its
stamp of individuality, as though the
owner had tried by some new and quaint
device to Guido his neghbor.
'Of course" Nehal Singh explained 10
her, as they turned homeward. there are
men with whom nothing can be done
They have spent their lives as beggars
and cannot work now even il they would
For such l have made provision although
they, too, have been given small tasks to
keep them from appearing beggars. But
they are the last of their kind. There
shall In future be NJ idlers in Marut.
From thenceforward every man shall
work honestly and faithfully for his daily
bread. and will see that he has no need
to starve. The mine will employ the
strongest. and then. later, Travers and
suited to the peoples taste and talent.
You have already done a great deal
she said, moved to real admiration.
tremble to think what il has cost you"
AS she spoke the hidden irony in her
casually spoken words came home 10 her.
and she felt the old fear clutch at her
heart.
IT have given the best 1 have-myself."
he answered, sravely. 'Of material
wealth / have only retained what is
beautiful: for beauty must not he sold
to be given as bread among the poo.
That would be a crime-as though one
would sell heaven for earth. Travers
wished me to sell the old jeweled statues
and relics but i would not. They belong
to my people, and one day when they
have learned to see and understand. they
will thank me that / have kept the splen-
doris intact for them.
CTo be continued tomorrow.)