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

it a Just punishment? have ruined both
our lives. Lois. I couldn't help hearing
what Capt. Nicholson said to you. It
explained what you said to me about
building on the ruins Of the past. That
was what he did-he built a beautiful
palace on me-and I wrecked 1t. fa1led
him.
Have you really failed him?'
Lois. I don't know-I am beginning to
believe not. But it Is too late. / meant
to clear away the rubbish-and build. But
there Is no time"
You have done your best"
"Oh. II could only save him. Lois! He
was the first man had ever met whom ]
trusted, the first to trust me. owe him
everything. the little that is good In me:
It had to come to life when he believed
in 1t SO implicitly. And he owes me ruin,
outward and inward ruin"
Lois made no answer. With q warm.
impulsive gesture she put her arms about
the taller woman's neck, and, drawing
the beautiful face down to her own.
kissed her. Beatrice responded. and thus
friendship was sealed-not for life, but
every moment being drawn closer about
them.
The sound Of firing had now grown in
cessant. One report followed another at
swift, irregular intervals, and each
sounded like a clap of thunder in the ST.
lent room. Mrs Cary stirred uneasily in
her sleep. q low. scarcely audible groan
escaped the parted lips. as though even
in her dreams she was being pursued by
fears pitiless phantom. Her self-ap-
pointed nurse continued to fan her with
the energy Of despair, the poor, livid face
twitching at every fresh threatening
sound. Mrs. Carmichael still pretended
to be absorbed in her pinafore. but the
revolver lay on the table, ready to hand,
and there was a look in the steady eyes
1f41, ~ 20 hn arct VI
should confront her. Lois and Beatrice
continued their fruitless task.
A wOman's courage Is the supreme VIC
tory of mind over matter. 1t Is no easy
thing for hero to sit still and helpless
while death rattles his bullet fingers
against the walls and screams in voices
Of hate and fury from a distance which
every minute diminishes. For a woman
burdened with the disability Of high
strung nervous system. 1t is q martyr
the froth OF an enervating, pleasure-seek-
ing society, held out-held out with a
martyrs courage and cOnstancy-against
the torture Of inactivity. OF an imagina-
ton which penetrated the sheltering walls
out into the night where fifty men writhed
in a death struggle with hundreds-saw
every bleeding wound. heard every
smothered moan OF pain, felt already the
cold iron pierce their own breasts. The
hours passed and they did not yield.
They had ceased from their incongruous
tasks, and stood and waited, wordless
and fearless.
AS the first gray lights of dawn crept
into the sitting room they heard foot
steps hurrying across the adjacent room,
and each drew herself upright to meet
the end. Mrs. CarmichaeTs hand tight
ened over the revolver. but 1t was only
Mr.. Berry who entered. The little mis-
sionary. a shy. society-shunning man.
noted for doing more harm than good
among the natives by his Jealous bigotry
and ignorance OF their prejudices, stood
revealed in q new light. His face was
grimed with dirt and powder. his clothes
disordered, his weak eyes bright with the
fire Of battle.
do not be afraid" he said, quickly.
There is no immediate danger. have
only been sent to warn you to be ready
to leave the bungalow. The front wall is
shot-riddled, and the place may become
times comes you must slip out to the old
bungalow. Nicholson believes he can hold
out there"
my husband" interrupted Mrs.
Carmichael.
your husband is SAFE In fact, all
against such things. I should say 1t was
q splendid fght-and every man a hero.
The rajah-
1.-THE rajah-?
Mr.. Berry looked in stern surprise at
the pale face of the speaker.
said, somberly HE Is always in the
front of his men-we can recognize him
by his dress and figure-he Is always
within range. but we can't hit him. Not
that I ought to wish his death. though
distractedly to his head. Heaven knows.
it's too hard for Christian man! Every
time I see an enemy tall rejoice-and