Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-08-29

out Of love with one girl and in love with
the other. He was not to blame. for.
though she was only nineteen. Susannah
had already turned several heads besides
his. She made up her mind to marry
Hugh Lent. Not that she cared over
much for him; there was somebody where
she had been visiting that she cared for
more, but Susannah. was not one to let
love spoil her chances. Moreover. she
was not one to let such slight object
as her sister prove an obstacle. She set
Currence out Of the way gently, but ef-
fectively. and took Hugh for herself. And
at the wedding, where she had once
dreamed Of being a bride, Currence was
at her in her broken-hearted pallor. be-
cause Susannah was there, radiant and
eye compelling.
Hugh took Susannah far away and
never brought her back. They went to
Paris And in time Currence came to be
alone under the Italian lilacs.
She was all alone in the house and
without. She lived very quietly. She
gave her souls confidence to none. yet
she had many friends.
reached the perfection OF its beauty and
its bloom. And on that day. which had
risen all blue and gold. the rain began
to fall-a fine gray rain with hlaments like
the downpour and Currence had to stay
indoors. She laid light fire In the fire.
place and sat down before it. for the aft
ernoon had suddenly taken on chill.
The room was threadbare, but clean and
sweet with the scent OF lilacs In big
blue bowl on the old-fashioned mahog-
any table. Currence put on her glasses
and took up her work. She was making
q baby's sock out of pink and white wool.
There was always some baby who needed
socks and Currence had time to make
them.
She was thinking about Susannah. Ever
since the lilac budded she had been think
ing about Susannah. 1t was more than
And it was many years since she had
ceased to write. She had gone into life
as strange and remote from anything
Currence had known as II she had lived
on another sphere. Paris was very far
from simple, inland Westmore; 1t could
not have been farther.
Currence heard the sound OF wheels in
the street. and rising went to the window
to look out. Even passing vehicle at
forded diversion. This was a cab reck-
swerved in at Currence's own door.
Amazed. she saw a woman alight-a fat
woman in costly black and lavender. The
woman hurried toward the shelter Of the
porch. It was when the bell rang that a
voice seemed to say to Currence, THAT is
your sister,"
Currence opened the door. She stood
white and speechless clinging to the little
pink sock. For q moment she and the
woman looked at each other. 1t was a
startling revelation. Then the woman
spoke
"Well, nv dear Currence! How do you
do?'
Currence mumbled something and gave
her hand. Susannah kissed her. They
entered the living room together.
oh" Susannah exclaimed. you have
a fre!"
She went to 1t. Then she became con-
scious of the perfume and perceived the
lation between the flowers and her sister.
And she sighed.
Nothing is changed here" she said.
Currence echoed her sigh.
Nothing"
susannah took OF her hat and gloves
and coat and sat down by the fire. She
leaned back, filling the chair amply. Cur
renee sank down opposite her. And again
they studied each other In a long look.
Hugh died four years ago." Susan
nah said. calmly. land I've been all that
time making up my mind to come home"
She smiled family.
Currence did not smile. She had not
known before that Hugh was dead and
the news came with certain shock. It
was all of a piece with this strange
reality of having susannah at home
again. She could wonder at It, but not
weep. For the Hugh she loved must live
Just as she had known him to her last
breath.
why didn't you come beforer' she
asked when she could.
TT was too far. And each year It
grew farther. Besides. I liked Paris.
Though I used to wonder often how
came to be there. It was like being In
a dream all the time. And dreams go
fast. Life goes fast Don't You find II
so?'
Currence looked away.
you've been happy and your life has
mattered," she murmured.
Susannah stared down at her fat white
hands and turned her wedding ring medi-
youth helps" she said. while you
are young you can manage with the few
toys you have. haven't been young for
a long time. But I've tried to take
things as they came. Now that I'm
back here at the beginning OF things
with you I see that You have had the
best Of It. You have lived with your
lilacs and a memory. and with constant
disillusion. Hugh was good husband.