Evening star., 1914-08-21

a right to sleep in ones chair II one
chooses. Mrs. White was gathering up
her sewing things.
"Wait!' said Mrs. Bend. imperatively
''You must have tea with me tonight.
The sewing woman shook her head.
Thank you. But Jean goes on duty at
6 and she'll be expecting me at home.
Il invite her. too. Call her up and tell
her so,r commanded Mrs. Bend.
And so it came about that at $50 she
sat at supper with her sewing woman
and her sewing woman's daughter al
young. happy way. and the image OF her
mother. She had strong chin, SELF
reliant nose. sensible mouth. And her
voice thrilled like a harp string. She
was altogether charming.
Mrs. Bend.
Not a note" laughed Jean. That's
odd, too. For mother could sing beauti-
fully. She used to sing in the drawing
rooms Of rich people. That's where she
met father"
"Ahr' Mrs Bend said. sharply. Color
rose to her finely wrinkled cheeks. II
should like to know how you came to be
named Jean"
my own father named me" the cir!
replied. She sighed. That's the most
He died when I was two years old"
A long time after-it seemed q long time
Mrs. Bend sat alone. Her guests were
gone. The house was still. Her chair
was deep and the fire warm. Her head
was full of thoughts. her heart of awak-
ened memories So Beatrice Morgan
found her.
Beatrice came down the room to the
fire slowly. She was tall and slim and
fair, and her sables and velvet became
her Her cheek was fragrant and cold
as it touched the old woman's politely,
dutifully.
"Tve something to tell you," she said.
"well," returned Mrs. Bend.
Beatrice sat down. She looked into the
fire and played with a jewel at her
throat. She seemed to md II hard 70
You won't find it pleasant. perhaps
she said. But I heard tonight that
Harry's widow and daughter are here in
a year. The mother sews. the girl works
in the telephone office. Can you believe
it,"
II can believe anything at my age. But
they don't go by the name OF Bend!
seems that after Harry died his widow
remarked, a man by the name OF White.
He died about six years ago There, you
have it just as I heard It
You heard it correctly" said Mrs.
Mrs White is my sewing woman. She
has been here today. Her daughter, too.
They had supper with me-"
Beatrice stared in amazement.
"And she was not a cheap dancer az
we heard" went on Mrs. BEND. She
sang in the drawing rooms. Harry met
her properly. I got the whole story out
of her. The girl is named after me- She
Is an adorable child"
go on" said Beatrice. quickly.
''They don't know yet that I am re-
lated to them. Harry told them nothing.
But / intend they shall know And !
mean to do something for them both. 1t
isn't too late even now to make repara-
tion"
mo" said Beatrice. Her lips quivered.
But you must let me do somethinS. too.
I've got my claim. I loved Harry. And
the girl" she broke down.
"Beatricev' cried Mrs. Bend, In great
establishment. a Come here"
Beatrice got out Of her chair and knelt
nv the old woman's side. Her face had
lost its coldness.
you've tolerated me for Harry's sake
merely" she said. you've thought ]
was nice to you from selfish motives.
I'VE been burdened-burdened! Now we
shall understand each other. As fos
Harry's daughter Will be most Ike
having him back again"
Beatrice" said Mrs. Bend, you are
a fine woman. Life holds something fol-
me yet.
She smiled, but her eyes were wet.
CTHE END)