Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-09-22

thing to be the keeper of another's
confidence. Years had passed since
Mrs Tubbs had carried even a secret
of her own. The women of Pink street
know each other like books. Miss
Jewett can tell you what every house
holder is in the habit of having for
breakfast. There are no surprises
there.
Mrs. Bert Legge was the next to call.
She was highly strung little body.
She returned much excited. She had
Mrs La Grange to herself. How lovely
Mrs. La Grange was. She makes me
think of my sister who died-her heart
is too big for her body. Figuratively
tie, sensitive. gentle woman ought
never to marry anybody. And when it
comes to great, stolid, unsympa-
thetic man like Mr.. La Grange
She stopped suddenly, biting her lips,
with an uncomfortable look in her
eyes, and changed the subject.
One after the other the Pink street
ladies called on Mrs. La Grange and
came away charmed with her pathet-
ically appealing ways They could not
say enough good of her 1t was a pity
that Mr.. La Grange But at that
point each and every one of them
paused abruptly. 1t was evident they
had opinions they dare not utter, but
there originated an air of GOODNESS all
up and down Pink street toward the
husband of the engaging new neighbor
Mis-. La Grange was fairly showered
with invitations. Everybody wanted
her to go everywhere. She was made
honorary member of all the clubs i'm
mediately. Mrs. Vanderhoof gave an
evening bridge with no object but to
do her honor; Mrs. Legge made a re-
ception. Upon all these occasions Mrs.
La Grange shone with gentle radiance,
wearing something black and filmy
with a dash of scarlet somewhere. Mr..
La Grange usually sent his regrets. He
was always extremely busy. One could
see that his negligence of social du-
ties panied his wife, but she always
covered her disappointment with a
smile.
For several weeks Pink street was
gayer and happier than it had ever
Mrs. Earl Tubbs and Mrs. Bert Legge,
old neighbors and old friends though
they were. fell out. Mrs. Tubbs said
she had heard that Mrs. Legge made
fun of her clothes. She would not tell
who had told her this. Indeed, she
seemed anxious to shield her inform
ant. To tell the truth. Mrs. Tubbs'
clothes were of the sort that could very
easily be made fun of, and so there was
truth as well as malice in the report.
Mrs. Legge, to Offset this attack of
Mrs. Tubbs. said she had heard that
Mrs. Tubbs accused her (Mrs. Legge) of
talking behind her (Mrs. Tubbs) back.
But she would not tell how she had
ing of the Social Equality Club the two
old ladies merely glared at each other
without speaking.
Upon the heels Of this came fresh
had a terrific quarrel which nearly
created a scene. and in consequence
| they ceased to speak.
Then Mrs. Wall and Mrs. Staples had
| a disagreement. Somebody had re-
| peated something that Mrs. Wall had
| said about Mrs. Staples-the same old
hash that was going the rounds.
though served up with different sauce.
1t looked as If all Pink street was
getting by the ears.
| However, there was one Pink street
resident whom nobody accused or sus-
| pected, and that was Mrs. La Grange.
The ladies' who fell out with one
another rushed to her and found SYM
patty. 1t is true Mrs. La Grange
proved to be no peacemaker. Doubt
| less she did what she could, but that
was little. Before summer was half
gone the whole street had divided into
factions and all social activity had
ceased. At several club meetings the
hostess was the only lady present. The
condition was truly appalling.
One sweet, calm. joyous July morn