Evening star., 1915-12-25

nized as former acquaintances. Every
body was talking to everybody else
One rushed up to her crying out In
agony: II have always lied and cheat
ed wherever 1 could. In life 1 loved to
get the better of all with whom 1 came
in contact; but oh. in purgatory l am
forced to practice lying and cheating
to the exclusion of every better i'm
pulse"
A tall, graceful man walked up to
Mrs. Helm and took her hand. Il bid
you welcome" said ne. with genial
smile. May ] ask what was your be-
setting sin in life?"
"I had no besetting sin," replied Mrs.
Helm. loftHy. Its a mistake. I don't
belong here"
There's no mistake" asserted the
gentleman, positively You have but
just arrived, and probably don't under
stand the rules of the game. What
ever your favorite sin was that will be
your punishment now. You will con-
tinue to do that sin to the exclusion of
ways an intermission between acts. if
I may so express myself. No one sins
continually. Even the worst character
has its lapses from evil. But once ar
rived here the sinner is forced to prac-
tfce his sin exclusively" He bowed
pleasantly and walked on.
Confess your faults" squeaked a
thin. familiar voice at her elbow, in
wnOm 9he recognized a FORMER nelR n
Dor. II loved to tattle and make trou-
BILE. but I'm SO sick of such work now
II like to die again and be sent where
I couldn't tell a lie if 1 wanted to.
What was your sin?"
"T had no sin," asserted Mrs. Helm,
positively. Dreadful groans went up
from all sides.
AS she looked at the grief-worn faces
around her a man sprang at her, his
fingers clutching at her throat. Il
LII L.
cause I could. Here I kill because
must"
Somebody pushed him aside. Let
her alone" cried a voice, she's just
come and she hasn't confessed why she
came"
Mrs. Helm tore herself away from
them. 1--WE done nothing" she cried !;
nothing at ALL"
They all shouted in chorus: That's
the worst of it. That means you have
nonentity. There are sins of omission
as well as commission. Why. you're
not even fit to stay with u.s." And a
great. mocking laugh reverberated
through the place.
Mrs. Helm felt a touch on her arm.
The tall gentleman who had spoken to
her before was at her side. Never
mind those lunatics," he said, encour-
agingly. "If you can't remember your
sin don't doubt that you had one. God
TAM"
Mrs. Helm struggled. ''I am rich,"
she screamed, trying to stand on her
feet. ''Oh, why" She fought-she
left. Away. away with you all"
Old Sarah had her mistress by the
hands. She was shaking like a leaf in
a gale. "Oh. my dear, my dear" Sarah
was saying, tears streaming down her
wrinkled cheeks. "Oh. my dear mis-
tress-that I should have left you, even
for one night. Do speak to me-"
Mrs. Helm looked vaguely at her old
servant. Are you in purgatory. too,
glancing furtively around. What
have YOU done to bring you to place
like this?"
know where you are? I couldn't sleep
away from you. and am back to ask
you to let me stay with you as long as
I live"
Mrs. Helm turned feebly in her chair
AS her brain cleared she recognized her
surroundings, yet she doubted. Her
face was very pale.
Sarah. are we really alive, you and
I-or-are we not?"
"Of course. we're alive." cried Sarah,
hastily.
"And that young widow"
"She is here, too"
Let her remain to do the work."
commanded Mrs. Helm. wearily. do
you also remain to sit with me. at your
old wage. and with the best food to
eat the market affords. From this
time on until the day I die 1 am a
changed woman. I'll hunt up the poor
and the old and the sick and the miser-
able of this world and I'll make them
If not happy. I know just
what my besetting sin is. though II
would not confess it to them down
there" She pointed to the floor. look
ing darkly as she did it.
Sarah stared curiously at her mis-
tress.
Madam" said she, in hushed
voice. that was an awful At I found
you in. You were striking out with
your fists and screeching and frothing
at the mouth. That must have been a
terrible dream"
Mrs. Helm shook her head. 'Tt was
no dream. Sarah" she declared. "1t
was a vision into eternity. I thank
God for opening my eyes. even at this |
late day. This year He has given me a |
Christmas gift. indeed-the great gift |
of new heart and a better purpose |
Let US to our knees, Sarah, and thank |
Him for all His mercies."