Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1915-09-14
EIGHTH ~INSTAlLMENT
CHAPTER VIII.

mat so great and conservative a
man as Barclay should lend the prom
Use OF his backing to the doctrines and
tenets OF Celestia aroused extraordi-
nary interest all over the country. and
even ia England and on the CONT
nent.
Celestia was showered with invita-
tons, most of which she declined. But
n did not decline them all. II was
ner duty. she felt. 10 convert to her
cause, all sorts and conditions OF men
n women. the man who had been
born with a golden spoon in his mouth
and the man who had been raised
with a revolver In his %hip-pocket.
She was asked to speak in the ball
room OF a great house overlooking
Central Park. The invitation TO do so
was i~nstigated by Mary Blackstone.
but Celestia did not know this. and
the name signed to the note of invi-
tation was one which tempted her t.
accept. II was a name which above
all others stood. in the opinion of the
man in the street, for all that is rich
est and most foolish.
To his function, Tommy was among
those invited (all part of Mary Black
stones plan). but. though he yearned
to be wherever Celestia was. in spite
OF their latest quarrel, he was too
busy tramping the streets Of New
York In search of a job to accept.
Mary had hoped that among those TO
the name born. Celestia. in spite OF
her genuine good looks and magnetic
voice would appear insignificant il
not impossible. She was doomed to
disappointment.
Celestia. abandoning for the occa-
sion her work-girl dress. and assum-
ing once more that graceful flowing
white garment in which she was first
a new standard OF beauty. but started
q new fashion in dress. and a kettle
ful of jealousy among the women.
At end of the long ballroom-a
great space Of mirrors. and silk. bro
caded with garlsnds. flowers overflow
Ing baskets and cupids- was a plat
form Tor musicians. pom this. to a
great assemblage Of fashionable men
and women all talking At once Celes-
tia appeared suddenly-and there vas
silence.
The lovely lov-broved face crowned
with the strong dark hair. the ste-dy.
kind, unfsthomable eyes we're like a
command that had 20 be obeyed.
Celestia never began at the begin
ming of a speech. she never started
by expressing surprise AZ being asked
TO speak. OF establishment at perceiv-
ing so many u%pturnei faces. Nor did
she start b. saying what she was go
Ing 10 talk about when she really did
get started AZ the point where Ce-
lestia began. another would have been
half through. Size plunged right into
the heart OF things with a compelling
sweetness and seriousness that We're
Irresistible.
She finished speaking. her hands
dropped to her sides. and her eyes.
we'll. though they had been open all
along. they seemed 10 omen. and she
looked almost frightened and puzzled.
A roar of applause rose. and in the
back Of the room. Professor Stillitcr.
who had been unfer a great strain.
wiped the sweat from his brow.
Celestia came down from the plat
form. very shtly and the men began
to crowd about her. and 10 shake her
hand. Thev crowded about to tell her
that they believed her. that her cause
was theirs. that when the time came
she could count upon them for money
and for service.
But IL won't be easy" she smiled.
Its a greater house thon this nat
we have 10 clean A hundred years
of mistaken laws and customs are
not to be swept aside in a day. 50.
indeed. | shall need your service. and
your backing. and your votes"
Celestia's hostess took possession
OF her and women forced their way
among the men. in order 20 look closer
al that simple Greek dress which.
worn as Celestia wore il. so put 20
shame their own bare arms and shout
ders and lizardish costumes.
Among the poor. when she said that
che came from heaven. among the IN
fortunate and the d~owntrodGen. Celes-
tia was taken literally by SO many
that IL ~staggers belief. We have only
10 remember that less gifted prophets
have succeeded in imposing their d.
vinity on m%ultitudes. About Celestia
there was nothing that rang false.
She was goodness and sincerity per-
sonifed.
Among the more sophisticated. the
statement of her origin was taken as