Norwich bulletin., 1915-06-29
THE WORLD WOMAN

Mrs. Hume leaned forward in her chair and stared intently through the window at the house across the street. More callers upon her, she thought. Mrs. Braisted and her daughter. They never come here. Nobody ever comes sere. I'm as lonely as if I were in prison"
 She flung her crochet work across the room. It struck a slim crystal vase on & table, and the vase tumbled over. and with a. ringing clink be- came fragments. Mrs. Hume blinked once; then she sneered.
 T don't care. I like to break things once in a while. It relieves me. And can buy more. Now. she over there can't. I've got that advantage of her if all the people do go to her house and ignore me"
 She rocked furiously, gazing about the room. It was pretty room, al- most luxurious, and appointed in the best of taste. The rug under her feet was duly rich; a Khurdistanist girl had spent her lifetime weaving it for her bridal outft-which she was never to need. Between portieres was re- vea1ed an interesting vesta. I've got one of the finest houses in this town" Mrs. Hume was thinking. I've got as much money as anybody. And I am certainly not uncultured. yet haven't friend. l haven't even neighbor who isr neighborly. Oh, I know the reason why! They call me wicked. And I am. can't help being wicked. Who could after such a life as I have had? Trouble-troub1e- trouble. No one ever had so much trouble" Her breath caught in a sob. And that woman over there-that little, soft, bland Mrs. Lisle, who has walked on posies all her life Iong-she scorns me because I'm not such as she. She gathers in her friends and a. -E~,za CN I hate her! And I've reason to hate her. It is she and such as she that keep me wicked-wicked-w
 She was storming now, with her hands pushing back her thick, snowy hair from her crimson. angry face. and forth quickly. Her head was held high, and her nervous fingers clutched the long silken fringes of the magnesia cashmere shawl which clung to her shoulders. If a chair got in her way she thrust 1t aside destroy, to hurt some of these inani- mate things as her own thoughts hurt her. And ever her loneliness crowded closer, mocking her who hated 1t.
 She came to a pause at length out of clear fatigue. The room was grow ing dark and she could not bear dark ness. It was too full of all the things she had lost; it rustled with old memories, disappointments, heart breaks. She crossed to a copper plate in the wall and began to switch on lights. One after the other they flashed out, beginning in the crystal lamp upon the table near her and ending in the attic. She never pulled down a shade or drew a curtain. She lived in the sight of any curious pas serby. All night long until broad day light her house blazed as if af1re. She l. 1ser1-4 -E,@ herself quiet enough to sleep. The neighbors sighed at the sight of that glowing house. And she knew that they felt she was afraid to be alone with herself.
 After she had turned on the lights she took up her crochet work and sat down again. Sometimes she felt that the constant motion of the steel hook kept her from growing mad. It acted as a governor upon the restless en- ergy of her being. The supper hour approached, but she felt no hunger. room and eat alone. Her icebox was stored with dainties which she had prepared with her own hands and would throw away on the morrow be- cause she had no taste for them. Once she had found much joy in her skilful cookery. Now it was only means of passing the time
 Then came a sound-an unusual sound. Some ones knock! Could it be possible? She went to the door The light poured out upon a woman who had stood there with something in her hand.
 Good evening, Mrs. Hume!" she said cheerily. And then as Mrs Hume still stared, Don't you know me? I'm your neighbor. Mrs. Lisle I'm going to have beef stew for sup per- and I've brought you some,' She