South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-06-24


mount necessity. The physical and psychcai
conditions OF the times demanded IT, and the
soul Of man could never be emsncipated until
# was adopted. He himself was proud to be
one of the founders of their audacous and
secret Society, revolutionary and pioneer in the
best sense TO which so many OF the medicai
fraternity now belonged and so many OF the
brave women, too, who were in the Of the
feminist movements OF the times. He said
great deal in this vein Virgins listening IN
growing amazement and uneasiness, waited for
the clue to it all.
In conclusion. the speaker referred solemnly
TO the fact that there was a stream Of force
in their Society which laid them open to the
melancholy charge OF being called historical"
But after ali" he cried. with rising enthusiasm
and in accents that rang down the hall, "a
Society without hysreria is a dull Society Just
as woman without hysteria is a dull woman
Neither the Society nor the woman need yield
10 the tendency: but that il is present poten-
TALLY infers the faculty so delicious in the eyes
OF all sane men-the faculty OF running to ex
tremes. II is a sign Of life. and OF very vivid
life. II is not for nothing, dear friends that
we are named the" But the buzzing in Wig
gins's ears was so loud at this moment that he
missed the name. 1t sounded to him something
between "Can-Ibelieves" and "Cameis,' but
for the life of him he could not overtske the
actual word. The Doctor had uttered it, more
over. in a lowered voice-a suddenly lowered
voice. .
When the noise in his ears had passed hs
heard the speaker bring his address to end
IN these words: and / will now ask
the secretaries to make their reports from their
various sections, after which. l understand"-
his tone grew suddenly thick and ciouded-"we
TO be RECALLED with collation. sacra.
mental collation-of the usual kind ."
His voice hushed away to nothing His mouth
working most curiously A wave of
element unquestionabiy ran over the faces OF
the others. Their mouths also worked oddly.
Dark and sombre things were afoot in that hall.
~ L,E,sw
edge of the Overhanging tablecloth and lis
tened. He was perspiring about in the neigh
borhood Of his heart. His mental and physical
discomfort were very great, for the conviction
that he was about to witness some dreadful
scene-black the garments OF the partici-
pants in it-grew rapidly within him He de-
vised endless plans for escape, only to reject
them the instant they were formed. There was
no escape possible. He had to wait till the end
A charming young woman was on her feet
addressing the audience in silvery tones; sweet
and comeiy she was, her beauty only marred
by that singular leer that visited the lips and
mouths of all OF them The flesh OF his back
began to crawl as he listened. He would have
given his whole years legacy to be out of it,
for behind that voice OF silver and sweetness
there crowded even to her lips the rush of
something that was NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
Virgins felt it. The uncertainty as to its ex
act nature only added to his horror and
distress.
so this question OF supply. my
friends" she was saying, SIS becoming more
and more difficult 1t resolves itself into
question of ways and means" She looked
around upon her audience with touch of ner-
vous apprehension before she continued. "In
my particular sphere Of operations-West Ken
sington-I have regretfuliy to report that the
suspicious and activity OF the police, the fool
ish old-fashioned police, have now rendered
my monthly contributions no longer possible
There have been too many disappearances of
late" She paused, casting her eyes down
Virgins felt his hair rise, drawn by shivery
wind The words Contributions" and dis
appearances" brought with them something
quite freezing.
AS you know" the girl resumed
at is TO the doctors that we must look chiefly
for our steadier supplies, and unfortunately in
NY sphere OF operations We have but one
doctor who is a member. ! do not like
to-to resign my position, but I must ask for
lenient consideration Of my failure"-her voice
sank lower still" my failure to fur
nish tonight the materials" She began to
stammer and hesitate dresdfuliy; her voice
shook; ashen pallor spread to her very lips
the elements for our customary
feast"
movement OF disapprovsl ran over the
audience like q wave murmurs OF dissent and
resentment we're heard. AS the girl paed more
perceptibly the singular beauty of her face
stood out with effect Of almost shining
against that dark background OF shadows and
black garments. In spite of himself and for
getting caution for the moment. Virgins
peeped over the edge of the table to see her
better She was a lady he saw. high bred and
spirited. That pallor and the timidity il be-
spoke, we're but evidence Of highly sensitive
nature facing a situation Of peculiar difficulty
and danger.
He read in her attitude, in the poise of that
slim figure standing there before disapproval
and possible disaster, the bearing and proud
courage Of a type that would face execution
with calmness and dignity. Virgins was
amazed that this thought should fash through
him so vividly-from nowhere. Born OF the
feverish aftermath OF alcohol. perhaps-yet
born inevitably, too, OF this situation before
his eyes.
With thrill he realized that the girl was
speaking again, her voice steady. but faint
with the gravity of her awful position.
q" and I ask for that justice in
sideration of my failure which-the difficulties
of the position demand l have had TO choose
between that bold and ill-consideTed action
which might have betrayed Us all 10 the su-
thorities. and-the risk OF providing nothing
for tonight"
She sat down. Virgins understood that il
a question OF life and death. The air
about him turned icy. He felt the perspiTaton
tricklng several different parts of his body
at once.
An old lady rose instantly to reply, her face
was stern and dreadful, although the signature
of breeding and culture was plainly there in
the delicate lines about the nostrils and fore
head.