South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-09-25
Thirty Years Between
By Ella Randall Pearce

From the rear windows Of her
private sittir room, Mrs. Genevieve
Madison could see the latest ma
terial demonstration of her intense
patriotism and philanthropy-th
old stable of the Madison estate
converted into an attractive club
house for soldiers and seamen.
1t had been a staunch. picturesque
building at the start, surrounded by
fine trees and ivy-embraced; and
the new improvements had been
made wFth no thought Of expense,
but every thought for the comfort
and convenience OF those for whom
it was intended Even the space be-
tween the stable and the street had
been utilized for warm weather
canteeo service.
Another woman might have found
qualification in moving amidst the
scenes of her own philanthropy, an
important and gracious figure. But
not Mrs Madison. she was retiring
by nature, TO begin with; and her
solicitude over her only sons de-
parture for France was too new and
too poignant for her TO invite more
reminders than seemed necessary.
So she remained interested but
aloof.
At this time. other sorrowful re-
Elections Overshadowed Mrs. Malli-
son. II was her birthday and this
occasion had never come without
haunting regrets TO the woman who.
with every visible means of happi-
ness. had missed happiness through
all her life
She was thinking now Of that
other day. 80 years before. when
she was light-hearted, high-spirit-
ed girl Of 20 She was at a wood
land picnic with John Cresley, one
of her home town friends, her best
friend. in fact, the man she ex-
Pected to marry some day
And into this scene Of rustic sim
plicity had come the impressive fig
ure of Mabury Madison, city banker
and attentive admirer of pretty
Genevieve from the time of their
first meeting. The two men, meet
ing in this casual way. had leaped
TO a surprising antagonistic under
standing which brought about a
whirlwind climax.
Genevieve, bewildered by the un-
expected emotional tempest OF
which she found herself the center.
was conscious only OF two flaming
facts: John Cresley was very angry
with her, and Mr. Mabury Madison,
ealthy banker. had asked her 70
marry him. Her immediate decision
was required, and vanity and ambi-
ton helped her decide. She chose
the mature man of fortune and soon
afterward became Mrs. Mabury
Madison.
But through all her years of wife
hood. as now in her widowed mid
die ase, Genevieye carried in her
heart the secret of her sad mis-
take. she had thrown away the
! treasure of love and knew when it
was too late that love was essential
10 her life's completeness.
Il wonder if John remembers
as 1 do" reflected Mrs. Madison
gazing over the tree tops. 1t is not
likely. Poor John. I hope he hasn't
I had too hard a struggle. Everything
I has been so easy for me"
For this day, whihc happened 70
mark a lively period in civic affairs
Mrs Madison had arranged for eN-
ira entertainment in the club house
All through the day she had re
/ turned again and again 10 her sit
ting room windows. seeing moving
+ figures beyond the garden trees and
/ ~hrubbery and hearing voices and
/ fragments Of music. once she sent
/ TOR the grand army man who was IN
/ charge OF the club.
els there anything more the boy.
+ want. Capt Webster" she asked
Nothing. thank YOU. Mrs. Malli-
SON. Only"-he looked at her visit
fully think they would like il
II YOU were 10 come"
oh. no Mrs. Madison shrank
+ ell have no part with them. YOU
know. only 10 wish them all
pleasant time"
I'm the late afternoon. however
+ Genevieve Madison suffered q
i strange uneasineSS. an increasin.
urge which refused 10 be shaken OF
OF ignored Il don't want TO 60 L
the club today, but ] feel as II
must go. she told herself And a
last throwing a shetland scarf Owe
her head and shoulders. she wen
Gown the graveled walk 10 the clul
house door entering quietly an,
standing I'm a posts shadow.
There was speechmaking going OF