Connecticut western news., 1920-01-22


 can't know the purpose until we are inside. It is as though life were riddle, and the key is hidden, and the door behind which the key is hidden is called Death. And I don't believe it's all for nothing; won't believe it's all for nothing. '.#
 "Then there is the suffering" she continued, after a pause. I don't know why there should be suffering, but l know if there were no suffering there would be no kindness. It is not until you are hit-hard hit-that you begin to think of other people. Until then all is selfishness. But we women-we women of the war-we have nothing left to be selfish for But we have the whole world to be unselfsh for. It's all different, and it can never go back. We won't let it go back. We've paid too much to let it go back" ]
 It was hard,to find a reply. q think knew your husband little," I ven- tured "He was a-a man."
 "He was all that" she said. She arose and stood for a moment in an attitude of hesitation; her fingers went to her lips as though enjoining caution. Then with quick decision she went into an inner room, from which she re~ turned in moment with a letter.
 "If you knew him you may care to read this,', she said. "It's very per sonaI, and yet, some way, everything is imperSonal now, in a sense. There has been such a common cause. and such a wave of common suffering, that it seems to flood out over the individ- ual and embrace us all! .. So tAis is really, in sense, your letter as well as mine."
 I took it and read: .--..
 I have had many letters to write since my service began as a nurse in the war, but never have I approached the task with such mixed emotions. The pain I must give you I would gladly bear myself if I could but it is not all pain; under meath it. running through i: in some way I cannot explain is note so much deeper than pain that it must be joy.
 You have already been advised that Da- vid Elden was among those who fell at courcelctte. It is trite to say that you have the sympathy of a grateful nation. How grateful the nation really Is we shall know by it's treatment of the heroes who survive the war and of the dependents of those who have crossed over. But noth ing can rob you of the knowledge that he played a mans part. Nothing can debar you from that universal fellowship of sympathy which is springing up wherever manhood is valued at it's worth.
 A new Order has been born into the world the Order of Suffering. Not that it is new, either; it has been with us since the first mother went into the shadow for her first child; but always suffering has been incidental, a matter of the individ- ual thing to be escaped if possible But now it is universal, thing not to be escaped, but to be accepted, readily, bravely, even gladly. And all who so ac- cept it enter into the new Order, and wear its insignia, which is unselfishness and sympathy and service. And in that Order you shall not be least, measured by either your sacrifice or the spirit in which you accept it.
 But you are yearning for his last word; for some voice which will seem to you now -lmost voice out of the grave and l am happy to be able to bring you that word. It was something more than chance that guided me that night-as it is every night
 We were we'll behind the line of actual fighting, but I had become detached from my party in moving to another station; AO0l, II yOu llhc, yet UOl IOSI, never nave gone so directly to so great destination. While trying to get my location, became aware of a presence; it will sound strange to you, but | became intensely aware of your presence. Of course I knew it could not be you, in the flesh, but you it seemed to be, nevertheless. I moved as though led by an invisible hand, and presently found bit of shattered wall. In the gloom F could just discern the form of man lying in the shelter of the wall-if you could call it shelter-it rose scarce foot above the ground.
 I knelt beside him and turned my torch on his face. It was pale even through the brown skin; the'eyes were closed; the hair was wet and plasterea on the forehead; there were smears of blood on it and oD his cheeks. As my light fell on his lips they framed smile.
 "Reenie," he said, "it was good of you to come. l knew you would come.'
 'I am here, Dave" I answered and think you will forgive the impersonation Now let me find out where you are hurt and we'll fix you up, and get you moved presently" .~"-.
 He opened his eyes and looked at me with the strange look of a man whose thread of consciousness is half unraveled ''Oh, it's you, Edith" he said, when he had taken me in. Funny, I thought it was Irene. must have been dreaming"
 I questioned him again about his wound and began feeling his hair It's not there," he said. Guess got it all over my hands. They got me this time. Don't waste time on me. Some other fellow may have a chance"
 I found, with a little examination, that the case was as bad as he supposed. For tunately, the wound had induced a local paralysis and he was not suffering to any great degree. placed my hand in his and felt his grip tighten on it.
 TT m going to stay till it's over, Dave. We'll see it out together"
 That's decent" he answered, and then was still for quite time.
 I've often wondered what was on the other side" he said, at length. q shall know presently"
 'You are not afraid?" I whispered.
 No. Only sort of-curious. Andrew erent. I guess it's reverent. . = You know I haven't been much on religion. Never seemed to get the formula What IS the formula? I mean the key-the thing that gives it all in one word?"
 Tn one word-sacrif1ce. He that loseth his life shall find it. ;" quoted
 He did not answer, but I could see his