The mirror., 1923-09-06

breasts. She was inconsolable, and refused
to listen to their words of encouragement.
Finding their efforts usess, Mrs. Dens-
more returned to her home, leaving Justice
to, if possible, paliate her grief.
Thus the time wore on until the day
set for the obsequies. Mr.. DePomp was
lying in state in the Chapel of the Masonic
Temple.
Justice sitting beside Mrs. Densmore in
her car, rolled slowly toward the Temple,
and as the chimes rang out the soft, clear
notes of hymn, she sang the words
softly
"Abide with me, fast falls the eventide;
The shadows deepen; Lord with me abide.
When other helpers fail, and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, Oh abide with me.
Swift to its close, ebbs out life's little day;
Earths joys grow dim, its glories fade
away.
Change and decay in all about see;
Oh, Thou who changeth not, abide with
me-"
Within the Chapel, the service pro-
gressed according to the beautiful Masonic
ritual. A guard of honor with white
aprons stood about the bier. They folded
their arms, then extended them horizontal
ly, again folded them, and then raised
them above their heads, in the ancient
manner of making the sign of the Cross.
Each one then-laid sprig of evergreen
upon the bier and retired. The widow,
leaning heavily upon the arm of Mr..
Densmore, was led falteringly to the bier.
One brief glance, shudder of grief and
moan of despair, and she was assisted to
her waiting car. Softly, family, came the
notes of bugle; calling as from a great
distance; being waited gently upon the air
now more plainly. Yes-it was ''taps".
Played as if by an unseen messenger
floating swiftly downward coming nearer
until one seemed to feel that the Reaper
of Souls had at last succeeded in awaken
ing the sleeping one lying in state before
them, and was bearing him away unseen
bugle, growing softer and fainter-until,
like whisper, it was blown away and
was silent.
1t was an impressive moment, wherein
each one present seemed striving to catch,
parted had now gone. Now the SOFT deep
tones of the pipe organ rolled out upon
their ears, and seemed to awaken them
as from a dream-calling them point
ing them, to a realization of the present.
'Nearer My God to Thee" it played, as
the casket was wheeled slowly down the
aisle and out of the door. Now the sound
of sabers being, drawn, clicking as the
guard of militant Masons snapped to at
tention while their departed comrade
passed. The Shriners and Knights Tenn
plar led off as the band played the dead
March in Saul" The deep-throated bass,
and rich, mellow toned saxophones,
chanted the subdued notes of cornets,
flowing forth streem of sweetest music.
The clear, lark-like voices of flutes and
clarinets, rising to lofty heights in the
scale, quavered, and fell plaintively away
then, as if with new courage, they
scared again, while all the deep-throated
and rich-voiced altos, baritones, and tubas,
chanted their refrain. Thus ended the
career of the investment prince.
"That was the most pathetic thing that
T ever heard. l shall never forget it
the pitifu wall of the clarionets, and the
stiAed heart-broken sobs of the tubas. It's
enough to wiring tears from the heart of
stone," remarked Justice, as, after few
squares, she alighted from the car to
again resume her work. (To be csmtinueO