Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1924-02-03

got what she really cares most about:
her children-and--andt the rest Of ft?'
Her mother was shocked. 'Virginia"
"You wouldn't call her Stricken
would your" Virginia said. II don't
think the children are precisely that,
either"
my dear. people can't Just SIT down
and cry all the time"
81 know" said Virginia graveIy.
but he died only yesterday"
'Well, but"
I'm not criticizing it," Virginia in
terrupted. and her eyes seemed to rest
upon something far. far distant. 81
was thinking was thinking"
Thinking WHAT"
II was thinking that this was really
the most satisfactory kind of marriage
possible" said Virginia. II mean so
that you wouldn't be too unhappy IL
he dies. beHeve-oh. I believe that's
the answer"
Virginia! What answer"
TITS something I'll tell you about
LATER" said Virginia, and paused; for
they had come to a street corner. Are
you going home, mama, or are you
coming on with me to Ruth's?"
Mrs. Peel looked nervous. II believe
If you don't mind I'll let you go alone,
dear. You know her better than 1 do,
and it might be a little intrusive if 1
went. You tell her everything for me.
If she can listen to you. ] think Ill go
home, dear. The truth is well,
dread seeing her. and, well-I Just feel
as If I couldn't 60 into poor Harry's
house without breaking down myself"
She stopped and fumbled for a
handkerchieg. whereupon her daugh-
ter gave her a little push that moved
her q step toward home.
"For heavens sake, go home and
don't let's cry on the street mama!"
she said brusquely, and went on to
Ruth Loyd's alone.
TWO hours later she passed this
= corner where she had parted with
her mother. and IL seemed to her a
long. long time since she had been
there. Her face was that of one who
had been looking on helplessly at
helpless tragedy, and when she got
home she ran to her room and flung
herself upon her bed without even
taking OF her hat.
You're getting your poor hat all
out OF shape, child" Mrs. Peel said.
having followed her in. rYour head
will rest better without it, anyway.
Do take it off. I suppose you found
nobody could say anything of any
use to poor Ruth?"
Virginia rose miserabiy and re-
moved her hat without speaking.
Then she sank again upon the bed.
II feel selfish to let you go there
alone. suppose It was pretty ter
rible?"
There's no telling it," Virginia
said family.
mo; I'm afraid not" Mrs. Peel muir
INJURED. Then she went to the win
dows and lowered the shades. At
the door she paused. looking thought
full. both the funerals are on Thurs
day At almost the same time. Theo-
dore's is at o'clock and poor Harry's
at $3.50. I suppose, as we're family
connections we'll have to go to
Theodore's. In fact I'm glad it's
that way. I'd rather go to Theo-
dore's, believe. than to-" She
checked herself abruptly.
~ understand. mama" Virginia
said. 1--WE have to so to Theodore's,
Of course. Judith wouldn't UNDER
stand II we didn't"
So on Thursday Virginia stood
among Theodore's relatives at the
cemetery and thought Of the enlarge
ments of Theodore's business-those
engagements that would be made in
spite Of what was now being done
before her. She looked about her
among the dark-colored groups and
saw Theodore's business associates
the two principal bankers. the six or
seven principal manufacturers and
the four or five principal merchants
Of the town, the principal lawyer
he had been Theodore's attorney
and half q dozen Of Theodore's chief
employees. his "high-salaried men"
Judith and her children stood close
to her, and they and Theodore's other
relatives and the business men were
all Of a gloomy and respectful grav-
ity. Yet to Virginia It seemed
that nothing whatever was greatly
changed by their leaving Theodore
here In the ground behind them as
they turned to go away.
Then, as they went toward the cars
that waited upon the drive to take
them home, the other funeral was
just arriving. But at first Virginia
could see only part of 1t. the pro-
cession was 80 long. The hearse
stopped not. far away. and some
young men. not wholly composed In
manner themselves. helped the widow
and her children to descend from the
cab nearest the hearse. Virginia
caught a glimpse of black figures.
bowed and racked at sight Of the pile
of freshly up-turned earth before
them. She had sense of the abyss
Of vacancy that this hillock of yellow
Garth meant to them, and she hurried
into her car shuddering.
Her father and mother were with
her, and the three sat in silence as
they drove by the long line OF Harry
Loyd's funeral procession. still COM
fng int tia gate Of tho cemetery.