Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-05-25

" Soames Forsyte passed in taxlcab
up the Haymarket supporting on
his knee q picture by James Maris,
which he had just bought from Dumetrlns.
He was pleased at the outcome Of consid-
cradle duel The fellow had come down to has
price at the last minute and Soames mac won
dered why. The reason dawned on him that
night in Green street while reading his paper:
"This tragic occurrence may yet shake Europe
Do its foundations Sinister possibilities implicit
in such an assassination stagger the magma
ton" They must have staggered Dumefrus
The fellow had seen 'blue." The market IN
objects whose virtue varied with the quietude
of mems minds was Soames knew, extremely
sensitive Sinister possibilities No! The chap
was an alarmist He would see what the Times
said about 1t tomorrow, but probably 1t would
turn out storm In a teacup.
He read the Times journeying back with
the James Maris to Mapledurham the follow
ing day. Editorial hands were lifted in the
usual horror at assassination, but there was
nothing to prevent him going fishing. Indeed,
in the month that followed, even after the
Austrian ultinnatum had appeared Soames IKE
80 per cent Of his fellow countrymen, didn't
know what there was ITO make such fuss
abont" To suppose that England could be
involved was weak-minded. The idea, indeed.
never seriously occurred to one born just after
the Crimean War and accustomed to look on
Europe as at TO be advised, perhaps but MOTH
ing more F1eurs holidays, too, were beginning
and he was thinking of buying her pony. At
IL years old 1t was time she learned even that
rather futile accomplishment-rid It was
Annette VINO raised the first bubbles Of an i'm
mense disquiet. Beautiful creature as she was
at that period-"rising S." ms George Forsyte
put it-she did not read the English papers.
but she often had letters from France. On the
18th Of July she said to Soames:
"Soames, there Is going to be war. Those
Germans are crazy mad"
Non al
"Oh You have no imagination, Soames.
OF course, there win be war, and my poor
country will have to fight for Russia: and
you English-what viii YOU do?"
do? Why, nothing! II you're fools enough
TO 60 to war, We can't help it"
I'VE expect you to help u.s." said Annette:
"but you English we never can rely on. You
wait always tc see which way the cat jumps"
4 LII Saturday and Sunday he was fidgety.
On Sunday afternoon came q rumor that Ger
many had declared war ON Russia. Eoames ON
reading Of Its confirmation IN the Times ON
Monday morning, went up to town by the
Grst train. He repaired 30 his brokers. In the
hour that followed his eyes were opened. He
found his brokers, Messrs. Green & Greening-
known as "Grin Grinning-u TO the eyes
In orders to sell stock. They took his own
with . cailous scepticism that seemed 10
Scames little less than criminal.
wen do what we can. MFR. Rorsyte," said
"Grin," but the Stock Exchange may be
closed"
"Closed?" said soames you don't mean
10 say they'd Let business stop. even II"
EFT would have to stop. or prices would nap
10 nothing. A. 1t Is, there's panic enough"
"Panicr" repeated Soames. Cancel those
orders; I shan't sen anything"
Not realizing that In this he had voiced
more than o personal decision, he went 0ut.
Outside was o regular Muster. News venders
were crying, German ultimatum to Belgiuml"
Soames stood stin over against the Bank Of
England It was not his custom to look nc
One and an had q furrow between the eyes.
Here was o how-de-do! Down there, On the
river he hadn't realized Even here he found
Il AiiRcult. TN 90 TO the City caub." he
Thought, with . sudden longing for Geographic
tape.
IT was surrounded by men he did not know,
and Eoames, who had o horror Of doing what
other people were doing, moved into the smok-
ing room and sat down.
II we dent go In now" said one man, I'VE
shall never hold UP our heads again.
SoAmes shifted How? He didn't see. Ger
many and Austria against France and Rslssia-
II they chose 10 make such fools Of them
selves. Europe was always at war in the old
days. And now that they had these great
armies 1t was wonder they hadn't come TO
loggerheads long since. What was the use Of
having no CONSUMPTION and q big navy, u one
wasn't going to keep out Of war? Fellows like
these All they thought Of was their divi-
dends; and much good that would do them.
II England lost her head now and went Tn
there wouldn't be any dividends. War, IN
deedi What had the Russians ever done, or
the French. for that matter, that they should
expect England to pull the chestnuts out Of