Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-13


was very gentle, very dependent" Her
eyes filled with tears. when he died
I missed him. I missed him dread-
fully. And now my father Is dying"
Suddenly he was possessed by a
dreadful impotence. He knew all
about Lambert Colfax. What was the
matter with this woman, that she could
forget wrongs these two men had done
her. and mourn for them? She was
weak. after all, weak and sentimental;
a pale woman in black dress, tend
ing the graves of people who had ruined
her life. shedding tears over them!
And he did not know that his anger
was jealousy, jealousy of these dead
people for whom she had wept and
prayed. Jealousy of that past Of hers,
marked like milestones with its graves.
They had left their mark on her,
all of them. Only he, who nad loved
her long and well, had failed to mark
her. His vanity was hurt, his sex
pride outraged.
When he reached the street he found
that he had left his gloves behind. He
swore and went on =.
Tommy managed to learn when
Eddie'S division was sent to the port
of embarkation. He had a way OF
knowing things. He was in with the
government now: very thick with the
government He could walk into the
Office of the Secretary of War with an
easy air: Good morning, Mr.. Secre-
tary--"
So it was Tommy who told her one
day to go to New York, and managed
to get leave for Eddie, to coincide.
Mary Elizabeth was there, small and
very feminine.
Sometimes Missile saw him lowering
his head to the girl, whispering.
II adore you"
Don't. I'm afraid I'll cry"
It was time to go. Mary Elizabeth
was shaking: her face was very white.
A great wave of pity for her swept over
Missile. How young she was to have to
suffer.
She talked feverishly in the cab
Mary Elizabeth was staying with
friends, and she and Eddie dropped
Missile at her hotel. Missile had hoped
that his last farewell would be to her.
But they were young and desperately
moments together.
"Good-by, mother dear"
"Good-by, Eddie. God bless you"
"I'll be all right, mother
IT know you will. Don't worry about
me. "Good-by, dear"
He kissed her. She smiled up at him,
then she turned and went in. Inside the
doorway she staggered, and the porter
caught her.
Better sit down a moment, lady"
I'm better now, thanks"
She packed that night, and at last
she crawled into her bed. 1t was done,
irrevocable. He was gone. Nothing
could call him back now. But at mid
night there was knock at her door.
She got up, turned on light, threw on
her dressing gown, and opened 1t.
Eddie was in the doorway. He was
in full equipment, with knapsack and
blanket roll, with steel helmet on his
head and rifle in his hand. She put
her hand to her throat.
TOOK a chance on your still being
herel" he said gayly. IT had to do an
errand for the captain, 60 though I'd
come up and show on. We're sailing
tonight"
She backed of. Suddenly she began
to cry, terrible crying. She could not
control it. It frightened Eddie.
stop, mother! For heavens sakel
I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry. mother"
At the distress in his voice she stop
ped. Perhaph nothing else would have
stopped her. She sat on the edge Of
her bed, drying her eyes, trying to
smile at him.
He picked I'D his gun. She forced
herself to look at 1t, at the helmet, at
the whole equipment for killing, and,
having looked. she could not take her
eyes from them.
cit seems such lot to carry, Eddiel"
"I'll tell the world"
Her calmness satisfied him. He
walked to the mirror, gave his helmet
q tilt, came back to her.
"Sure you're all right?"
"Of course. I'm all right You sur
prised me, that's all"
"Ill be back, you know. With bells
on"
"Of course, you'll be back"
At the door he stopped, turned and
looked back at her.
"Youll sleep now, won't your Sure?"
Eyes, I'll sleep. Good-by, and-God
bless you, nv son. My dear son."
Continued In tomorrow's Starr