Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1933-08-24


sponsors; he addressed them directly.
"And now brothers-those who are
near-come forward; prepare the In
itiates for their final rites, to induct
them into the folds Of Mu Beta Sigma
To the white gowns, ne said: Hold
yourselves in readiness for the last
mysteries"
At his words Of command, ten spec
tators in yellow left their chairs. one
approaching each Of the kneeling group
at the altar step. Bending over them.
they unbound the cords that fastened
their wrists behind them. There was
some delay, as he who bowed above
the NTH Of the ten initiates appeared
to meet difficulty, In the darkness, In
loosening his knots While the subject
of his efforts braced himself stiffly, he
struggled, Swallowed, over the fettered
hands. Finally successful in freeing
them, he placed the cord on the floor
az his associates had already done;
then he retreated one step into line
with them, awaiting the black leaders
next order.
It came after a solemn pause.
Brethren, now remove their blind
folds"
They performed this direction more
promptly, and returned again to their
empty places in the circle Of chairs.
At the same time, the two members in
blue robes on the altar steps descended
from their positions and crossed the
chamber to the left, along the rear
wall. A cupboard was concealed in
the shade Of the corner; one of them
produced key and opened 1t. On a
shelf stood a large tray with a bottle
of some liquor and thirteen small
liquor glasses. All eyes followed their
movements, while they removed the
tray and fastened the closet door; the
deep hush held a distinct tension.
Next, they filled the glasses with the
dark sparkling contents Of the bottle
and carried them to the altar. In or
der, they distributed them, the first
glass to the presider on the dais and
then one to each of the ten novitiates.
They, themselves, retained the two re-
naming glasses. setting aside the tray,
and resumed their station beside the
altar.
The figure above them began to
speak again.
Initiates" he intoned, 'the COM
pletion Of this toast is the last cere-
mony. At my command, stand up and
raise your glasses before you; when
the toast is recited, repeat after me
the words instruct. At the end, re-
move your hoods, so that we may drink
together to Mu Beta Sigma. Rise
to your feet Lift your glasses
He extended his own glass forward,
as they carried out the orders, and
opened the volume to another Sec
ton. The seated group in yellow also
stood.
"To the illustrious past Of Mu Beta
Sigma" he read aloud, 'and the forty
six years of its growth. To it's found
ers, who brought into existence a great
and august Institution. To its thirty.
eight eminent chapters. scattered
throughout the schools Of the entire
nation. To this our Gamma chapter.
third to b organized and chartered
BY the central council To the
new.
The impressive toast was never con-
cluded. Suddenly, his words were in
terrupted without warning; the fifth
member In the line Of standing initi-
ates dropped his glass. It shattered
with a ringing tinkle, on the hard bare
floor. He himself gave vent to a low
gasping moan, as though of pain.
checking the startled exclamation from
his left Unexpectedly, he swayed and
staggered from the line toward the
altar, az II grasping support; unable to
reach 1t in time. he dropped once more
to his knees In an attempt to balance
himself. The next instant, before any,
one could catch him, he collapsed, an
agitated trembling heap on the floor.
For the first pregnant seconds, no
one in the chamber stirred. Then. In
q confused, concerted movement, they
crowded forward to the altar in A
milling excited mass The gray sentry
at the door hurried forward and 40
failed to observe that one figure in
yellow did not join the melee he opened
the door instead, and stole silently ont
closing 1t behind him. Scarcely had
he gone when someone, with pres
ence Of mind. pressed the light switch
Of the central chandelier. Most of the
audience had thrown of their cowls
by this time; and the bright glare dis
closed their wearers to be young men
scarcely more than boys, with one
exception. He, in the white costume
Of novitiate, must have been yers.
ing on forty-hve.
One of the first audible comments
came from young man in yellow on
the immediate left of the stricken how
MY Cd, Stuart, what's the tron.
ble?' he shouted excitedly; his voice
trembled with alarm. what on
earth's the matter with your"
The chairman Of the ceremonies was
himself but a youth; yet it was his