The Wilmington morning star. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1909-1990, 1943-12-03
CHAPTER THIRTY.TWO

l - l.
Before her eyes were opened,
b f o r e h consciousness was
cleared of the last sweet. delicious
haziness of sleep, Beth was aware
of the blow that had struck our
world less than "a hours before.
Now, from below, above, and from
the windows of neighborlng houses
streamed flow of words from
every radio.
Before she knelt to say her
morning prayer--and never had
Beth prayed with so full a heart
she turned on her radio.
&c. had not reached anv
agreement with Russia as of Dec
l. 1t is unanimously agreed that
the understanding of Russia's &C.
ton in the event that the United
States and Japan go to war with
each other should have been
reached at the time we agreed to
send Lend-Lease material to Rus
STA. A statement prepared by Jo-
seph Davies"
Beth shut off the announcer's
voice and went about preparing
herself for this day that was to be
ike no other in her life.
1t wasn't often that she did more
than powder her face and put on
Gpstick when she was going to
work, but this morning her pallor
was depressing and SO she brushed
rouge puff over her cheek bones.
1t didn't do much to hide the stark
look in her eyes. She did not share
Andrea's optimism about Jim S
safety, and was a little ashamed,
calling herself a Calamity Jane.
At breakfast Andrea was hardly
blossoming, but her resolute air of
faith compelled Beth's admiration,
and when Andrea suggested that
they meet at lunchtime and take
that period to join the crowds near
the White House to hear the presi-
dents declaration of war, Beth in
stantly agreed on their meeting
place.
1t was hard to carry on that
morning, doing the routine office
work, when rumors flew thick and
fast-and terrifying. In Henry
SHADES office to which he thought
fully left the door open, the radio
continued its uninterrupted flow of
news, of rumors. A congressman
aad demanded the court-m artial of
Army and Navy leaders at Pearl
Harbor. There were wild rumors
of the sinking of battleshlps, of the
destruction of a great airfield, that
Wake and Midway islands had
been captured. That parachute
troops had landed in Hawaii. There
was no further news of casualties.
Beth and Andrea met outside
the Treasury Department building
with murmured greeting and,
scorning small talk, joined sullen.
watching mob to await the coming
Of the president on his way to
congress.
There was a lump in more than
one throat when his limousine in
seemingly endless cortage ap-
peared. In his silk hat and great
Naval cape he moved past them,
,snsmiling, resolute, while the
crowds cheered him as he passed
the place where the girls stood.
When the presidential caravan
had gone up the drive and left the
president and cabinet officers at
south entrance to the Capitol, An
drea turned to Beth with SILVER
that was more eloquent than any
thing she could say.
Beth slipped her arm tflrouPh
her friends and asked if she want
ed to leave, but Andrea shook her
head. ut gets me, but I can't
leave. I want to listen to what he
has to say" There were portable
radios and loud speakers set up
for the crowds in Capitol Plaza.
''You said something when YOU
said Washington had changed"
Knots of people everywhere, "
Beth said. ''On Constitution ave-