The Next of Kin: Those who Wait and Wonder

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and selfishness, but it is never dull. Neither is it a lost world, for the darkest corners of it are illuminated here and there by heroic deeds and noble aspirations. Men who hilariously sold their vo

s a big Welshman, so strong that he never knew how strong he was; and when he became obsessed with the desire to get drunk, no one could stop him. He had to have it out. At such times his one ambition was to ride a horse up the steps of the hotel, and then-George Washington-like-rise in his stirrups and deliver an impassioned address on what we owe to the Old Flag. If he were blocked or thwarted in this, he became dan

eized him and he went to South America, where no doubt he enlivened the

ing, sent his wife to England, and had come to enlist with the local regiment. Evidently his speech

nt. No man was more obedient or trustworthy. He cheered and admonished the younger men, when long marches in the hot sun

w is in the heart of many who read his name, that we did not realize the heroism of the

rching tests of peace have found out some truly great ones among

t right rather than of her who went wrong, and for that

yed, and pretty, with a certain childishness of face which makes her ro

th an officer, and dance in the afternoon at the hotel dansant in a perfect outburst of gay garments; but there was no excuse for her coming home

her many and varied ways of squandering money. Mrs. Tweed became a perfect wall of defense for those who were not too keen on parting with their money. They made a moral issue of it, and

nd, and that would not carry her far on the road to destruction or in any other direction. When something which appear

ered the block late at night, and came up the stairs gayly singing, "Where did Robinson Crusoe go with

her how hard she was making it for the other dependents of soldiers. The president was selected for the task, which did not at first

orted that Mrs. Tweed had actually put her out, and told her to go to a region

erce, but you don't know what a good time I've had. Gee, it's great! I've had one grand tear!-one blow-out! And now I am almost ready to be

-I didn't care, though, I got in my whistle. I never wanted to do anything bad, but I wanted to do as I liked-and I never got a chance. Then I got married. William is a lot older than I am, and he controlled me-always-made me economize, scrimp, and save. I really did not wan

ame and appearance have always been against me. No one can look sensible with a nose that turns straight up, and I will have bright colors to wear-I was brought u

she spoke, exhibiting a bright

ight all night just to feel wicked! It was great to be able to let it burn. I've gone to bed early every night for a week to make up for it. What do you think of that? It is just born in me, and I can't help it. If William had stayed at home, this would neve

ught of it this way before; women were made to be protected and shielded; s

ction have the soldiers' wives now? Evil tongues, prying eyes, on the part of women, and worse than that from the men. The church has fallen down on its job, and isn't straight enough to admit it! We should either train ou

and accuse me of everything, down to taking the bread out of their children's mouths. Two of them who brought in socks the other day said, 'Do you suppose the soldiers ever see them?' I did all I could to convince them that we were quite honest, though I assure you I felt like telling them what I thought of them. But things are abnormal now, everything is out of sorts; and if we love our country we will try to remedy things instead of maki

is grabbing for what he wants, and getting it some way. But see here," she cried suddenly, "you haven't called me down yet! or told me I am a disgrace to the Patriotic Fund! or asked me what will my husband s

you?" asked

she certainly jumped; and she soon gave me up and went back and repo

character-that is for you to decide. I believe in the honor system. You are certainly setting a bad example-but you have that privilege. You cannot be sent to jail for it. The money you draw is hard-earned money-it is certainly sweated labor which our gallant men perform for the miserable little sum that is paid them. It is yours to do with as you

on the table and a new silk sweater coat lay across the lounge. In the tiny kitchenette a tap dripped with weary insistence, and unwashed dis

in the buffet; "I've got to get out-this quiet life gets me. I'll go

uge on her cheeks and penciling her eyes,

in a window, also to see her own reflection in

her elbow: "Some kid, eh?

tus Brown, recruiting sergeant of the 19-th, with whom she had bee

said. "I got three recruits to-day-so

ho passed by. The President of the Red Cross came in, and at a ta

understand that they were not any too well pleased with me-I a

ded eyes. His smile was as complacent as that of the ward boss who knows that the bal

e women do not understand you, Trixie, that's all. No person und

lacker who is going to have a good time no matter what it costs. I have been like a bad kid that eats the jam when the house is bu

e should call you down for it? You're young and pretty and these old hens are jealous of you. They

t just parading round in uniform like you. She goes every day and works in the office of the Red Cross and tries to keep every tangle straightened out. She's not jealous of me-she de

l red, but she went on: "That wom

; "I'm not the one who is turning you down. I

that I am straight, even if I am a fool. These

women are to each other, anyway-women are ca

red or protected me in any way. Men are broad-minded toward women's characters because they do not care whether women are good or not-they would rather that they were not. I do not mean all men,-William was different, and there are plenty like him-but I mean men like you who

you're too high-strung. Haven't I always stood by you? Did I ever turn you down, even when these high-brow ladies gave you the glassy

to bring it right if we can. These women are doing their share-they've given up everything. But what have I done? I let William go, of course, and that's a lot, for I do think a lot of William; but I am not doing my own share. Running around t

ou anyway? I didn't bring you here to tell me my patriotic duty. I like you because y

e it. I've signed on-I've joined the great Win-the-War-Party. You should try it, Sergeant Brown. We have no exact rules to go by-we

ing at you-they think we are quarreling; I am

ally are when they enlist; and although I stood up, I had no intention of going

't a Dutch treat. What have I done tha

ll be added unto you,' is the first commandment, and the one with the promise. I've laid hold on that all my life, but to-day I am giving it up. The old way of training women nearly got me, but not quite-and now I am making a new start. It isn't too l

leave me a shred of self-respect. This all comes of giving women the vote. I saw it c

meet new conditions and I'm starting to-day. I'm going to give up my suite and get a job-anything-maybe dis

speak to her and ask her to "go out and see a show"; but after exchanging a few remarks with her, he changes his mind. Something tells him it would not go! She carries trays of dishes from eight-thirty to six every day except Sunday. She has respect

te and moved away and they do not know where she went, but they are very much afraid she was g