Notice.

Communications intended for publica-tion in the Ladies Department of the Magazine should in all cases be addressed to the Editress, Mrs. Agnes G. Strong, 527 Greene street, Boone, Iowa.

Matter for the Grand President should be addressed to Mrs. Maude E. Moore, 156 Wellington street, Stratford, Ontario, Canada, and that for the Grand Secretary and Treasurer to Mrs. Mary E. DuBois, 711 Story street, Boone, Iowa.

Charity.

Sometimes I think our motto should have been reversed, for we all know that without charity we would never have friendship. I have read somewhere that "reputation is what men and women think of us, but character is what God and angels know of us." So, therefore, the greatest part of our lives should be spent in charity.

We all know that charity is not the act of giving money only, but the work of helping the needy over the rough paths of life, which from no fault of their own seems to be the fate of some more than others. This is the charity the Good Book speaks of, which should be the in

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visible work of each member of our order comings of a sister, thereby binding us -helping the needy, hiding the shortmore closely together.

I

There is so much in our teaching. once heard a young mother say after a little informal gathering, "Oh, how much I enjoyed it. I get so little, for I have no one to leave my children with. It was indeed a treat for me." You see,

just a little sunshine in a life that was longing for it.

Our lives are made up of small things. Let us not be puffed up, but each one a duty see.

We are told that charity is the bond of perfection. What more can we wish for. Let us bring it more into our lodge work, more into our lives, thus, living more for one another, making our Society what we long for it to be.

MAUDE E. MOORE, Grand President.

The Nonresident Member.

Would it not be well to consider the question how we can best hold the interest of our nonresident members?

There are two phases of this subject. First, the duty of the lodge to its members; second, the duty of the absent members.

If a member of your lodge moves to a city in which there is a lodge, notice of the same should be sent to said lodge. That this is more than a pleasant courtesy I realized when I heard that one lodge makes it a rule never to ask a sister to join them until after they have heard from her home lodge. You can very easily see what an injustice you may do a sister if you fail in this duty.

The lodge should make the absent member feel as much as possible that she belongs to them. If any member hears of some good fortune that has come to absent members, mention it in lodge meeting, and let as many members as possible send notes of congratulation. Or, if some sorrow has come to her, a few words of sympathy will be much appreciated. Set aside one meeting each year for letters from absent members, and after they have been read by your lodge perhaps you could send them on to the absent members as a chain letter. All of these things will make an absent member feel that you are interested in her, even if she is deprived of meeting with

you.

Now a word to the nonresident member as to what she can do to help herself. First and foremost, you can feel that it is your duty and responsibility to keep the secretary notified of your change of address, see that your dues are promptly paid. If you find that you are moving to a town which has a lodge of the L. S. make it known to them at once that you are a member and visit their meetings. If you live in a town of suitable size where there is a number of B. of L. F. and E. members or enough eligible to membership, consider the possibility of organizing a lodge there. A little more thoughtfulness, a little more loyalty to our vows, and we may still be closely bound together by the ties of our sisterhood, though separated by miles of space and years of time.

Lodge 287 Organized.

Sisters of Sierra Lodge 287 was organized at Portola, Cal., November 16. 1912. Accompanied by Sister Kittredge of Truckee, we arrived in the new and beautiful little terminal town on the Western Pacific Railroad, located among the inspiring pines of California.

The work of organizing was taken up early in the afternoon and eleven charter members were instructed in the duties and privileges of the Ladies Society.

In the evening a reception followed the public installation, to which the members of the G. I. A., the B. of L. E. and the firemen and their families were invited.

Brother Sampson was chosen master of ceremonies and performed the duties with credit. When the installing ceremonies were concluded, Mr. Bradbury, on behalf of the engineers, welcomed the new lodge in a very neat and appropriate address.

Brother Gober, the genial bachelor and all-around good fellow, speaking for the firemen, thoroughly convinced all those present that the firemen were proud and pleased to have an auxiliary to their lodge, and stamped their approval with the dollar sign to the amount of fifty to pay organizing expenses.

Mrs. Jenner, President of the G. I. A., on behalf of her lodge extended a wellworded welcome to the new lodge and presented them with a handsome Bible, a token doubly appreciated by the sisters

and promptly acknowledged by the President, Sister Meyers. The evening's program was concluded with dancing and a sumptuous banquet. Before leaving Portola, Sister Kittredge and myself were presented with handsome bonbon dishes as a token of remembrance from the sisters, and for these and the kind hospitality and many acts of courtesy extend ed to us we are deeply grateful.

STENA WARD, Organizer,
Mina, Nevada.

Acknowledgments.

Bro. W. C. Travers, Lodge 230, desires to thank the Grand Lodge for the prompt payment of the claim of his beloved wife, Minnie Travers, who was a member of L. S. 113, Albany, N. Y. He also wishes to thank the officers and members of 230 and 113 for their beautiful floral designs, emblematic of the orders.

Bro. C. L. Kirkpatrick, Houston, Texas, desires to thank the Grand Lodge of the L. S. for the prompt payment of Certificate 11,789, full payment of claim of his late wife, Mrs. C. L. Kirkpatrick.

Miss Effie M. Carle, Roswell, N. M., desires to thank the Grand Lodge for the prompt payment of her mother's insurance claim. She states she is surely more 1 grateful than words can express for all of the kindness shown her and her mother by the L. S. of B. of L. F. and E. in Topeka during her mother's sickness and

death.

A Pleasant Visit.

On December 5, 1912, Grand President Sister Maude E. Moore, Grand VicePresident Sister Sadie Schoenell, and myself, visited Benevolence Lodge 129, Jersey City, it being their regular meeting night and the meeting for nomination of officers. While No. 129 is not numbered among the "Big Ten," still there is great interest manifest and the sisters all seemed so willing to do their part.

After the business was over, the Grand President, Grand Vice-President and my self were invited to the rostrum, whither we were conducted by the conductor. After being duly received, the Grand President was presented with a handsome umbrella. Sister Moore told the sisters she indeed appreciated the gift, as it was the first she had received in this office.

She gave a fine talk, as did also Sister Schoenell after being presented with a fine bunch of red carnations and ferns. I, too, was presented with red carnations and ferns, the emblem of our order, but as Sisters Moore and Schoenell left nothing to be said, all I could do was to express my thanks and appreciation. After the meeting was closed refreshments were served, which were very much enjoyed.

Our visit was unexpected, but one to have been there would not have thought it. While in the city we stopped at the hospitable home of Brother and Sister Coots, and we were indeed royally entertained.

The other sisters were going to visit New York City lodges on December 6th and some others in that part of the State. I was more than sorry not to be able to stay and go with them, but it was impos

sible.

Will now leave the rest of the trip for them to tell.

M. LILLIAN YOUNGS,
Lodge 59, Port Jervis, N. Y.

The Little Gold Button on His Coat.

When Eunice Gray claimed her stateroom promptly at 3.00 o'clock she found to her amazement she had purchased the use of one in an entirely different section of a steamship from any that she had Her indignation arose occupied before. to white heat, and, returning hastily to the ticket office, she tried to persuade the smiling agent to make an exchange, even going so far as to offer him a good bonus for the transaction.

"An impossibility, my dear madam," the man had declared suavely. "We are sold out forward and aft; however, should there be an unclaimed room at sailing time-" For such an event to occur at that particular season of the year she knew was unlikely and, turning impatiently aside, she again sought the outgoing ocean liner.

The despised room was situated amidship, but downstairs, just back of, though in nowise connected with, the diningrooms. The unpleasant odors from the culinary department permeated everywhere; its sole redeeming feature lay in the fact that it was larger and more convenient than the coveted ones above.

Miss Gray was proud and the thoughts of the unpleasant stares she would have to endure from the passengers, who upon

seeing individuals going up and down that hateful passageway are never quite certain whether to place them first-class or steerage, made her cheeks burn hotly. She was plucky, also. As soon as the boat was in motion she began her preparations for dinner, choosing an elaborate gown from her suit case; half dressed she changed her mind and donning instead a simple white affair went grimly up the stairs. In the saloon she met the stewardess and both women were startled at the resemblance they bore to each other, the likeness the more pronounced as both were clad in white. Eunice passed on and selecting a rather comfortable seat began to read, hoping thus to while away the time until dinner should be announced, but barely had she opened the first page of her book before a pert young miss demanded of her "a chair from the outer deck." At almost any other time Eunice would have been more amused than otherwise over the mistake, as the little stewardess had borne the stamp of a lady and the equal of any passenger on board, but coming so closely after her acceptance of a stateroom "down with the deck hands and baggage" she inwardly raged. In deepest humiliation she decided to go at once below. The ship was beginning to roll about by that time and gave indications of a rough passage. At the top of the stairway she was so loath to descend a door was thrust hurriedly open and a woman thoroughly ill and frightened besought her aid.

Eunice herself was ever a good sailor, and beneath her foolish pride lay a kind heart. Entering without protest she proceeded at once to make the sufferer as comfortable as the circumstances would allow, winning her patient's confidence and gratitude so far that she consented to allow Miss Gray to care for her little baby until the next day. Under the blazing electrics and the baby's softening influence the room took on a kinder appearance and long before he fell asleep Eunice realized how silly she had been. Until her arms were tired she held the tiny bit of humanity, then laid him gently into the lower berth.

The sound of a masculine voice outside attracted her attention. "My home is in Maple Valley," it was saying. "Where sweet old things and simple old ways still linger," whispered the heart of the listening girl. "I am a railroad manengineer," the unseen informer continued, and unconsciously her hand sought a blue

and gold pin at her own throat. "Sea sick, I guess not." The conversation seemed to her strangely one-sided. A tinkling of glassware interrupted and her cheeks flushed hotly. "Great run that," a pause, then the clinking again of crystal followed by a torrent of repetitions, sentences, until the now thoroughly frightened girl realized the man outside was not conscious of his own speech. That he was a common debaucher, in those first moments, never entered her innocent mind. One of her own countrymen had need of help, was all that occurred to her just then, and catching up a small water-pitcher from the rack nearby she hastened out, locking the door behind her securely. Voices carry far on the water, and not just outside her window as she had imagined, but down near the baggage-room three men were seated. Instinct told her the central figure was the one she sought. With white cheeks but smiling lips she hastened to his side. "Come, my dear husband," she commanded sweetly, "fill this pitcher with ice water. We must hurry. Baby will miss us very shortly and cry." Eunice Gray was accumulating a family quickly. That she was his wife neither of the scoundrels could deny, as their victim arose obediently and with the girl strode shakily away. Mechanically procuring the water, at Eunice's further desire he took her arm and placing it within his own slowly began the long walk back"My God, where!" of that she had not considered. Her sole impulse had been to get the man safely away from his unscrupulous companions.

Shaken with fright, yet not daring to ask him where his own stateroom lay, and unable to leave him outside her own, for the sharpers to finish their nefarious work, she unocked the door and followed the man she had rescued inside. Catching up the baby she held him closely in her arms while the man with a final effort lunged forward to the berth where the baby had lain and collapsed completely thereon. He would sleep for a time she was sure. Placing the baby on the couch at her side, Eunice searched about her suitcase eagerly and with a breath of satisfaction drew forth a small revolver. Over its shining barrel she scanned the face of the man. Helpless enough he was now. Clean shaven and manly, while a little gold button shone out appealingly from the lapel of his coat. The man moved uneasily in his

dreams the girl shrank back closer beside the sleeping infant despite the gleaming toy she held. When he awakened sober and in his right mind, what could she say to him? Should his condition prove as she so wanted to believe the effects of some drug he had been given and he had suffered financial loss-he might mistake her for the thief. For that she would not care; she was amply able to make good any reasonable amount. If, on the other hand, it was but a common debauch, how to explain his presence in her room and make him truly understand she did not know. That sent her to her knees in prayer, the little pistol rolling unheeded from her hands. All through the remaining hours of the night she crouched there, towards the end unconscious of time or place, until the first streak of the new-born day peeping in at the blind forced her to look upward, and she found herself staring into a pair of wonderfully good-natured but bewildered eyes.

She was unaccountably reassured in a moment and the same strange impulse that led her on to aid him swept her up beside him now and like a whirlwind she poured out in bitterness the whole miserable story from her forced acceptance of a stateroom she did not want up to the present moment, then woman-like burst into tears. That awakened the baby and Eunice nearly smiled as she noted the startled look on her visitor's face, which gave way to one of actual relief when she explained the baby was not hers and how it came to be in her charge. With the strange waywardness of babyhood the youngster refused to allow Miss Gray to comfort him, and the man arose, and taking him tenderly in his arms began carrying him back and forth in the rather limited quarters. Soon the soft little curls sank back on the waiting shoulder and the broken nap was resumed. After that there was a stillness in the room for a long while. Laying the sleeping infant into the berth finally, he turned about and faced the girl. Instinctively she knew the moment of her judgment had arrived.

"My name is Frank Raymond," he began in a low voice. "I am by calling a railroad engineer, unmarried, and not a drinking man." Seeing the question in his eyes, she flushed slightly but remained silent while he continued. "My home is in Maple Valley. Last night I was

afraid of seasickness when the ship was rolling about. My stateroom, like this one, is down stairs, and coming out of it I met those two fellows, and telling them my fears both agreed they knew and had about them a remedy which if taken in spirits would surely prevent the unpleasantness. It is an old game, and I am old enough to have known better, but it seems I did not, with the result that you and I are in a strange position." His eyes just then fell upon the little revolver. Eunice had forgotten it and it lay where it had fallen when she had knelt in prayer through the long, long night.

"Poor girl," he said, and gently laid the toy in her lap. She trembled but her hands made no effort to take it up. He noted the omission and more gently, if possible, than before fesumed his explanation. "Miss Gray, there is a simple way out of this and" (as if to reassure her), "it might not turn out very badly for either of us. There is a parson occupying the room next to mine. If you will agree I'll call him in. I am amply able to care for you. I have a little home in Maple Valley, and mighty lonely it is since my old mother left me. The woman who fills her place must be a good one, and the prayer you made last night never came from a heart of sin. I can offer you a clean life. I could offer you no more if you had known me for years. After it all, Miss Gray, there is the divorce court if you are not satisfied."

Eunice flushed at the mention of the divorce, just as she had when she learned of his knowledge of her prayers. She was glad in a strange sweet way that he had heard them, but, she could not answer just then. It was such an odd proposal and swept away every girlish castle of love that she had ever built.

The little button on his coat seemed to shine out bravely now as if to remind her gently, "It had never failed a woman yet." Her answer finally must have been "yes," because that morning at ten o'clock when the little news-sheet appeared for sale among the passengers, on the guest list was no mention of Eunice Gray, but in clear, bright type shone the name of F. Raymond and wife, while in a stateroom upstairs a baby played with a gold coin of such value that the proud mother watched it apprehensively lest the baby allow it to roll away.

IMOGENE BATES.