own way.




V.

THE BITTER PAST.
All's Well that Ends Well; v.--3.


"The Pagans: Friday, Jan. 17.
Pipes, pictures and punch.
GRANT HERMAN."


Such was the invitation received one day by each of the Pagans, under a
seal bearing the impress of the goddess Pasht.

There is little that need be added to Fenton's account of the Pagans.
The society had no organization beyond a rule to meet each month and to
limit its membership to seven; no especial principles beyond an
unformulated although by no means unexpressed antagonism against
Philistinism. Fenton had suggested Pasht as a sort of _dea mater_,
and had furnished the seal bearing the image of that goddess which it
was customary to use upon the notifications of meetings; and for the
rest there was nothing definite to distinguish this group of earnest
and sometimes fiery young men from any other. They doubtless said a
great many foolish things, but they did so many wise ones that it
seemed but reasonable to assume that there must be some grains of