The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1894-05-24

| In a short time it drew up before palatial
building standing where the Hotel Metropole
once stood. This, as everyone knows, is the
Pine Ear Club, the sumptuous resort of
women engaged in business in the city. 1t
is higher priced than the Carlton or Reform,
but is much more luxurious than either Of
these old-fashioped men clubs.
"Call for me at half-past three" said the
lady.
The stately doors of the club were opened
by two girl porters and the couple entered.
The lady wrote her husbands name in q
book which was on stand in the hall, and
together they entered the large dining-room,
where they took their places at one of the
small tables set for two near one of the large
front widows.
"We will take the regular club lunch"
| she said to one of the walters. "And bring
bottle of 'S4 champagne large bottle"
"1-I don't think care for champagne"
said Madax, hesitatiDgly. 1t gives me a
headache"
Nonsense" cried his wife; I" q glass or
two will do you good. You look worried"
81 am worried, and that is what wished
to see you about"
"Well, we won't talk business during
lunch, if you please" adding, as she leaned
back in her chair, it's habit l never in
dulge in. It's bad for one. We can have a
talk in the smoking-room afterwards. How
are the children ?"
"Very well, thank You. The girl is little
hard on the boy and knocks him about bit,
but they are getting on very WELL"
Poor little fellow" said Mrs. Madax.
Boys are such worry to their parents
when one thinks that they have to en-
counter this world alone. I must run down
| and see them next week, if l can."
| 81 wish you would" said Madax. "The
children miss you very much. Why don't
! you come home oftener?"
Well very soon 1 expect to be able to do
So" she replied; but, like you. have a
great deal on my mind at present, and the
market requires close watching"
Cant you come home with me tonight"
| he asked. 1.-THE children would be so pleased
to see you"
"No," she answered; al have to take Sir
| Cesar Camp out to dinner tonight"
"To-morrow night, then?" he suggested,
deprecatingly.
"No," said the lady, shaking her head; !;
it's worse still tomorrow night / have
| n lot Of stockholders dining with me at the
| Holborn"
1t must cost you lot of money, these
dinners Oh every night"
eyes, it does" said Mrs. Madax; "but
my experience is, if you want to make
good business deal with man you must
| first feed him well. l always see that the
wines are irreproachable. l will say one
thing for the men, that they always know
good wine when they taste it."
well" said Madax, I" L will tell the chill
dren that you send your love to them; but
think, you know. that woman shouldn't
lose sight of her children, even though busi-
ness is absorbing"
She urged him to take his share of the
champagne, but Madax declined, saying: "a
man must keep his head clear for business
nowadays"
Yes" said his wife, 81 suppose q man
must"
There was a slight tinge of sarcasm in
her voice, and she put unnecessary emphasis
on the noun. Madax looked grieved, but
said nothing. How often do women in their
thoughtles5 rudeness cause pain to the ten
der hearts of those who love them
After lunch was over, Mrs. Madax led the
way upstairs to the private smoking-room
which she had reserved for their use. 1t
was in a corner of the club building, over
looking bit of the river and commanding
view of Charing Cross railway bridge.
" We will be quite undisturbed here" she
said, "and can talk business"
Ringing bell to give an order, she asked
her husband:
"What will you drink"
Nothing, thank you," he replied, but
added afterward, Il will have a glass of
milk and soda, if you can get it."
You will smoke, of course" said his
wife
"a cigaret," answered Madax.
When the waiter appeared, Mrs. Madax
said:
Bring a glass of milk and soda, some of
the best Egyptian cigarets, two Havana
cigars, and glass of special Scotch, with
seltzer."
When these materials were brought and
the waiter had disappeared, Mrs. Madax
walked to the door and turned the key in it.
Her husband lit his cigaret from the match
she held out TO him, and then, biting the end
from her own cigar, she began TO smoke.
She thrust her two hands deep down in her
pockets, and began TO pace up and down
the room.
Now, John," she cried, what's the
trouble?"
Mr.. Madax's name was Billy, but every
body called him John because his wife's
name was Joan. Mr.. John Madax was the
name he was known by.
Some months ago." began Mr.. Madax,
=" / went into wheat deal, and 1 don't quite
see my way out"
Mrs. Madax stopped in her pacing, and
faced her husband in surprise.
"a wheat deal 2" she cried. (which side
of the market are you on?"
"Oh, Pm on for rise"
His wife made a gesture of despair, and
began walking up and down the room again.
What, in heavens name, did you buy for
rise for?"
"Well," said Madax, very humbly, "you
see, the American wheat crop had practically
failed and thought l was pretty sure of
risen
"Why didn't you speak to me about it?"
she cried
Her husband flushed uneasily.
6 l wanted to do something off my own
bat," he said. "Of course, / had no idea at
that time there would be corner in wheat"
"Corner!" she cried contemptuously.
"There's always a corner there's bound to
be a corner. Don't you know enough not to
look to the United States any more for indi-
cations of the wheat market? India and
the Baltic hold the key to the situation"
Yes, know; at least, I know now," he
said, "but there is no use in upbraiding me
for what have done. am up to the neck
in wheat, and the signs to-day are that it is
going lower than ever. Now, what would