The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-11-12

Tor telling it kept the lump back again
and l never had so much trouble in al
my days trying to keep from one of those
good, old-fashioned whimpers that women
take to so ridicuIously when the situation
works upon their emotions.
Just here Mrs. Mclean, the stately and
beautiful chatelaine of the superb man
sion, came to join US. and for a few mo-
ments we talked Of commonplace topics
The servant presently announced Mrs.
Ludlow. Mrs. Hazen's sister, one Of the
wittisst and most brilliant of women, and
we talked photographs, for Mrs Hazen
had promised to pose especially for pic
ture for the Sunday World.
Mother and sister implored the dearest
woman" not to pose in sombre black, and
at last Mrs Hozen consented to wear the
simple white gown In which her portrait
was taken.
While we were awaiting for the artist to
arrange the Photographic paraphernalia
Mrs. Hazen suddenly said to me: "Oh, by
the bye, I want you to join a society we
are all much interested in-mamma, sister
and I are members. It's the society for
never saying a hurtful thing about an
other woman. VIII you join?''
What are the fees and things?" I fru-
gally inquired, with a memory for yearly
dues that seemed 20 be always clamoring
for consideration from certain clubs upon
whose books I have the honor to be en-
rolled.
mo fees at ALL" said Mrs Hazen, "and
just one article in the creed. You promise
~ h. e IT.
ter, never to say a word that will injure
the moral reputation of woman. No
matter what her past has been, you
promise never by syllable to add to the
injury done her reputation by herself or
any one else. Hold up your hand"
And I obeyed like on hypnotized, and be-
fore knew it I was a full-nedged mem
Der OF the society, and rather frightened
at the prospect.
Cant even tell jokes-little jokes, you
know-about women" I asked feebly
Not If they hurt" said Mrs. Hazen
with decision. You see she continued
we women have got to help each other
We must stand by each other Never mind
what has happened we will help by words
as well as deeds.
"Of course" she added, ut does take
good deal of the spice out of life and con-
tributes rather to the dUlness than the
gayety of nations. and it's about all we
can do to resist I almost choke some
times in the effort But as Uncle Remus
would say. You done jined into this So
ciety and you's' bleeged to bide by de
laws"
servant Dou announced that Admiral
Dewey presented his compliments and
wished to know how Mrs Hazen wes this
morning, and the dearest woman" blush
ed and fed to a telephone in the next
room.
When she returned we went to the mu-
sic room, where Mrs. Hazen allowed me to
pose her for the Sunday Worlds picture.
As she sat at the plano with an unstud-
led and absolutely unaffected desire to give
me the picture which 1 particularly fan
cied, could not help rejecting how much
of fine ideals, delicate sensibility. gentle
sympathy and purity of character Mrs.
Hazen typiied.
After the portraits were successfully
taken Mrs. Hazen said she had not yet
thought of her wedding finery.
My happiness" she said. sis only a
few days old, and 1 really don't know
when we are to be married. We haven't
quite decided.
Then, too. since my darling boy died
I have cared so little about my gowns.
They have been black-just black and all
alike. I never expected to wear anything
else.
But now. Of course, 7 think it would
be selfish to take my crepe into Admiral
Dewey's life. You see. it is his life that
is all important Mine will be merged into
his. have no desire for any separate in
you should be- and you are, the proud
est woman in the land" I said. You are
the woman chosen above all others by the
man unique in his century"
Il am the very humblesr." said Mrs.
Hszen. 81 cannot tell you how tbs great
gift that has been vouchsafed me humbles
me. l know the hero and portrait whom
the world loves. 1 also know the courtly
gentleman, the devoted friend, the loyal
soul and honest heart, incapable of a
small or ungenerous emotion.
When I think OF that it means 10 be
the woman who has confided to her the
charge, OF making this life happy. I am
humbled to the profoundest depths of my
soul. 1t is a tremendous rsspousl billy, and
] pray I may be worthy of it.
but we mustn't get gloomy over it; let
US talk chiffons.
My rousseau will be simple and the
wedding, oh, very, very quiet I shall
wear white mostly. II is easier TO change
from black to white than to plunge into
coiors and my boy-oh. nothing can ever
make me cease TO mourn for him"
Just at this moment a servant appeared
with a box containing an immense cor
sage bouquet OF violets
Mrs. Hazen smiled softly and said, THE
admiral loves flowersI'
When Mrs Hazen gave me tho photo
graph which shows her with her little
sons arms about her neck she said. This
is the picture dear Secretary Blaine made
his famous bonmot about He said
there's only one young man in the world
with daring enough To take such a liberty
with Mrs Hazen. Wasn't it just like Nj.
R!sine?"
Breakfast was announced and during
this delightful meal. served with sumpJu-
Gus elegance. Mrs. Hazen became the wit
ty woman OF The world and entertained
Us with aaecdoates and repartee that
would establish for all time an average
woman's reputation for brlliancy-
Mrs Mclean and her daughter are Ike
TWO devoted and insepara5le sisters
we have not" said Mrs Mclean. Look
ing fordly at Mrs. Hazeu. ''heen separated
for an hour for years Our rooms COM
ana Mile comes every morning
as her life 10 take her first breakfast with
me at my bedside.
Il am the only one who loses BY this