Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1899-03-24
THE c. E. CLUB.

club which eliminated in an open dem.
onstration as the reading Of the con-
stitution was demanded. The president
raped loudly for order.
''It has been requested that the con-
stitution be read" she said. in = clear.
high soprano.
The girls settled down in their places
and. amid comparative quiet, the Secre-
tagy. clearing her throat, began:
"1bis organization shall be called
The CLANCY ElopemeDt club AbEo-
lutte secrecy as to time and particulars
Of elopement shall be maintained even
between members. Membership shall
be limited TO seven, and shall cease the
moment a wedding ring is placed ON a
srue sisters finger. The older the man
inveiRled into clipping the more credit
shall be given the departing sister.
Boys under l9 are not to be considered
responsible. Trunks and trousseaus are
absolutely forbidden. Long wedding
trips are also barred. The penalty for
being q member longer than for two
years Is expulsion. Each departing
member shall suggest a sister to take
her place"
lyon have heard the reading Of the
constitution. - said the president, rising
from her chair. "Now. what action is
to be takeny''
"Madam President'-a tall girl
arose With a malicious sparkle in her
black eyes-''the reading Of the consti-
tuition was demanded for the purpose Of
calling attention to the clause which
reads that the penalty for being a mem
Der for over two years is expulsion. We
have one such member. ] think II time
that action vas taken"
The members Raspcd as the Rrdacious
speaker took her seat and listened
bTeathlessly for the presidents answer
That Official raised her head d~efantly
and said haughtily:
II presume that they mean me. Miss
Andrews believe that | alone remain
Of the original seven"
III do, and l move that the vice
president take the chair while we con
slider the case.
Zone moment please" The president
turned to the secretary. Twill you
kindly look up the time Of my mem
6ership?"
Amid dead silence the secretary re-
ported:
''There are two months remaining.
Madam President"
81 thought So" The president turned
to the club. ignoring her OF the black
eyes. lyon see" she said. THAT 1t is
impossible for the club to take any such
step as the member moved for the pres
ent / will say, however, that such no.
ticn will never become necessary In my
case, " and a resolute look came into the
blue eyes
"Oh, Oracle r. broke from the girls
In admiration. for 1t was an open secret
that the fair president had been engaged
for some two years TO a dignifed pro
fessor Of science, u nan some 20 years
her senior.
Perhaps you won't mind telling
your 'modus ~operandi!' I" eneeTed Sadie
Andrews incrodulously.
"AlIow me in turn to call your atten-
tion to that clause Of mi constitution
which says that absolute secrecy as to
time and particulars Rhall be maintained
even between members" said Oracle
sweetly. although her eyes flashed at
the covert insinuation. "n there IL no
mora business before the club" she
added, II declare the meeting nd-
journed."
Grace walked away. 1.-THE hateful
thingl" she exclaimed, the tears filling
her eyes in spite Of herself. I'm show
heEi he does love mel He doesi He
will do anything | wish, Only he does
not approve Of clipping. oh, | wish that
he didi But I'll manage somehow, and
be just must do IL. whether be approves
d not"
A month passed. and still no oppor-
tunity presented itself for putting into
practice any Of her numerous planA
Grace was almost In despair. Sadie An
drews openly laughed her to scorn a.
the time passed and Graoie was still
Oracle Dawn. Many Of the girls looked
dubious and smiled family when Sa-
die would triumphantly calculate IL
told you col" In their presence. Grace
preserved a calm bearing outwardly.
but inwaFdly ragged at her helplessness.
One day a merry party Of excursion
lists boarded q boat and went for an out.
ing 80 miles down the Fives. Among
them were Grace and Professor Harper
The q e club wal out In full force.
and q mighty resolve formed itself in
the maiden's mind that this should be
the eVentful occasion.
A ave In the vicinity visited and
lunch partaken Of. the party broke ny
into groups " twOs or thFees and scat
Asred over tie hills into the woods The
captain Of the vessel cautioned them
aaainss atFAying TOO far away, as ths
boat would put q promptly at .
o'clock. A. wal natural, Grace and the
professor naunterod on together.
"Now, where shall WI goi" inquired
the professor Have you any special
place that you would like 10 go?'
II thought said the nKtful mis-.