Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1899-04-12
THE C. E. CLUB.

There was an air of suppressed excite
ment among the members of the O. E.
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 o clear,
high soprano.
The girls settled down in their places
and, amid comparative quiet, the secre-
tary, clearing her throat, began:
"This organization shall be called
The CLANCY Elopement club. Abso-
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 wedding ring is placed on
true sisters finger. The older the man
inveigled into clipping the more credit
shall be given the departing sister.
Boys under 10 are not to be considered
responsible. Trunks and trousseaus are
absolutely forbidden. Long wedding
trips are also barred. The penalty for
being a member longer than for two
years is expulsion. Each departing
member shall suggest sister to take
her place.
"You have heard the reading Of the
constitution, said the president, rising
from her chair. NOW, what action 10
to be taken?"
Madam President'-a tall girl
arose with q 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 MEM
Der for over two years is expulsion. We
have one such member. think it time
that action was taken"
The members gasped as the audacious
speaker took her seat and listened
breathlessIy for the presidents answer.
That official raised her head defiantly
and said haughtily:
II presume that they mean me, Miss
Andrews. l believe that alone remain
Of the original seven"
II do, and I 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
bership?''
Amid dead silence the secretary re-
ported:
"There are two months remaining,
Madam President.
II thought So" The president turned
to the club, ignoring her of the black
eyes. "You see" she said, THAT it is
impossible for the club to take any such
step as the member moved for the pres
ent. will say, however. that such ac-
ton will never become necessary in my
case, and resolute look came into the
blue eyes.
"Oh, Graciep' broke from the girls
in admiration. for it was an open secret
that the fair president had been engaged
for some two years to dignified pro-
lessor of science, a man some 90 years
her senior.
perhaps you won't mind telling
your 'modus operandii' " sneered Sadie
Andrews incredulously.
"Allow me in turn to call your atten-
tion to that clause of our constitution
which says that absolute secrecy as to
time and particulars shall be maintained
even between members" said Oracle
sweetly, although her eyes flashed at
the covert insinuation. IF there il no
more business before the club" she
added, II declare the meeting ad-
journed.
Grace walked away. 1.-THE hateful
thingp' she exclaimed, the tears filling
her eyes in spite of herself. "I'll show
herl He does love me! He does! He
will do anything wish. Only he does
not approve of clipping. Oh, / wish that
he did But I'll manage somehow, and
he just must do it, whether he approves
or not"
A month passed, and still no oppor
tunity presented itself for putting into
practice any of her numerous plans.
Grace was almost in despair. Sadie An
drews openly laughed her to scorn as
the time passed and Oracle was still
Oracle Dawn. Many Of the girls looked
dubious and smiled family when Sa-
die would triumphantly calculate II
told you SOP in their presence. Grace
preserved a calm bearing outwardly,
but inwardly ragged at her helplessness.
One day merry party of excursion
lists boarded boat and went for an out
ing 80 miles down the river. Among
them were Grace and Professor Harper.
The O. +. club was out in full force.
and a mighty resolve formed itself in
the maiden's mind that this should be
the eventful occasion.
A cave in the vicinity visited and
1unoh partaken Of, the party broke up
into groups of twos or threes and scat
tered over the hills into the woods. The
captain of the veasel cautioned them
against straying too far away, az the
boat would put out promptly at 8
o'clock. As was natural, Grace and the
professor sauntered Of together.
"Now. where shall we GOT" inquired
she professor. "Have you any special
plaoo that Won Would like To Ro?''