The Somerset reporter., 1899-01-19
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.
ut 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-
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 a wedding ring is placed on a
true sister, finger. The older the man
inveigled into clipping the more credit
shall be given the departing sister.
Boys under Is are not to be considered
RESPONSE bic. Trunks and trousseaus are
LUX WouuiuB
trips are also barred. The penalty for
being a member longer than for two
years is expulsion. Each departing
mem Der shall suggest sister to take
her place.
"You have heard the reading of the
constitution, said the president, rising
from her chair Nov, what action is
to be takenY'
MADAM President" 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 mem
Der for over two years is expulsion. We
have one such member. think il time
that action was taken.
The members gasped as the audacious
speaker took her seat and listened
breathlessly for the presidents answer
That official raised her head defiantly
and said haugbtily:
II presume that they mean me, Miss
Andrews. | believe that alone remain
of the original seven.
W. uDu djOfO tddU bhO flOO
president take the chair while we con
slider the case. "
lone moment. please. The president
turned to the secretary. "Will you
kindly look up the time of my mem
bership?''
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. "You see, 3" she said, THAT it is
impossi BILE for the club to take any such
step as the member moved for the pres
ent. / will say, however that such ao
ton will never become necessary in my
case, land 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 come two years to dignifed pro
lessor of science, a man some 30 years
her senior.
Perhaps you won't mind telling
yONA OPOiubhA' rhOOASN OudIO
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-
lourned. "
Grace walked away. THE hateful
thingP' she exclaimed, the tears filling
her eyes in spite of herself "I'll show
her He does love mel 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
month passed, and still no oppor
tunity presented itself for putting into
practice any of her numerous plans
Grace was almost III 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 u
told you SO '' 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 30 miles down the river Among
them were Grace and Professor Harper
The @ +. club was out in full force
and a mighty resolve formed itself in
the maiden g mind that this should be
the eventful occasion
A cave iii the vicinity visited and
lunch partaken OF, the party broke up
into uropps of tuoc or fhrpaa and scat