The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1899-03-03
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,
sit has beer 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 wedding ring is placed on
true sisters finger. The older the man
3nveigled into clipping the more credit
shall be given the departing sister.
Boys under Is 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 q sister to take
her place.
"You have heard the reading of the
constitution, said the president, rising
from her chair. "Now, what action is
to be taken?"
"Madam Presidential tall girl
arose with 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. l think II 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:
81 presume that they mean me, Miss
Andrews. believe that alone remain
of the original seven."
81 do, and I move that the vice
president take the chair while we con-
slider the case"
"One moment. please. " The president
turned to the secretary. "Will you
kindly look up the time Of my men,
bership?"
Amid dead silence the secretary re-
ported:
"There are two months remaining,
Madam President.
"Ithought 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
emit. will'say, however. that such ao-
ton will never become necessary in my
case. and resolute look came into the
blue eyes.
"Oh, Graciei" broke from the girls
IN admiration. for IL was an open secret
that the fair president had been engaged
for some two years to dignified pro-
'assor Of science, man some 90 years
her senior.
"Perhaps You won't mind telling
your 'modus operandif' eneered Sadie
Andrews incredulously.
"Allow me In turn to call your atten.
tion to that clause of our constitution
which says that absolute secrecy al to
time and particulars shall be maintained
even between members" said Oracle
sweetly. although her eyes flashed at
the covert insinuation. "If there 10 no
more business before the Club" she
added, II declare the meeting I'D.
1ourned.
Grace walked away. "The hateful
thingr' she exclaimed, the tears filing
her eyes in spite of herself. "I'll show
herl He does love mel He does He
will do anything wish. Only he does
not approve of clipping. oh, wish that
he didi 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 aa
the time passed and Oracle was still
Oracle Dawn. Many Of the girls looked
dubious and smiled family when Sa-
die would triumphantly calculate 81
told you sol" in their presence. Grace
preserved q 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.