Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-10

woman in the corridor-a woman whom I
knew for an enemy. / did not care to
meet her. and quickly secreted myself IN
one OF the ante-rooms. locking myself in.
Il wouldn't vote for her If L hadn't
promised, her companion was saying,
but I can't go back my word to Mrs.
Parsons. Besides, I see no harm in the
woman. To be sure, she is terribly con-
ceited, and she overdresses from my point
of view. But she's good-natured soul:
ana besides. she is only a tool OF Mrs.
Parsons. We shall still be under the Par
sons rule, just the same
That's just it, retorted the other. I'VE
are pining for a change. Let's have It.
Mrs Henry is nobody's minion; she has
a mind and an intellect OF her own"
Sorry, but l promised" said the other,
rather bored. l thought.
Some say, my enemy went on, that
tends" ,
ferentIy.
They go further and aver. some of Them
that she was behind the whole thing-that
she resorted to some kind of trick to
GUST Mrs. Parsons"
THAT would be dreadful" said the other,
aghast
You know Mrs Parsons has really made
the woman" my enemy pursued, ruthlessiy.
Who had ever heard of her three years
ago? Even two years ago? 1 remember her
first appearance in the club-a shy, horribly
dressed creature. with no knowledge of the
world at all. / have even heard that, when
Mrs. Parsons first discovered her, she was
living in four rooms over her husbands
grocery store
We'll. that's no discredit to her." said
the other stoutly.
only that she is ashamed of IL today
and would probably deny II IL you asked
her / tell you. the woman is tricky"
They passed out again, leaving me alone.
My blood boiled with rage and passionate
shame, and / longed to go forth and con-
front the woman; but i dared not. There
was nothing to do but swallow my wrath,
n N 10 ha oil oTfO md n n
longer and leave the field clear for my
enemies. l unlocked the door, walked out
and straight into the meeting. The second
ballot was just being called. / knew from
this how close the election was. and deter
mined to leave no stone unturned thai
would help to win.
The meeting was In confusion. There was
nc attempt at order, and saw my chance.
I walked deliberately down the room, CIV
ing cordial greeting or tossing pleasant
word to those women whose attitude on tho
subject of election was in doubt. l am said
to possess n winning smile and gracious
manner, and before the ballots were COLI
lected l had made at least dozen women,
whose names 1 did not know. my warm
friends. There should be no more talk Of
dark horses.
The teller returned fifteen minutes later.
My name headed the list with fifteen ma
jority. / was the newly-elected president OF
the great Nota Bene Club. l was presented
Immediately. amid tumult of hand-clap-
ping, and | made neat little speech, and
then l went home.
The stars looked clearly down from the
January sky as | came out of the liberal
arts building. A young moon hung over
the lake, and the roseate glimmer stu
fingered in the west. l was In a glow or
triumph, and the world seemed a goodly
place at that moment.
Philip Haven came UP the street. on his
way home from a meeting also. and Joined
me.
well is 1t congratula tions?" he asked.
LAS you please returned. ut all came
my way"
his words touched my heart as no formal
congratulations could have done.
"Oh. Philip / cried impultively, who
would have thought in the old days down
in Kansas, that we should live TO walk
the finest streets in beautiful, busting,
great Chicago together; you It's most popu-
lar preacher, and l the president OF the
most popular woman's clubT
YES together-and yet not together, ne
said and paused abruptly. Mrs. Parsons,
seeing us from her carriage, stopped and
took us in, insisting on carrying DIR. Haven
home to dine with her.
But remembered his words, even at tho
height of my exultaton. | was in a III.
multi of Joy all the evening / answered
friends But l required again and again TO
Philips face as he uttered those words, ana
over and over 1 saw picture OF hand
some boy and happy little girl playing
together in the green fields-playing husA
band and wife. / saw them growing up
side by side. innocently fond, until he went
away to school and college. leaving the
girl behind.
And yet-and yet they had not walked to-
gether Had / made mistake? Might
have been happier?
Go be continued Monday