Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-11-29
Chapter ".

nay affairs, smiled on me again. The very
next week after my first club meeting my
husband came in to dinner with an i'm
portant air and said:
well Johnnie, here's to your health, "
handing me document which read Quit
Claim Deed on the back. Don't you
know what 1t is? Well, well. how you wo-
men manage to go through life knowing
so little OF business as you do is mystery
to me- That. madam, is the deed for your
new house on the lake 'front.'
why. joel" L cried. delighted. "YOu
never told me you thought of moving
mo. but I did just the same This fiat
Is getting pretty crowded since the babies
came. Besides, I've sold out the business
here and am going into big wholesale
establishment down town: and Wen have
to live on a little bigger scale than we've
been doing. Won't take 1t too hard, will
your
You angel man. I cried in delight
could not have arranged 1t better. why
didn't you tell me-"
Then where would the surprise come
in?" he laughed. But get your buds on
and we'll go over and see the house."
To my inexperience 1t seemed quite palatiai
although 1t was a modest brick domicile
with only nine rooms; but it had a charm
ing outlook across the lake, and a spacious
front veranda such as 1 had never as
pired to.
was so busy with the moving through
the next month that l scarcely thought OF
club affairs. But one day, when nearly
everything we possessed was packed in
boxes who should arrive on the scene but
Mrs. Theodore Parsons!
Goodness, gracious!" she calculated. as
she lifted her Iorgnette on the dismantled
room why didn't you tell me you were
on the point of fitting? Another day and
l should have lost YOU"
"Oh no." answered. st should have ap-
peared again at the club when I got set
tied" By this time l had cleared chair
for her.
Not until then? But that would have
been too late" she answered. settling back
in the chair. Il want you to come tomor-
row."
But can't" protested, aghast. why,
the vans are to be here in the morning.
1 simply can't get away"
"Oh, yes you ean," she replied blandly.
I'm going to ask it as particular favor
that you be there at o'clock. You see,
the voting begins then"
1.-THE voting?" 1 was puzzled.
Eyes; don't you know. / told YOU Our
annual election comes off at that time, and
I shall need your vote"
A light suddenly broke over me, but
did not finch
sT've relied on what you promised me,
you see. The election Is likely to be very
close and both sides are drumming up
every possible candidate. That's why I'm
here" -,
NEVER fear" answered calmly. IT will
be there. and shall gladly vote for you"
Thanks. / felt could depend on you.
and you will be no loser by it. We're hav-
ing a pretty hot fight. but mean to WIN
Several of my friends are out today calling
on new members and old ones VINO seidom pa,
/ felt hattered by the attention and
said so.
1--WE may as well understand one another
at the outset" she resumed. Il nave very
II N
club: those who stand by and help me VIII
be rewarded. you understand? Yes. You
are anxious to meet people. to become
known, to widen your sphere Here is your
I did not reply. 1 knew not what 70
saw. NV experience had been so linn
tied perhaps 1 could not Judge. but
in a vague way 1t seemed 70 me tna'
this was no better than political par
gaining 1 had heard my husband con-
denim Still, why not? If men do these
things, why might not women. also! AND
az she said here was the opportunity l
so eagerly sought.
went on, carelessly; and If you do not
care to come out boldly for such reforms
as 1 may advocate, why, let this CONVEX
sation be forgotten; ! pray you 90 not
give it a second thought"
ooh, but 1 do" answered her. Il shall
be grateful for your friendship and glad
to repay 1t in any way l can. You can
rely on me, Mrs. Parsons"
THANKS, my dear" Her voice was like
honey. And now 1 must go. But tell me,
where are you fitting? The lake front?
Oh, indeed. That's much better than this.
les. 1 know the house. 1t Is quite cor
rect And your husband is going into the
wholesale trade? How fortunate"
"why?" asked. foolishly.
"Why? You dear thing! Don't you
know how differently the world looks on
the wholesale grocer from the retail? We
will see to all that. Nobody need know
that you ever lived anywhere else but
over on the lake front. l wouldn't men,
ton this fiat Observation-Disclosures par
don my frankness, / know. It's because
I take a real motherly interest in you
and want to give you just the right start,
you know. How fortunate that you were
an old friend Of Doctor Haven-and now
I'm going. Goodbye. my dear"
She said the last words just as my huS-
band came up and entered the parlor.
Great Scott, Johnnie" he cried, when
the door had closed behind her, were
coming up In the world. To think of Mrs.
Theodore Parsons 'my-dearing' my wife!
Surely he means to get my vote for the
legislature"
81 don't believe it," said I. But she will
get mine for president of the Nota Bene. "
"O-ho. Electioneering on her own ac-
count is she? I thought there was
something In the wind"
Now, Joe," I cried. you're hateful.
Mrs. Parsons and have struck up real
friendship.
Hope It'll last" he retorted, and OFF he
went leaving me to wonder whether
ought to congratulate myself or not.