Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-09
Chapter XIV.

'tBrer Rabbit s. example and "Iay low" al
though 1 did not give up any of my CLUB
connections and managed to attend most OF
the meetings; but l never mentioned club
matters at home, and my absences were
accounted for vaguely as down town.
was home at all meals except when invited
out socially, as was frequently the case Joe
was generally pleased to have me dine OF
lunch at the Parsons establishment or at
any other of what he termed the sweiis,
and he was not the first man who has in
dulged the belief that his wife shed luster
on him by dining at places where he was
never invited. Poor Joe! suppose he was
what Mrs. Parsons would call impossible,
although l have seen rich men In society
with no more polished manners.
AS l had no other escort, Dr. haven, VINO
was usually invited to the same places, fell
into the habit of attending me, and II IL
were not too late he would come In for a
time. We We're the best of friends, and
Philip never made further reference to what
might have been. Joe liked him, and we
took pew at st. Sebastian's, which was
one Of the best moves we ever made socially.
And so matters went on quietly for year,
my circle of desirable acquaintance widen
ing all the time. Business prospered, and
the name of Joseph Henning began to be
well known at the banks and elsewhere as
a successful man.
The Good Government Club, having full
filled its mission, rather fell apart after the
city election (when young Perkins became
mayor by a small majority, and interest IN
1t tagged But the Nota Bene hourlshed
and waxed great the membership lncreas-
ing from 500 to 100. Mrs. Parsons took
credit for this and neglected no opportunity
to say So She would have been surprised
indeed, had she known of the growing dis
content and desire for a change OF preSl-
dent. But clubs, like republics, are migrate
full and the woman who does most to
make club is usually rewarded by the
removal of her official head-sometimes In
most summary fashion.
do not know that the idea of succeeding
her would have occurred to me at that time
had it not been for Minnie Morrison. Since
the Biennial she had been in the habit OF
dropping in to lunch whenever 1t happened
to be convenient for her. Sometimes this
was pleasant to me, as she always had the
latest gossip and was not averse to telling
it, and although l could hardly re-
sort of intimacy which some public
women maintain with the not overscrupu-
lous newspaper reporter.
well, l hear there is a great deal of dis
satisfaction among the Nota Benes with
Mrs. Parsons rather strenuous rule. There
will be a change this winter. with an exclt-
ing campaign" she predicted one day.
What makes you think so| asked.
First, because the club Is tired of the
Parsons regime; second, because Mrs. Par
sons will not yield her supremacy without
struggle" was the response. Then, as II an
inspiratio had flashed upon her, Now Is
your chance Jackie.
What do you mean?" I gasped in wave
of enlightenment -, MOT ,,,
You are young, with growing popularity.
You are a striking figure to be at the head
of anything, and have acquired a certain
SAVIOR fare that, combined with tact, Will
carry you triumphant through an exciting
campaign. 1 salute the next president OF
the Nota Benes.
But / nurniured, ut woHdn' I be agree.
able to Mrs Parsons"
II don't understand that it is for Mrs.
Parsons to appoint her successor was the
answer. Besides, If she once understands
that a change is really desired by the club,
she may have tact and sense enough to
come out and decline reelection. That
would leave the way clear for you"
But how is it to be managed?' l asked
doubtfully. II should scarcely want to cleo
tioneer for myself.
Not openly, no. was the astute reply;
there'll be boom for Mrs. Jack Henning.
Let's see; this is October; the election
comes in january"
"Yes-frst Saturday,
Plenty of time First you know, some
bodyIl ask if you'll accept the nomination.
Promise me you'll say yes"
We'll" and my tone expressed some de-
gree of doubt possibly l might consider
BET your life"' was the slangy response,
and the subject was dropped.
That very night my husband removed one
great obstacle in the path of my presidential
possibilities by announcing at the dinner ia
bic the decision of his firm to establish an
Office in London.
have to go over myself and get things to
running. Wish l could take you and the
babies
STAY at home with MOTHER l answered, I'M
certain about myself.
yes" he answered. "and matters are so
unsettled now that I'd better go alone: But
perhaps you might come over later.
| shall go the last of next week" And
was quite contented with the way Dame
Fortune was arranging matters.
had little time to think over club mat
tiers until after Joe had said good-by and
boarded the eastern train, but the very
next Sunday morning Mrs. Parsons called
me to the telephone.
"Haye YOU seen the Star?' she asked.
II haven't looked at any morning paper"
1 answered.
Ibid you authorize the statement that
you are to be the next candidate for the
abruptly For that is what it amounts
to-
mo; never" I answered promptly. II
know no one on the Star, and have never
been interviewed on the subject"
''Who did it, them" she pursued. Some
one has a knife for me all right. Come up
by and by, and let's talk the matter over
I'D like to-" answered, but I have
company to lunch and guests to dine with
me- Joes just gone to Europe, you know
"Well, soon, then; and read the Star ar
ticle," she said.
1 sent out and bought the Sunday Star,
and hunted up the article. 1t was in the
''Woman's Club Corner" and was headed:
DISSATISFACTION IN THE NOTA
BENEa CAMP"
"Rumors are afoat,' it went on to say,
'of widespread dissatisfaction with the
somewhat arbitrary methods Of the pres
ent head of the Nota Benes, and of the
growing desire for a change There will
be- we are reliably informed, a new ticket
brought into nomination at the coming
election It is claimed by some that the
leader who has occupied the chair Of state
for two years past, prominent socially as
she is, has become persona non grata to
large and growing faction of the club, and
a younger, more tactful officer will be
brought to fill her place. In fact, her sue
cessor's name is already being whispered
about in>club circlesa being none other than
the handsome, talented and popular wife
of Mr. Joseph Henning. 'Mrs.-Jack,' as
she is called, is atithe head of an increas-
ing coterie of society and club women"
etc. ETC.. and so on for half a column
my stars! How fortunate that Joe i,as
gone" gasped, as dropped the paper
s'This is Minnie Morrison,s doing-not dar-
ing to launch the boom in her own paper"
Then I fell to thinking.
Why not2 felt little doubt that could
be elected II l chose, and l had long COW
eted position and prominence Both would
come to the woman who stood at the head