Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-21
Chapter XVI.

He took my hand and led me over to a
pile of railroad ties on the side OF the
track.
you'll come back with me TO Chicago
Toe. won't your 1 said anxiously. i've
needed YOU. I've wanted you So.
I'VE were pair of sillies, Jackie. Yes
I'll go back home and well renew our
youth together.
He said nothing about the club, and, for
the first time. l remembered that at that
very hour, perhaps that very moment, an
nounccment was being made in the Nota
Bene rooms of my election or OF my de-
feat But l did not care which. L had
faced life and death in the past hour, and
knew. now, the littleness of earth's petty
triumphs. 1 knew now that only the things
of the soul endure:
Joe, / am through with clubs. IL you
will forgive me and come home. l Will be
better wife and mother than L nave ever
heen vet I've learned my leSsion.
We had a long talk there on that pile OF
ties and when it was over We were nearer
to each other than ever before All the
pride and arrogance and petty jealousies of
my l;fe had vanished, and in their place
stood the humble desire to live my life
worthily and helpfuly. The scales had
fallen from my eyes, and / saw that self
seeking had been at the bottom of my
whole club career; that 1 had been work
ing for self-advaneement only; and l had
seen my apples of gold turn to ashes in
my grasp.
pier than we had ever been. Our lives had
broadened in different channels, but here
after they were to merge In one deeper, II
more silent. stream.
The next morning Joe handed me the
paper folded so that the report of the Nota
Bene meeting came uppermost. | had been
elected on the fourth ballot, by a majority
of one vote.
Never mind / said, smiling across to
him. II shall not serve"
You may, Jackie.
knew how much it cost him to make
that concession and priced it accordingly.
But I said:
mo. l shall resign immedia tely. They
will put Mrs. Henry, the first vice presi-
dent in my place. as she should have been
a year ago. Not another word, joe please.
1t is settled and I'm doing this because I
want to-"
He came over and kissed me like happy
lover, and after breakfast L wrote and sent
my letter of resignation to the board.
Mrs. Henry and Mrs Parsons came to sec
me as soon as they learned my decision
What does this mean?'' cried Mrs Par
sons almost before she was seated. After
the way we've fought and bled to keep you
in office | do not understand it."
ut means" and here 1 had my most bit
ter pill to swallow, that I've reason to
change my views-my whole plan of life.
The newspapers praised me because l stafd
away from the election, saving l knew
would strengthen my position by seeming
not to care On the contrary, had started
thither when l learned of the railroad ac-
cident. My husband was on that train.
leaving me forever. l do not know how or
why l did 1t, but went on that relief train
and brought him back. Mrs Parsons, we
have made it all up. and am through with
clubs 1 do not want the Office any longer,
nor do feel that 1t would be right to keep
RESIGNATION
You are all wrong, Jackie" began Mrs.
Parsons; but Mrs. Henry stopped her.
you are right, my DEAR she said "Es-
pecially If you feel that way If you have
thought it all out and decided for yourself,
1t is not for us to attempt to dissuade you.
/ believe In clubs for women: I believe in
the work they are doing But believe too
many women are OVERRIDING the thing: and
you certainly have nearly wrecked your
home life by an almost insane passion for
excitement and the froth of club life"
"That is the point. Mrs. Henry" I admit
ted. ut was only the froth and the En-