The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-05-13

The Confessions Of a Club Woman
BY AGNES SU.RBRLDGE.
CHAPTER XXI.

II
we had quiet evening. Joe and I,
~, mnen ! noted again and again how much
he had improved in looks, in bearinp, n
that lneffable something that procIaima
familiarity with the WAYS of the u,or1a
Pfalseo him for it, and we had really
pAeasant domestic reunion The children
mad grown and improved wonderf1l1v
during his year Of absence, and r well.
l mad not detcriorated; for the modern
woman understands the art Of keeping
young, and was scarcely 80.
The dove Of peace did not hover lone
over our abode, however, for the very
| next mornings mail brought g. letter to
Joseph Henning, ESQ"
VINO the deuce knows I am at home y,
ne said, as he slit open the enyelope With
ms KNIFE. i hurried directly to the
mousse from the train, and nobody at the
| OFFICE even knew of my arrival. Besides.
never nave letters come to the house,
| Dut olretul change came over his face
as ne read the letter. He laid 1t beside
ms plate and portentous calm reigned
1or tully five minutes. Then:
Are you president of the Nota Bene
| clup ne asked in q suppressed tone.
felt 1t wise to admit that was.
And how long since, may inquirer"
L was elected last January, Joe," and
l made my tones as conciliatory as I
| knew how.
"You have attended faithfully to all
club duties?" his voice was smoother
than ever. a.-
why, yes" I answered, deceived for
the moment. IT did not propose to have
the club record diminish under my man
lagement.'
! II should say you had succeeded ad-
m1rab1y,' he observed in the same nom
icommittal voice. when did the count
come to town? That Is, when did you
first meet 1lim?"
'Why. Joe? What do you mean?" 7
asked innocently enough.
Read that" and he tossed me the let
ter.
mr.. Joseph Henning: Dear Sir" It
began. you have come home none too
soon. IT she occupied only the private
position Of your wife, the members Of the
Nota Bene club would not trouble them
selves nor you; but, as she is president of
one OF the finest women's clubs in this
state, we are hoping you may break up
the intimacy that exists between your
wife and the Count de Beauvais. We
feel that the present state of things is a
disgrace to the club, and some of us are
looking confidently to you for a change
in the private life Of the president Of the
Nota Bene. A Member. %
What does it mean?" he demanded in
voice that frightened me, altho it was
low and controlled. No wonder my hus-
band had built up business that sup.
ported branches in three European CAPT.
tails as well as here, If this was his meth
cd of going at a difficulty.
1T is false" I cried. THAT is, in its
insinuations. There is no intimacy be.
tween Count de Beauvais and myself
Neither Is the club in the least disturbed
over my affairs. Why, every one says
have had the most brilliant reign of any
of it's presidents ....#
'They seem to have come to brillian
pass. now" he observed sarcastically
You seem to be very popular with ont
person, at least"
IT am popular, in spite of what the.
lsay,' I insisted. You should see wha
the newspapers have said about me-
stopped, recalling suddenly the COMMITTEE
meeting of the previous day.
Joe picked up the morning paper h
had been reading when I entered tn
breakfast room. II have seen what tn
newspapers are now saying about you
lat least, one newspaper; it matters 1ittl
what has been said in the past" H
handed me the paper and I read:
1.-THE executive board Of the Nota Ben
met in solemn conclave yesterday" tn
item read in the department, "Seen an
Heard 1T is rumored that sensatione
developments are to be expected. Severe
anonymous letters have been received b
the older leading members which refer
q scandalous goings-on in which their high
u, est officer and the Count de Beauva:
ia are involved Every one knows that til
ye two spent the month of August at a wei
he known summer residence in the east, tt
va why the club members should make cap
-. tai Of that Is not revealed, especially {
-. several well-known Chicago people, II
W Guiding a famous divine, were Of Il
ID same party. It looks like much ado abo,
=. nothing. Still, the shoe episode is n
yet forgotten
Much ado about nothing! That is jul
he what it Isl I said, laying down the p.
or per. .s
up HAS the count been attentive to "
he during my absence?" he asked.
'ss well, no; not exactly that" I hes
, a tated. Tie has called number of time
ne and naturally, we have been invited o
ny q great deal, as my set has taken him ,
en- from the beginning. But there has be-
ls,GG no ground for such nonsensical talk. VIII
I'LL as far as that goes, Philip Haven h
been here more than the count. And y,
= = always allowed that, you know"
IL Tame cat!' he muttered, contempt
ny ous1y "Come Johnnie land sudde