Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1905-04-22
The Confessions Of s
A M a Club Woman.
CHAPTER XXI.
BY AGNES sURBRIDGE.

We had a quiet evening, Joe ana /,
when noted again and again how much
he had improved in looks, in bearing, in
that ineffable something that proclaims
familiarity with the ways of the world.
rraise6 him for it, and we had really
nlea sant domestic reunion. The children
had grown and improved wonderfully
during his wear of absence, and well,
had not deteriorated; for the modern
woman understands the art of keeping
Young. and | was scarcely 80
The Dove of Peace did not hover long
over our abode, however, for the very
next mornings mail brought letter to
Joseph Henning Esq"
"Nho the deuce knows | am at home p
he said. as he slit open the envelope with
lis knife. II hurried directly to the
house from the train, and nobody at the
office. even, knew of my arrival. Be
sides | never have letters come to the
house"
But direful change came over his face
as he read the letter. He laid it beside
his plate, and portentous calm reigned
for fully five minutes. Then:
Are YOU president of the Nota Bene
cmb?" he asked in a suppressed tone.
felt it wise to admit that was.
And how long since, may | inquire ?"
II was elected last January, Joe" and
made my tones as conciliatory as /
knew how.
You have attended faithfully to all
club duties!" his voice was smoother
than ever.
"Whv, yes" I answered, deceived for
the moment. 81 did not propose to have
the club record diminished under my
management"
Il should say you had succeeded ad
mirably," he observed in the same nom
committaI voice "When did the count
come to town? That is, when did you
first meet him?"
why, Joef What do you meant
asked innocently enough.
Read that" and he tossed me the
letter.
Mr.. Joseph Henning Dear Sir" it
began. You have come home none too
soon. If she occupied only the private
position of your wife, the members Of
the Nota Bene club would not trouble
themselves nor you; but, as she is presi-
dent of one of the finest women's clubs
in this state, we are hoping you may
break up the intimacy that exists be
tween your wife and the Count de Beau
yais We feel that the present state of
things is disgrace to the club, and some
of us are looking confidently to you for
change in the private life of the presi-
dent of the Nota Bene.
"a MEMBER"
what does it mean?" he demanded in
voice that frightened me, although it
was low and controlled. No wonder my
husband had built up a business that
supported branches in three European
capitals as well as here, if this was his
method Of going at a difficulty.
1T is false" / cried. THAT is, in its
nsinuatiOns. 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 its presidents"
They seem to have come to a brilliant
pass now" he observed sarcastically.
You seem to be very popular with one
person, at least"
Il am popular, in spite of what they
say" insisted You should see what
the newspapers have said about me-" |
stopped, recalling suddenly the commit
tee meeting of the previous day.
Joe picked up the morning paper he
had been reading when l entered the
breakfast room. II have seen what the
newspapers are now saying about you
at least, one newspaper; it matters little
what has been said in the past" He
handed me the paper and I read.
The executive board of the Nota Bene
met IN solemn conelave yesterday" the
item read in the department, "Seen and
Heard" 1T is rumored that sensational
developments are to be expected. Sew
eral anonymous letters have been re-
celyed by the older leading members
winch refer to scandalous going-on in
which their highest officer and the Count
De Beauvais are involved Every one
Knows that the two spent the month of
august at a well-known summer resi-
denee IN the east, though why the club
members should make capital of that is
rot revealed, especially as several we'll
known Chicago people, including a ia
nous divine, were of the same party. 1t
looks like much ado about nothing
Stlii' the shoe episode is not yet forgot
Much ado about nothing! That ia
gust what it isl l said, laying down the
paper.
Has the count been attentive TO YOU
during my absence 2" he asked.
Well, no; not exactly that" hest
1a'ed' tie has called a number of times
ana naturally we have been invited out a
great deal, as my set has taken him IN
from the beginning. But there has been
no ground for such nonsensical talk.
why, as far as that goes, Philip Haven
mas been here more than the count. And
you always allowed that, YOU know
Tame cat!" he muttered contemntu-
9usly. Come, Johnnie" land | sudden.
y realized how very much pleasanter If
was to be addressed as Madame Jacoue-
minot in tender voice than to he called
Johnnie in this imperious fashion,,
tomei Make a clean breast of it."
-, really, Joe, dear, there is nothing to
III I'll you II the count admires me. It is |
my as a foreigner studying American
-l.Itutl0ns Won said L. 80. -.