The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-06-03
CHAPTER XVI.

saleQ LOT Europe tomorrow.
CHAPTER XVI.
He took my hand and led me over to a
track.
You'll come back with me to Chicago,
Joe, won't you?" I said anxiously. i've
needed you, I've wanted you so.
1--WE are a pair of Stiles, Jackie. Yes,
I'll go back nome and We'll renew our
youth together.'
He said nothing about the club, and. for
the first time, remembered that at that
very hour, perhaps that very moment,
announcement YVES being made in the
Nota Bene rooms of my election or of
my defeat. But did not care Which. I
had faced life and death in the past hour,
and knew, now, the littleness of Earths
petty triumphs. I knew now that only
the things of the soul endure.
"Joe I am thru with clubs. If you will
forgive me and come home will be a
better Wife and mother than have ever
been yet I've learned my lesson"
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 life had vanished, and in
their place stood the humble desire to
live my life worthily and helpfully. The
that self-seeking had been at the bottom
of my whole club career: that had been
working for self advancement only; and
l had seen my apples Of gold turn to
ashes in my grasp.
We went home together Joe and I,
happier than we had ever been. Our lives
had broadened in different channels, but
hereafter they were to merge in one deep
er, If more silent, stream.
hor
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 confession and priced it accordingly.
But I said:
mo. I shall resign Immediately. They
will put Mrs. Henry, the first vice presi-
| dent, In my place, as she should have
been year ago. Not another word Joe,
please. 1t is settled and I'm doing this
because want tor
! He. came over and kissed me like a
happy lover, and after breakfast I wrote
and sent my letter Of resignation to the
board.
Mrs. Henry and Mrs. Parsons came to
| see me as soon as they learned my de-
| cision.
What does this mean?" cried Mrs.
| Parsons almost before she was seated.
After the way we've fought and bled
to keep you in office. I do not UNDER
stand it,"
'It means" and here I had my most
| bitter pill to swallow, that I've reason
| to change my Views--n7y whole plan of
life. The newspapers praised me be-
cause I stayed away GSom the election,
saying knew I wousai strengthen my
position by seeming nok to care. On the
| contrary, I had started thither when I
learned Of the railroad accident. My
husband was on that train, leaving me
forever. I do not know how or why !
did it, but I went out on that relief train
and brought him back. Mrs. Parsons, we
have made it all up, and I am thru with
clubs. I do not want the office any long
! er, nor do I feel that it would be right
| to keep it. Therefore, my resignation
"You are all wrong, Jackie" began
! Mrs. Parsons; but Mrs. Henry stopped
her..
"You are right, my DEAR" she said.
ESPECIALLY If you feel that way. If you
have thought it all out and decided for
yourself, it Is not for us to attempt to
dissuade you. believe in clubs for
| women; I believe in the work they are
doing. But I believe too many women
| are OVERRIDING the thing; and you GER
tainly have nearly wrecked your home
lifee began almost insane passion for ex-
element and the froth Of club life.'
THAT is the point, Mrs. Henry ad-
mitted. 1T was only the froth and the
excitement that wanted. I cared moth
ing for the actual accomplishment Of real
good to the community. And, In my
humble opinion, neither do nine-tenths OF
the club women in this country. Blu
that doesn't concern me- What does is
the fact that club life has so nearly
wrought disaster in my home. I an
going to be genuinely happy withou
clubs now"
II shall stand by you" Mrs. Henri!
went on. TN fact, I am glad to see one
woman with the courage of her convic
, lions. What we need Is women will
more courage; the American woman mus
;. be honest with herself, which means tn
DOING Of those things which are WORT
the while. An age which presents so man
, beautiful things to see, and has so man.
great and uplifting projects reaching GU
, for the hand Of women to do, Is not tn
time for the American woman to be dis
honest with herself, untrue to her bes
, instincts, and unmindful Of her unex
ampled opportunities to strengthen he
own life and the lives which she ca
make greater by making her own create
and better in everything that she does.
, "But you are not going to WITHDRAW
from the clubs entirely?" asked Mrs. Par
sons. "Our dear friend, Lily Haven ha
) resigned; we know why. But it will max
l an endless amount Of talk If you resign
1t will be bad for you, and for the club.
II intend to do it all the same" re
? piled; but when I came to talk 1t owe
! with Joe, much to my surprise. he advise
) me not to resign membership.
: I see the wisdom of it now. Two year
5 have passed since that day when starte
I for the club election and ended my jour
t ney at Ashland Junction.
) Mrs. Henry succeeded me AS presiden
> of the Nota Bene, and under her wis
management the club raised the standar
Of work and became a great power 70
). good in the community. During tina
( first winter, I gave up wholly my atten
q dance at club meetings, altho paying m
> dues and allowing my name to renal
upon the membership rolls. But the re
suit Of this was that was accused Q
: dropping the club as soon as had sue
{ ceeded in making it the ladder to my so
cta1 aspirations. For now both my hus
3 band and went to together to many SO
| ciety functions, where he became as pop
ular as could ask.
/, In the spring we went abroad and re
8 manned a year; but when we returned t
Chicago, I began once more to atten
i, meetings Of the Nota Bene.
II want you to go now Joe said. 9TH
8 club honored you with it's highest positio
Q la fact you should always remember
g Besides, can trust you now" he adde
a affectionately.
t And SO went occasionally to the meet