The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-04-29
CHAPTER XVIII. Continued.

The next mornings mail brought a
small round package, which, opened,
proved to be a new face powder, and with
1t a letter asking me to do the manu-
facturers the favor Of using it.. And be-
fore the day was over a package by ex-
press revealed a fine assortment Of ex-
quisite perfumes from one Of orr chem
lists. This was so delicate and acceptable
a gift that I yield sd to impulse and sat
down at my desk to write them the card
of thanks which I felt that courtesy de-
manded Of me-. After this ceased to be
surprised when I was the recipient Of
various toilet articles, but took them
calmly as Prerequisites Of office" But I
was wary of writing any more notes Of
thanks for, before the week was ended,
daintily printed circular came by mail
from the chemists embodying my note Of
thanks. And when requests came from
all these donors Of unsolicited gifts for;
the membership list of the Nota Bene, I
began to learn caution. Calling up Mrs
Parsons on the telephone, told her of the
dilemma in which they had placed me,
for it did not seem courteous to refuse,
and had sense enough to know it would
not do to send them the list. ;:
/ Mercy me! 1 should say not" she said.
'sYou would be in hot water at once.
There is an unwritten law in every club
that no one shall give the lists outside
of the membership. The president may
give a few away to other women, using
great discretion; but it is risky thing
to do <
''Yet it seems so discourteous in me to
refuse polite request like the one I had
this morning from Blank Brothers, an
SWered. - ~
+ .'Blank Brothers are all right was the
response. But the minute you begin,
io or Writ fhav~ hot
you are more than sorry, and would, per
sonally, be willing to do them any favor
in your power; but that this a club mat
ter, and you could not give or loan the list
without the consent Of your, executive
| board. That's a dignifed way. out" A
way I was forced to accept. Every pres
| ident of a large club knows how to SYM
pathze with me there.
| When the appointed time came for me
to go to Florine's, I made an elaborate
! toilet, donning my beautiful carnation
| evening gown. I went alone, not caring
| to have the conditions of the sitting
known to my club friends. :
| In the reception at Florine's met
the count. I did not know until long
afterward that the great photogra piers
attention had been called to me by the
illustrious foreigner, his lifelong friend.
He came forward with both hands ex-
tended, appearing to be genuinely sur
| prised.
$50 the American rose-in- bloom comes
to re great, re wonderful Florine?" he be-
gan. 1T is WELL, tres bien. Eef I may
have re honor to present you, mon Flor
lne,' and he dragged the artist forward
1T is re great Nine. Henning, Of ze
| woman's club, PRESIDENT And he bowed
low and kissed my hand. A strange feel
| ing OF repulSion mixed with the attraction
he held for me and I half wished had
not come. But it passed. as it always did
after a momentary twinge of dislike for
the foreigner.
If madame would permit the count to
come to the gallery with us?' ventured
Florine, hesitatingly. His taste may sup
plement my own and together We may
| as it deserves"
The count kissed my hands with fervor
as l consented, carelessly as might any
hardened woman Of the world, but could
not suppress a lingering wonder If my
being shut away in the studio for a long
hour with these two Frenchmen was ex-
actly en- regle. The question, however
was not "Would Joe like it?'' but do
they think it quite correct? Would they
approve it in their own wives?' They
gave no evidence, if they did not, and de-
voted themselves to studying my best
points and discussing poses and lights
! and shadows if I had been a. hired
model. When it was all over and dozen
negatives had been made the count turned
to me and smiled again. 80
II shall demand a fee for services" he
declared. Il have worked, worked
worked all morning. shall-what you
call it?-tale toll? I shall have the pref
test picture of Ia belle Americaine-eh,
Florine?' H.. .s.:s.s
with madame's CONSENT" the artist re-
piled, looking away from us. Madame
shall have as many as she wishes for her
own, to do what she desires with them. -
| "Ah--then, ees it too much to hope?"
i and the count again bent low over my
hand. "Eef I might have the autograph
also-comment?"
I smiled, but did not answer I pre-
ferred to talk this over with him in my
| own library.
Toward the end of March the Count de
Beauvais left for the east, and suddenly
life became tame and flat. Why, I won
| dered, do not American men master the
art of making themselves agreeable to
women? I missed the little attentions,
| the morning bunch of violets, the box
| parties at various theaters, the constant
| adulation which had become a part of my
daily life. I plunged more enthusiastically
into club affairs than ever before, ar
ranging series of nusicales which added
both to our social popularity and our club
| treasury. saw little Of my children, and
only occasionally discussed household
matters with my mother.
! "It isn't at all necessary" told my
self "She is a much better housekeeper
! than I am, and knows ten times better
| how to bring up children. That is her
/ meter; being a. leading clubwo1nan is
mine-for the present. at least. AS for
Joe, well, l hope he Is enjoying life as
well as I ana contingency I might
| have doubted had he taken the trouble
| to write oftenerz and more at length, or
| had I taken the trouble to read his letters
the second time. ..a
! +. To be sure there were certain COM
! mittee meetings which / could have well
| spared, for was not interested deeply in
education as 1t pertained to the public
school, Municipal affairs and legislative
work mad its charms since through those
committees I must appear before councils
and assemblymen, as president. of the
| Nota Bene, which made a point Of doing
In becoming attire. OF st felt TIA part
1 causes, that we believe that men ought tt
I be made to see the terrible consequences
and that they cannot plunge lightly into
| NOR tbir1rioo fhni, v,i6oruo nj 7ohildrar