The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-03-18
The Confessions OF a Club Woman
BY AGNES SURBRLDGE.
CHAPTER XII.-Continued.

CHAPTER XII.-Continued. .S
When the session was over I was
accosted by half the women in the hall.
Some disagreed with me and wanted to
argue the matter out with me privately
"a thing / had no idea of doing; but
the majority complimented me, and i
began to feel myself on a pedestal.
in the city, and luncheon engagements
were made, before [ went back to the
hotel, for every remaining day of the
Biennial. l walked on air all the rest
of the day. and drank deep Of the wine
Of popularity. [ dined out, so that l
did not see the evening, paper until after
the evening session. Minnie Morrison
hotel: ','' .o wv
"There," she whispered, 'Htsee what
it means to have friend at court-one
who knows k, the ropes; What will Chi
and took the paper to my room where
"a B Brill Gs' Paper 5a pi by Brainy
Woman was the headline across two
columns. Then followed full resume
of the paper, with a fattering account
of 4" the brilliant wife of one Of Chi
| cago' g leading fnanciers, which closed
with the prediction that Mrs. .Henning
would Eventually be recognized all
|
Of the advanced woman movement
I sat down by, the open window,
which looked upon a beautiful park,
and allowed my thoughts to wander to
a possible future when this prediction
should be fulfilled: Why not9:: Was I
astonished even myself? Imagination
placed me in the chair Of the president
Of the great Federation. In the dark
ened room [ felt my ambition grow and
my confidence broaden. Surely, I could
preside as well as the woman who had
guided affairs that day. AS to formal
addresses, there were always Minnie
Morrisons to be hired; and impromptu
speeches, I knew well, were often car
ried typewriter in the pocket Ishad
money, brains and tact. Why not po-
sition2
The moon shone softly on the park,
and the south wind was scent laden as
twlttered sleepily from it's nest nearby,
and an unwonted calm stole slowly. over
M senses sasi bringing a gradual reaction
But, after all, to what did it all
amount? What good could possibly
come of the hurry and hustle and empty
show? Was this great convention, with
its thousands of women all more or less
absorbed in Hcauses,' the best that
American femininity could produce
Was this the way to bring real advance
ment Of womankind9
In that moment I recalled the old
days when Joe and the babies were
my only interests in life, and felt a
sudden longing to 60 back to them.
movement to me? Was not my hus.
band s love and the clinging affection
Of my own children, my one real chance
for true happinesss What right had i
to be away from them7 What right
1ao1,d Il to 81 cause my husband single
goodness to me-? reme n5er al in ms
flash, his .unfailing kindness and gen
,eroslty; his pride in me, his sunny dis
position; and my heart went out tc
him.
:; "I1l go straight back,'' muttered
the idnght f train esst ro Ana il t con
! fess how. wrong I've been and make il
: all up with Joe.''
Turning on the electric lights, I sci
3 myself eagerly to picking up my effects
: So absorbed was I in what was doins
s that I did not hear the light tap al
t my door until it was twice repeated
q 1t was Mrs. Parsons maid.
/ "Mrs Parsons would like to have
q you come to her room directly,'' wa
8 the, message. "She has news Of i'm
= portance.' !,
= She who hesitates is lost. I hes
+ itated, unwilling to lose moment from
. my preparation for the return tourney
9 had decided to make Then + an
y swered: 49,.
r every, well. I will be there in fiv
f minutes.' 49,. Z III
3 When I reached Mrs Parsons room
a prominent leader from one Of th
eastern cities was just bidding he
'' goodnight. -. -, s. !
u "Then that's settled,O she was: saw
\ ing in a low tone. eff you, get th
nomination or vice president now,
you IL be contented?' !. -. -
u eyes" Mrs. Parsons renlied, - o
h my constituency will Understand
II please, that it is Illinois who is max
it Parsons.' -. -
p "Oh to be sure," the visitor an
y swered in a noncommittal voice, an
u went her way.
e. "Come in here, Jackie,'' said Mr.
= fidante or die. Tell me, have you hear
a. anything about the nominating bal
q lot?'
!. "On1y that Mrs. Smith declines til
n election as president!' -
y declines! Indeed, she decline
10 nothing!' answered Mrs. Parsons
h "She intends to stand for reelection
Ill