The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-02-18
CHAPTER VII.

It SO happened that the entertain
ment given by the Priscillas fell on the
evening Of the day that Professor Van
Hux Iyn was received and displayed
to an eager th1ong BY the NGta Benes,
perhaps the most willing worker, every
moment OF the day was taken. Nine
CLOCK in the morning saw me start on
my way to the hall where the entertain
ment was to be given.
My mother had been unwilling, for
the first time, TO have me leave home.
She said the baby seemed i'll and fever
ish, and that it was my duty to stay
with him. I felt that the success of the
day for both clubs depended largely on
Mother, just can It stay = I said.
"There is SO much depending on me,
doesn't seem sick to me. LOCK, he s
laughing now,' and l hurried off.
Neither did I go home to luncheon,
having sent my reception gown to the
hotel by express. If had been obliged
to take so many steps or to perform SO
many actual services for my own house
clubs that day, I should have felt that
was an overworked and abused
woman-the victim Of an unfeeling
husband. And was never more tired,
physically, in my life than when sat
down, resplendent in Nile-green and
chiffon en-! xecreation,u to assume Y ny duties tiles
reception. But there was music, and
gay chatter, and laughter, and the ex-
citement Of strong coffee, and the
fragrant punch from another dainty
stand nearby, and scarcely thought Of
my baby or the mother who was faith
fully filling my place at home; The
room was lined with mirrors, and when
the crowd around my table parted suf-
ticiently l caught an occasional glimpse
Of handsome woman, all rosy and
smiling from out her sea-green draperles,
and told myself over and over again:
''This is the life I was born to-, I had
not an idea that society could afford
conversation between two gray-haired
women, which l overheard, most i'll
natured.
every few men here,' remarked one,
land the man one meets, usually, at a
| woman IS club reception is Of the sort
that only a Dickens could, adequately
| describe. Looking at them, one cannot
fail to understand why the women who
know them and are married to them
join clubs.'
"True,'' assented the other. "Yet
this club generally entertains male
celebrity at it's receptions, and these oc.
casions have an impetus that the strict
; ~ ICu4u1uO SdGuC1 !uSo 1uCh3 LOA SAoO
women adore celebrity
"Queer how the club habit seems to
take hold on these women,' said the
first. "I'm not a member, thank
heavens-only a guest. But it seems to
me that thousands Of women have the
club habit without rhyme, or. reason.
They are club-crazy The club is rapid
ly becoming a violent intoxicant among
women.' Then they moved on, leaving
me to pity them for having outlived
their day and generation.
"You were perfect picture, my
dear,' whispered Mrs. Parsons, after
the affair was over and few Of us
fingered around my table to discuss
the afternoon. "There isn't hand
somer woman in the club. You must
come home to dinner with me. Theo-
dore will be delighted to meet you. He
is just your kind.'
Now, this was an honor hitherto
withheld by the fates. Still maternal
instinct was not wholly dormant within
me. I dallied with temptation, then
bethought me Of the telephone we had
just put in. And so I offered a sop to
my conscience:
"Baby seems about the same,'' said
my mother, in answer to my call. "He g
been fretting all day; STILL. if you must
be there this evening, you'd better &C.