The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-02-02
HEARTS AND CLUBS
BY MARIA LINDSAY.

uOOTNd uon I let Marcia Know It,
I wonder" she went on softly and IL
relevantly, Il wonder if Tom Escott is
an estimable young man. He clerks at
the drug store, doesn't hep
He is good boy l said cordially
'but he's young. Tom is very young"
so is Marcia" sighed Miss Virginia
Pleasureville was not natural that win
ter. feverish spirit of unrest possessed
the feminine portion of the town. They
the ladies, fiocked to themselves and as
sumed distant and superior manners. In
time little gold and white club books APP
peared, year books" they were called
We were permitted to read the plan of a
years work. We read and we marveled
one item arrested my attention: Paper on
the Ancient Greeks, Miss Virginia Talbot,
April l.
In the early part of March Miss Vir-
ginia looked at me wistfuly but said
nothing. In the latter part of March
young Tom Escott surprised me with an
afternoon call
After a few desultory remarks, he said
awSwardly: wv onderful people, the an
cient Greeks, Cooneli'
Wonderful I agreed.
Athletic, warlike, and all that"
"Yes," l agreed.
"Great in sculpture and Elgin Marbles
and Parthenons and such thingsi'
so I've heard" said I.
Hang 1t. Colonel!" burst forth Tom
finally. I'm no good at siding up to
things. Have you got any books on an
cient Greece?''
ANY number of Them" I said.
Tom eheered visibly. THANK heaven."
he calculated. Miss Virginias got
paper to write about the ancient Greeks.
and she won't ask Marcia to help her, and
she keeps popping questions at me until
nerfOrafn6 7 IN in, xuff n
her-well-you see, she is Marcia's aunt,
Colonel, and"
mot another word, my boy. the books
are yours"
April was a beautiful day, too beau
tiful to spend in the drug store, yet
there I was that memorable afternoon
idly watching while old Barton filled a
prescription. Tom Escott was out in front
Of the store talking to Marcia and finding
imaginary punctures in the tire of her
wheel. The telephone bell rang.
'Escott seems to have gone deaf out
there" growled old Barton. Colonel will
you answer the telephone?'
took the innocent receiver in my hand,
but the next instant almost dropped it,
for Miss Virginia's voice was breathing in
my ear. tom, is that your"
Yes" I answered truthfully.
How do you pronounce A-m-p-h-i-c-
t-y-o-n-i-c?'
I told her.
"And, Tom. wait minute; how do you
pronounce A-l-c-m-a-e-o-n-i-d-a ?"
I mumbled something.
CT can't hear you, Speak louder, and,
Tom, are you there?"
Eyes"
I'm getting very nervous. Tom. Do
you think you could run around here for
just five minutes and go over these names
with me again?'
ITO be sure could said I.
''You are a dear boy!" gently.
''Thank you,' warmly.
And hurry, Tom the club and Marcia
will be here in a quarter of an hourr'
Aunt Priscilla crest her soul in peace)
ing, accommodating disposition some day
will get you into trouble
Little did 1 dream that this early pre-
diction was about to fructify when / en-
tered the Talbot garden. A mingled frag-
rance of hyacinths and tulips filled the air
and 1 felt young, very young, when 1
was ushered into the long, old-fashioned
drawing room.
She was dressed in gray, was dear Miss
Virginia, and she was standing by table
on which were bowls of purple and
white lilacs. The room was filled with
chairs placed as If for a private funeral.
From Miss Virgnia's face she might have
been judged to be chief mourner
1T was at the telephone" announced
boldly, 80 l came around
''You!" gasped Miss Virginia. "Oh, Col
onel Scottl''
''Why not?" I demanded Miss Virginia
was almost weeping.
'Why-why did l let Marcia persuade
me to join this club and get into all this
trouble?"
You might resign" 1 suggested. Miss
Virginia shook her head dejectedly.
81 oughtnt to be a coward, and ought
to keep myself in the line of progress,
Marcia, says
"I4ine of fiddlesticks!" said l.
Miss Virginia's voice dropped. I'm
I'm afraid l do let Marcia manage me,
but she is so up to date and 1 am
so hopelessly old-fashioned."
There are no fashions so sweet and so
true as the old fashions" said I stoutly.
DO you think so, colonel" Miss vir-
ginia frightened visibly.
And no ladies so perfect as the old
fashioned ladies, and remember" l con-
tinued gallantly--for / felt very young,
''oldfashioned roses are the sweetest,
Miss Virginia.
The conversation had reached this thrill
ling climax when there came upon the
spring air sound as of flying, chatter
ing hlackbirds.
The club!' exclaimed Miss Virginia.
"Where?" | asked apprehensively.
AT the front door, whispered Miss
Virginia. IF you don't wish to run the
gantlet, colonel you might go out the
side door," and she pointed hastily to the
left, then turned to the hallway to meet
her guests.
L saw two pair of portieres. Which |
covered the door? There was no time to
ask, for the enemy was upon me. A pha-
lanx of chairs separated me from one |
pair Of portieres. / darted between the |
other pair to come in violent collision
with something cold, hard, tall-yes, it |
was the Marble Faun. There was room |
for both of us but none to spare. | |
put the statue against the wall, sat upon |
its pedestal and mopped my clammy
brow.
Chatter chatter chatter Rustic, rustic,
rustic Like the waves of restless
sea, the petticoats flowed into the room. |
Myra Gait, with her rowing, wicked eyes,
led and Marcia, handsome, literal Marcia |
brought up the rear.
1 realized that l was a prisoner, a
defenseess prisoner in the hands of 80
club women. That they were ignorant
of their prey but gave new pangs to my /,
terror lest sneeze or cough on my
part should betray me.
Through the large meshes of the por-
there's 1 could command an extensive
view of the room. Miss Virginia evil
IDENTIFY thought that l had escaped, for
she looked quiet and composed. Myra's
eyes were wandering to my set of por-
there's and a wicked glee played on her
features Was she thinking of the Marble |
az bod ba