Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1909-06-04
Lifting a Load

Perhaps a club is a small thing to
c't over. but three clubs-Cwom-
CHS cIuDa at marlborough about
the misunderstanding between Enid
Veatch and Ned Burnham. Ever since
Enid had sought to support herself as
cn illustrator Ned had looked after
her. FIRST In a bfotherly sort of way
and then IN a more lover-like manner
as the month progressed. 1t had all
ended IN a tacit engagement.
Then Enid Joined a woman's club
anu a second and third. 1t was after
The third that Ned felt himself called
upon to speak, and fresh in her en-
tbusiasm for clubdom Enid had not
only refused to receive him again per.
aoually, and Ned had left the little
studio, declaring that he would never
rc-Cnter it.
lie did come again. but not as often
as before, and partly TO show how lit
tie she cared for what he thought and
in part TO gain some excitement to re-
place the old, sweet friendship. Enid
iolned more clubs until she wore as
many emblems as there are -~ders on
the chest of a South American gen
oral
81 think clubs are perfectly lovely"
she said denurely, when she showed
Ned her last badge-the sixteenth
that she had acquired. u meet such
lovely people, and l am developing my
intellectual side wonderfully"
"The women's clubs have us beat
On in one thing" said Ned reflective
ly, Enid frightened up at the conces-
sion.
What is that?" she asked limo.
Gently.
Politics" was the brutal answer.
"You wait for the December elections.
why, mere men don't dare put up one
la'f tie tricks that are worked in
wonen's clubs They're wonders at
oloc.ioncsrirg."
I think you're horrid," said Enid
with n stamp OF her pretty foot. I'D
rather be a clubwoman than the do
nestle drudge Of some man."
That's the trouble with clubs" said
Ned blandly. "They give us such ad-
ymced ideas. I don't ask you TO be
a drudge. Just want a wife and only
ask that she be at home occasionally"
no doubt you will find one
such" said Enid, unconsciously quot.
ing Mrs. Clara neutrality-suspicious.
"There are many women who still re
sist the advance Of progress and hnd
their highest sphere in the kitchen
and the nursery"
There's only one woman want"
said Ned patiently, "and that's you
When you get tired Of your clubs III
win. In the meantime we're both
young and we can afford to wait"
Ends nose went up in the air at
the suggestion that matrimony would
be. her last resort and she drove Ned
out of the tiny studio with the an.
nouncement that she had to attend a
meeting.
The weeks dragged by and as De-
cemher approached Neds calls grew
more frequent At last his hour came.
announced. "He told we that he had
taken that set Of drawings of yours.
TO his surprise Enid burst into
tears and threw herself on the divan.
What's the matter dear?" he asl.-
ed solicitously, bending over her
Did you lose the money!"
Worse than that" she sobbed.
"Stolen?" he asked. Perhaps the
elevator boy"
81 may as well tell you" she exJ
claimed, sitting up. 81 got a check
for $500, but / need more and l don
know where I shall set it. and l did
want a new dress"
But where is the money gone?" he
cried. you can't have run $500 into
debt"
Its not exactly that; it's the
clubs" she explained, the tears we'll
ing into her eyes. Just look!"
She held toward him a packet Of
letters and curiously Ned looked them
over. On top were l6 notices asking
for from 50 to S. annual dues to the
various societies. The next 16 were
letters soliciting contributions for the
purpose Of making a presentation to
the retiring executive.
81 didn't know about all this" she
sobbed. 1T was only S. here and $40
there, when l Joined, and the duea
seemed absurdly low. But lately
they've all been talking. l can't send
less than s5 to esch presentation com.
mittee OF the secretary win toll every
one how chcap am. Mrs. Briggs las.
year sent only So 20 get present TO
Nrs. Eanms. Of tae Browning club
ara they talked about it so much tina
she signed"
Coed idea" said Ned thoughtfully,
only why don't you resign before
they commence TO talk? Wen pay
tie dUcs. send back the tickets, Is
no-e the committees and resign from
-hc lot Of them"
"lut what reason can ! giye2" ss'.
ed Enid 81 must give some reasot
70 getting ont, o. they would thin'
a. II was on account OF the money.
You might say that your approach
ng marriage viii prevent your keal
uE uD your clubs"
But yh4t won't be true" arguo
Euid.
Please" said Ned.
It was only a word, but it spoil
,olumes. Enid hesitated for %
cent then planted a kiss on Ne
ar
Core helD me with the letter
he said Il want TO get this loaI