The gold leaf., 1909-09-23
Lifting a Load


fight over. but three clubs-(wom-
ems clubs at that)-brought about
the misunderstanding between Enid
veatch and Ned Burnham. Ever since
Enid had sought to support herself as
an illustrator Ned had looked after
her. first in a brotherly sort Of way
and then in a more lover-like manner
as the month progressed. 1t had all
ended in tacit engagement.
Then Enid Joined woman's club
and a second and third. 1t was after
the third that Ned felt himself called
upon to speak, and fresh in her en-
thusiasm for elubdom Enid had not
only refused to receive him again per-
sonally, and Ned had left the little
studio, declaring that he would never
re-enter 1t.
He 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
Joined more clubs until she wore as
many emblems as there are c-ders on
the chest of a South American gen.
eral.
II think clubs are perfectly lovely"
she said demurely, when she showed
Ned her last badge-the sixteenth
that she had acquired. Il meet such
lovely people, and am developing my
intellectual side wonderfully"
"The women's clubs have us beat
en- 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
half the tricks that are worked in
women's clubs. They're wonders at
electioneering.
II think you're horrid," said Enid,
with a stamp of her pretty foot. "Id
rather be clubwoman than the do
mestic drudge of some man."
That's the trouble with clubs" said
Ned blandly. They give us such ad-
vanced ideas. l don't ask you to be
q drudge. just want wife and only
ask that she be at home occasionally
mo doubt you will find one
such," said Enid, unconsciously quot
ing Mrs. Clara Hemmingway-Brown
There are many women who still re.
sist the advance of progress and find
their highest sphere in the kitchen
and the nursery"
There's only one woman 1 want, u
said Ned patiently, "and that's you.
When you get tired of your clubs I'll
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
cember approached Ned's calls grew
more frequent. At last his hour came
"I saw Forster this morning." he
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
whats the matter, dear?" he ask
ed solicitously, bending over her
did you lose the money!"
Worse than that" she sobbed.
"Stolen?" he asked perhaps the
elevator boy"
II may as well tell you," she ex
claimed, sitting up. Il got a check
for 5000, but l need more and 1 DOM
know where shall get it, and 1 die
want a new dress"
But where is the money gomez" he
cried. you can't have run 5000 into
debt"
tits not exactly that; it's the
clubs" she explained, the tears well
ing into her eyes. "Just look!"
She held toward him a packet o1
letters and curiously Ned looked them
over. On top were 16 notices asking
for from 81 to S. annual dues to the
various societies. The next 16 were
letters soliciting contributions for the
purpose of making presentation tt
| the retiring executive.
II didn't know about all this" she
sobbed. 1T was only S. here and $1(
there, when l joined, and the dues
| seemed absurdly low. But lately
they've all been talking. I can't senG
less than SIS to each presentation com
mittee or the secretary will tell every
one how cheap / am. Mrs. Briggs las
| year sent only 50 to get present fol
| Mrs. Hannis, of the Browning club
and they talked about it so much thA
she resigned"
Good idea" said Ned thoughtfully
"only why don't you resign before
| they commence to talk? Well pay
the dues, send back the tickets, ig
the lot of them"
But what reason can ] give?" ask
ed Enid. Il must give some reason
for getting out, or they would thinl
| that 1t was on account of the money.
you might say that your approach
ing marriage will prevent your keep
ing up your clubs"
But that won't be true" argue.
Enid
Please" said Ned.
1t was only a. word, but it spok'
volumes. Enid hesitated for a mo
ment then planted a kiss on Ned
ear
Come help Ele with the letters,
she said Il want to get this load OF
my mind
"I1l look after the loads in tn,
future" said Ned as he followed he
to the desk.