The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1911-01-20
I'm the Cause of Suffrage
By JANE OSBORN
Copyright, 1870 by Associated Literary Press)

When Dorothy Wait found her way
to the second floor of certain old
brownstone house in High street, in
answer to an advertisement In the
morning paper for a young woman
secretary of good family. she was too
impatient to notice the sign in gold
letters on the door.
You understand typewriting?" the
woman at the mahogany desk asked
her, peering over the top Of her gold
trimmed eyeglasses. And you could
take charge of correspondence and
simple accounts?" she continued.
'Yes," answered Dorothy, furtively
glancing at the dull green hangings
and tasteful and expensive furnish
1ngs OF the room, wondering the while
what sort of business could be carried
on In such unbusinesslike surround
lngs.
"Of course you wouldn't mind max
Ing tea for the members?" Miss Tin
ker asked again-for indeed it was no
less than the distinguished clubwom-
an. Bernadine Tinker. with whom
OOrOtny was taking.
"And you could begin work tomor-
row." went on Miss Tinker
Yes, indeed" answered the young
woman eagerly, for she was in need
of the work.
HIM." meditated the distin-
the suffrage7"
"On the what?" asked Dorothy po-
litely.
ION the suffrage, woman suffrage"
said the other hastily.
"Oh," exclaimed Dorothy, IT think
1t is very nice. That is. don't know
much about 1t. but"
Miss Tinker removed her glasses
altogether and scrutinized the young
applicant.
Il think could find out about it.
II you want me to-" said Dorothy.
YES" said Miss Tinker with at
fected WEAKNESS. "Of course we
couldn't employ any one but a suf-
fragist. You had better post yourself
on the subject. OF course, if you I'M
derstood the subject you would be a
suffragist"
Accordingly. the next day at nine
O'Clock Dorothy Wait, with a very
confused idea of half dozen SUI
frage pamphlets she had been in
structed to read, began her work as
secretary of the most advanced and
altogether progressive suffrage club
In the town. When 1t came time to
brew the afternoon cup Of tea for
Miss Tinker and Miss Walker, and
the others, Dorothy looked in vain
for knife to cut the lemon.
II can't cut it with a pen or a hat
PIN she thought, helplessly, and then
she asked Miss Tinker for advice.
Just go and ask them at the Blue
Pencil club. am sure one of the
men up there will have knife. Men
always carry knives"
Dorothy's eyes looked protestation.
Shall just walk right in?" she ask
ed. Wont they think it stranger"
"Strange!" echoed Miss Tinker.
why, it is just club of young news
paper men. They are really very
obliging"
Dorothy timidly went up to the
door OF the Blue Pencil club, which
occupied the floor above the Suffrage
club.
There was young man-RObert
Bayne, it happened to Discomfort
ably sprawling, book in hand, before
the fire in the club sitting room. He
jumped to his feet as the unexpected
guest pushed open the door.
Dorothy was apologize and en-
barrassed, and blushing little as she
took the knife the young man Of
fered her; and he in turn was also
embarrassed and laughed at her con-
fusion, not unkindly.
You needn't bring It back again. :.
he said. iii come for it when I want
it." And after she had left, he won
dered idly over his book why on
earth women wanted the suffrage and
thought, idly too, that the sort of
timid blue eyes he had just seen
didn't exactly agree with his idea of
thoroughgoing sufrragist.
When Robert Bayne called for his
knife the next day he looked with in
creasing wonder at the gentle blue
eyes and the delicate curve of the
pretty mouth.
Are you really a suffragist?' he
asked bluntly
"Oh, yes, indeed" said Dorothy.
remembering Miss Tinkers instruc-
tons. Indeed l am. Every one is
who understands the subject. Won't
you take some of our pamphlets p
she asked as she handed him an as
sortment of brilliantly printed pam
phlets.
Robert carefully put the pamphlets
IN his pockets, and fingered several
minutes. When he did go and had
closed the door on the alluring smile
nj the little suffrage secretary he had
forgotten to take his knife with him.
OF course, Robert Bayne had to call
the next day for his knife, and after
that he found. on his frequent visits
CHINA HAS III