Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1916-12-12


ETY., and the agitated minority had
been silenced by timely putting OF
the question, Sabra cleared the atmos-
phere with piece of pleasant news.
A number of western clubs had ex-
pressed a desire to entertain a mem
Der of the Eugenics society and hear
something of its work. How the de-
sire had risen, spontaneously, all over
the west at once, could only be en-
planned by the successful conference
on the eighth and the resulting news
paper notices.
Though it is funny that they all
saw them," one member observed.
Sabra tapped lightly for order.
1.-THE next business Of the board is
to select a representative" she said.
OF course, she herself was instantly
and unanimously chosen, but she sat
troubled and downcast before the
tribute. There are reasons why I
can not accept" she told them. 81
must beg you to put some one else ip
my place"
They would not hear of it and when
they had backed their enthusiasm by
an appropriation for travelling ex-
penses, at last she lifted her fine head
and put her hand to the plow.
Work always means sacrifice she
said 1T will not be easy for me to be
away in June. but if you tell me to go,
! can only obey"
II am half afraid to let you go out to
a suffrage state" one member object
ed. They will keep you and make
a senator of you" There was laugh
but Sabra's clear gaze, fixed on the
speaker, seemed to widen and deepen.
"Curious!" she said. ''This is the
second time that prophecy has been
made to me. Old Mr.. Harper Linds-
ley made it, only few weeks ago:
Some day you will be in the United
States senate"
"Well, I don't see why" one Of
them said.
Compared to some Of the men who
fill the high offices!" another complet-
ed it. It was jest, of course, and
they adjourned smiling, but all the
way home Sabra's eyes were lifted to
some fair and distant prospect.
With her latch key, the look Of
downcast trouble came out again. She
went in heavily, pausing at the sitting
room door that her bad news might
precede her.
Chloe was reading the evening pa
per to her mother, who lay back in
her chair, resting tired eyes. On
Chloe's work basket pile of net and
lace spoke of coming gaiety. Slippers
and their new bows lay in her lap. One
of these fell to the floor as Sabra's
atmosphere invaded the room.
"Chloe, I am heartbroken," Sabra
began. II can't keep my word to you.
l am the servant of my society and 1t
has voted to send me west for tour
of the women's clubs What can do?"
"Now?" 1t was cry Of distress, out
of all proportion to the threatened dis
appointment. Sabra became little
less pitiful.
Now is the only possible time. Lat
er the club women will be scattered
and in the autumn there is too much
to do here. told them how hard it
was for me to get away-indeed, fiat
ly refused; but they would not let me
Off And l could not expect them to
put look after Billy above spreading
our work through the whole west
could /, dear?"
She was reasonable and, as always,
right, but Chloe had turned sudden
hard ned.
you have known you were going
all the time!" she flung at Ter amazed
sister Never in her shy and reverent
life had she said or thought anything
like it. OF course, she must be wrong;
but for the moment it was the dreadful
truth, and she would say it.. You've
known it and planned it and brought
1t about, and it is as much pleasure
to you as the yacht is to me. You're
just acting sorry" And she ran out
of the room.
Sabra was, not angry; only wound
ed and persistently reasonable. Il
tried my best to get out of it" she told
her mother "But really had no right
to and when they voted to pay my ex.
penses, what could l do? Surely ones
work must come first!"
Certainly, dear" Mrs. Gage was
bolt upright, girded for active meas.
ures. I'VE will find way. 1t is a
great honor to you, Sabra."
Sabra put away honor. ooh, If can
just get something done! And shall
study the suffrage question out there.
l begin to feel, mother, that some of
my time must go to that haven't
thoroughly realized how necessary the
vote is to my own work" 4
Fine. dear!' But Mrs. Gage was
only half attending. "If hadn't prom
Used the Diet Kitchen-but we will find
to do with Billy. Chloe is
not going to miss her trip" A moment
later she started up. "Chloe!" she
called. She had to call second time
before door opened and a reluctant
voice answered.
81 have thought of what we can
dol" Mrs. Gage was speaking up the
stairs to the shadowy figure at the
top. alice Murray is down on her
Long Island place and you know how
fond she is Of Billy. I'll ask her to
take him for the month of June. Her
Mary is so kind, and four children are
really no more trouble than three. /
shah call her up about it right now"
Chloe sat against a leafy wall, feel
ing again the sting Of laughing words:
the Serene Gage grahdchild; he is
dumped down here rather often-you
know the family way!"