The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1918-09-24
THE CLUB "eRlpos"

l
"bridge dance" Of the Arcadia club
were sent to the Ferrols and the
Blakes. The Arcadians were sharply
and evenly divided in membership be-
/ tween the "city crowd. composed of
those who had come from the city only
recently and wanted to rule the club;
and the country bunch" who had
been old residents in Arcadia before
the city discovered it, and felt that
/ the club should be theirs. Each fac
tion-the rivalry between Them was
sharp wanted to ally the two new
families on their side-and united on
an urgent invitation to the clubs
festivities.
Edith dreaded the party which John
had made up his mind to attend with
her. To him 1t was the agreeable dis
charge OF a neighborly duty. To her
] II was an enforced attendance on a
gathering for which she had neither
heart nor raiment The discovery that
living in the country cost as much if
not more than in the city; the con-
slant worry to meet the calls for
money. more money; her break with
Lillian: Lillian's unfair retaliation
through John, but above all her lack
of fresh new clothing fit to pass that
close scrutiny of women's eyes-all
these depressed Edith as only an
aggregation of small worries can.
| Her protests to John that she had
no frock fit for the occasion elected
only his repetition that Lillian Blake
tells me simple dresses are the stunt
for this affair"
/, "That blue thing with the gilt stuff
on 1t and the whatchercallit at the
back will be just right, Ede,' he
assured her. Ills going to wear a
plain rig; she tod me So"
Again Edith finched but she did not
care to reveal to her husband the re-
sentiment she felt toward Lillian. He
would be sure to think her ungrateful
to the woman who had shown such
| friendly interest in the past. Men al
i ways think women are unjust to other
| women-especially if they like the
other women" John was beginning
| to like Lii Blake, and call her sen
sible" and the possessor of good
head" Lii knew exactly how to make
men think we'll of her.
So Edith once more silently sacri-
/ feed her own wishes to the general
| harmony, hoping feryently against her
best judgment that Lii had told the
| truth about the simplicity that would
grace the club affair.
The Blakes called for the Ferrols
on the night of the bridge. The two
| women pretended something of the
! cordality which the men supposed ex-
| listed between them. But Blakes eyes,
| sharper than Ferrol's-he knew wom-
| en- better-discovered a degree of pre-
tense under Edith's forced cheerful
ness He liked both the Fe"rols in a
| real, impersonal fashion. the genuine
| friendliness of a man whose heart is
kind.
He admired Edith's refinement and
| quiet humor. He adored her children
| and appreciated her training of them
| In his heart he know Edith vas a W.T.
| man of finer character than his wife.
| He loved Lii, but he was not blind to
| her selfishness and love of ruling. 1t
| troubled him that Edith so soon after
moving to the home in the country,
/ should seem depressed about some
| thing. He let John Ferrol walk on
ahead with Lillian.
Tell me, Edie, how's the country
working out with you?" he asked kind
ly. ''The truth now-don't try to salve
my feelings by saying everything's
loNely IL IL ioH T. oohiethlh5 vi youl
| mind"
| well, AL" said Edith slowly, 81
think we could make a go of it if only
| were a wee bit encouraged in my
home baking and preserving industry!
! I want to make a little money that
| way, but-but l lack the applause of
the multitude. both abroad and-and
at home" She laughed uneasily.
Don't John like you to-"
; "N--no, he doesn't"
| Has" AL Blake glanced sharp
| ly at her. Has Lii put the kibosh
! on it?"
"Well-" Edith couldn't seem to
go on.
"You needn't say it. Ede,' explod-