The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1920-10-25
Revelations
of Wife
Nv anEfE nARRIsnN
WHAT MADGE OVERHEARD IN
THE CLUB HOUSE WHILE SHE
WAITED FOR MRS. SMITH.
BY ADELE GARRISON.

manded an answer of me every min
ute of the journey to the rooms Of
the Lotus Study Club, 215 W. Wash
ington Avenue. 1t accompanied me
into the subway and out again, and
almost to the door Of the club rooms.
I heard again Dfcky's cutting re-
mark about laundering the brains of
club women and his mothers unex-
pected reply.
Richard, am ashamed of you.
Margaret is perfectly justified in do
ing this work. You ought to be proud
she is able to do it instead of ridicul-
ing her"
Why had she said it? Why? Why?
Why? Was she really sincere in her
words, or was there some other pur-
pose behind her approval--some plan
Of her own, the carrying out of which
my doing this work would further?
1 had turned into West Washington
Avenue almost mechanically, and
saw with a start that I was close TO
the number 1 wanted. Resolutely l
put out my mind everything save the
ordeal before me.
215! Yes, that was the number
Mrs. Smith had given me- I halted
before a distinctly questionable yet
llliSc SlOIy anu DdSSlIlCuL
"brownstone front" with the area rail-
ings of a generation ago.
Through the basement windows 1
caught glimpSes of a cheerflA and
neatly appointed restaurant. Iane le-
gend Club Grill" decorated a modest
card in one of the windows. All the
upper story windows were screened
with spotless white curtains.
AS uapf I'm tha cfo and
tinized the modest plate which bore
the words, Lotus Study Club" the
door swung open and comely col
ored maid smiled at me.
You are early she said, with the
careful enunciation of the colored girl
who has had the advantage of school
ing. You are the very first
Then you will have to tell me
where l am to 60" / returned, for
I am not a member of your club. 1
was to meet Mrs. Helen Brainerd
Smith here at half after one''
you might as well go right up
stairs to the dressing rooms then, for
Mrs. Smith is often delayed"
Never on time 1 commented men
tally, for l knew that was what the
girl meant.
She walked with me to the foot
Of the stairs and indicated a door at
the head of the staircase.
you will find my sister there" she
said. she will take care of you. If
Mrs. Smith comes before you come
down what name shall I give her,
please?' o.
Mrs. Richard Graham. if you
please"
Thank you-I will remember II
/ walked up the stairs and into the
dressing room, where another neat
maid took off my coat and stood by
attentively while l made sure before
the mirror that my gown and hat
were irreproachable and my hair in
order
had chosen my dress with a view
to its fitness for the occasion. did
not wish to appear overdressed, |
neither did l wish the women before
me to consider me a "dowdy.' |
So / had put on a green cloth gown |
trimmed with fur which matched my /
fur hat, stole and muff Because it |
was cold / wore over the grown ng
semi dress black velvet coat. This |
with the muff I had left in charge of |
the maid, but after taking the stole
off l looked in the mirror and prompt I
~ put it back again, arranging it
loosely around my shoulders. The
cloth gown was cut with slight V
shaped opening at the throat, while
a high, wired, cream lace collar rose
above the fur at the back
Mrs, Smith the Dictator.
felt quite satisfied with the result
of my self inspection. / knew. there
would be many more costly gowns.
but / felt sure that mine was appro-
pirate for the occasion, and that was
all that / wanted.
No other woman had yet come into
the dressing rooms. resolved to
crafty a little natural curiosity con-
corning the club rooms.
do ell the rooms in the building
belong to the ciub?r I asked.
ooh, yes, madam" the maid replied
In the basement there Is a grill and
tea room. which serves everybody, but
Is managed indirectly by the club
Then the first floor is given over to
the assembly rooms They were. the
drawing rooms and parlors of the
house years ago when it was a pri-
vate residence. and there are couple
Of small rooms which are used as
committee rooms.
This floor has the dressing rooms,
/ couple OF bathrooms and the rest
looms. Would you like to see them?''
No, thank you. And the third
1oor?"
That is not fitted up The ladies
are talking Of turning it into one
arge room, with a dancing floor. But
Mrs. Smith does not approve OF that
so I guess it will not be done. She
Ices not believe in the clubs spend
ng money
"She Snapped at SEQ"
The maids words only confirmed
he unpleasant impression had OBJ
aimed of Mrs. Smiths personality
when she and had Iunched together
md discussed the terms OF my work
,ors the club. Evidently she ruled the
Hub with an iron hand
I went down the stairs, meeting a
number Of early Corners on the way
Up. The assembly rooms were de-
serted. and a smile from the girl att