Evening star., 1896-08-15
FLIRTING BY SIGNS
Devices Used by the Chaperoned
Summer Girl.
FANS AND PARASOLS as SIGNALS
An Elaborate Code Of Ciphers Made
Necessary.
THE AIMS REPLIES

Copyright. 1895, by the Bsci eller Syndicateg
Individually. the summer girl may some-
times appear old. but viewed collectively
as a phase of modern society, co-existent
with summer drinks and the cooperative
ir rternational marriage industry. she is ever
new and refreshing, and her ways and wiles
the proper study for mankind during
those months when the actual flight OF the
mercury can only be estimated by the use
of a powerful field slass
1t is said on good authority that the
onnipresence of this seasons chaperon.
for in spite of the summer girls objections
the chaperon is accomplished fact. 10
rapidly bringing about a return to :he old
manner OF communion between the sexes
called the 'inanimate Irritation
Left to her own devices, with her chap
eron sleeping peacefully on the verandah
or teaching the rising generation a few
points. the summer girl is sufficient unto
herself in all matters of personal fascina-
tiCn; but she ia not left to herself. that ie
the rub. and when she firts il lie in the
Sha dow Of a lynX-eyed chaperon.
But convey tender messages she will: IL
not with pretty lips and sparkling eyes.
then with her parasol or fan gIoyes, as
the case may be-
If she Is on the promenade and longing
to express her approval OF the very poor
but handsome young man whom she met
at the ball the night before. her parasol il
the accepted method of bringing Joy to his
heart or sorrow. as she may incline.
1f sfe twirls il frantically she wishes
him to know that the chaperon Is watching.
If she carries 1t in both hands she intends
to elude all vigilance and meet him in the
conservatory during the coming dance II
she carries IL over her right shoulder The
chaperon has relented and he may Join her;
II over the left she will not try TO meet
him.
For The expression of more tender senti-
rrent say. perhaps. TO the man whom she
loves and has been ruthlessly parted from
on the arrival of more valuable foreign
spec ncen. she reserves the following sig
nals Holding the parasol 10 her lps-"I
me cruel
ing as well as eligible. then the parasoI
signals to the lover the cruelest truths IL
II IS lightly swung in the right hand of the
nckle maid 1t announces her engagement
TO the catch OF the season. If she merely
pats ii with her dainty, ,iimpled hand she
expresses annoyance that he should insist
upon watching her. But the refinement Of
cruelty is reached WHEN she thoaghtfnlly
taps her chin with the tip OF her parasol.
This means that she Will not only marry
the rival but loves him as well.
In the drawing room the fan Is substI-
tuted Tor the parasol. and is really the pre-
Ierfed weapon Offensive and defensive. Of
the much chaperoned summer Girl
VI course ii is understood that thess
pretty coquettish signals are only employed
after formal introduction has taken place
and under circumstances where the noor
artleSs girl is entirely oyershsdowed INV
some aged dowager
When a warning of danger is sent by n
ran, the pretty mass OF feathers. ribbona
and ivory is drawn across the forehead
w men IL is placed against the right car the
fascinated youth understands that the
maiden fair thinks his affections are un-
stable.
When IL is pressed caressins,v apai,s,
her cheeks he rejoices, for ne knows thst
her heart is true to Poll" If she closes
IL with snap then he looks about for a
cozy corner for the chaperon is asle.n aud
the coast is clear.
And the tiniest of futtering Vatican fan.
can contribute to the breaking of the heart
OF the undesirable parti as easily as the
most cutting speeches or frowning glances
When the summer girl has grown tired
of an adorer she has but TO draw her fan
through those kissable little hands and shs
has expressed absolute adherence. To an
nounce her affection for another the SAME
instrument of torture is gaily tvIrled in
her right hand. II she relents on seeing
the young man grow suddenly pale and
gaze at the ocean or perpendicular cliffs"
with sinister meaning, she has only to draw
her fan over her eyes to tell him she IS
sorry and will try to meet him.
And the much tried young man, how NAV
he express his delight. sorrow or indigna-
ton at the messages thus forwarded1
Whether on the promenade or in the draw
ing room he sends back his signals with his
gloves
If he twirls them in nervous agitation he
has observed the naughty stare of the un-
relenting chaperon. If he places them TO
his eyes he is overcome with her cruelty.
and by holding one in each hand he he
seeches her TO wait fos him. If he folds
them neatly he is begging for an interview,
but IL he only twirls in both hands he
shows indifference.
III by chance he has found out the hidden
depths ef her frivolous nature and has
transferred his affections TO another Ma
donna face he tells her of Il by twisting his
gloves in a somewhat vicious fashion II
after twisting the gloves he winds them
around his forefinger he wishes her TO IN
derstand that the Madonna girl is wearing
his engagement ring