Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-09

dignity. IL you were vain and foolish I'd
take your side, just to protect you but YOU
nave no such weaknesses You must not
consider at all that girls in eastern cities
don't do such things; that's because there
aren't the things to do. Our great-gand-
children won't be doing them either But
these carnivals, and things like that, are
necessary evils of our DEVELOPMENT Army
people like ourselves, who have ALWAYS
been cared for by a paternal government
can harily appreciate the troubles of busi-
ness people; and girl like you who has
always led carefully sheltered life with
both comforts and luxures given her with
out the asking, must try to appreciate the
fact that everybody is not so fortunate I
don't know whether these affairs are really
or any advantage to the town commercial
ly; have heard business men say that they
are not; but so long as they have them, the
rest OF US have got to submit to the con-
fetu throwers and the country brass bands
on the theory that it's good for the :oWn''
Mrs. Whipple covered all the ground wnen
she talked. She had daringly addressed
department. commanders in this ample fash
ion when her husband was only a second
lieutenant, and she was not easily driven
from her position
But what's good for the town isn't nee.
essarily good for me-" pleaded Evelyn. Her
animation was becoming, and Mrs. Whip
pie was noting the points of the girls
beauty with delight. ANY other girls
clothes would look just as sweet to the
multitude" Evelyn asserted.
That's where you are mistaken II it's
sacrifice, the town is Offering Iphigenia
and only our fairest daughter will do. I'll
be talking fine language in a minute. and
one of US will be lost" she laughed Mrs
Whipple always laughed at herself at the
right moment. She said it discounted the
pleasure other people might have in laugh
ing at her. Now Evelyn Porter, you're
a nice girl and a sensible one. So far as
you can see you're going to spend your
days in this town. and 1t isn't a bad place.
We preferred to live here after the general
retired because we liked it, and that was
when we had the world to choose from.
I've lived in every part of this country, but
the people in this region are simple and
honest and wholesome, and they have hu-
man hearts in them, and at my age that
counts for a good deal The general and
We're both born in Massachusetts,, where
you hear a lot about ancestors and back
ground; but I've driven over these plains
and prairies In an army ambulance since
before the civil war, and it hast all been
fun, either: L love every mile of the coun-
try, and l don't want you, who the
apple of my eye, to come home with pa
tronzing airs
mot gultyi' exclaimed Evelyn throwing
up her hands in protest. II have no such
ideas ard you know it; but you ignore the
point. What / can't is that there's any
question of patriotism in this Knights of
Midas affair, as far as I'm concerned and
I'm not so young as l was The queen of
the ball Should be much younger than
am
well If you're reduced to that kind Of
argument, / think we'll have to call the
debate closed. But remember, you're asked
to give only an hour of your life to please
your father and great many other peo-
pie. And you'll II be doing your town great
service, too"
well" said Evelyn dolefully, she got
up to 60 ''this isn't the kind of counsel I
came for. If I'd expected this from you,
I'd have taken my troubles elsewhere" She
had risen and stood swinging her parasol
back and forth regarding the tip of her
boot You almost make 1t seem right
You'd better make a note of it as one OF
those things that not pleasant, but
necessary. If thought 1t would harm you.
child, I'd certainly warn you against it
I'd do that for your mothers sake.
IT like your saying that" said Evelyn.
softly.
Mrs Whipple had been beauty In the
old army days, and was still handsome
woman. She had retained the sYenderness
of her girlhood, and the hot suns and
blighting winds of the plains and noun
inns had dealt gently with her. She took
both Of Evelyns hands at the door. and
kissed her.
Don't go away hating me. dear. Como
up often; and after It's all over, I'll tell
you how good you've BEEN"
"Oh I'll go to a convent afterward,
Evelyn answered.; that Is, II l find that
you've really persuaded mel"
(To be continued tomorrow