Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1906-04-26
H. W. 10 j. c. 6O f. BIB.

Della ceased, and looked at me eag-
erly. Perhaps 1t was not case for
frankness, but I distrusted that show
of false science.
'I do not think it would be any use
at ALL" said.
Della put down the paper suddenly,
and rose. II see," she said coldly.
"You don't mind my growing fat You
would like me to grow stout and lose
my figure"
explained that was only question
ing the adequacy of the pulchritudon-
ium to permit such thing; at which
she relaxed.
'eBut ever so many people have used
it, and testify to its advantages" she
protested. There's a whole list of
names here"
There always will be geese for
quacks,'' said, adding 81 mean ducks,
Of course"
81 haven't the faintest idea what you
do mean," said Della loftily, "and I
think that that cynical way you've got
into is simply beastly. / suppose you
think it's becoming, but it isn't. It's
only vulgar"
Cali right" said I, cheerfully. ::'If
you think the pulch h?what's-it's-name
will make you more becoming, by all
means have it"
Now l had conceded the point, and
Della had got what she wanted; and
| she ought to have been satisfied. But
| she was not. She did not even thank
| me.
You used to admire me once," she
said, after a pause.
| II know / did, my DEAR" said
lightly. "Why shouldn't I?''
"Of course she said rather warm
ly, IF you think I'm not becoming, and
that I'm getting too stout, please say
so at once, and let me know. I al
ways like to know the truth, however
unpleasant"
Great Scot!'' protested at this re-
markable instance of feminine perver-
sity. "You wanted the thing for that
very reason, and said you could have
it,
II didn't like your tone,' said Della,
face to face with her own inconsis-
tency, and somewhat primly she left
the room, still without word OF
thanks.
However, she bought the pulchritu-
donium, and it began at once to figure
in our lives. It was for use before
breakfast, and it had to be nailed te
] a wall. Della had 1t nailed to hel
bedroom door, where she was using
it, it resisted the efforts of any of hel
family to enter. 1t consisted of cords
and pieces of wood to hold by, ant
when Della was at work in her air,
morning costume she looked like
dangerous Amazon. She stood uprigh
with set expression on her face, thel
suddenly plunged out at you with fe
/ rocity, stopped, made a sally in an
other direction, recovered herself, an
then dived for her toes. 1t was an in
,, teresting but alarming performance.
The first time she went through
in strict privacy, but after one or tw
trials she got confidence, and invite
me to witness it. It was unfortunat
that the nails should have given O
that particular occasion, because
was, as have said, Interesting, and
should like to have seen more of i
l But Della was SO strenuous and fierc
that they did give, and she went int
the cold tub which she had alread
used some time before.
Z AS I picked her out l comfOrted he
l with the thought that it was a gOo
y thing she had not been fully dresses
. but she was very cross, and seemed
think it was my fault.
g "You ought to have tested them
> she told me, as she wrung out her ga
y ments; and when asked If she we
Is going to resume she called me horri
Is and told me to go.
/ Nothing daunted, Della went on Wi
n her exercises next morning, (the mai
q having been replaced), but was q
= admitted. From time to time all tn