Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1907-12-05
ON BEING GOOD AND LONESOME

wv
and beginning to straighten the disor-
dered studio. Morals are funny things
anyway" she added, as she flung Il
towel back of the screen and stuffed
the tea things under the divan.
Funny %things'i" The Mere Man
jumped.
They change with the Fashions Sho
explained, whipping the dust into II
corner and laying a mat carefully over
IT. and they're never the same for any
two people. nor in any two places. For
instance. it's immoral to curl your
front hair and wear violet silk petit
coats or Il hat that turns up on the
side down at AUNT Mary's. in the coun-
try, II it's almost immoral not to do
those things in New York or Chicago.
It's Il crime to play cards or dance
round dances at Pottstown Corners.
and it's a crime. if you don't, at New
is only fashionable now; and what's
u~nspeakably wicked now will be con
sidered only fashionable ten years
hence Being good is only keeping up
with the styles; and laying in a stock
of Scruples is nothing more than lay
ing in a stock of seasonable clothing,
which YOU can cast off and replace with
newer things when they go out of fash
ion" and she flung an old hat into the
fire and carefully twisted a portierre
so that the hole on the inside wouldn't
SHOW.
For heavens sake, what are you
Going?" demanded the Mere Man
fidgeting n~crVouSly.
I'm making the studio look respect
able returned the Bachelor Girl with
u toss of her chin. I'm putting its
sins out of sight and hiding it's weak
nesses and covering It's bad spots. I'm
making it to be good, because it's go
f. - - IT,. r..Lsts.-- -.
its reputation and fitting it for-for
your masculine society,""
"Humph!" grunted the Mere Man. 1T
looks more as il you were turning IL
into a whited sepulchre or a deep-dycd
hypocrite."
"A studio is like a woman" retorted
the Bachelor Girl. 1T doesn't really
seems to be that people mind"
And it always seems to be what it
isn't" sneered the Mere Man. Il guess
feminine morals are about the same
the world over he added cynically.
and it's only a matter of whether 4
girl wears them on the inside or the
outside"
Yes" agreed the Bachelor Girl, ink
ing thoughtfully into IA chair, and
that's where the fashions have changed.
1t used to be popular TO wear them on
the outside n play Priscilla. and now
it's the fad to wear them carefully hid
den and play Columbine. After ALL"
she added more chcerfully. perhaps it's
possible to swim without going near
the water"
WHAT"
TO seem worldly and frivolous with
out being so"
"Of course 1t is agreed the Mere
Man with prompt conviction. IT'S per-
fectly possible for q girl to be fluffy
and ruffy and foolish and adorable.
without being overdressed. or made-up,
or conspicuous. It's perfectly easy for
her to be interesting and merry and
predetermined and up to date, without
being forward and drinking cocktails or
smoking cigarets. The trouble is, that
when the average woman goes In to
swim. she goes in too deep. h loses
her head"
OR gets a moral cramp."
"Or steps in Il hole
cor nunders. But 1 won't said the
Bachelor Girl confidently. I'm going
That's right" commented the Nero
THAT people will think I'm trying
to hide something"
What"
and so proper that I'll rouse suspi-
cion-"
go on" the Mere Man groaned.
ana 50 DTIUl dIlu 1uiCl, lidl tuty ~
think | have dutsy corners In my dis
position and holes in my character n
bad spots in my past. Then I'll be in
teresting," and she laughed softly.
II hope you'll have "A nice time!" said
the Mere Man with n wry ACE.
Why" exclaimed the Bachelor Girl.
opening her eyes with feigned surprise.
Il thought you WANTED me to be Il
good little girl"
1--WE changed my mind" replied he
Mere Man. putting out his cigarette as
he rose and reached for his gloves. II
want you to be very wicltcd-"
what"
And worldly"
MI. Porter"
And predetermined. want you to
hang our scruples on a hickory limb
this minu'e-'
1t wouldn't hold them"
And kiss me g%oodby."
"What-' the Bachelor Girl scood up
and clutched hi back of her chair.
what kind of a girl do you think am.
Bobby Porter"
Tn afraid" the Mere Man sighed,
lulling on. you're the kim that will
sit at home by the fire and study econ
omy and virtue and the cook book
and
We'll. I'm mott" cried the Bachelor
Girl vehemently.
Aren't YOU" The Mere Lar dropped
his gloves impetuously.
But you mustn't" she protested
weakly; "oh. you mustn't. 1t isn't right.
and you're turning my scruples wrong
side out and acting against my princi-
pies and missing my hair all up!"