Free press., 1907-12-28
CYNTHIA'S CAREER
BY FLORENCE BRIGHT


noneI owe to newspaper discus
sion. It happened in this wise: When
I arrived as usual to spend the after
noon with Cynthia, found her, to my
great surprise, immersed in the paper
She never even troubled to open one
as a rule. She was lying in the ham
mock, a great bush of crimson rhod-
odendrons forming an appropriate
background to her dainty blue gown
Her manner was distinctly distralt,
and she replied at random to all l
said
Paper very interesting?" I said at
last. rather tartly had inquired after
the health of her aunt, and Diogenes,
the black poodle. and related my own
small stock of happenings at the war
office
"Er-um-I beg your pardon. What
did you say?" asked Cynthia looking
over the edge of the paper at me,
and blinking her forget-me-not blue
eyes absent-mindedly.
"How is The Hague conference go
ing? Or perhaps it's the money mark
ct you're so absorbed in?'' | said, dis
sembling my feelings. not very sue
cessfully. l had looked forward TO the
customary delightful afternoon with
Cynthia, and without undue vanity it
was annoying 10 be so overlooked.
20, dear. no. But there's something
really important ir the paper today"
and she nodded graveIy at me.
Indeed! You surprise me-" I re-
piled. dryly
sCVo, -
make up my mind. What do you think
is the best career for women"
'To sit in Il hammock, wear their
prettiest blue frock and make them
selves agreeable to their friends" I
said promptly, and a special emphasis
on the last phrase.
"Oh! That's so like a man when you
ask his advice. l see now what you
are. You're just one of those men who
want women to be dolls"
We'll. Even that's career-of
sorts-isn't ito" I interjected She
flashed scorn at me, and l Immediately
regretted my fiippancy. But has any
thing happened? l don't understand"
/ hastened to add.
"Of course not. Men never do Men
never think that women want a ca
reer-some purpose in life-as we'll
. as themselves"
"Oh! WE'LL | conceded, some wo-
surely not thinking"
"Of a career? But l certainly am
This discussion in the paper"
ooh! that's it," I interposed gloom
lily, beginning to see daylight in the
thing.
Has been so illuminating-so
realizing She drew a deep breath,
and looked far away over my head at
the clouds. II never thought before of
the possibilities in life for women
Just think what it must be to a wo-
man to be Independent. To be great
doctor-a great wrfter-or-or-'
She stopped, enthusiasm seemed to
choke her.
"Or-what?" | asked, rather brutal
ly. Where did l come in, in all this?
Cynthia's had not been the only reve-
lation. Yes. Or what? Go on" l said
Tim thinking she announced
with little pout.
"Or great judge, or an engineer
or statesman? There are so many
CdISSIS open W WOMEN, dISn | CnSfc.
added sarcastically.
She at last admitted that their num-
ber was rather restricted-at present
But they'll open up as time goes on"
she concluded enthusiastically, and
waved her hands in space, vaguely.
1 permitted myself TO smile in a
superior manner
"Oh! you're too tiresome for any
thing this afternoon" she cried
springing nimbly out of the ham
mock
I'm sorry" said How can l
make amends?"
GO and get my sunshade out of the
hall and tell them to bring tea out
here" l FASTENED to do her bidding.
and found her strolling in the shrub
berry on my return. She called me to
look at a robins nest we had been
watching for some time.
You know l said gravely. handing
her the parasol. I'm not sure. But
| don't think that women who 30 in
for great careers have men to fetch
and carry for them
"No?" She looked incredulous. But
why not?"
We'll, | scarcely know. But perhaps
it's because they haven't got time for
the-frivolities
"Oh But that would be horrid."
She looked quite pained
What? Horrid? To be independ
ent. Why, I thought YOU said Just
now"
Yes. but l didn't mean that sort of
independence" She gave little stamp
of her foot. Il think men ought al
ways to do things for women. Dom.
your" She looked appealingly at me
Certainly. 'Tis the whole duty of
man." l paused, then / said. You
propounded a conundrum TO me Just
nown