The Washington herald., 1908-03-01

treated as if she were sacred. returned
the Bachelor Girl with vehement wave
Of her floating lace sleeves, like a white
COW or brass idol or the ashes OF your
ancestors. She wants 10 be treated as
she were human and intelligent and
your equal II she is able 10 go out and
battle with the world unescorted and un-
protected. then she wants TO be considered
able to go out and have good time
unescorted and without tearing a hole in
her reputation. II she is strong enough
70 help bear your burdens. she's strong
enough 10 withstand your silly old temp
tations and"
'-Ail right" broke in the Mere Man.
rising suddenly with the light OF deter
miaation in his eyes. crossing over TO
where the Bachelor Girl sat and Offering
her his cigarette case. Have smoke
old chap
The Bachelor Girl jumped UP as if she
had been shot and turned on him with
flame and astonishment in her eyes.
'Bobbie Porter" she exclaimed IN
! breathless indignation.
Come. come," laughed the Mere Man
reproachfully. Don't be silly. Light up
and then wen go OUT and get DR.
How dare you"
And I'll tell you spicy bit I heard
down at Fogarty's'
'Are-you-going crazy?"
I'm only trying 10 treat you as an
equal" protested the Mere Man reproach-
fully, and as IL you were human and
intelligent and not n brass idol, nor a
white COW. nor 4 nice rufiy sacred thing
made Of lace and voilets and"
Stop" cried the Bachelor Girl.
I'm trying to let you in on our p.h'-
fpopc pnrcfcraT tho NTqVa Mon faIogr,fi.s a
ly. But of course" he added putting
the scorned cigarette case back in his
pocket, you'll have to come in on our
terms. IL you're my equal you can't ex-
pect me TO treat you as my superior. can
you? You can't have your cake-and
your cigarette, too" ard he laughed ST.
lently az the changing expressions on the
Bachelor Girls face as she sank back a
little heap of chagrin and lace in her Nor
ris chair.
It's no use" she sighed, shaking her
head after a long pause. Il don't sup
pose we can ever change It,"
What" inquired the Mere Man light
ing fresh cigarette with deep breath
OF relief Your minds or your manners
or the law Or"
THE law of nature" said the Bachelor
Girl. Il suppose it's born in US 10 prefer
being kissable TO being free and being
sweet TO being equal"
And being good 10 being Bohemian
and being taken care of to being slapped
on the back and sugar plums to cigarettes
and rufles 90 race tracks. OF course II
Isl" and the Mere Man puffed his cigar
ette with an air OF conscious virtue.
And ] suppose you feel" retorted the
Bachelor Girl turning on him with freez-
ing sarcasm. "as II you had saved your
self from the pit and performed a noble
and -iTtuOus act. now that you've saved
me from your temptations and"
Nonsense" protested the Mere Man
weakly.
And that keeping me from doing things
is quite as good as II you had given
them mp yourself
''Not-not quite" returned the Mere
Man mildly But 7 do feel q sort OF
moral responsibility for you"
What
And a personal interest IN keeping you
in the straight and narrow path. while 1
Tag"
"Oh. do you?"
And in gdarding you from temptation,
while I tag after
Really"
Because some day I expect to go TO
Heaven
YOU
"And want to get in on my wife's-
OF your ticket