The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1908-03-27
CYNTHIA'S CAREER.
BY FLORENCE BRIGHT.

That I am now engaged to Cynthia,
and the happiest man In the world
bar none-I owe to a newspaper dis
cussion. 1t happened In this wise:
When / arrived as usual to spend the
afternoon with Cythia, 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 hammock, great bush Of GRIM
SON rhododendrons forming an ap-
propriate background to her dainty
blue gown. Her manner was distinct
ly distrait, and she replied at random
to all I 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
@FHbw is The Hague conference go
ing? Or perhaps it's the money mark
ct you're so absorbed in?" I said, dis
sembling my feelings, not very sue
cessfully. had looked forward to the
customary delightful afternoon with
Cynthia, and without undue vanity 1t
was annoying to be so overlooked.
20, dear, no. But there's something
really important in the paper today"
and she nodded gravely at me.
Indeed! You surprise me-" re-
piled dryly.
Yes. But it Is puzzling. I can't
make up my mind. What do you think
is the best career for women%
"To sit in a hammock, wear their
prettiest blue frock and make them
selves agreeable to their friends" /
said promptly, and special emphasis
on the last phrase.
"Oh! That's SO like man when
you ask his advice. 1 see now what
you are. You're just one of those men
who want women to be dolls"
We'll! Even that's a career-of
sorts-isn't it," 1 interjected. She
flashed scorn at me, and Immediately
regretted my fiippancy. "But has any
thing happened? don't understand"
hastened to add.
"Of course not Men never do.
men never think that women want
career-some purpose in life-as well
as themselves"
"Oh! WE'LL" l conceded, some wo-
men-perhaps. But you-you are sure
"Oh! that's it," 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. 81 never thought before
of the possibilities in life for women.
Just think what it must be to wo-
man to be independent To be great
doctor-a great Writer-or-or@
She stopped, enthusiasm seemed to
choke her.
"Or-what?" 1 asked, rather brutal
ly. Where did 1 come in, in all this?
Cynthia's had not been the only reve-
lation. Yes. Or what? Go on" l
said.
Tin thinking she announced,
with little pout.
COR a great judge, or an engineer,
or a statesman? There are so many
careers open to women, aren't there?"
/ added sarcastically.
She at last admitted that their num-
ber was rather restricted-at present.
"But they'll open up as time goes on"
waved her hands In space, vaguely.
permitted myself to smile in sup
erior manner.
"Oh, you're too tiresome for any
thing this afternoon she cried,
springing nimbly out of the hammock.
I'm sorry" l said. How can I
make amends?"
go and get my sunshade out of the
hall and tell them to bring tea out
here" I hastened 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" I said gravely. handing
her the parasol, I'm not sure. But
don't think that women who go in for
great careers have men to fetch and
carry for them"
MOI" She looked inrredulous. "But
why not?"
"Well, scarcely know. But perhaps
it's because they haven't got time for
the-frivolities.
"Oh But that would be horrid."
She looked quite panied.
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 81 think men ought al
ways to do things for women. Don't
you?" She looked appealingly at me.
Certainly. 'Tis the whole duty of
man." l paused, then l said, you
propounded conundrum to me just
now"
81 did, sir" She looked at me arch
ly.
"Well! I've guessed it,Cynthia." She
did not resent my use of her Christian
name-that was good sign.
l drew a little closer to her. We
were quite free from observation by
the robins nest-and stole my arm
around her waist.
"If / tell you the best career for q
woman, will you promise to adopt it?
How can / promise till / know
"It is marriage. Will you try it
1 with me?'