, 1908-01-04
CYNTHIA'S CAREER
BY FLORENCE

That | am now engaged to Cynthia,
and the happiest man in the world-bar
none-I W to a newspaper discus
sion. 1t happened in this wise: When
arrived as usual to spend the after
noon with Cynthia, I 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 distract,
and she replied at random to all !
said.
Paper very Interestingly" I said at
last, rather tartly. l had inquired after
the health of her aunt, n Diogenes,
the black poodle, and related my own
small stock of happenings at the war
office.
"Er-um-I beg your pardon. What
did o 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 ln?" l said, dis.
sembling my feelings, not very sue.
cessfully. l had looked forward to the
customary delightful afternoon with
Cynthia, and without undue vanity II
was annoying to be SO overlooked.
20, dear, no. But there's something
really important in the paper today
and che r0llaI or,uoIxr -
Indeed! You surprise me-" 1 re
piled, dryly.
Yes. But it is puzzling. l cant
make up my mind. What do you think
is the best career for women"
T sit in a hammock, wear their
prettiest blue frock and make them,
selves agreeable to their friends" ]
said promptly, and a special emphasis
on the last phrase.
oh! That's so like a 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?' I interjected. She
flashed scorn at me, and l Immediately
regretted my %fippancy. But has any.
thing happened? I don't understand"
l fastened to add.
"Of course not. Men never do. Men
think hat women want a ca.
reer-some purpose in life-as well
as themselves"
"Oh! WELL" I conceded, some wo-
men-perhaps. But you-you are
surely not thinking"
"Of a career? But I certainly am
This discussion in the paper"
oh! that's it, / interposed gloom
lily, beginning to see daylight in the
thing.
Has been so illuminating-so
realizing" She drew a deer breath.
and looked far away over my head at
the clouds. Il 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 a great
doctor-a great writer-or-or-"
She stopped, enthusiasm seemed to
choke her.
"Or-what?" I 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" I said.
Tin thinking. she announced,
with a little pout.
"Or a great Judge, or an engineer.
or a statesman? There are SO many
careers open to women, aren't there?"
1 added sarcastically.
She at last admitted that their num-
Der was rather restricted-at present.
But they'll open up as time goes on"
h concluded enthusiastically, and
waved her hands in space, vaguely.
l permitted myself to smile In a
superior ann
oh! you're too tiresome for any
thing this afternoon" she cried.
springing nimbly out of the ham
mock.
I'm sorry" I said. How can
make amends"
60 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" I said gravely, handing
her the parasol, Tn not sure. But
| don't think that women who go in
great careers have men to fetch
and carry for them"
Mop She looked i%ncredulous. But
why yt?"
We'll, l 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.