The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-10
To Be Told She Is Pretty Is
 Woman $ Ambition.

Under the mistaken impression that he had said the right thing. the man in ques- ton had averred that she was refined, ''high-bred," intelligent looking" and all that. and then went on his way fatuously pleased with himself.
 And he never once hinted that l was pretty" the woman said bitterly to her self, which presents the question: After all, isn't it the only compliment wom- an cares for-to be told that she Is pretty?'
 Every bit of feminity that exists has well-defned idea of what really forms proper commendation.
 'It'' doesn't want to be called good, TOT admirable" nor energetic" nor "a good conversationalist. nor Charitable" '" nor "elever," nor "a comfort to her mother" nor "a good housekeeper." ''It' wants to be called good looking" first, last and all the time, world without end, Amen-and by men, and women, too. &c., lahl
 The fact that 'it" is not pretty, and never has been, has nothing to do with the case.
 You may laugh at this, many of you, my friends, but it is pathetic rather than ludicrous, and no one could possibly know better than a woman how much of her success in life depends upon her looks. Men are always declaring that pretty women are bores-too egotistical to be pleasant: that the girl who is ''unpretty" must be proportionately entertaining to even matters up a bit; and therefore they prefer the girl without the Madonna features and the dreamy eyes. Alas! when seen these men are oftenest found in the -fwake," so to speak, of the beautiful woman.
 A short time ago I ehanced to drop in to see my friend Bettina. She was seated before her dressing table when I was ushered into the privacy of her boudoir, studying her fea lures in the vainest man ner.
 After many pros and cons, Bettina said:
 "Now, Dolly. you'll admit that have a fairly good mind, I suppose? I know Browning like a Bostonese and l can re- peat pages of Peer Gynt, and as for Mae terlinck, I know him from Les Aveugles to Monna Wanna"
 nodded acquesence, very much sur prised at her remark.
 And you will say, I suppose, that have a fairly even disposition, won't you?''
 "Yes, you oonceited thing" I answered. ''What next?"
 1T talk rather well, don't l, Dolly?'
 Why certainly, but what under heaven is all this about?' inquired impatiently. ,"Hushi Don't interfere with the climax I am arriving at. What l meant to say, was that I would gladly, oh! so gladly, give up all these things for a pair of narcissus-like eyes as MT. Richard Le Gallene calls them, with curling lashes, and two deep, devilish. saucy dimples.'
 Well, you silly little goose" was all that I could think of to say. You'd be very foolish.'
 NO, I wouldn't. I would be very pop ular Why, my dear, If had long lashes and dimpled cheeks I'd be willing to have a disposition asi mean as Hedda Gabler g and no more idea of spelling than poor Aunt Glegg in The Mill on the Floss, to whom, as you remember, it was all a matter of private judgement
 Eyelashes and dimples may be seen of all men, but the gift of conversation is concealed within one, and has to wait to be discovered. As for ones disposi- tion no one ever really knows whether