The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1910-02-23
THE PROOF OF
THE PUDDING.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES

"NSSSS SSSSSSSSS SSSSSSSSSSs
"That has always been my opinion,
or, at least, always since | stopped
letting mamma form my opinions
for me-" said a distinctly pleasing
feminine voice behind him.
Cotton turned casually around from
the desk by the wall, where he was
writing his usual grist of Sunday
letters, not so much because the hotel
stationery is both excellent and in
expensive, as because his own room
was lonely, to see who the speaker
might be. The great room was filled
with men and few women, seated
at the small tables drinking and chat
ting, while the walters moved silent
ly about, well groomed products of
the tipping system. The table a few
feet from Colton's elbow was now oc-
cupied by wholly charming girl
and young man who Cotton instant
ly decided was unworthy of her. In
the first place he was a touch too
good looking, and in the second place
his clothes fitted his figure too well,
so Cotton thought, for man evident
ly in his senior year in Divinity.
Cotton turned back to his desk,
not to write, but to listen.
I'm glad to hear you say So" the
student said, continuing the CONVEX
sation begun before entering the
room. i've found lots of girls up
to-date girls, too, who didn't agree
with me. But what will you have to
drink"
Lemonade" said the girl.
"Oh, try cocktail" urged her
companion.
mo, thank you she answered,
Bfth that peculiar half laugh those
Who know women are aware is the
expression of fnality.
Cotton mentally scored one for the
girl, while her companion, calling a
waiter, ordered a lemonade and a
Scotch.
YES" the man continued, 81 have
always said that it was unjust and
silly in country so universally re-
spectful to women as ours, to deny a
girl the opportunity of making chance
acquaintances, say during a long, tire
some railway trip, or something of
that sort. If girl is coming alone
from Cleveland to New York on a
Pullman car, and if there is young
man near her, evidently gentleman
and of her social position, why on
earth isn't It all right for her to ac-
cept his offers to make her more
comfortable and to pass away the
dismal time of the journey in conver-
sation pleasant Tor both of them?
can see no harm in it,"
Nor l." said the girl. 81 have al
ways thought that, as told you. If
one has common sense, such things
can be managed all right. The trou-
BILE is, girls put our theory into prac-
tice too young, when they don't know
the world, and get scared into prim-
ness"
"Now, If they'd only wait till they
are grown up and sensible like you"
said the man, with what Cotton de-
cided was undue effusiveness, "how
much more delightful a time they
could have, with something of the
freedom in getting fresh viewpoints
from strangers a man enjoys"
Cotton stole another look at the
girl. Yes, she was decidedly charm
ing. He began to wish he were a
hypnotist and could make the man
ask her on what day and train she
would return to Cleveland. Just then
she glanced at him. He turned back
quickly. Could 1t be possible? No
he told himself; on the train, per.
haps, but not here while her caller
was with her; it was his only hope
of reading fulfilment into what was
not there. AS the dramatist said
there is limit to all vanity, even
that of Harvard man.
Again, haven't you been forced
to wait alone sometimes for a long
while in a place where it was not
wholly pleasant for a girl to be with
out an escort?" continued the younf
woman's companion. "Such situa
tions are bound to occur. Now, woult
It not be more pleasant for you Il
a nice man, perhaps seeing your EN-
barrassing position, spoke to you, t.
feel free to accept his friendliness il
the spirit intended, and to chat will
him to pass away the tedious wait?
Il should feel quite free to tall
with him." said the girl, "if he be
haved himself"
And if he didn't you girls hav
always way of artistically turning
us down." said her companion. witt
worldly singer" ESQ Cotton men
tally tagged his laugh).
"Rather!" said the girl.
eBut I'll tell YOU what makes m