Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-06

losophers assert that her methods are cir
cuitous: others. on the other hand. main
tain that she rides in a bee line toward
the desired object galloping ruthlessly
over conventions. susceptibilities. hearts
and such like obstacles. All. however.
agree that she is INSCRIPTIONS. that the
wish of the woman is the politely insin-
cere wish OF the Deity. and that she pur
sues her course with serene sureness
unknown to man. 1t is when a woman
does not know what she wants that she
battles the philosopher. just as the ant In
her aimless RESPONSIVENESS battles the en-
tomologist. or course. il the philosopher
has guessed her unformulated desire. then
things are easy for him. and ~ can as
course with certitude on feminine va
carries, as Rattenden did on the journey
ings of Fora Middlemist. He has the
word of the enigma. But to the woman
herself her state of mind Is an exasperat-
ing puzzle. and to her friends. philosophic
or otherwise. her consequent actions are
disconcerting.
Fora went to California, where she was
Hospitality entertained, and shown the
sights of several vast neighborhOods She
peeped into the Chinese quarter at San
Francisco and visited the Yosemite val
ley. Attentive young men strewed her
path with flowers and candy. Young
women vowed her eternal devotion She
came into touch with the intimate prob
lens OF the most wonderful social organ
ism the world has ever seen. and was
confronted with stupendous works OF ma
ture and illimitable solitudes wherein the
soul stands appalled,. She also ate
great quantity of peaches. When her
visit to the Callenders had come to an
end she armed herself with introductions
and started of by herself to see America
She Travelled across the continent. beheId
the majesty Of Niagara and the bewilder-
u A,Ix
ington and Boston. In fact. she learne
many things about great country which
were very good for her to know. reeelv-
ing impressions With the alertness OF
sympathetic intellect. and pigeonholing
them with feminine conscientiousness for
future reference.
1t was all very pleasant. healthful and
instructive, but 1t no more helped her in
her quest than gazing at the jewelers.
windows in the Rue de la Paix. Snow
capped Sierras and crowded tramcers
were equally unsuggestive Of a mission
in life. In the rare moments which Activ-
ity allowed her for depression she began
to wonder whether she was not chasing
the phantom of a wild goose. A damsei
to whom In moment OF expansion she
revealed the object of her journeying ex-
claimed: What other mission In life has
woman than to spend money and look
beautiful
Fora laughed incredulously.
you've accomplished half already, for
you do look beautiful" said the dainsel.
1.-The other half is easy
But IL you haven't much money to
Spend?'
Spend somebody ese's. Lord. II
had your beauty I'd just walk down Wall
street and pick up a millionaire between
my finger and thumb. and carry him on
right away.
When Fora suggested that life perhaps
might have some deeper significance. the
maiden answered:
Life is like the school child's idea OF
a parable-a heavenly story iii you've lots
Of money! with no earthly meaning"
Don't you ever go down beneath the
surface of things" asked Fora.
IF you dig down far enough into the
EARTH replied the damSel. you come TO
water. IL you bore down deep enough
into life you come to tears. My dear I'm
going to dance on the surface and have
a good time as long as | can. And |
guess you're doing the same.
81 suppose / am said Fora. And she
felt ashamed OF herself.
At Washington fate gave her an o.
portunity OF attaining the other half OF
the damsers idea. An elderly senator or
enormous wealth proposed marriage, and
offered her half dozen motor cars.
few palaces and most Of the two hemi-
spheres. She declined.
"If I were young would you marry
me?"
Zora's beautiful shoulders gave the
tiniest shrug Of uncertainty. Perhaps
her young friend was right. and the conf
mand of the earth was worth the slight
penalty OF a husband. She was tired ami
disheartened at finding herself no nearer
to the heart of things than when she had
left Nunsmere Her attitude toward the
once unspeakable sex had imperceptibiy
changed. She no longer blazed with in
dignation when a man made love to her.
She even found 1t more agreeable than
looking at cataracts or lunching with
bassadors. Sometimes she wondered
why. The senator she treated very ten
derby.
'I don't know How can / tell?" she
said q moment or two after the shrug.
"My heart is young said he.
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