Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-12-31
Autobiography of a Modern Girl Re-
corded by Ethel Lloyd Patterson.D
VII.-Adorning for Conquest.

- ten minutes before eight the even
ing after ne had asked me 10 marry him,
Jack arrived with the buggy. He had
said o'clock. But apparently he could
not wait until that time to see me. A.
for me. had had my supper al half
past five. Ii had taken me fifteen min
utes 10 eat II. From then until my
mother called 10 tell me Jack was out
side | had been busy dressing had
arranged my hair with great care
| suaily ! wore it turned under in a
braid-or plat" as my mother called
r. Now piled it high on top of my
head. Why not? Had not become a
woman Of an age TO marry?
Also J had turend in the top OF my
waist and fastened Some net around
my shoulders when ! held my candle
nigh before the mirror 10 see how I
looked, the light touched my throat ana
tnc square Of flesh beneath it With ROSY
shadows. knew / had never been
iovclier. | was exultant. Not because
really cared for Jack
But because all girls are like actresses
II that they never play their best with
out an audience. And the more the au-
dicnce is with them" the better the act
in2- Some OF Us are content to play our
Carmen to a single, well loved critic;
others of US must have every seat in the
orchestra filled.
came downstairs slowly. My mother
was standing In the han. For mo-
inent ! saw only the picture | made re-
Elected in her face. Then She hooked
crave.
What have you done to your waist?'
she asked.
Made it moro comfortable I an
s"ered can't 20 round choking to
death, can II"
1t doesn't need TO be way down like
that, though, does it?' she said. / saw
her trying to brace herself TO be firm.
Poor creature, she was always very
timid with me. In our quarrels / always
Won. But 1t would be too absurd to nave
4 scene now. I told myself: now when |
lad become at last grown woman with
sutton waiting for me at the door
How quickly We girls learn To use our
admirers as weapons against our moth
org. We never stop 10 think that our
mothers speak OF our faults only TO save
us from ourselves. a man encourage
our frailties because they make il easier
for him.
| hardened my heart against my
mother as she stood there ] am sure
that in that instant my young face
looked cruel and cold.
Don't you like the way my waist tsp,
| asked.
Il think il would have been all right
II YOU hadn't turned il down 80 much. :
mother ventured.
l flushed angrily.
Well-if YOU don't like il Just YOU say
So, L announced. II don't have TO stay
around here and have every bit of fun
spoiled. | can't do anything like other
girls. The trouble is YOU don't know
any better. What do YOU know about
what girls are wearing. shut up here
with father and sick people: And /
haven't got anything decent 10 wear,
anyhow. IL you don't like the way
fixed this dress just you say so and I'll
90 right out OF this house and marry
Jack Dimond this minute. I can do il.
He's crazy over me. He said So.
Mothers eyes filed slowly with tears.
She stepped back.
"Oh-Peggie." she said L want YOU to
have good time. like other girls, child.
For what else do / toll? Oh-I'm hoping
some day you'll understand
Then don't keep deviling ne j flash
ed. ungraciously.
slammed the door and went down