The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-10-12
Their Engagement
Was Not Broken
By F. A. Mitchell

Dora Atterbury was an especially
feminine young lady. Nevertheless she
was very bright She distinguished
herself at college and after being
graduated engaged herself to Professor
Ernest Ballinger, young man equally
brilliant and whose speciality was BIZ
ology. They had been engaged some
time when the professor received a
note from his fiancee asking to be re-
leased from her engagement for the
reason that she had decided to study
profession and she considered a
PROFESSION for a woman incompatible
with married life. Professor Ballinger
called upon her.
II think 1t BEST" he said. that
should release you"
| There was slight contraction of
| Doras brows Mt this. She had asked
to be released, but preferred that she
should be required to struggle for her
freedom.
"You agree with me. presume, that
professional woman has no business
to be married?"
MY reason lies deeper than that"
replied the professor, unconsciously
falling into tone used in lecturing to
his classes. "YOu are aware, l pre-
sumo. that there are cases Of effem-
macy in men. Some psychologists hold
that this occurs from environment. /
do not admit this. l consider 1t the
result of birth accident. Such men are
born effeminate-that is, they partake
mentally Of the nature Of the opposite
SEX"
II cannot see," interrupted Dora,
what that has to do with the matter
between us"
BE patient and you will see. The
corresponding accident to this in wo-
men, viraginity, renders woman as
much Of freak Of nature as a man
who is born effeminate. Viragints take
up mems occupations naturally
do you mean to assert that all wo-
men who enter the field Of law. medi-
cine, business, are viragints?"
mo, but mean that viragints natu.
rally turn to mems occupations"
The views promulgated by her flance
were evidently not acceptable to Miss
Atterbury. In her features was ex-
pressed opposition to his theory, min
gled with pain at foreseeing that he
was about to apply 1t to herself.
II do not agree with you in referring
these things to birth accident" she
said. II know a young man whose
only companion as child was his SIS
ter. He is very effeminate.
I'm this case possibly his effeminacy
came from environment, but l doubt
It. In the case Of women who possess
traits of men we have analogous cases
, in certain birds. After q certain age
; the female assumes the plumage Of the
male and will destroy the eggs of her
, species. This cannot result from en-.
: vironment, because environment could
not alter her plumage."
/ Miss Atterbury did not at all like
! this result Of her announcement Of the
! breaking Of her engagement and the
) reason she had given for breaking It
. She began to look troubled.
! "The upshot Of all this" she said, ~
3 presume. is that am freak of ma
! ture."
e THAT does not necessarily follow,
: replied the professor imperturbably.
! "Not necessarily. but 1t is evident
. from what you have said that you con
{ slider me SUCH"
: my views are not the views Of ali
Z psychologists, and not all women who
' adopt mems pursuits are viragoes
/ though believe that most Of then
, are"
"You have not answered my ques
r tion."
7 "What question:"
4 whether or not you regard me as Q
2 freak"
a you did not ask such a question
q You said that you presumed the up
shot of my theory was that you were 9
!, freak of nature"
: do you or do you not SO REGARD
me?"
my opinion can have no effect OF
!. the truth. II your intention to take vi
:. a profession is the result of birth acci
dent, so be it. My dictum would no
. prove or disprove the fact"
There was silence for some moments
during which the young lady was alb
sorbed I'm thought.
could you love such a woman
freak? p she asked presently.
Men love their opposites. No mar
can feel toward another man as to
ward woman"
ut seems impossible" replied Dora
,. with quivering lip, ito pin you dowI
L to anything If am one of these hor
u rid freaks you speak of, how Is 1t tina
$ you could have loved me thus farr
e "You forget that heretofore l hav'
It net so considered you"
"But you do noww
d mot at all. Your desire to take vi
s a mans profession causes me to sus
r pect. Your taking up the profession
i would be additional evidence. You
IF practicing the profession would-il
It my opinion, mind you-be as goot
e proof as 1t ia possible to attain in you
d individual case"
"You suspect on the verge OF tears
| L.. a q