The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1917-06-09
lContinued on page 81
MARY OF THE RIBBON DEPART
7MENT.

III the store naQ suggested TO H0F dH
idea to form League to combat the
insidious movement, and she had al
ready decided on Betty Larkin as her
first lieutenant Like skillful gem
eral, she had chosen her because she
was one of the crowd of gay, light
hearted girls who could influence
others when preaching would fail
She had not spoken to Betty yet. In
deed, she knew little about her, eX-
cept that she was a Catholic, lived in
her own neighborohod and attended
the same parish church.
As for Betty-Betty was just gradu-
ated from the parochial school and
was as gay as a lark. AT the present
moment, seemingly, her thoughts were
on two things-dress and 'fellers.
All the lessons she had been taught
by the good Sisters had apparently
been forgotten. She was in danger of
becoming as giddy and thoughtless as
the rest. But she had not yet. Joined
the Young Woman's Christian Associ-
alton crowd, though Mary knew she
had been asked time and again to do
So 1t was that fact alone that gave
Mary hope-that and another-Betty
was still keeping the First Fridays
for Mary saw her every month at the
altar. On the other hand, Betty s
piety was hardly reconcilable with her
behavior, which at times bordered on
giddiness.
Now, Mary wasn't prude by any
means. She had a friend" and the
thought of happy wedding by Father
Matthew and pretty home, shared by
the man of her choice, was never very
far from her mind. But she was I'M
like most of the girls in the store who
thought only of a good time,' and
how to get the most enjoyment out OF
life with the least possible effort. The
example set by some of them was far
from encouraging; and there had been
| tragedies that made her heart ache.
Innocent girls had been led into COM
pany that had been their undoing, and
| sad to say, among them had been sew
eral Catholics.
"A penny for your thoughts, Miss
Dolan," said the gay voice of Betty,
and without waiting for an answer
she added "I'm going to dance to-
night with Agnes White. There's to
be a party of us. Would you think
of coming? It's to be held in Harri
sons dancing hail.
NO." said Mary decidedly; "and il
you ask my opinion, l wouldn't like
| any friend of mine to 60"
"Why?" said Betty, opening hel
eyes wide. There is no harm! Lots
of girls have gone, and not one Of
them but would go again"
THAT may be" said Mary, 'but il
is no place for any Catholic girl to be
seen in. Betty" she continued, 'it's
on my mind to have a talk with you
You see, I feel as if I know you well
Every First Friday | have watched
you in church, and you don't live fal
from our house. Why shouldn't w,
be friends, and help each other?
am older than you, and have been her
long time. I can give you man.
points"
j Il know" said Betty, pleased AM
flattered at Mary's interest, "but, al
the same, I would like to go to thi
dance have pretty dress-the on
l graduated in, l want to tell yo1
something You think I'm inclined t
be giddy because l talk about fellers
Well" she smiled, ''let me tell yo1
: something in whisper. I haven
got Teller at ALL But the other girl
talk so much about theirs that
, thought / would have one, too-just t
be in the fashion"
Mary had to laugh-laugh whole
heartedly-for the innocent face @
Betty treasured her. She was still
happy child, scarcely seventeen year
old. Mary herself would never Sc
twenty, indeed had attained the ag
!, of young womanhood a year age
From the superiority of her twenty
one years she felt herself old enough
to give advice. While she had feare
i the attractions of the Young Woman
Christian Association for Betty, Their
/ was another group of girls whose ir
fluence she dreaded even more-girl
i who went in for good time, frequent
: ed cheap dance-halls, boasted of thei
} conquests, their joy-rides, and dresse
} extravagantly, some of them even de
priving themselves of necessary foo
: to do so. Others there were VIII
seemingly deprived themselves c
nothing, yet always dressed in tn
!, height of fashion, went to good res
+ taurants for their luncheon and occs
) sionally were seen in automobiles O
: Sunday with strange young men. TIL
latter were the worst of all. Mar
! shuddered at the thought of pretty
) innocent Betty becoming one of then
Z She felt she must warn her.
n 'Dearie," said Mary kindly, "wi
, you do me a favor? I want you t
: meet my Teller this evening"" sh
smiled winningly.
your six brothers?" cried Bett
with sparkling eyes. Il would Low
to-only / promised Agnes Whit
to go to the dance. cannot break m
word What would she think of me
Mary shivered as if with sudde
cold. 1t was during the luncheon hou
; that this conversation took place
: They were sitting in a restauran
, much patronized by the big store
pmnl0vnaS Apnns White was th