Gilpin observer., 1917-08-30

had not learned to smoke. The girls
had taken to smoking In the dressing
room between dances. There was
much secrecy among them about the
fact, at least much protested secrecy,
for the men all knew they did it, and
the girls bridled in consequence. Such
is the strange humor Of the very
young. So that when Elsie did not
smoke with the rest, she was teased
and criticized severely.
"Why are you such a little prude,
Elsie7" asked tall blonde in blue
tulle, who had learned to manage a
cigarette rather gracefully, she
thought.
"Surely you don't see anything
wrong about it, Elsie." said another {:
"why, all the very best people are do
ing 1t these days. One is out Of it,
and noticeable If she doesn't follow the
fashion,"
"What an absurd reason for smok-
Ing" Elsie said quickly. She was not
afraid Of these girls; they were really
all right underneath, and she had
known them all her life. Furthermore.
she felt that they needed to reassure
themselves about this fad, and that
was why they were taking it out ON
her, which was perhaps true.
Listen. listen," laughed one of the
group. "Elsie is going to read us q
lecture"
"Oh. no I'm not" Elsie returned
quickly. "Not, one Of you girls really
enjoy smoking, for have watched you,
and know"
"Why, it's the best thing I do," In
terrupted curly-headed Irene Poke.
"NOnsense I" Elsie returned. "Why
I have a wholesome respect for the
woman who smokes sincerely, that is
II she has reason for smoking and sees
no wrong in 1t. But to follow the fash.
lon as you girls do. and smoke because
It looks naughty and you feel modern,
why it's perfectly ridiculous"
'But we don't feel as you do about
IT," chirped out the tall blonde, albeit
she puffed little less arrogantly.
"Yes you do underneath, you know
you do. 1t isn't matter Of right and
wrong SO much, it's what the whole
thing stands for. 1t stands for the
easy morals and lax manner Of living
Of a set Of people who have so much
money they don't know what to do
with 1t, and you girls are trying to be
Just like those women"
"Oh, Elsie, cut the preaching" pro.
tested Irene, shaking her curly head
disapprOvingly.
"YOu brought 1t on yourselves" FL.
sic returned. II know the attitude
you've taken toward me, and, now that
you have spoken Of it'at last, I'm going
to have my say out. I'm not a prude
but frankly don't like 1t, and don't
like to see a girl do It,"
"Men like girls to be good fellows
these days." said the blonde, smooth.
Ing back an errant tress Of hair. 'The
old-fashioned girl has had her day"
swell. won't try to convince you,"
Elsie said, laughing at the protesting
faces around her. "But wait and see."
The next morning Irene Poke ran In
on Elsie almost before she was
dressed.
"Elsie," she groaned tragically. ri
think you're right about smoking. I'm
Just miserable this morning. Henry
Willis took me home last night, and
We were talking about girls smoking
and he said, Not one Of US fellows
would marry a girl who smokes and
drinks with men. It's the girl like FL
sic Merryfleld that a man wants for
keeps, girl with some principle And
thought he was learning to like me-"
walled Irene. "Oh, Elsie, what shall
dot"
''Why don't you stop smoking and
show him that you don't really care
for things like thatf" suggested Elsie.
She was glowing all over at the re-
mark Of Henry Willis. After all her
principles had counted for sometlaug.
Jane Mclean In the Chicago Amer
lean.