The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1918-04-25

IefSOudlly, L uOn care LOT IuEblSH.
julius tried to conceal his surprise.
He had never even wondered whether
or not Ruth smoked. Other girls with
whom he was associated in his edit
ing did, but even they had never re-
ceived him alone in their own apart
ments and then preferred complete
assortment of cigarettes. He felt the
suspicion of frown involuntarily
come over his forehead but he fought
1t back.
They talked about everything that
CHANGED into their heads-more as
Julius had talked with some keenly
ebert, clean-minded young boy of his
acquaintance; and as they talked
Ruth smoked nonchalantly-nOt in the
least languidly. AT ten julius rose to
60. Somewhere in the back of his
mind he recalled that he had read
. that although women who live alone
may receive callers uncnaperOned
those callers must never remain after
ten. Ruth urged him 10 stay-still as
a young boy would have Done when
he had not had enough conversation,
rather than as a young woman wish
ing still further to try her charms on
man whom she knows to be her
admirer.
julius was reluctant "Don't you
think I'd better" he said. Il mean
wouldn't it be the conventional thing
TO do? If you had let the nanny
stay in then we might have prolonged
the party-but you are all alone"
Ruth shot back a glance of indig-
nation but more of disappointment.
She told him she did not think the
speech was worthy of him and julius
admitted that he had been rather
clumsy.
Amy Nair says that no really
emancipated people give those foolish
conventions thought and she says
that it is people who invent them and
who see evil in smoking and unusual
but beautiful costumes who are really
the immoral people. And she says that
ii Is our duty-really our duty-to
show people that morality and decen-
cy don't depend on a few stupid and
Anticipated conventions. Amy Nair is
as virtuous as my own mother and yet
she does things every day that would
make people like you condemn her"
julius tried to make some stand for
himself and mumbed something about
the impossbility for a girl so pretty
as Ruth was to live with the freedom
of Il young bachelor and then Ruth
went off again on a spirited defense
Of Amy Nair and her own position.
"That'S Just it, Women have to take
their place In the world and work as
hard as men. It's just a worn-out
prejudice that makes you think that
there are certain things woman may
do and certain things q man may do.
Why, Amy Nair says that if she had a
son and he had n taste for dressmak-
ing she'd make him a great dress
maker, just to show people that the
old ideas about special vocatiOns for
men and women are all poppyCock ana
nonsense. / don't see why a man
shouldn't do anything that a woman
does and surely l don't see why l
shouldn't have as many privileges as
you"
The conversation drifted back to less
heated topics and an hour later when
julius finally left he was in Il state
Of mental confusion. One thing he
was sure of, however. and that was
that he was completely in love with
Ruth and that in spite of the fact that
she hadn't yet begun TO firt with him.
Then julius asked Ruth to supper
in his rooms. In the interval they
hadn't mentioned the subject of their
heated discussion. And at half past
seven Ruth found herself seated be-
fore julius cheerful open fireplace
in his bachelor apartment-Ju'ius
himself in a daintily lowered dressing
gown at the other side Of the fender.
From the book pocket at the side OF
his clair ne pulled out a ball of yarn
and a half finished soldiers muffer
and without comment began 20 knit
not at all easily but still in measure
effectively. Ruth's eyes opened wide.
"Well Of all things" she exclaimed;
then as she met julius eyes she
paused and changed the subject.
Presently julius excused himself to
get supper. He had left his man off
he said, so he could give Ruth sam
pie of his cooking and after supper
he donned an apron and cleared away
the dishes and remained long enough
in the kitchen to tell Ruth that he had
been washing the dishes. He dotted on
that sort of thing, he told her.
AT ten Ruth rose to go. 1--WE been
awfully glad to have you here" he
told her, making no move to go and
don his coat and hat to see her home.
ITS so seldom one finds a girl that
will come and spend an evening with
man like this. hope you'll come
Often" Ruth paused 49, said goodby
and started out. A second later she
returned. She asked julius to call n
taxi. She said she didn't like to go
through the streets alone at that time.
amy Nair says 1t Is rather danger
Gus for girl alone" But there were
two tears In her eyes as she returned
and julius, with coat and hat on ready
to follow her, was quick to see them.
He put protecting arm around her
shoulder as they started out together.
II know you're just been teasing me
I know you don't usually knit or
wear a lowered dressing gown" she
enil "a nd L lIlta,L In iLn InnnL ..-....L