The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1919-02-13

false it is, or how true; no IA can
know-but there is a tradition that
every woman expects every man she
meets to offer her an insult-that's
the technical term-as soon as they
are alone.
"That feeling is what women are
going to run into every time they try
to force their way into business. 1t
will die out, I suppose, to a certain ex-
tent, as you crowd into our field. It
will be one of the last privileges
you'll lose. You're already permitted
to stand up in street cars and go out
after dark alone. BY and by you will
have to make your advances to the
men yourselves in the frankest man.
ner, instead of subtly as now"
Daphne broke in coldly, "That will
be a very welcome day to most Of US"
Somehow it did not sound convinc-
ing to her. There was grave convic-
ton, however, in his response:
ut will be a mighty welcome day
to us poor men. Miss Kip. For most
men haven't the faintest desire to
spoon with women. It's hard enough
for some of them to keep their own
sweethearts and wives sufficiently ca
ressed. Then there's another thing
if I'm not boring you'll haven't made
rs long a speech since I was q school
boy and recited 'Spartacus to the
Gladiators.'"
"Go on, please" said Daphne. ga
woman doesn't often get the chance
Of hearing a man tell the truth about
these things"
Her areas chilled him a little, but
he went on:
II jU:t want to say this-it's an old
mans advice to a young woman go
ing into business: when a man asks
for a job he brings references, and
they are investigated; or he answers
a lot of questions, and he is given Il
trial. Or when two men meet in a
club or elsewhere they shake hands.
That handshake itself is a kind Of in
vcstigation Of character. They learn
each others politics and religion and
prejudices rs soon as they can
$50 when a man meets a woman
he is apt to be thrown with a good
deal he is apt to say, What sort is
she?' But the thing that annoys q
man most about having to do business
with a wOman is the fear that he will
either compromise her or disappoint
her. That's the first problem to get
out of the way; and there's nothing
easier for a woman to do than to con.
1-inon q man fhof che 7nosnSt wont him
to try to flirt with her-if she doesn't"
Daphne cried, "In heavens name
tell me how it's DONE"
1.-THE way to convince him is to be
convinced yourself. If you're sincere
he'll know it."
"But I was sincere with you, and
you didn't know it,"
II didn't knOw-it at first, but I soon
did think-and now that's what I'm
driving at all this long while. If you're
going into business competition with
men, play fair. Every now and then
one of them, as o 0 as he finds him
self alone with you, will be polite
enough to insult you. But the average
man will let you alone if you'll lei
him alone. Suppose he does make q
mistaken advance, if you could be
sensible enough not to get mad, not tc
feel besmirched, but just take it as
a matter Of course and say frankly
NO, thanks, I'm not interested. I un'
derstand you perfectly, but you needn't
bother,' or something like that, and
say it honestly, the rest would be plain
sailing.
"And now, if you'll forgive. me fol
talking your arm off and if you'll prove
it by letting me help you, I'll promise
never to kiss you or try to till-til
you ask me to-,
Daphne laughed refreshedly at his
impudence, and he laughed, as well as
he might. And they shook hands with
comradeship.
"And may I arrange for you to meet
Reben?"
II hate to ask you now. I've nc
right to trouble you. But I'm terribly
anxious to- get a job"
"And I'm terribly anxious to get yOC
one"
!, you're awfully kind" she said, ant
led him to the telephone.
She felt that it would be indicate
to listen, and went back into the liv
ing room of the apartment. There
Duane joined her in q few moments
with the terrifying news that RebeI