The Monticellonian., 1919-03-21


 be very welcome day to most of us.
 Somehow it did not sound eonvinc ing to her. There was grave conyic- tion, however, in his response:
 Tt 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-I haven't made as long a speech since l was school boy and recited 'Spartacus to the GladiatorS' 5"
 Go on, please" said Daphne. "A woman doesn't often get the chance of hearing a man tell the truth about these things"
 Her sarcasm chilled him little. but he went on:
 .I just want to say thfs-it's an old mans advice to young woman go- ing into business; when q man asks for a job he brings references. and they are investigated or he answers a lot of questions. and he is given trial. Or when two men meet in club or elsewhere they shake hands. That handshake itself Is kind of in- yestigation of character. They learn each others politics and religion and prejudiees as soon as they can.
 "So when man meets woman he is apt to be thrown with q good deal he is apt to say, What sort is she? But the thing that annoyS 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 vince a man that she doesn't want him to try to fllrt with her-if she doesn't"
 Daphne cried. Tn heavens name, tell me how it's done"
 "The way to convince him is to be convinced yourself If you're sincere he'll know it"
 But l was sincere with you. and you didn't know it.'
 T didn't know 1t at first, but soon did-1 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 soon 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 let him alone. Suppose he does make mistaken advance, If you could be sensible enough not to get mad. not to feel besmrched. but just take 1t as a matter of course and say frankly: No, thanks, Pm not interested. l 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 for 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-till you ask me to"
 Daphne laughed refreshedly at his impudence. and he laughed, as well as he might And they shook hands with cOmrudeship.
  Reben?'
 T hate to ask you DOW I've no tight to trouble you. But I'm terribly anxious to get job"
 And I'm terribly anxious to get you one" You're awfully kind" she said. and led him to the telephone
 ha Fol b1 tx to listen. and went back into the liv- ing room of the apartment. There Duane joined her in few moments with the terrifying news that Reben hasl said that he might have a chance to place her at once if she could come to his office without delay.
 Opportunity bouncing out at her like she faced it pluckily She put on her hat with trembling hands and vert down in the elevator with Duane
 They went up in an elevator at one side of ti.e lobby of the theater and stepped out at Reben's office door. A number of somber and Respondent persons of theatrical complexion
  LaZaruSeS of art.
 Duane spoke to q respectful office boy. who disappeared through door and returned to beckon him in. With heart bounding high and bubbling 1t her throat Daphne entered the theat- rical world by one of its most gilded portals.
 The great Reben sat bulkily behind an ornate table-desk and dismissed still more ornate stenographer with nod as he rose to greet Duane.
 Duane did the honors "Mr. Reben, I want to present you to Miss Kip, Miss Daphne Kip
 Reben greeted her with suavity and his eyes were even more enthusiastic than his words. Daphne vas at her superlative degree and anxiety gave her a wissfulness that was appealing