Marion Marlowe's Courage: A Brave Girl's Struggle for Life and Honor — page 32: what you’re looking at

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30 vanity carry her to such an extent is of the severest censure; your case we are mistaken. Send him back the ring by allmeans! It was given you as the em- blem of your devotion. If you do not love him, you have no right to wear it. Do not lower the standard of your sex by such a foolish action. deserving but we trust that in “Tam a young lady of fourteen, and a young man I know is very fond of me. My mother tells me that Iam too young to think of such things, and insists that I shall go.to school for two years longer. Now, as she was married at fourteen, I do not think she ought to stop me from marry- ing for I feel very sure that I should be perfect- ly happy with Charley. Please tell me what you would advise. LIzziz C,”? In the first place, Lizzie, we would suggest that you speak of yourself as a young girl, not as a‘‘young lady.’’ No girl can be a ‘lady’? who ignores her mother’s sensible advice. You cer- tainly should go to school for several years long- er. You are entirely too young to think of mar- rying, Your mother was probably a far wiser girl at yourage than you are. Try to develop your character and learn as much as you can. When you are twenty years of age you will make a far better choice of a husband than you can possibly do now. 5 — ‘‘Tam spending the fall months in the Penn- sylvania mountains. There are a lot of young men at the hotel here, and we have straw rides two or three times a week. Now, we girls always try to havea jolly time, and we do let the boys kiss and hug us when we are off ona ride. Last night a lady stopping at the same house as my- self saw us and she read mea terrible lecture on what she called ‘my loose conduct.’ Do you think there is any real harm in a little innocent fun like that? She threatened to write to my parents and have me sent home. Jusste C. M.”? It is true that young girls have been kissed and hugged since the wotld began, and it is doubtful if this form of amusement does the amount of harm that is popularly supposed, especially when the intent is innocent. Thestolen kiss is far more dangerous to morality than that bestowed openly in the presence of one’s companions. No doubt the lady you speak of meant her lecture for your good, but we trust that her language was not merited. You should learn to be judicious and avoid the appearance of evil. One thing is cer- tain—the young lady who holds herself aloof from undue familiarity, and maintains a reason- able amount of maidenly reserve, stands a better chance of winning the permanent affections of some good man than does the one who is too free with her favors. “One of the nicest fellows in the world has been paying attention to me for overa year. He has never said outright that he loves me, but I know he does from the way he acts, A short time ago I met another fellow that I liked pretty well, and went out with him once or twice. Now the first one has threatened to shoot himself if I go MY QUEEN. Out with the other any more. to do anything rash, and sional evening out with my new acquaintance : : ance. How can I adjust my conduct so as faa my old beau for whom I really care a great deal?” ‘ADELINE. ”? We do not think your old friend will do what he threatens, as this line of conduct is confined solely to madmen and imbeciles. If he belongs to either of these classes the sooner you are rid of him the better. It is too much of a responsibility for you to be forever trying to prevent a man from blowing his brains out. Until he declares his love and asks your handin marriage there is no occasion for your being over careful of his feelings. I don’t want him yet I do enjoy an ocea- —_—_ “Tam greatly interested in your ecorrespond- ence department, and although I am an old maid of thirty-five I write to ask you a serious ques- tion: Isan ‘old maid’ really such an object of ridicule as we are led to believe? I have heen self- supporting for twenty years, and able to help many married women and children whose hus- bands and fathers could not support them. Is there not something else in the world just as praiseworthy as matrimony? Miss. C.”” We are delighted to get this honest letter! — There is no woman more noble than a self-sup- porting, humanity-helping “old maid,” and yet we must take exception to this term in your case. You are at the prime of life—the age when the average woman is most able and loveable. If it were not for the numbers of helpful women like yourself we shudder to think of what would be- come of some of the married women and chil-. dren. We have seen whole families lean for men- tal, mofal and financial support upon some “old maid aunt’’ or sister. The woman who has “‘hoed her own row”? deserves the sympathy, admiration and respect of the entire universe. When she does marry she will be to her husband a “pearl: beyond price,’’ a helpmeet and companion whose value is inestimable. ‘‘Tam very much distressed over what you may deem a trifling matter; nevertheless, I am com- ing to you for advice, my dear Miss ShirJey. “Tam engaged to be married to a very nice ap- pearing young man, but on several occasions I have seen him kick dogs and cats. and as Tama great lover of animals, it has troubled me greatl*. Iam almost afraid to trust my happiness in his hands. Do you think I am foolish or a ‘crank’ for feeling as I do? ISABREL.”’ ‘“‘A merciful man is merciful to his beast.’’ No, we do not think you are foolish or a ‘‘crank,”’ On the contrary, we are sure you are a very wise little woman, The person who abuses an animal is more of a brute than the animal abused. We have no words in which to express our disgust of the monster. Mf you can not bring this young man to your way of thinking you would do well not to marry him, Gomichbooks.com ow rite < ea > — .