She is not the arrogant, nor the supercilious one. She does not need to remind you of that consideration which is due to her womanhood. She is gowned in quiet dignity, and finds this a robe in which no fault-finder can discover a flaw, and which incloses her like a protective armor against rudeness or impertinence. She is not an uncomfortable woman-she does not put down with a look the gay laugh nor the innocent fun of those who are younger, but as the years have rolled on she has grown sweetly dignified, because it is the natural state of a woman of gentle manners. She is a power greater than one positively aggressive-she can influence where much talking and many threats would not prevail. She can make the thoughtless girl think, and the under-bred, rude boy feel that his slang and rough manners are not, after all, as funny as he supposes them to be. Her dignity diffuses itself like the perfume of a rose-you delight in it as much as you respect it. It is a safeguard against all unpleasantness, and no one is foolhardy enough to attempt to break down a barrier which has its foundation so well placed. It is gen-tle dignity. It is the perfect virtue that results from the mingling of gentleness and self-respect, with an atom of consideration thrown in to make the different parts mingle perfectly and make a delightful type of womanhood.

OUR NATIONAL EMBLEM
BY EDNA DEAN PROCTOR

What plant of our splendid flora shall we choose for a National emblem? 

It should be one which is purely American, which is widespread, distinct in character and rich in association. The plant which fulfills these conditions in the highest degree, and from its importance transcends them all, is our stately grain, the maize-the corn. It is indigenous to America, and peculiar to it-never a kernel elsewhere in the world until carried from here. It grows, in many varieties, from Northern Canada to Southern Chili . With its commanding height, its graceful, curving leaves, its crown of flowers, its silken tassels and pliant husks-Nature's choicest wrappings for her stateliest grain-and, above all, for its golden ears, true cornucopias, symbols of abundance and joy, it is distinguished for beauty and dignity and individuality. It is associated with all life on this continent. It was the food, with game, of the primitive peoples here-of the wandering tribes, the Aztecs, the Incas-and the object of their prayers and thanksgivings in songs and dances and rituals, as it is of their descendants today. Among ourselves it is our most important grain product, nearly equaling in value that of all the other cereals to-gether. Then it lends itself with such effect to decorating. Its leaves, its flowers, its tassels, its ears, with their varied tints and forms, make it unrivaled for artistic use. And always it is so unique, so purely American! The eagle flies for other lands; the maize is native only of our own. Let the States choose each what flower they will; but for a National emblem let us have the only plant that is American enough to fitly symbolize us-the maize, the corn.

The arbutus and the golden-rod,
The heart of the North may cheer,
And the mountain laurel for Maryland
Its royal clusters rear;
And jasmine and magnolia
The crest of the South adorn,
But the wide Republic's emblem
Is the bounteous, golden Corn!

ELDERLY LADIES' COSTUMES

Nowadays women over fifty can wear many colors and materials, as well as styles, that were formerly thought too young for their years, which gives them much greater latitude in the way of dress. A silver-haired old lady may look charming in deep red, seal and reddish brown, navy blue, purple, dark green, medium and dark gray, cream and black, and there is no reason given either by Madame Fashion or Mrs. Grundy against her wearing any of the above colors. Velvet is always appropriate for a stately matron and for lively "maiden aunts" as well. Small brocades, corded silks, quiet, changeable effects, black bengaline, surah, plain and printed Japanese silks are all in good taste. In cotton goods the small figured muslins, lawns, sateens, narrow striped ginghams and white goods like dimity, and striped or cross barred, are dear to the heart of elderly dames. A little trimming goes a long way, but black lace may always be used with a lavish hand; jet is handsome, black satin ribbon and guipure may also be used for their garniture. Lace plastrons, jabots and fichus around the neck and face, or in ruffles dropping over the withered hands, impart a softening effect to age. For this reason the French milliners use on old ladies' bonnets lace barbes or strings that are loosely caught in front with a pin, ribbon or flower and conceal the wrinkled throat. Elderly women wear straw, lace velvet bonnets that are quite small, with any of the prevailing trimmings in a subdued degree. Black Brussels net veils and kid gloves in tan, gray, black or brown form part of the toilette.

SIDE-TALKS WITH GIRLS
BY RUTH ASHMORE

A girl of seventeen wears her dresses just below her ankles.
It is considered in better taste to say "drink" rather than "eat" soup.
I should advise you not to give your picture to any man except the one you expect to marry.
I would not advise your going with a young man to skate in the evening, unless you were to join a party.
Washing the neck frequently with warm water and soap and rubbing in cold cream will tend to whiten and make it plumper.
There would be no impropriety in your asking the young man, whom you had met so often when visiting your aunt, to call upon you when he is in your city.
Personally, as long as dancing is confined to the home circle, I do not object to it, but I do not advocate promiscuous dancing, or public halls.
There is only one cure for self-consciousness, and that is an absolute forgetting of one's self and constant thought of the comfort and happiness of others. Self-consciousness is merely a form of selfishness, and deserves no consideration whatever.
If you desire to undertake nursing as a profession you must expect to nurse both men and women. Of course, after you have gone through the training school you can refuse to nurse any but women, but this objection, to my way of thinking, is a very foolish one, for if you long to care for the sick it should be irrespective of sex.
For a dark-haired girl a pretty masquerade costume is that representing snow; the dress should be of white cashmere, trimmed with swansdown, and having pendant crystals to imitate the icicles; the gloves should be trimmed with swansdown, diamond dust thickly sprinkled over the hair, and a pointed hood made of white fur should be worn for a while and then swung on the arm by its ribbons. A large bunch of snowdrops should be in a small fur pouch hanging at one side.