The Van Buren press., 1898-10-22

"THE CATCH OF THE (
oLAoolN. An Episode
OF Vacation Time.
BY FREDERICK SEEdER.
HuANDsoME girl that" said Jack
by FREDERICK SEEdER.

1T ANDSOME girl that" said Jack
! Ruthyen, in his careless way,
indicating with a nod tall young
woman alighting from the hotel bus,
one summer day, number of years
ago.
Handsome? Why, Jack, she's 30, or
80, if she's day" said his cousin, Belle
Grey.
Does it follow" drawled Jack,
"that because a woman's 30 she cannot
be attractive? According to your esti-
mate l must be an antediluyian, for |
was 40 a month ago
30, but you know man of 40 is
young-just in his prime-while a
woman of 30 is--well, passe, to say the
least-an old maid, in fact
My dear, there is nothing of the
forlorn old maid about that girl. She
is dignifed, distingue, refined in bear
ing, and yet looks pleasant and ap-
proachable."
There is where you are mistaken,
said Belle, with a pout, for she was
Setting her cap" for Jack, as the girls
said. "She is not entertaining at all.
You just ask the boys, Ben and Arthur.
They'll tell you just how interesting
she can be. Why, she's such bore that
all the boys avoid her-never ask her
to dance, in fact. You will see at the
next hop how much attention she gets.
| She'll be the wall flower of the oeca-
sion, and sit primly by the side of her
very prim aunt all the evening. What
is funniest of ALL" added Belle, with a
merry laugh, "is that she must get per-
mission to danee-a girl of 30! o. it's
too funny!"
Miss Van Tassel had meanwhile en-
tered the hotel. Belle walked off with
a friend and Jack remained in his seat
quietly smoking.
"Bore of a place." he thought.
strange, too, | feel il SO tiresome.
| Ten years ago l found life here toler-
able enough l don't know whether
| the fault is mine or in the girls, but
/ do know that if don't get rid Of this
ennui III be off in a jiffy. Think I'll
| Guilty. lite lut utN dI ~ dls anu II SiAe
| fails to amuse, take myself to pas
| lures new. She may be uninteresting
as Cousin Belle says, but l doubt it
not with that intelligent, strong face,
if am any judge of faces"
He was introduced to her that even
ing by mutual friend. The conyersa-
ton was general Miss Van Tassel
seemed to be better listener than
talker, and Jack Ruthven was in no
position to judge of her conversational
ability when the good nights were ut
tered.
"Certainly very attractive in ap-
uearance," thought he, "and doesn't
look a day over 25. l believe Belle is
fibbing. Young ladies will get jealous
of attractive girls, and tell these little
white lies occasionally, under the infu-
ence of the green-eyed monster"
The night of the weekly hop arrived
and the dancing began promptly at the
appointed hour. All the younger girls
were soon upon the floor, dancing with
the young men of the place, but Miss
all L dSStls dS tNluN Shs 1lii q II = u -
ting beside her chaperone, to the great
satisfaction of the younger girls. AL
| though they scoffed at the idea put
forth by Jack that they were jealous
of her classic beauty, they were not
slow in turning the attention of the
"catch of the season"-Jack Ruthven
to her as a wall flower.
"I beSeve I'll ask her to waltz, my
self" said Jack, in his teasing way; and
he suited the action to the word.
"Dancing" exclaimed Mamie Smith
Dancing the waltz" said Will
Blume, "his pet abomination-and with
that icicle-the passe girl"
But the twain waltzed on, neither
needing nor hearing the numerous
comments, keeping perfect time until
the last bar was played. Then they
quietly strolled out upon the veranda
to a cozy corner, where they were
found at the end of the hop by "Aunty
Chaperone," as the aunt was sar-
castically dubbed by the young people
of the place.
Come, my dear" said Mrs. Van
Tassel, sit is quite late. We must re-
| tire"
The niece quietly arose and bade
Jack Ruthven goodnight
"You seem to have gotten on well
with the bore,'" said Cousin Belle
spitefully.
Finely" replied Jack, in an ag-
gravating tone of satisfaction. 81 see
just why the boys don't get on with
her. There's nothing commonplace
about her. None of their small talk
would interest her, and flirting is out
| of her line altogether-a sealed book,
in fact. l don't believe she knows its
| alphabet. Yet, Notwithstanding, my
| dear cousin, Miss Van Tassel is an in
teresting young woman, if you start
her on the right track. expect to see
more of her. She's the most attractive
| girl here"
Girl? Young woman! She's 30, If
she's a day"
''Who told you SOP"
Her looks for one thing, and May
Dietere's sister. who was her school
mate, is 30"
"Time seems to have done little dam
age, then-if 30 is old. For my part,
find her more attractive than the in
sipids just from school, with which the
! place abounds."
Cousin Belle bit her lips with aggra-
vation, but said nothing. Mentally
however, her thoughts ran like this:
"Designing creature! She knows
Jacks the catch of the season-lay-
! ing herslef out to catch him-who