The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1903-09-11
Love Assistance.

"My dear, men are good as fctchcr
and carriers-I thoroughly indorse tn,
opinion of lady novelist on the subjcc
but don't believe in tying myself uI
to Il man for life"
That may be all very well for you
| Jennie, but then it isn't every young wo
man who can be SO self reliant and sc
able to make her own way" added Heller
Carron meditatively. It's nice to think
that you've got strong man to protect
you. and whom you can help"
well, don't feel the need of pro-
tector," asserted Jennie Nelson quietly
"And if have any ability to help, I'll
help myself and take the credit
I'm half inclined to believe that you
are putting it on" said Helen, jcstingly.
Anyhow. won't utter those opinions
too loudly i'll case you alter your mind
later on. | have noticed that Mr. Covne
has been attentive"
ITO you" interrupted Jennie again.
well, he might do Il great deal WORSE
And that was all that could he heard
by the young man seated i'll shady nook
OF the garden.
He had been lazily reading when voices
fell upon his ear, he had listened with
some amusement and curiosity to the first
words of the two girls-which VIC have
not set down here; but when they began
to talk of matters matrimonial, his face
became grave and he also dreaded that
they might elect to wander his way and
discover that he had been listening. Then
he heard his own name and his checks
flushed little.
81 wish they had said a little more, ="
he muttercd, after long pause. ITS
like beginning book and finding that
the last pages are gone. l might have
discovered whether had any chance or
not"
The problem seemed to be a very hard
one to solve, for Mr.. Harold Coyne re-
manned i'll his brown study for a consider
able time. At length he left the nook with
an air of resolution about his handsome
features.
II suppose we mortais are strange
creatures. l wouldn't mind facing a
dozen savages and fighting for liberty,
but don't like the idea of popping the
question to a woman, and-and not be-
ing sure of the reply"
A fortnight passed and the months
holiday in the delightful country house
was nearly at an end; two days more
and they would all be whirling away to
their respective homes and occupations,
these young people, so full of life, youth
and vigor. If MIR. Coyne had any in
tention of making his attempt on the
affections of either of the girls whose con-
vcrsation he had overheard, he had not
shown any special sign of his intention.
He had been attentive to the two girls,
who were almost inseparable; they were
often accompanied by another cavalier,
and, had he SO desired, he could have had
many quiet talk with either, but he
had not awaited himself of the opportun-
ity. The hostess, who had hoped that
he might have chosen Helen Carron, was
tritle disappointed at the thought that
the month had slipped away without her
desire having been realized.
There goes Jennie Nelson." she said
half audibly, as she looked through the
window and saw the girl walk toward a
bower in an out. of-the-way corner. 81
thought they were all out for an excur-
sion. confess" she added with a sigh
as she turned from the window, that
don t understand that kind of woman.
am old-fashioned suppose, but wonder
whether she has soul above figures and
signs? She will develop into a professor
or professoress-of mathematics,
whereas it is woman's part in life to
be the helpmate of man and the mother
of a family"
She left the window with the idea that
Jennie had sought that retreat and had
taken advantage of the absence of the
rest in order to study some new problem;
but she would have been surprised had
she waited a minute or SO longer and had
seen Coyne strolling in the same direction.
Jennie was leaning back with her eyes
closed; she had suffered from a slight
headache and felt disinclined for the walk
proposed by Helen and eagerly welcomed
by the others. twas not that the head
ache was severe enough to prevent enjoy
ment; she did not feel quite right land was
just wee bit irritable. without being
able to explain why.
DO intrude, Miss Nelson? Oh, pray,
do not disturb yourself" (As she sprang
to her fect.) eyes, please sit down again
Just as you were. That's right.
want to ask yoGr assistance, Miss Mel
son. Pm afraid I've told them an awful
fib said | should have to GO forgot
where, but it was in the directioncxactly
opposite to where they thought of going
But it s serious matter Ihave in hand"
lie drew a stool from Il corner and
seated himself close to her. He looked
serious enough, but she had a suspicion
that he was laughing at her. A peculiar
pain shot through her, and she asked
herself why.
Miss Nelson, I'm a nervous man where
ladies are concerned. I'll speak plainly
to you, because you are-that is, you
have always been SO superior to the
weaknesses of-of-Pm afraid I'm getting
on badly, you know! Tmin Move. There,
it is out Don't laugh, please; l know
you are superior to that sort of thing
love, mean. So that's why I've come
to you for help"
Again that pain. Jennie felt that she