The daily Alaskan., 1907-06-10
She Couldn't Help It.
LOrlginaLl

a rectOry. The new rector, young bif- ting. will live there with an older aIs- ter"
 "WeuT'
 Hands offr'
 The expression was perfectly intelh- ble to Jeannette Rowland. She knew that her uncle forbade her taking up tbe rector's attention and getting him Into a state of mind wherein,he must either become an accepted sultor or resign bis charge. This she had done with the last incumbent, and her uncle, who ran the church and was obliged to find rectors for it, did not propose to continue hunting them up for her to render unavailable.
 You needn't fear. uncle. I under stand MT Billing Is a celibate.'
 The better game for you"
 "RldiculousT
 "Very well. warn you that ll you play your pranzs on him and get him ln love with you you shall marry him. That's all"
 This was serious. Jeannette hadn't cent In the world, was an orphan and heir eIpectaut to her uucles for tune. She had seen the young clergy man and had already made up her mind to discover whether her powers of fascination or hls resolve was the stronger She left her uncle sorely troubled. She must either give up her Intention or 8 fortune or, In case of success. marry Mir. Biting She knew her passion for what Is commonly call ed flirting and was not sure of herself.
 For a tune she conducted herself with great clrcumspection, but the devil who could never be the devil he Is unless he knew women well, pro ceeded to whisper In the ear ot Kate Willard. whom Jeaunette could not bear to see step ln ahead of her. that MT. Biting would make a desirable conquest. Miss Willard at once began to practice those little arts upon the rector which. though unlutelIigibla 10 most people. were perfectly apparent to Miss Rowland. That settled l. Even prospective fortune could not tempt her to forego the dOubly eIhlls- rating pleasure of defeating her rival and defeating her enemy.
 But NIT. Biting proved a harder nut to crack than most of Jeannette's con quests. or he at least appeared so. Jeannette did not work slippers or make bOokmarks or vestments for him; she chose another course. She let him severely alone She did ths at first deCelvlng herself that she was carry ing out her uuCle's wishes. Man, who as well as woman Is a bit Inconsistent wishes to be let alone by women who win not let hIm alone. MT. Biting for awhile failed to notice that be was himself unnOticed. but when he did he wondered, especially since Jeanuette vas the only giri In the parish who treated hIm with indifference. He ask ed Miss Rowland it hls coming to the church was In opposition to her wishes.
 Not at alI." she said. "Our lines lie In different directions. You are deTOt- ed to your church duties and to study; am fond of sports. play tennis golf and ride on horseback. What can we have ln Common?"
 Now. the minN knew perfectly we'll that Arthur Biting while at college was an athlete. even to cOntcuding on the gridlrou. She was not surprised then when he offered to play with her lt either Of these innocent games she uad mentioned or 10 ride on horseback Ieannette expressed a preference for the latter sport and received an invita- don to ride with the rector the next morning before breakfast.
 It was a couple of months after this that Miss Rowland received an invI- ratlon Of another kind-to join her uncle in the library. She knew well enough what It meant, and It she had any doubt it was dlssipated the mo neut she saw her uncles frown.
 "Jeaunette." he said, do you remem- Der the warning I gave you when Mir. Biting came?"
 Yes. uncle"
 You have not needed it"
 "I paid no attention to him. he sought me"
 'If you had treated hun In the usual manner. be might not have sought you"
 Then you would have blamed me for not keeping out of his way"
 "It Is useless for you to try to de celve me. Jeauuette, was witness yesterday of what occurred when you and he were out jumping your horses over logs and dItches."
 How could l help it?" said Jean nette. blush spreading over her face.
 "I saw more than you suspect ! was out myself and was near when you dashed ahead of him to take the ditch, You distanced him. He could not see you when your horse jumped the ditch for the brush on the other side. Be sides, that side was on lower ground. I saw you dlsmouut fall on the turf and lie there 1elguing unconscious ness"
 Jeannette turned away and covered her face with her hands.
 When Biting came up. this is what be saw-your horse uibbling the grass,