The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1907-05-16
She Couldn't Help It.

fOriginall
"Jeannette, have something to say
to you-something important"
"Say on, uncle
"The red cottage has bee" rented for
a rectory. The new rector. young Bit
ting, will live there with an older SIS
ter"
"WeHy'
glands OFF,
The expression was perfectly fntelli-
BILE to Jeanette Rowland. She knew
that her uncle forbade her taking up
the rector's attention and getting him
into a state Of mind wherein he must
either become an accepted suitor or
resign his 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 Mr.. Billing is celibate."
1.-The better game for you"
"Ridiculous!'
every we'll. I warn you that II you
play your pranks on him and get him
in love with you you shall marry him.
That's ALL"
This was serious. Jeanette hadn't
a cent in the world, was an orphan
and heir expectant to uncle's for
tune. She had seen the young clergy
man and had already I2ade up her
mind to discover whether her powers
Of fascination or his resolve was the
stronger. She left her uncle sorely
troubled. She must either give up her
intention or a fortune or, in case Of
success, marry Mr.. Biting She knew
her passion for what is commonly call
ed flirting and was not sure Of herself.
For a time she conducted herself
with great circumspection, but the
devil, who could never be the devil he
Is unless he knew women well, pro-
ceeded to whisper in the ear Of Kate
Willard, whom Jeanette could not
bear to see step in ahead Of her, that
Mr.. Biting would make desirable
conquest. Miss Willard at once began
to practice those little arts upon the
rector which, though unintelligible to
most people, were perfectly apparent
to Miss Rowland. That settled it.
Even a prospective fortune could not
tempt her to forego the doubly exhila-
rating pleasure of defeating her rival
and defeating her enemy.
But Mr. Biting proved harder nut
to crack than most Of Jeannette's con-
quests, or he at least appeared so.
Jeanette did not work slippers or
make bookmarks or vestments for him;
she chose another course. She let him
severely alone. She did this, at first
deceiving herself that she was carry
ing out her uncle's wishes. Man, who
as we'll as woman Is bit inconsistent,
wishes to be let alone by women who
will not let him alone. Mr.. Biting for
awhile failed to notice that he was
himself unnoticed, but when he did he
wondered, especially since Jeanette
was the only girl In the parish who
treated him with indifference. He ask
ed Miss Rowland If his coming to the
church was in opposition to her wishes.
"Not at ALL" she said. "Our li9es lie
in different directions. You are Idevot-
ed to your church duties and to study;
I am fond Of sports. I play tennis.
golf and ride on horseback. What can
we have in common"
Now, the mink knew perfectly well
that Arthur Biting while at college
was an athlete, even to contending on
the gridiron She was not surprised
then when he offered to play with her
at either Of these innocent games she
had mentioned or to ride on horseback.
Jeanette expressed preference for
the latter sport and received an invita-
ton to ride with the rector the next.
before breakfast.
It was a couple of months after this
that Miss Howland received an invi-
tation Of another kind-to join her
uncle in the library. She knew wen
enough what it meant, and If she had
any doubt it was dissfpated the mo-
ment she saw her uncle's frown.
"Jeannette," he said, do you remem-
her the warning gave you when Mr..
: :tting came"
Yes. uncle"
You have not needed it."
Il paid no attention to him; he
sought me-"
IF you had treated him in the usual
manner, he might not have sought
you"
"Then you would have blamed me
for not keeping out Of his way"
1T is useless for you to try to de-
ceive me. Jeanette, I was witness
yesterday Of what occurred when you
and he were out jumping your horses
over logs and ditches."
"How could I help it," said jean
nette, a blush spreading over her face.
II saw more than you suspect was
out myself and was near when you
ohon1 oPh him ~ fobo tho Sff0h