The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1907-05-08
She Couldn't Help It
IoriginaL.l

'The red cottage has been rented for
a rectory. The new rector, young Bit.
ting. viii live there with an older sIs.
ter"
"wenY
Hands orr
The expression was perfectly intelli.
Bile to Jeanette Rowland. She knew
that her uncle forbade her taking up
the rector's attention and getting him
into 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
Hnd rectors for it did not propose to
continue hunting them up for her to
render unavailable.
"You needn't fear. uncle. under.
stand Mr.. Billing Is q cellbate."
''The better game for you"
"Ridlculousr'
every we'll. 1 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'e
cent in the world, was an orphan
and heir expectant to her uncle'a for.
tune. She had seen the young clergy
man and had already made up her
mind to discover whether her powers
Of fascination or his resolve was the
stronger. She left her uncle Borely
troubled. She must either give up her
intention or a fortune or, IN case oe
success, marry Mr.. Biting. She knew
her passion fos wat is commonly CALI
ed flirting and was not sure OF herself.
For 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 4 desirable
conquest. Miss Willard at once beRan
to practice those little arts upon the
rector which, though unintelligibis to
most people, were perfectly appareHt
to Miss Rowland. That settled it.
Even a prospective fortune could not
tempt her to forego the doubly exhilp-
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 ne at least appeared 90.
Jeannette did not work slippers or
moGa hOOLyno rLa ~ xyaakv,.ant. Co. Afr.s
she chose another course. She let him
severely alone. She did this, at 6rsO
.deceiving herself that she was carry
ing out her uncle's wishes. Man, who
as well 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 Jeannett0
was the only girl In the parish who
treated him with Indifference. he ask
ed Miss Rowland II his coming to tho
church was In opposition to her wishes.
mot ut ALL" she said. "0ur lines lie
In different directions. You are devot-
ed to your church duties and to study;
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 contendlng on
the gridlron. She was not surprised
then when he offered to play with her
at either Of these innocent games abe
had mentioned or to ride on horseback.
Jeanette expressed a preference for
the latter sport and received an invita-
tion to ride with the rector the next
morning before breakfast.
1t was q couple of months after this
that Miss Rowland received an invi-
tatlon Of another klnd-to Join her
uncle in the library. She knew well
enough what 1t meant, and II she ha0
any doubt 1T was disslpated the mo-
ment she saw her uncle's frown.
"Jeannette," be said, "do you rememI
Der the warning gave you when Mr..
Biting cameT a
"Yes, uncle"
"You have not needed Il" =
81 paid no attention TO him; be
sought me-"
+If you had treated him in the usual
manner, he might not have sought
you"
"Then you would have blamed me
Cor not keeping out Of his way"
at Is useless for you to try to de-
ceive me. Jeanette, was a witness
yesterday of what occurred when you
and he were out Jumping your horses
over logs and bitches"
How could ! help itf said Jeans
nette, blush spreading over her face.
II saw more than you suspect. was
out myself and was near when you
dashed ahead OF him to take the ditch.
You dlstanced him. He could not see
Fou when your horse jumped the ditch
for tie brush on the other side. Be
sides, that side was on lower ground.
l saw you dIsmount, fall on the turf
and lie there feigning unconscious.
ness"
Jeanette turned away and covered
her face with her hands.
when Biting came up. this is what
he saw-your horse nibblIng the grass,
you lying as IL dead on the grass. He
took you in his arms. cried out in
agony and covered your face with
kisses. Do you call that not being
able to help itT'
Jeanette stood mute, with her back
still turned, her face buried III her
handa
"Jeannette," continued her uncle,
you must marry the rector. II not,
Fou know the alternative"
She turned with a flaming facs.
Never mind the alternative. aeeopt.
ID him on the way home"
IRENE MILLG.