The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1908-02-05
She Couldn't Help II.
IorIRInaLl

eeJeQnnette, nave ,bOmSluHB w SseS
to you-something important"
"say on, uncle"
tsThe red cottage has been rented for
a rectory. xThe new rector, young Bit
ting, viii live there with an older sis
ter"
"wellr'
Hands offW
The expression was perfectly intellt-
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 lie must
either become an accepted sutton DIT
resign his charge. This she had done
with the last incumbent, and her uncle,
who rnn the church and was obliged TO
fnd rectors for II, did not propose to
continue hunting them up for her to
render unavailable.
"You needn't fear, uncle. under
stand Mr.. Billing is celibate."
"The better game for YOU"
"Rldlculousr
VERY WELL warn you that If you
play your pranks on him aud get him
In love with you you shall marry him.
That's ALL"
This was serious. Jeanrette hadn't
a cent in the world, was an orphan
and heir expectant to her uncle's 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 sorely
troubled. She must either give up her
intention or a fortune or. In case OF
success, marry Mr.. Biting. She knew
her passion foi what IS commonly CALI
Il nf or1F fNf hnranIf
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 desirable
conquest. Miss Willard at once began
to practice those little arts upon the
rector which, though unintelligible to
most people, were perfectly appareR
to Miss Rowland. That settled 1t.
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 80.
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
decelving herself that she was CORY
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
himEelf 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.
mot at ALL" abe said. "Our lines lie
In different directions. You are devot-
ed to your church duties and to study;
am fond of sports. play tennis,
golf and ride on horseback. What can
we have In common"
Now, the mink knew perfectly well
that Arttrr Biting while at college
was an athlete, even to contending on
the gridlron. She was not surprised
then when he offered to play with her
Mt 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
1t was couple OF months after this
that Miss Rowland received an invi-
tatIon of another kind-to join her
uncle In the library. She knew well
enough what 1t meant. and If she had
any doubt 1t was dissipated the mo-
Inent she saw her uncle's frown.
"Jeannette," he said, do You remem'
ber the warning l gave you when Mr.
Ditting camef"
Eyes, uncle"
"You have not needed It"
al paid no attention to him; he
sought me-"
eff 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"
at Is useless for you to try to de-
ceIve me. Jeanette. l was a witness
yesterday of what occurred when you
and he were out Jumping your horses
over logs and bitches"
How could l help itf said jean
nette, blush spreading over her face.
81 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 SEQ
you when your horse jumped the ditch
for tie brush on the other side. Be
sides. that side was on lower ground.
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 saviour horse nIbbllng the grass,
you lying ac II 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 it?'
Jeanette stood mute, with her back
still turned. her face buried in her
hands.
Jeanette" continued her uncle,
you must marry the rector. II not
Hou know the alternative"
She turned with a flaming face