The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1909-01-23

1t was most annoying 10 miss the
railroad connection, and Jean won
dered how she could pass the long af-
ternoon in the little junction city,
where she must wait for the evening
train.
eff only papa weren't so unreason-
ably particular about my men friends
could phone Jim Turner" she
aid to herself. Hes the only per-
son know here, and even if papa
doesn't like him, he's jolly fellow.
I'm seventeen, and it seems to me
that's old enough TO choose my own
friends. Papa sends me away to
school to make me self reliant, so he
ought to expect me to decide things
for myself"
She took down the station telephone
directory, and in a minute more was
talking to Jim.
"What luck" he said, "your be-
ing in town this particular afternoon,
when I'm free to take you sailing p
"But l never go out in sailboats.
Papa thinks them dangerous"
"Well, we'll discuss that when /
see you-in about five minutes" !"
After rather more ELUSIVE greetings
than Jean expected or desired, Jim
resumed. as soon as he arrived, the
conversation about the sailboat, and
urged her to let him sail her across
the lake.
"No, l simply can't. Papa has
never allowed me to go sailing unless
he is with me" said Jean, firmly.
well, at any rate, come down to
the shore and see what a trim little
craft l have. Isuppose your honored
parent wouldn't object to your look
ing at my boat?"
"Of course not," answered Jean,
pleasantly, although she did not quite
like Jim's manner of speaking of her
father.
Jump in" said Jim, when they
reached the landing where the boat
was moored. "You can't see what
beauty she is unless you get in.
As lean sank into the cushions of
thestern Jim looked at her and laughed
triumphantly.
"Now, aren't you glad were going
for sail, after all?"
'But we're not.''
"Oh, yes, we are. Don't you see
we're loosed from the pier ?"
"Please don't let the boat go any
farther. l really mustn't sail.'
"And it's such fine breeze we'll
be across the lake in no time" said
Jim, laughingly ignoring her protest
as the sail filled with wind and they
began scudding rapidly across the
water. "You know you really want
to go, and what your father has said
about sailing ought not to bother you,
because / understand he has also said
things about me and you didn't let
that fact interfere with your letting
me have the pleasure of your society
this afternoon"
Jean stared at him in angry amaze
ment. How could any one be so un-
gentlemanly? Her father had said
Jim could not be trusted, and he GER
tainlv could not. But, she asked her.
self, had she not proved herself equal
ly untrustworthy? A flush ofshame
rushed into her face as she spoke:
"I'm not surprised that you think
I'm in the habit of disobeying papa,
but 1 am not, and 1 am very sorry
that l did not respect his wishes to-
day. If I had, I should not have
been sailing across this water against
my will. If you are the least bit
kind or manly you'll take me in"
"Oh, we'll, if you're going to be
sore and not make lark of it, may
as we'll steer toward shore.
Silently the boat was turned, and
in silence Jim helped Jean out when
they were once more at the pier, and
there was no conversation until Jim
bade her goodbye at the station.
Then he said, almost shyly:
II suppose I was a brute. hope
you'll try to forgive me. !"
Eyes, I forgive you. It's harder to
forgive myself. y YOUTHS CombGn-
ion.