The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1909-01-08
JEAN.

It was most annoying to 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
I could phone Jim Turner" she said
to herself. He's the only person I
know here, and ever if papa doesn't
like him, he's joll- low. I'm sew
enteen, and it seem me that's old
enough to choose n own friends.
Papa sends me away to school to
make me self-reliant, so he ought to
expect me to decide things for my
self"
She took down the station tele-
phone directory, and in a minute
more was talking to Jim.
What luck" he said, ''your being
in town this particular afternoon,
when I'm free to take you sailing!"
But I never go out in sailboats.
Papa thinks them dangerous"
well, we'll discuss that when see
you-in about five minutes"
After rather more effusive greet
ings 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.
mo, simply can't. Papa has nev-
er 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 trim little
craft have. I suppose 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 a
beauty she is unless you get in
AS Jean sank into the cushions of
the stern Jim looked at her and
laughed triumphantiy.
Now, aren't you glad we're 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. I really mustn't sail"
Aud it's such a fine breeze Wen
be across the lake in no time,' said
Jim, laugningly ignoring her protest
as the sail filed 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 bottle
you, because l understand he has also
said things about me, and you dtdn
let that fact interfere with your let
ting me have the pleasure of your So
ciety this afternoon"
Jean stared at him in angry amaze
ment. How could any one be SO un-
gentlemanIy? Her father had said
Jim could not be trusted, and he GER
tainly could not. But, she asked her
| self, had she not proved herself equal
ly untrustworthy? A flush Of shame
rushed into her face as she spoke:
Tn not surprised that you think
! I'm in the habit Of disobeying papa,
! but am no., and | am very sorry that
| did not respect his wishes to-day
If | had, [ should not have been sail
| ing across this water against my will.
If you are the least bit kind or manly
| you'll take rae in"
Oh, well, il you're going to be
sore and not make lark OF it, l may
as well stee. 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:
~ suppose I was brute. 1 hope
you'I try 10 forgive me"
"es, I forgive you. It's harder tc
forgive myself" - Youths Compan-