Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1911-02-08
COACHED AT
A COURTING
By HARRY VAN AMBERC
Copyright. 1910. BY American Press
Association

chair. She IL good friend Of mine.
Mrs. Poland. although her husband
and | we're chums before they were
married. She has never been at all
Jealous Of me-something unusual in
such cases. She invites the to her cot
tage every summer and is good enough
to say that she would not consider a
party complete without me.
tell her I'm never complete with
out party.
Mrs. Poland has hobby. 1t is
matchmaking. She tried to match me
several times and always failed. The
reason. she said. was that | did not
understand women
Il have girl for you" she said.
Il thought you had given me up"
II have so far as your management
is concerned. This time wish you to
leave your part of the affair to me-"
Now you're getting down to some
thing practical. Who is the Iady?"
'She comes tomorrow Miss Annabel
Vail. She is pretty. intelligent. stylish
and has some means of her own.
though not much"
Very we'll. So long as you keep me
instructed I'll do anything you like.
But be 1t understood that I'm to have
no headwork to do on my own account.
You understand"
Perfectly
Miss Vail arrived as expected. She
was all Mrs. Poland had claimed for
her. On the afternoon Of her arrival
Mrs. Poland informed me that she ex-
pected me to drive with her guest.
The carriage would be at the door at
4 O'clock | told her | would be
charmed to drive with Miss Vail if she
thought the young lady could endure
me without other company. We drove
two hours and returned in time to
dress for dinner. During the evening
Mrs. Poland asked me how l liked
Miss Vail. and | told her | had been
much pleased.
II doubt it," she said "A man who
Is much pleased with a woman can find
plenty to say to her. Miss Vail has
told me that you didn't say anything
but Yes and No"
II was always good listener"
A sailing party was arranged for a
days outing on the water In POla nd's
yacht. Mrs. Poland instructed me be
fore starting to devote myself almost
exclusively to Miss Vail. My motto
was "Obey orders if you break own
ers." Miss Vail was very seasick. and
| escorted her to the side of the vessel
and held her head. She motioned me
away. but chung to the job, Then.
when she sank back into reclining
chair. considering that she was III
concluded that | must do all the talk
ing myself talked till she told m.
IL | would only 60 away and let her
alone she would feel much relieved.
Mrs. Poland that evening told M
very impatiently that | didn't know
how to make myself agreeable to
girl. but 1t was impossible for any one
to teach me.
Haven't done all you have told me
to do?" asked. very much crestfallen
Goodness gracious, do you expect
your coach to follow you about to tell
you when to talk and when to keep 81
lent? Must you be worked like the
figures in a Punch and Judy show?"
From what you say Miss Vail has
not been especially impressed with
me-"
II wouldn't say SO. except that 1t Is
all up with your suit. but sne says
you're the most aggravating man she
ever met.
Cant we wipe Off the slate and be
gin all over?"
You'd be the same
"1diot?"
Mrs. Poland was silent. She was
scolding me as she would scold one OF
her own children whom she dearly
loved. There was nothing more to be
said by either of us. so we dropped
the subject.
Bridge was the game for the even
ing. and in order to show Mrs. Poland
that was willing to do all in my pow
| er to meet her wishes | invited Miss
| Vail to be my partner. She was very
stupid at cards. and when she trump
ed my tricks. although | said nothing,
| could not help looking grave. This
| she interpreted as condemnation and
| after finishing rubber arose and left
the table, Mrs. Poland was watching
us and as soon as we were alone said
| to me:
what did you scold her for?"
"Scold her. didn't say word"
But you looked it."
was discouraged. made no reply.
you'll never win that girl In the
world. You needn't try any more to
| please me. give II up
The next day Mrs. Poland was very
cross with me. asked her II ! had
offended further. She said that
| had not, but Miss Vail was so offend
ed with me that she was intending to
cut short her visit
'That's too bad" replied. mot for
| the world would Il consent to remain