Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1912-02-08
THE GIRL WHO WOULDN'T FLlRT.

THE GIRL WHO WOULDN'T FLlRT.
| CAPTAIN Turner had leave OF absence
for three months, bu, he had enough pri-
vate business down on Long Island and
in New York to keep him busy. He had
purchased a country home for his widowed
mother, and that had to be fixed up.
There were many things to be bought in
the city and dozen friends he had to
look up at their various clubs. Thus il
happened that he took the train into town
almost every day, and at night took the
train out again.
Judge Eldridge lived at the next station
below, and the judge had alovely daugh-
ter named Edith. She and her father or
mother often took the train into town
and back again, but the reason that the
captain did not catch sight of her during
the first week was because Judge Eldndge
and his wife took a trip to Europe and
left her behind in the care OF Aunt Susan,
the Judges sister, who had come on from
Pennsylvania to act as guardian and chap
eron. Aunt Susan was an oldfashloned
woman, with old fashioned notions.
The day that the Judge and his wife de-
parted she took Mss Edith out under the
apple tree and said:
"My dear, you must realize that things
have changed. Until your parents re-
turn you will be in my charge. There
is to be no more flirting with the young
man at the railroad station. There is to
be no more flirting on the train. There
is 10 be no sudden falling in love. lfyou
plan any elopement shall surely frus-
trate it. shall look for you to assume a
naughty demeanor and give all men to
understand that you are the daughter Of
Judge Eldridge."
This was unfair to the girl. She was
not a flirt and she was not imprudent.
It was more that the old lady was too
much OF a Puritan. She was of the opin-
ion that young ladies had altogether too
much license, and, the opportunity now
being placed in her hands, she would
show one OF them at least how she should
demean herself in public to merit the
good opinion of all. She was willing to
ride out every day in the carriage or auto,
and willing to 60 up town as often as an
excuse could be put forward, but she
wanted it understood that she would keep
her eyes open all the time and a ready
made stock of reproof on her lips.
Edith Eldridge was indignant at this
threatened espionage, but she was rather
noted for her wisdom, and instead OF
getting red in the face and declaring she
would never submit, she assumed such
a docile and obedient attitude that Aunt
Susan was surprised at her easy victory.
The next morning, however, she had
reason to doubt. They were sitting on
the veranda, when tin peddler stopped
at the gate. He came up the path laden
with pans and dippers and basins, and
addressing the girl he said:
81 can offer you tinware Is per cent
cheaper than you can get it at any de-
partment store in New York or Brooklyn.
Here is pan that you can't buy up town
for less'n 10 cents, and yet my price is
| only"
"Aunt, will you see about it ?" asked
Edith as she rose with great dignity. 81
am Judge Eldridge's daughter, you know,
and cannot enter into any flirtatiors."
The peddler was sent about his busi-
ness hot loot, and the red spots on Aunt
Susan's cheeks did not disappear for
, hours. Right away after luncheon they
took the train for the city to look at some
bargains in shirt waists. The station
agent was a rather good-looking young
man, and on several occasions he had
something to say to the Judge and his
daughter - something not exactly con-
nec;ed with selling tickets or checking
trunks. But as for anything approaching
filtration in the slightest degree, that
was all nonsense. The aunt was given
the money to buy the tickets, and when
she looked her surprise Miss Edith quietly
said:
"He might try to flint with me, and
should have to snub him."
Captain Turner was there among the
passengers. When Aunt Susan dropped
the money on the floor, he sprang to pick
it up. When she dropped one of the
tickets on the floor, he restoredit. When
they had boarded the train and Miss
Edith tried in vain to raise window, it
was the captain who raised the obstinate
sash first, and his hat next.
'Why didn't you thank him instead OF
bowing so coldIY 2" whispered the aunt
a moment later.
because my role sto be one ofhaugh-
ty indifference. That man needs only
the slightest encouragement to try to flirt
win me.
II seemed as if Providence was with
the soldier that day, while fate was against
him. As they left the train, Edith drop
ped her bag and he picked it up. AS the
two ladies entered cab, the horse took
fright and would have bolted if the cap
| tain had not sprung for his head. Aunt
Susan tried to humble her thanks, but
the girl drew herself up stiffly and gave
the cold glare.
"He will certainly think you have no
breeding" protested the aunt, as they
were driving down town.
"He will simply realize that ! am CIR
who cannot be tempted into an elope'
t-x % ,,,oc fhn c,,ffinU reminder