The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1913-02-28
CHAPTER TX.

When Miss JACKIE f1nlnS Went W
her room after her unsatisfactory at
tempt to wiring from Bedight the name
Of the unconventional young woman
who walked with him in the moon
light, she was angry. And it is pos
sible that, knowing his feelings to-
ward her she was angrier still because
with this influence she could not Sc
cure the confession che sought. IL is
likewise true that she felt in her heart
that Bedight was right in protecting
the name of the girl and should be
eulogized rather than scourged for 1t
and yet, when man has almost
told a woman he loves her, she has a
right to expect that he will do almost
anything quasi-reasonable that she
asks of him. Failing to handle him
augurs complications for the future.
And most of us are alike in this,
that we love to appear melodramatic
to ourselves, doing all sorts of drastic
things that, slept over, we undo, say
ing things that we initiate with self at
the time being and stick pin into
later when our ardor, has cooled In
this mood Jackie Vining seated her
self at a small writing desk in her
room and inditeds the following letter
to the chairman Of the woman's
clubs in Bedight's district:
Squirrel Inn, Wis.
"My Dear Madam: The campaign in
your district is about to open. Among
the candidates is one Walter Bedight,
who is running for the legislature. He
will endeavor to secure the women's
votes of the district. While running
a race near Squirrel Inn he dropped
from his pocket the inclosed bill,
which he expects to introduce, if elect
ed
T feel it my duty to apprise you
of the real character of the man and
trust that you will act accordingly.
Sincerely,
"(Miss) JACKIE vINING."
Placing the letter and the bill in
long envelope, she laid the package
on her dresser and retired
But with the cool touch of the linen
and the luxury of full repose, Jackie's
heart smote her.
well, anyhow" she unused, as she
dropped off to sleep, "I'll hold the let
ter few days longer"
To be in the tolls of a states attor-
ney is bad enough in any event; but
If the aforesaid attorney is woman,
oh, most unfortunate is the man!
Thursday was Mayor Bedight's day of
attendance upon Margaret Farms
worth, who prosecuted the case
against him on the morning of his ar
rival. She entered the arena after an
earnest conference with Judge"
Vining, who seemed unusually dis
trait and worried.
"Mr. Bedight," began the lady attor-
ney, in a professional tone, 81 want
to get some balsam for a pillow this
morning Do you know the tree when
you see it?'
'fYes-I've been in the North Woods
on many a vacation and am familiar
with the fora and fauna of the coun-
try. I am at your SERVICE" responded
the mayor.
They set out on foot along a path
way that led into the wood Once in
side the forest it wound in a trail like
that the calf made, through spruce
and hemlock, poplar and maple, with
now and then white birch adding a
touch of vivid contrast to the green.
The girl, an. enthusiast, was walking
ahead and babbling of the nature pic
lures along the way.
Suddenly Bedight felt something
hit him in the back, as though pei
let thrown from close range. He
turned inquiringly. From a clump of
brush along the trail a woman's hand
waved at him and white paper fut-
tered to the path. Turning, the mayor
retraced his steps. The messenger
crouched low and Bedight, having Sc
cured the message, touched his fin