Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1913-04-24
CHAPTER TX.

When Miss Jackie yining went to
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 she sought. II 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 II
and yet, when a man has almost
told q woman he loves her. she las a
right to expect that he will do almost
anything quasi-reasonable that D
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
t o 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 a 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 indited 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'f
votes Of the district. While running
a race near Squirrel Inn he dropped
from his pocket the inclosed bill,
which he expects to introduce, IL elect
ed.
Il feel 1t 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 a
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.
We'll, anyhow" she unused, as she
dropped OF to sleep. TN hold the let
ter a few days longer"
To be In the tolls Of a states attor-
ney is bad enough in any event; but
II the aforesaid attorney is a 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. II want
to get some baIsam for q pillow this
morning. Do you know the tree when
you see itT
"Yes-Ive been In the North Woods
on many q vacation and am familiar
with the flora and fauna Of the coun-
w uh q Souh oCi ViCcr
the mayor.
They SET out on foot along q 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 hsmlock. poplar and maple, with
nov and then a white birch adding a
touch Of vivid contrast TO the green.
The girl. an enthusiast, was walking
ahead and babbling OF the nature bic.
lures along the way.
Suddenly Bedignt felt something
hit him in the back. as though a 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 a white paper fIut-
tered to the path. Turning. the mayor
retraced bis steps. The messenger
crouched low and Bedight, having Sc
cured the message. touched his I'm.