Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1913-02-27
WEEKLY SHORT STORY


rlnr AZ her habit skirt with a silver
mounted crop.
THE rroo,n was slow about bring
tog he mount around. and while she
vsited a dozen couples had cantcred
mast. waving their hands gayly TO /,
lack" But no cavalier waited TO
assist her, and no smart cob whiunied
impatiently over the delay In appear
ance OF her own horse
Presently the groom would lead her
horse 20 the block. and he would as
sist her in the saddle with the per
functory care OF a hireling, and she /
would 90 cantering on alone 20 neT
ride.
II was this fact and not tho slow
mess OF the stable hands that brought
the frown 20 JacQuellne's face. For
the frst time in her life she was
tired OF being the boy OF the family
When stalwart John Norwood had
leaned over the cradle TO look down
into the blinking eyes OF his hrst
born. the baby had seized the proler-
ed finger A sturdy clasp, and her
father had chuckled with delight
shes shaking hands like the lit
tie gentleman she Is he declared
Then and there he had named her
Jacqueline. that he night call her
Jack" lie seemed 20 find comfort
for his disappointment In her sex
b making his little daughter as boy
ish as possible.
In her youth. thanks TO his train
Ing, she had been given over 10 TOM
boy tricks. when she wasl3, and a
baby brother came to share her reign,
she regarded the newcomers appear
ance with contempt
I'm the best boy" she declared
with emphasis, and she took pride 1T
her fathers assurance that she was
indeed. Jimmie became the mother S
net. while Jack" still "palled" with
her father, and as the boy grew up
delicate and pallid, Jack" seemed
to gain mannisAness by contrast
She was the golf champion CT the
country club: not in the ladies' class,
but by virtue Of having beaten all the
mon. She cold ride wherever man
went. could shoot straight and handle
a cue. She was voted good Eel
low" but now, on the eve OF her 2znc
birthday. Jack turned rebellioUs-
Her thoughts were interrupted bl
the appearance OF the groom with he
horse. aud presently she was cantcr
ing down the drive 20 the highway
once on the road she eased the hors'
into a trot. The cliff road was oc
counted one OF the most beautiful II
the state, but "Jack" gave no hee'
10 the beauty OF the scene
Phil Minturn had cantered past wit
Bess Farley Just before she had start
ed out, ana his careless greeting Ia
wounded her.
She had been good chums wit
Phil ever since she was little SIR
and he had always given her the sam
careless greeting or fellowship. bS
this morning II had Jared She kne
that he did not really care for Bess.
He h adsaid so more than ono
but Mrs. Farley would not let BE:
ride unless there was someone Wit
her who could keep watchfnl el
on he mount. so Phil, being a neigl
Dor, had come 10 the girls RELIEF.
AS with Phil. so il was with q
other men. They were all go'
chums, but they were only chum
lack" could not recall tend
speech ever made TO her, and, carr
ing her introspectlon further she d
not blame the boys for regard1I
her as one OF themselves. Even
the evening her thick, dark hair "
severely done and her dress was
keeping.
With lips that pressed hard tOge;
er she turned her horses head iowa
home. She scarcely recognized
people she passed. and II was not L
ill she had almost reached the hou
that her attention was attracted. S
heard her brothers voice raised
appeal. and through sheer force
habit she prepared TO come 70
rescue.
The boy never had been permit
60 fight his own battles, and
younger days Jack" had sometin
come 10 his assistance with her o
sturdy fists. Now she refined In
horse, and drew near the hedge VIII
separated her from the little boys
There were n dozen OF them. stur
tanned youngsters with dirt
clothes and countenances. and
their fidst stood Jimmy. immacul
in blue velvet. with long. gol
curls.
"It's not my fault" ne said in
grieved tones. I'm rot old emo
to buy my own clothes yet You
lows might let me play with you
"G'wan!" was the unfeeling
Spouse. I'VE don't play with gil
I'm not a girl asserted Jim
II tell you it's not my fault
"Bovs don't wear velvet dress
reminded his tormentcr. Come
fellers, Lady James going TO cry.
With burst derisiye laughter
Tfr4