The herald., 1916-06-22
ARTHUR'S
WOOING
By ETHEL HOLMES


about her that attracted men, whether
it was intentional or not. a pleasant
smile lowered about her lips; there was
a sparkle in her eve. When she said
anything droll she had way Of cock
ing her head on one side. like bird,
that was very attractive. Jeanette
was an innocent girl in every respect,
and no word of scandal was ever spo-
ken against her.
But her flirtatious were very annoy
ing to her mother. In the first place,
her daughter was too young to make
an intelligent choice Of u husband; in
the second, she had not finished her
education. When she was nineteen
years old, having become entangled
with three sutors, her mother resolved
upon drastic measures. The spring
was coming on, and the good lady,
dreading the advantages that summer
possessed for love affairs, resolved TO
take her daughter where a man could
not get near enough TO fall in love with
her
Mrs. Wild had 10 confidence in any
place Of abode that was not isolated.
A land fortress would need mOat,
which was impracticable. No place
would do unless surrounded by wa
ter. So an island It must be.
In Casco bay. on the Maine coast, are
a number Of islands. In the center Of
one of these islands IS a cottage. Mrs.
Wild rented this cottage with a view
TO removing her family and servants
there. But, alas. II IS difficult for WON
en- 10 get on without men. Mrs. Wild
dared not live on the island without
one. Besides, she needed one 10 run
her motorhoat. There was another
reason for a mans presence. Mrs. Wild
desired to prevent any Of her daugh-
ter's suitorS from landing on her re-
treat, and she needed some one strong
| enough TO keep them off.
Mrs. Wild advertised for a person to
I'LL this requirement. Several young
men answered her advertisement but
the lady did not engage any Of them.
She waited till an elderly one applied
for the Job and engaged him.
John DOOlan had white hair and a
white beard. But he seemed TO be
quite strong and said that he was per
fectly able TO hold the dock against
all Corners. He went TO the island
couple Of days before the family to
| make preparations. When thew arriv-
| ed all was I'm order for their reception.
As Mrs. Wild had anticipated, they
had not been at their summer home
long before one Of Jeannette's suitors
| appeared at the dock. He was refused
! a landing by John DOOlan. He sailed
around to another part Of the island,
but John was there with a gun TO re-
ceive him. Mrs. Wild was so pleased
with this action Of Johns that she
gave him five dollar gold piece. Soon
| after this another boat appeared, and
a handsome young fellow In yachting
| costume was about to step out on to
the landing when John ordered him
! on. He pOked card at his Opposer,
but John said that II he were the presi-
dent himself he could not come ashore
Argument having failed, the visitor
tried bribery. John proved incorrupti-
bic. There was nothing for the yachts
man to do but sail away.
Mrs. Wild, to whom John reported
all these noble acts OF defense, was de-
| lighted. On several occasions he
brought the cards that were given him
to his mistress. Some Of the men who
| had left them she knew, and some
were strangers to her. 1t made no diff
ference who they were. She had de-
termined to keep men away from her
| daughter for that summer, and, having
! secured the services of a man who was
capable and trustworthy, she gave her.
self no concern. She declared that It
was the first summer she had felt easy
| about Jeanette since she was fourteen
years old.
But one day a thunderbolt came out
OF clear sky. The fond mother while
taking a stroll over her island, walk.
ing through a thick wood heard voices
near her. She listened and recognized
Jeannette's voice. Then came a mans
deeper tones. The latter sounded much
like John Doolan.
Could 1t be that the flirt. deprived Of
association with men, had cast her
tolls about the old servltor? The sus-
picion brought shock TO the doting
mother.
! Advancing toward the sounds. she
peeped through a break in the leaves,
and there. sitting on a log with their
backs to her, were John and Jeanette,
Johns arm around Jeannette's waist.
Mrs. Wild tore through the under
brush like a fury. Hearing the noise
OF breaking brush behind them, the
culprits Jumped to their feet, turned
and confronted the angry mother.
While she was delivering a TRADE OF
reproaches John pulled off his white
beard and stood revealed as the most
persistent Of Jeannette's suitors.
| Woe is me, Mrs. Wild" he said
with head bent low. 81 confess myself
great sinner Jeanette wrote me
that you were to remove her here, and
l, seeing your advertisement for a de-
fender, applied for the place in the
uniform Of veteran. have perform
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