The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-06-05
Watchful
Waiting
II Proved Effective
In Time.
By OSCAR cox


in the equality between women and
men, was one day expressing her opin-
ions to her cousin, Jack Fearing.
"Tutr' he said. That's all well
enough for women who can't get hus-
bands. It's no use for those who can"
do you mean to assert that l can't
get a husband?' she demanded. bris.
Ting.
Not at all, being well aware that |
have proposed to you six times"
"And | have as many times told you
that woman must choose between in
dependence and marriage. | choose in
dependence. | have leased an island
on the New England coast. which
propose to colonize with girls of strong
character. There | shall prepare them
for the propaganda for woman's rights
and send them forth to teach their
sisters"
II presume You will pick out the
homeliest girls you can find"
Imogene was ruffled. She declared
that In order to show him that the
cause of woman's rights was not linn
tied to the support of unattractive wo-
men she would select comedy girls.
jack. the scamp, in this way intro
duced the cankerworm that was to eat
into her apple.
Imogene located her colony on the
LIST of June with twelve girls, all fair
to look upon. She did not organize her
school for those who had been con
verified to the cause. She expected to
house on the island large enough to
contain them all, so no great prepare
ton was needed. No man being al
lowed on the island. the servants were
women
One morning soon after their arrival
Imogene convened her flock in a wood
near the water and. arranging them
In semicircle, proceeded to lay down
the causes that had rendered woman
subordinate to man. She opened with
woman's primeval condition as a servi-
tor to fighting man and was proceed
ing to trace her career in eastern ma
lions when she paused and looked
down on a patch Of water revealed be-
tween the trees. A yacht that had
been luffed up into the wind was NOV.
ing slowly toward the landing near by
The girls, turning, saw the yacht and
a dozen young fellows, not counting
Jack Fearing, the owner, on her deck
each man made more handsome by a
becoming yachting costume.
Imogene frowned; the girls looked
pleased. But 1t must be remembered
that they were novices and had mo-
yet been trained to consider man theil
enemy. The fellows secured the zach
to the landing and advanced to tn,
lecturer and her class, each man will
cap in his hand and all resemblin,
rather slaves to the women than wo
mems masters.
I'VE have come" said Fearing, mo
to interfere with your course Of in
struction, but to invite you to take 1
cruise with US when the present lee
ture is concluded"
THANK you for your invitation" re
piled Imogene, but 1t is declined. May
beg that you will departT
Most assuredly. since you wish It,
replied Fearing. Your commands
shall be obeyed."
He led his men back to the landing
They all got aboard, unloosed th.
painter and. raising jib. withdrew
for a few hundred yards from tht
shore, where they dropped anchor.
How obedientp'
what handsome fellowsr'
"Surely. Miss Danforth, these YOUNG
men seem ready to serve us instead OF
to Cypress us"
These were some of the remarks
made by the young ladies. Imogeno
disdained to reply. Instead she re
sumed her lecture. But she might al
well have lectured to the trees, for Il
was evident that the girls minds were
on the yacht. and under the circum
stances mans tyranny did not interes
them. Seeing this, Imogene brought
her discourse to a close and. looking
down ON the anchored vessel herself
wondered what the men meant by re
naming where they were.
81 think" said one young lady, "tha
they're showing their obedience"
"Nonsenser' exclaimed Imogene.
Perhaps" said a little miss with {
soft voice. they're going in for watch
full waiting"
you've hit the nail on the head, Su
sie." said Imogene.
"There are just as many Of them as
there are of u.s." remarked another
young lady. IF we were to pair OF
| there would be a fellow for each girl
"Gwendolen!" said Imogene sternly
"If you and the others harbor such
thoughts our school viii be broken
, upi''
"How long. Miss Imogene," asked
Susie, will we have to withstand the
watchful waiting?"
II don't know. Why do you askT"
Because was the meek reply, "I'm
afraid can't stand it very long"
"Girls," said Imogene. ''in order to
help you to get your minds off this con
tempible effort to break up our school
| win call your attention to the i'm.
possibility of our going on a cruise
Is there one among you who would
do an improper aetT'
mo-" cried every girl at once.
every well. We could not go with
/ them without a chaperon, and we
haven't a chaperon."