Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1916-07-06
Watchful
W aiting
Ii Proved Effective
In Time.
By OSCAR cox


In the equality between women and
men, was one day expressing her opin.
ions 10 her cousin, Jack Fearing
Tut" 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 | can't
get husband?" she demanded, bris-
ling.
Not at all, being well aware that |
have proposed to you six times"
And l have rs 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 10 coloniZe with girls of strong
,harncter There shall prepare them
for the propaganda for woman's rights
and send them forth 10 teach their
sisters
II presume you will pick out the
homeliest girls you can find"
Imogene was RULED She declared
that IN order TO show him that the
cause of woman's rights was not lin
tied TO the support of unattractive wo-
men she would select comely girls
Jack. the scamp, I'm this way intro
duced the cankerworm that was to eat
into her apple.
lmogene 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
verted TO the cause. she expected TO
train them TO that end There was a
house on the island large enough 10
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 focE In wood
near the water and. arranging them
In a semicircle. proceeded 10 lay down
the causes that had rendered woman
subordinate 10 man. She opened with
woman's primeval condition as a servi-
tor 10 fighting man and was proceed
ing to trace her career I'm eastern ma
tons 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
dozen young fellows, not counting
Jack Fearing, the owner, on her deck,
each man made more handsome by
becoming yachting costume.
Imogene frowned: the girls looked
pleased. But IL must be remembered
that they were novices and had not
vet been trained to consider man their
enemy. The fellows secured the yacht
to the landing and advanced TO the
lecturer and her class. each man with
cap in his hand and all resembling
rather slaves to the women than wo-
mems masters.
I'VE have come" said Fearing, mot
to interfere with your course OF In
struction, but 10 invite you 10 take
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 depart?"
Most assuredly, since you wish It,"
replied Fearing. "Your commands
shall be obeyed."
He led his men back 10 the landing
They all got aboard, Embossed the
painter and. raising n jib. withdrew
for few hundred yards from the
shore, where they dropped anchor.
How obedientr'
What handsome fellows
Surely, Miss Danforth. these young
men seem ready 10 serve us instead OF
10 Cypress us"
made 10y the young ladies. lmogene
disdained TO reply. Instead she re-
sumed her lecture. But she might as
well have lectured 10 the trees for IL
was evident that the girls minds were
on the yacht. and under the circum
stances mans tyranny did not interest
them. Seeing this. Imogene brought
her discourse TO close and. looking
down on the anchored vessel herself
wondered what the men meant by re.
naming where they were.
u think" said one young lady. that
they're showing their obedieiice."
"Nonsensel' exclaimed Imogene.
"Perhsps." said 2 little miss with n
soft vince, they're going in for watch
fIj vBDing."
'Yor re hit the nail on the head. Su-
sic, SAL Imogene
"The'e are justas many of them rs
there are OF u.s." remarked another
vodng bdy. "If we were To pair or
there would he fellow for each girl"
&c wcDdolen"' said Imogene sternly
IF vow and the others barbor such
thoughts our school will be brokcn
up
How long, Miss Inogene," asked |
Susie, will we have to withstand the |
watchful waitingf"
II don't know. Why do you askY
Because" was the meek reply, "I'm |
afraid can't stand IL very long,"
Girls" said Imogene 'In order to !
help you to get your minds off this con-
iemDtible effort TO break up our school |
] Will call your attention to the i'm. |
possibility OF our going on n cruise. |
Is there one among you who would |
10 an improper actf"
No cried every girl at once.
Very well We could not 20 with |
then without chaperon, and we
inent chaperon."
"why wouldn't Mrs. Markham dor |
Isked the gentle Susie. Mrs. Markham
vas the housekceper.
Imogenc looked troubled. Elements
II weakness were popping up among
Ter flock. and IN was beginning 10 nm |