The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1916-05-26


was the housekeeper.
Imogene looked troubled. Elements
OF weakness were popping up among
her flock, and 1t was beginning to APP
pear to her as impossible to keep them
down as to hold corxs under water.
One thing was apparent-she must get
the girls away from view Of the
yacht. She ordered them to the house.
She was obeyed, but while on the way
they were continually turning their
heads for one more look.
Between IL and 3 p. m. was the Pc
Rod for dinner and rest. At 8 o'clock
there was a study period Of an hour.
during which the girls were expected
to prepare themselves from books that
had been provided on arguments In ia
vor Of woman's emancipation, with
recitation at 4. At 8 the girls were
allowed to wander about the island
at will. This period till supper time
was a matter of deep concern to Imo-
gene. She could not well deprive the
girls Of their outing, and she feared
the yachtsmen.
young ladies'" she said after the
recitation, II shall have to ask you
this afternoon to avoid going near the
landing where the yacht is anchored.
Indeed, 1t would be immodest for you
to do So"
1--WE won't" said all the girls at
once, though In faint voice.
Every well. I'll trust you"
ha irlc Oh iUht <A
scatter over the island and. true to
their promise, avoided that part of the
shore Off which the yacht was an.
chored. Imogene herself remained
within doors. Suddenly she heard a
sound that filed her with hope. The
young men on the yacht were getting
up the anchor. Were they going to
abandon the siege? Imogene went to
a cupola on the roof Of the house.
where she could see all over the island
and the waters beyond. The sails
were hoisted, there was a fair breeze,
and the yacht instead Of sailing away
began to make the circuit Of the IS
land.
Imogene's heart sank. Her scattered
flock preferred the shore and every
where were amusing themselves throw.
ing stones or sticks into the water, and
some Of them had discarded their shoes
and stockings and were wading In
shallow places. Round and round sail
ed the boys, keeping near the shore,
and every now and again Imogene saw
them toss package. These packages
were picked up by the girls. the wrap
pers torn off, revealing pasteboard
boxes. and several fair hands were at
once thrust within and removed to as
many pairs Of rosy lips.
Candy" groaned Imogene. I'VE are
lostr'
Running downstairs, she seized a
trumpet that had been provided for
transmitting orders and sounded re-
call.
The girls came in, but very slowly,
every girl munching sweets. Imogene
thought it prudent to say nothing about
the yachtsmen or the ammunition they
had used. She kept the girls indoors
till supper time then instead Of letting
them out again in the long June twi-
light she proposed that they spend the
evening dancing, for which purpose a
piano had been provided.
Meanwhile the yacht had come to
anchor again, and the watchful wait
ing was resumed. After supper the
yachtsmen sat on deck and after a
smoke began to sing, accompanied by
a couple Of mandolins and a guitar.
Imogene sent one of the girls to the
plano. The chorus from the yacht,
rich and strong, came up In competi-
ton with the tinkling piano. Several
Of the girls started In to dance to-
gether.
Now, It must be admitted that doz-
en- girls dancing with one another to
the music Of a poorly tuned piano
while listening to the songs of as many
young men who would be glad to
dance with them made but sorry
sight. There was no elasticity in the
girls steps. The musician played with
out heart.
Then came Jack Fearing with man.
dolin in his hand and very subservient-
ly offered the services Of the stringed
instruments of the yachtsmen to fur
nish music for the young ladies' dane
ing. Imogene cast her eyes over the
girls standing about and saw mutiny
in every girl.
cts no use for me, jack" she said,
ito carry on this struggle any longer.
Bring up your instruments and your
yachting party too. The girls are crazy
for a real dance, and I suppose they
must have it."
Jack poked his head out of window
and yelled, "Come up, fellows!"
The men jumped into the small boats
like frogs plunging off log, pulled to
the shore and in a jiffy were in the
dancing room. The musicians struck
up a tango, and in another moment
couples were whirling like mad. Jack
went up to Imogene and asked her to
dance. Pouting, she tapped him on
the cheek with her fan, and they sailed
away among the others.
After a couple of hours dancing re-
freshments, which Jack had provided
especially for such a purpose, were or
dered up from the yacht, and the even
ing or, rather, the morning was fin
ished with supper. Then Jack led
TD,oOann nt1f on IN fha voroh onH III