The Forrest City times., 1891-01-09
DER ALTE CHAPER0N.
BY W. J. HFNnERsON.

KY W. J. HENDERSON.
 They all thought ho was n fool; but then they often make mistakes like that. kangaroos cant jump like women when women are jump ing at conclusions. You see, the trouble was that Collis Beattie- Collie they called him when they wanted to be funny-did not have much to say. He used to lie about the hotel veranda in big steamer chair and read novels. He wore a watching suit and cap and silk shirt. He did not look bit salt, be- cause the skin of his face was as white and as smooth as n baby's. So they all laughed at him for wearing a yachting suit All the other fellows wore them because it was q yachting port, upon the Sound, and pretty much every one went in for sailing which was about all there was to do at the place. Collie went sailing once or twice when some gener ous fellow took pity on him and invited him. Then the women laughed at him more, and in strange German called him Der Ate Cbaperon-the Old Chaperon-because he always went down into the cabin, stretched him self on a locker, and fell asleep. They said he was afraid the spray would spoil his complexion.
 Collie didn't seem to know that he was being laughed at. If he did know it, he did not mind it. He never said anything, but went on reading nov els. German novels, too; and he read them in the original. 1t was most exasperating. What business had man Ut gay, active summer resort to wear nautical toggery, have skin like Queens baby, and read German novels? Once some one said to him.
 Come and play game of bil- liards."
 Thank you" he replied; tits a little too much for me, you know"
 He certainly was a iool-and a lazy one, too. They tried him on several things, but he lay in the steamer chair and read German. And there were at least six beauti- ful girls in the hotel And every one oi them had been piqued into trying to interest him. But he just staid in the steamer chair and read German or went to sleep in the cabin of the yacht.
 He didn't get seasick. They re- membered that, after he was gone, as one of his good qualities. They had him out one day when it blew fresh and there was a lively sea on, but he went to sleep like rocked in- fant. He certainly was the most torpid man that ever lived.
 "Never mind" said Mrs. Bisbee one morning, Miss Silvers is coming here next week Perhaps she'll wake him up"
 You don't mean Mattie Silvers, do you?" exclaimed Gertie Greer.
 "Yes, l do."
 "Oh, dearn'
 And Gertie's mouth went down at the corners.
 Whats the matter with Hattie Silvers?' inquired Ethel Brisket.
 "Oh. nothing answered Gertie, dejectedly; "onIy l was at place where she was once"
 Well, what of itp' demanded Sybil Nane, that tall, white girl, you remember.
 Well" sighed Gertie. every man in the house dropped right down at her feet ."
 "Oh, myl sshe so very wonderful?" asked Ethel.
 ''oh, nothing much." replied Ger. tie just the most beautiful woman ever saw. and with two little mil. lions in her own right"
 There was a painful silence, and all the young women looked glum. Ger tie was not girl to be sncezed at, and she used her mirror. Her dejec- tion was ominous. The girls gazeJ anxiously at Mrs Bisbe~.
 "I don't want to be disagreeable," she said, smoothly, but Pm afraid it's true"
 What's her style?" asked Sybil.
 Brown, " replied Mrs. Bisbee, sen cautiously.
 "Brown?"
 "les, burnt sienna. Burnt sienna hair and eyes, dusky-pink cheeks, dusky-crimson lips, silk plush com plexion--all cream and coax-and two millions from her uncle." said Harold Beaver, who had just come up.
 There was a general biting of lips.
 Haven't seen her for three years," he continued, "and-
 "Ahl Perhaps she has faded" ex- claimed Ethel.
 ''The dusky browns don't fade much," said Harold.
 "No," said Mrs. Bisbee, 'I saw her in box at the Metropolitan last winter, and she was radiant"
 Why, she doesn't belong in New York, Sybil said.