The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1891-01-01
DER ALTE CHAPERON.

Itey all thought he was fool; but
then they often make mistakes like
that. kangaroos can't jump like
women when the women are jumping
at conclusions. You see the trouble
was that Coils Beattie-Colie 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 Yachting suit and cap and a
silk shirt He did not look bit salt.
because the skin of his face was as
white and as smooth rs a baby's. So
they laughed at him for wearing a
yachting suit. All the other fellows
wore them because it was 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 generous fellow took
pity on him and invited him. Then
the women laughed at him more. and
in strange German called him Der Alte
Chaperon-the Old Chaperon-because
he always went down in the cabin,
stretched himself on locker. and fell
asleep. The. 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 novels.
German novels, too; and he read them
in the original. 1t was most exasperat-
ing. What business had man at
gay, active summer resort to wear
nautical toggcry. have a skin like a
queens baby and read German novelsP
Once some one said to him:
Come and play Il game of billiards"
Thank YOU" he replied; Its lit
tie too much for me, You know
He certainly was Il fool-and 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 beautiful girls i'll the hotel.
And every one of 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.
niembered 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 infant He
certainly was the most torpid man that
ever lived.
Never mind, " sail Mrs. Bisbee one
morning, Miss Silycrs is coming here
next week. Perhaps she'll wake him
up"
You don't mean Matte Silvcrs. do
you?' exclaimed Gertie Greer.
Yes, do
"Oh, dcarln
And Gertie's mouth went down at
the corners.
WHATS the matter with Matte
Sivcrs?' inquired Ethel Brisket
"Oh, nothing" answered Gertie. de-
Jectedly; only was ut Il place were
she was once"
We'll. what of it?1 demanded Sybil
Vane, that tail. white girl. you remem-
ber
Well, " sighed Gertic ''evcry man
in the house dropped right down at her
feet
"Oh, my! is she so very wonderful"
asked Ethel.
oh, nothing much" replied Gertie;
Just the most beautiful woman | ever
saw, and with two little millions in her
own right"
There was painful silence. and all
the young women looked glum. Gertie
was not Il girl to be sneezed at. and
she used her mirror Her detection
was ominouS. The girls gazed anxious
ly at Mrs. Bisbee.
Il don't want TO be disa@reeable,
she said, smoothly but I'm afraid it's
true.
What's her stvle?" asked Svbil.
Brown. replied Mrs. Bisbee, senten-
tiously.
"Brown?n
Yes; burnt sienna. Burnt sienna
hair and eyes. dusky- pink cheeks,
dusky-crimson lips. silk-plush COM
pcNion-ali cream and coax-and two
millions from her uncle" said Harold
Beaver. who had just come up.
There was general biting of lips.
Haven't seen her for three years"
he continued. ''and-n
"Ah! Perhaps she has fadedr' ex-
claimed Ethel.
The duSky browns don't fade
much, said Harold
No" said Mrs, Bisbee. Il saw her
in box At the Metropolitan last Win
ter, and she was radiant"
why, she doesn't belong in New
York" Sybil said.
No. Baltimore" responded Harold.
Il don't see what she wants TO come
away up here for" grumbled Ethel
spitefully. What's the matter with
Chesapeake bay?'
Veil, she's coming next week" said
Mrs. Bisbee moving away with Harold
| had letter from her mother TODAY"
Il hope she'll like him." said Ethel,
looking scornfully at Collie in his
steamer chair.
That will not do any good" answer
cd Gertie; 'the other men will all like
hegn
"Of course" said Sybil; we're not
worth two millions. any of US
And were not duSky-browns,"
snapped Ethel. caressing stray raven |
lock; .''all cream aud coax Humphr |
But she's lovely girl" sighed |
Gertie, ''or she was two years ago. |
haven't met her since then. | was 1T |
Cape May. You can't help liking her."
"Oh, yes. | can, and will. decided |
Ethel rs they rose to go down to the
water.
The day before this paragon of heir
esses was expected Phil Partridge in-
vited all hands to go sailing on his |
sloop. And then he got telegram |
s,b;.-h "o'nnallah him to 90 10 .he city. |