The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1892-09-16
A MODEL oHAPERoN.


The piazza of the Lakeside Hotel was
comparatively deserted. The majority
of the boarders had gone in to dinner
A few there were, who, having dineG
earlier, were now promenading the white
sanded beach, while two or three still
fingered in the chairs on the veranda.
Prominent among these last was fair
haired young fellow, with the faintest
shadow of manliness Just becoming
visible on the upper lip, and eager
boyish blue eyes that were turned away
from the lake and fixed expectantly on
the door through which the guests OF
the house would presently file out to the
piazza. Suddenly he ceased drumming
on his chair-arm, and sprang to his feet,
his face lighting with animation as a
dark-haired, white-robed girl appeared
in the doorway. He was at her side in a
moment.
"You received my note, them" he
questioned eagerly.
'Of course, or should not be here,
she answered, with rather an uneasy
glance over her shoulder.
"And will you go? Why Natalie, it's
the prettiest spot you ever dreamed of.
Phil and discovered it when we were
off fishing yesterday. It's a sort of little
cove with ledge of rocks half way
round, aud water-lilies grow there. If
we could just take luncheon and stay till
the moon comes upp' he pleaded.
''Pd love to CO." the girl said visit
fully, ''but you know that auntie never
would consent to it."
"But she would if we had a chaperon. -"
"Ye-es," Natalie hesitated. "But,
Rob, we wouldn't have a bit of good
time with some one listening to very
word we said, and like enough treasur-
ing it up to tell auntie. Oh, l hate
chaperons!" she added with a fierce
little outburst of indignation. "Other
girls don't always have to be bothered
with them"
Never you mind" the young man be-
gan eagerly, 81 can fix all that if you'll
only let me. Didn't hear some one
coming?"
"No, guess not" the girl answered.
81 came out before dessert, and Aunt
Helen always takes two cups of coffee.
But go on-what is it you were going to
do?''
"Well, you know my invalid aunt, Mrs.
Vancouver, who was coming?"
The girl nodded.
II had letter from Der this morning;
she has changed her plans and is going
tu the mountains with my cousin Kate.
You know l engaged a room for her
opening out of mine?'
Eyes, you told me-" Natalie answered.
well, my plan is to have her come
just the same"
Natalie looked at him, bewildered
ITO have her come just the same" he
repeated. Then he went on rapidly.
"She is very nervous, and unable to see
any one, but she is fond of the water and
finds the motion of the boat very quiet
ing. She has lost the use of her limbs,
and so 1 carry her down to the boat-and
seep She chaperons us!" he concluded,
triumphantly.
Natalie still surveyed him uncompre-
hendingly and mystifed
mo, don't see," she said slowly. "If
she isn't here"
But we must make her here" he in
terrupted impatiently. Good gracious,
Natalie, can't you understand? Isn't it
easy enough for me to rig up some
thIng?''
"Oh!" and a flood of light came into
the girls face. IF you could make
them believe itr'
Make them believe it! They're going
to believe it! Just you promise to stand
by me if they do believe it, that's ALL"
There was sound of voices in the hall,
warning them that the boarders were
leaving the dining-room, and Natalie
hurriedly whispered yes"
In less than moment two very digni-
fled young people were seated on the
veranda at a proper distance apart, con-
versing in polite, half languid tones.
Aunt Helen, as she came out on the
piazza, drew up rocking-chair and
joined them.
81 was just telling Miss Vance of Aunt
Vancouver's arrival" the young man
announced to the maiden aunt, as she
settled back in her chair with an ex-
preston of most serene contentment.
sob, she has come? 1 didn't know
you were expecting her so soon," Miss
Vance the elder responded with show
of interest.
eyes, and she isn't nearly so we'll as 1
expected to find her." the unblushing
youth continued.
SID never have proposed her coming
here if I'd know. she would be such
care" he ended dolefully.
"The young are very unsympathetic,"
Miss Vance responded severely.
"Well, maybe they are" Rob respond
ed with an injured air; "but what would
you expect of fellow? She can hardly
walk step. My cousin came with her
here, and had to carry her in my arms
up to her room. She can't bear to have
you speak to her she's so nervous, and
I've got to carry her meals up to her
myself. If that isn't an inviting pros
pect, I'd like to knoww And the young
man settled back in his chair and gazed
gloomily away over the lake.
Miss Vance relaxed slightly.
''Well, perhaps it is somewhat diff
cult task, but your own aunt-it ought
to be labor of love-"
The young man received this in
silence, and finally said, with the air of
4 man who had taken all sides of the
question into consideration, and had
discovered one redeeming feature
There's one thing in my favor; she's
iwfully fond of the water, and has an
dea that the motion of boat will quiet
ler nerves. But there" he added
yloomily, sit tires her to be talked to,
md she positively won't talk herself"
Then, as if a bright thought had sudden
y struck him, he continued, Couldn't
you 60 with us, Miss Vance?"
'MeP' the maiden aunt exclaimed in
81 would, willingly, but
you don't know how afraid am of the
water"
Then her heart melting entirely
81 iUiU be tiresome for boy like you.
For years mother was much like that,
Ind used to simply long for some one