The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1896-07-24
THE CHAPERoN.

hote paper She had finished three
and there were nine more to be DONE
III it want for my new muslin
would try to bear it so stoically, y
she sald' and smudged line with hel
sleeve; but the thought of the was
ted labor in these frils will embitte,
my whole existence-bother -
The concluding expletive was called
forth by the sight of the SIN uge.
If only the jcllies weren't nade,,
III Ella said. That's what | mind most
Inc pineapple one was really beyond
In ths armchair there was wet
handkerchief and crumpled girl in a
short frock. -
It's wicked" she said, sits cruel.
The only pleasure of my HOLIDAYS. I've
dreamed about it every night. And
school next week. No boats, no any
thing!''
Bother!"
Joan had smudged another sheet
She pushed the desk away pettishlv.
I'm not going to write any more OF
the horrid things"
IL only you weren't such prudes, :"
the girl in the armchair said. "Do
you Imagine you're in box and all
Australia is leveing its opera glasses
at you-who'd carey"
You're only a silly girl, Thea
think OF the people we've asked
why, the Delaney girls would faint at
the idea of picnic without chape-
lon. There's no help for it. Do You
think I'm not as disappointed as YOU
are?" '''
The picnic they had planned ana
dreamed OF, cooked for, lived for, must
at the last moment be declared off -
The lady who was to have cbaperon-
ed the party had been inconsiderate
enough to sprain her ankle lust when
all arrangement had been completed
Try as they would they could not
I'LL up the place and among all their
acquaintance in the district there
was not one married lady obligingly
disengaged enough to come and play
proprIety for them on short notice
Their father and mother had gone
for Christmas trip to Tasmania, and
given permission for the picnic, only
provided it was suitably chaperoaed.
Clearly, they could not go without
lady OF a certain age, more espe
cially as it would be a public holiday,
and the Parramatta river would be
alive with holiday makers.
I'D like to know what good they
do, Thea said in a voice so whitening
that even her tears checked them
selves. why, last holiday at the
Gresham's picnic, there were three
chaperons; but it did not prevent our
Jack from squeezing Nellie Alton S
hand, for saw him.
Our Jack "entered Just in time to
catch the last sentences and to pro
lect sofa cushion at the speaker.
Sheep dog, at your SERVICE, he
said and minced across the room. He
was dressed in long skirt of his
mothers with fashionable jacket left
unbuttoned and boa of black lace
around his neck.
There was gray, amazingly natural
looking wig on his head and surround
ing it black jet bsnnet with an
aigrette and long strings. A veil and
PAIR of eyeglasses and a languid smile
completed his ''get up,
Thea fell upon his neck. regardless
of the difiident security OF the bonnet,
You darling" she sohbed. "Oh,
you dear boy, YOU trump, you brick
Jack. "
And that is how it happened that the
party was chaperoned by a clean
shaver boy of 90. They introduced
him as Aunt Emmeina, and he
bowed beautifully or shook their hands |
silently and murmured correct little
society nothings
But at first Aunt Emmelina con
sidered had been unfairly used.
The girl had said Esther Hardess. |
present goddess of their brother some
what unstable affections, could not
possibly come, AS she had caught the |
measles from her little brother and was
in bed.
But when the morning came and the
people began to assemble at the big |
house on the hill, in walked Esther in |
a cool, white dress and sailor hat
Joan introduced them. my dear
friend, Esther, A unit Emmelina. .
Il heard you had the measles my
DEAR" Aunt Emmelina said, in a
thin, old voice. She retained the
hand, in its white suede glove, with
all the solicitude of chaperon of 40
years standing.
"Oh, no. it was Edith who caught
them-my sister, not L." Esther said.
She managed to get her hand away
and moved across the veranda, 10 be
instantly surrounded by the officers and
the bank clerk.
Aunt Emmelina went though the
Frenc h window into the breakfast
room, sulky look on her nice old
face.
Aunt Emmelina stood in moody
silence, her back to the freless CRATE.
They came in. all arms and legs and
beaming smiles.
Where's your corkscrew?" she
said. why, what's the matter.
Jack?" The last word was whispered.
80, confound it all, F." Aurt Emme-
lima said, and pushed up her veil,
regardless of consequences.
Thea went up TO him and put her
lips to his ear
"Its's Esther, isn't it!" she said.
mind your own business, he
answered and turned sharply on his
heel forgetful of his dress tail.
But Thea followed him up.
Sometimes chaperons kiss the girls
good by" she whispered, and fled out
again among the others.
Aunt Emmelina put her veil down !
carefully, she arranged her curls with
diligence, and set her bonnet straight.
There was smile in her eyes be.
hind the glasses. After all there might ,
be some enjoyment in the position.
Esther had evinced careless d'sre-
gard for his ardent admiration lately
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