The daily morning Alaskan., 1903-01-06
MAN, CHAPERON AND MAID @
B Anna S. RbhardsOn
Copyrighi, p0i, by 4. & Rtehartsoa A.AaA,A,ASA,nANAnAnsAA

lon with a cool. critical glance. But she fairly has mysteries when suggest her going home with me. And really the dear child has seen nothing of Par is. and she wants another week or co fin London. It you could. my dear Les ue"-
 Mrs. Leslie Burns instantly replied that she could and she would-with pleasure. So lt happened that Mrs. Rog- CTS Cuscaddcu sailed alone for New York Co settle some vexed questions re garding the new house Her parting warning Co Mrs Burns was;
 Now remember. Leslie, no nterna- tional entauglements for Ruth. You know how Mir Rogers feels on the sub feet. Besides | want to bring her out this season heart whole. A love afrah is always a handicap tor a debutante"
 Never did chaperon use more grace fuI tact in executing her trust. With. out making enemies she warded on the many admirers attracted to the viva clous young bcircss until George Hack. ett appeared on the scene dropping from some uuheard of point in the orient We'll bred. we'll groomed well tailored. breezy and alert be was d. .plomacy proof
 Attaching himself to their party of two. he proved distressingly convenient and dcsirlbIc. He knew his Paris by heart and steercd bis cOuntrywomen from boredom with a sklllful hand Ruth boldly espouscd hls cause and in- formed Mrs. Burns that she was hay inra much jolller time since Mir. Hack etrs arrival whereupon Mrs. Burns read her charge the first long lecture Of their compunlouship. Not that lt would do any good. she argued. for how could any heart whole girl withstand George uackctt?
 When Che stay In Paris drew Co close. Mrs. Burns heard with dismay that Mir. HacEett was accompanying them as far as London. And London was but Pacls repeated. Mir. Hackett knew just what points of interest Ruth would enjoy and what she should avoid. He was more useful than Baedekcr and infinitely better com pg-y.
 But when rac day for sailing from Southampton was set and Mrs. Burns learned that the ubiquitous Mir. Hack ett had taken passage on the same boat despair filled her soul To the ex- perienccd chaperOn no episode is more heavily charged with danger than an ocean voyage. At first she had been as rude as her gentle nature would per init. but the more chilly her reception the more asslduously would he devote himself Co Ruth. If she occasionally relentcd md treated hIm with gracious tolerance. Mir. Hackett showed eager appreciation of her favor and waxed brilliant
 She was thinking it an over tonight as she sat alone on the deck. In less than twenty four hours, the captain h-i r-.'. G,g would be In New York harbor. Then must come the account ing Co Mrs. Cusc8dden. No doubt at this very moment. under the cover of coon songs iu the saloon. Mir. Hackett was whispering into the ears Of Ruth those tender words which he should not be permitted Co whisper
 The traitorous chaperon felt a sud den twitchiug at her hcartstrings. Should she defy fate In the form Of Mrs. Cuscaddeug For herself lt would mean but a broken friendship; for George IIackett lt meant happiness for life. Strangely enough she did not seem to consider Ruth's happiness She was thinking only of her girlhood when UacEctCs friendship had been such a very dear thing; when she would have l.yeu him-promised him anything he might ask, but De had not asked.
 The coon singer had finished. and the softer strains of a popular waltz 00atcd out on Che night aIr. A great wave of tendcruess swept over Leslie Burns. Why should she stand between the man she had loved and the happiness be now craved2
 Alas for the conddlne. complaccni Mrs. Cuscaddeu and her maternal plans.
 Mrs Buras drew her cape more closely and saly rcd slightly A shud- ow fen across the bar of light stream Ing from thc gBngwuy. A voice clear, but not loud. broke the silence brood. ing on Che deck.
 "ltuy ! have my cigar out here with you. Mrs. Buns3' Then us he dropped Into the chair at her side: What a bore ones travelling companions be come directly land Is sighted! [ don't blame you for getting on Co yourself" |"
 "Oh. it wasn't that exactly" mur- mur,d Mrs. Burns. Then. with the air of trying Co all la am awkward pause she added. "But there Is a subtle Joy in feeling that tomorrow night va shall sae the New York harbor lights clcam.ug. There's no place In the world just Ike New York Co US"
 "Shall you stop ln tOwuT querIet uac, -,t
 "Just day or so. I've a week prom