The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1903-03-21

tive to chaperon Ruth, observed Mrs.
Cuscadden, surveying her companion with
a cool, critical glance ''But she fairly
has Mysteries when 1 suggest her going
home with me. And really the dear child
has seen nothing of Paris, and she wants
another week or so in London. If you
could, my dear Leslie
Mrs. Leslie Burns instantly replied that
she could and she would-with pleasure
So it happened that Mrs. Rogers Cuscad-
den sailed alone for New York to settle
some vexed questions regarding the new
house Her parting warning to Mrs.
Burns was -.----
''Now remember, Leslie, no interna-
tional entang glements for Ruth. You know
how Mr.. Rogers feels on the subject Be-
sides | want to bring her out this season
heart whole. A love affair is always a
handicap for debutante.
Never did chaperon use more graceful
tact in executing her trust Without
making enemies she warded off the many
admirers attracted to the vivacious young
heiress until George Hackett appeared on
the scene, dropping from some unheard of
point in the orient Well bred, we'll
groomed, we'll tailored, breezy and alert, he
was diplomacy proof.
Attaching himself to their party of two,
he proved distressingly convenient and de-
sirable. He knew his Paris by heart and
steered his countrywomen from boredom
with skilful hand Ruth boldly es-
poused his cause and informed Mrs. Burns
that she was having much jollier time
since Mr.. Hackett' s arrival, whereupon
Mrs. Burns read her charge the first long
lecture of their companionship. Not that
it would do any good, she argued, for how
could any heart whole girl withstand
George Hackett
When the stay in Paris drew to close.
Mrs. Burns heard with dismay that Mr..
Hackett was accompanying them as far as
London. And London was but PariJ re-
peated Mr.. Hackett knew just what
points of interest Ruth would enjoy and
what she should avoid He was more
useful than Baedeker and infinitely better
company.
But when the day for sailing from
Southampton was set and Mrs. Burns
learned that the ubiquitous Mr.. Hackett
had taken passage on the same boat de-
spair filled her soul. 10 the experienced
chaperon no episode is more heavily
charged with danger than an ocean voyag. e
At first she had been as rude as her gentle
nature would permit, but the more chilly
her reception the more assiduousl ly would
he devote himself to Ruth. If she occa-
sionally relented and treated him with gra-
cious tolerance, Mr.. Hackett showed eager
appreciation of her favor and waxed bril-
liant
She was thinking it all over tonight as
she sat alone on the deck In less than
twenty -four hours, the captain had said,
they would be in New York harbor. Then
must come the accounting to Mrs. Cuscad-
den No doubt at this very moment, un-
der the cover of coon songs in the saloon,
Mr. Hackett was whispering into the ears
of Ruth those tender words which he should
not be permitted to whisper.
The traitorous chaperon felt sudden
twitching at her heartstrings. Should she
defy fate in the form of Mrs Cuscadden :?
For herself it would mean but broken
friendship; for George 81 ackett it meant
happiness for life Strangely enough she
did not seem to consider Ruth's happiness.
She was thinking only Of her girlhood,
when Hackett's friendship had been such
a very dear thing; when she would have
given him promised him-anything he
might ask, but he had not asked.
The coon singer had finished, and the
softer strains of a popular waltz aoated out
on the night air. A great wave of ten
derness swept over Leslie Burns. Why
should she stand between the man she had
loved and the happiness he now craved?
Alas for the coniding, complacent Mrs.
Cuscadden and her maternal plans
Mrs. Burns drew her cape more closely
and shivered slightly. A shadow fell
across the bar of light streaming from the
gangway A voice clear, but not loud,
broke the silence brooding on the deck.
"May I have my cigar out here with
you, Mrs. Burns ?" Then as he dropped
into the chair at her side !: ''What
bore ones travelling companions become
directly land Is sighted L don Dlame
you for getting off to yourself
"Oh, it wasn't that exactly" murmur-
ed Mrs. Burns. Then, with the air of
trying to fill in an awkward pause, she ad-
ded: "But there is subtle joy in feel
ing that tomorrow night we shall see the
New York harbor lights cleaning. There's
no place in the world just like New York
to u.s.
"Shall you stop in town p queried
Hackett.
"Just day or so. I've week prom
ised to Mrs. Davenport at Tuxedo.
"Glad to hear that. I shall be in Tux