The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1903-03-21
geleft Stnrp.
MAN, CHAPERON AND MAID.
BY ANNA 5. RICHARDSON d.

You are entirely too young and attrac :
tive to chaperon Ruth, observed Mrs
Cuscadden, surveying her companion 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 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 entanglements for Ruth. You know
how Mr. Rogers feels on the subject. Be-
sides want to bring her out this season
heart whole \ love affair is always a
handicap for debutante
Never did ehaperon use more graceful
tact in executing her trust Without
making enemies she warded of the many
admirers attracted to the viyacious Young
beiress until George Hackett appeared on
the scene, dropping from some uuheard of
point in the orient Well bred, well
groomed, well tailored, breezy and alert, he
was diplomacy proof.
Attaching himself IN their party Of two,
he proved distre-singly convenient and de
sirable He knew his Paris by heart and
sieered his countrywomen from boredom
with a skiliul hand Ruth boldly es-
pousel his cause and informed Mrs.. Burns
that she was having much jolher time
since Mr. Jackets 5 arrival whereupon
Mn. Burns read her charge the first long
lecSure Of their oompaniouship Not that
i, would do any good, she argued, Cor how
could any heart whole girl withstand
George Hackett
When the stay in Parss drew to close.
Mrs. Barns heard with dismay that Mr.
Hacket, was accompanying them as far as
London And London was but PAris re-
peaiei Mr. HackeSt 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 wheu the day for sailing from
Southampton was set and Mr. Burns
learned that the ubiquitous Mr. Hacke,t
had tAken passage on the same boat de-
spair fllcd her soul To the experienced
ehaperon 10 episode i more heavily
charged with danger than an ocean voyag e
AZ first she had been a rude as her gentle
nature wOald permit bat the more chilly
her rroep,ion ,he more assidnously would
he devote himself 10 Ruth. 1t she occa-
siOnally releuied and treated him with gra-
cious tolerance. Mr. Hackett showed eager
appreciation Of her favor and waxed bril-
liant
She vas 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 cnme the accounting to Mrs. Cusoad-
den No doub, a, 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 b. permitted to whisper.
The traitoruus rhapeFon felt sudden
twitching at her hcarfstnngs Should she
dcfy fate in the form Of Mrs Cu>eAdden >
For hcr,elf it would mean bu, broken
friendship for Georgs III ackelt ii meant
happiness for life Strangely enough she
did not seem To consider Ruth happiness
She was Ihiaking oaly Of her girlhood,
when Hackets friendship bad been such
a yery dear thing; when she would have
given him promised him--anything he
might ask. bat he had not asked
The coon singer had finished, and the
softer strains Of popular waltz foated out
on the night air \ great wave of ten
derness swept over Leslie Burns Why
should she stand between the man she had
loved and :he happiness he now eraved?
Alas for the eontding. eomplacent Mrs.
Cuscadden and her maternal plans
Mrs Burns drew her cape more closely
and shiyered slightly \ 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 have my cigar out here with
YOU, Mrs. Burns p Then as he dropped
into the chair at her side What a
bore one ; travelling companions become
directly land is sighted | don't blame
YOU for getting of to yourself
''Oh, it WASH 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 us.
Shall you stop in town p queried
Hackett.
just a day or so. I've week prom
ised to Mrs. Davenport at Tuxedo
''Glad to hear that shall be in Tux
edo next week. Hary's taken box down
there for the rest of the season -
''But the Cuscaddens will be at the hot
springs until their new place is finished. y
The remark sounded strangely fiat to Mrs
Burns, and instantly she wished she had