The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1903-01-30
| MAN., CHAPERoNj
AND MAID *
~. By Anna S. Richardson

o~~~>0
:" By Anna S. Richardson 1
Z Copyvtpht, 1901, by A. s. Richardson II
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
"You are entirely too young and at
tractive to chaperon Ruth" observed
Mrs. Cuscadden, surveying her compan'
ion 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
IN and she wants another week or so
In London. If you could, my dear Les
ue"-
MrA Leslie Burns Instantly replied
that she could and she would-with
pleasure So It happened that Mrs. Rog-
ers Cuscadden sailed alone for New
York to settle some vexed questions re-
garding the new house. Her parting
warning to Mrs. Burns was:
Nov remember, Leslie, no interna-
t1onal entanglements for Ruth. You
know how Mr.. Rogers feels on the SUBJ
ject. Besides I want to bring her out
this season heart whole. A love affair
u always a handicap for debutante."
Never did chaperon use more grace
full tact In executing her trust. With
out making enemies she warded off the
many admirers attracted to the viva
cious young heiress until George Hack
EFT appeared on the scene, dropping
from some unheard OF point in the
orient, Well bred, well groomed, we'll
tailored, breezy and alert, he was d.
plomacy proof.
Attaching himself to their party Of
two, he proved distressingly convenient
and desirable. he knew his Paris by
heart and steered his countrywomen
from boredom with a skillful hand.
Ruth boldly espoused his cause and in
formed Mrs. Burns that she was hav-
ing much jollier time since Mr.. Hack
cts 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 q
close Mrs. Burns heard with dismay
that Mr.. Hackett was accompanying
them as far as London. And London
was but Paris repeated. 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 CON-
pany.
But when the day for sailing from
southampton was set and Mrs. Burns
learned that the ubiquitous Mr.. Hack
ct had taken passage on the same
boat despair filled her SOUL To the ex-
perienced 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-
NIT, but the more chilly her reception
the more assiduously would he devote
himself to Ruth. If she occasionally
relented and treated him with gracious
tolerance, Mr.. Hackett showed eager
appreciation Of her favor and waxed
brilliant.
She was thinking 1t all over tonight
a. 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 account
ing to Mrs. Cuscadden. No doubt at
this very moment, under 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 traiterous chaperon felt sud-
den twitching at her heartstrings.
Should she defy fate in the form of
Mrs. Cuscadden? For herself 1t would
mean but a broken friendship; for
George Hackett it meant happiness Tor
life. Strangely enough she did not
seem to consider Ruth's happiness. She
was thinking only of her girlhood,
when Hacketts 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 floated
out on the night air. A great wave Of
tenderness swept over. Leslie Burns.
Why should she stand between the
man she had loved and the happiness
he now craved?
Alas for the conhding, complacent
plans!
Mrs. Burns drew her cape more
eloaolu and ahixorod slinhflv A shad.