Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-01-06
The Emancipation
OF the Chaperons.
By ALICE LOUISE LEE.
Copyright. 1905. by Alice Louise Lee.
I YUH!' Merriwether stretched
Fl his legs out lu1uriously in
front of the CRATE and pulled
OF b;o ,,i,,o "a ChrictYnaa

Il 4 at his pipe. "A Christmas
house party at The Pines" Then after
pause, "Who are invited?"
Els nephew leaned against the man
telpiece and stuffed his hands into his
pockets as he enumerated the guests,
the uncle keeping up running and
caustic comment:
'Engaged--golng to be-introduced
for matrimonial purposes-engaged--
the same" The Enumeration ceased.
Eyes, l see myself helping to chap
eron your house party. stroll into
the reception room and stumble over
an engaged couple. sneak into the
library and am frowned out again by
newly introduced couple. bang in
to the music room and overhear pro-
posal. No, thank you, Roy; I shall
spend Christmas In peace and my own
room
Roy picked up his hat and moved to-
ward the door. Modern house parties
are not conducted along the lines
you've laid down, uncle. Change your
mind and judge for yourself" He
luS ny AhC way
didn't mention the other chaperon, did
1? It's Mrs Angel, Bertha's widowed
aunt, you know" With this parting
shot, which he knew was effective, Roy
discreetly retreated.
After he had gone Merriwether sat
an hour staring Mt the fire and pulling
away Mt smokeless pipe. Then he
arose and looked earnestly at himself
in the mantel mirror. Were apt to
run down." he apostrophized his re-
Fiction: "apt to run to seed. we bache-
lors. Now, this tie-let's see, it's six
months out Of style, and Gertrude used
to be-hum." He stepped to the phone
and called up his tailor. realizing that
his mind had already undergone the
cha !, Roy hoped for.
tt days later he arrived at The
Pin Just in time to dress for dinner.
He was accompanied by man and a
smart lot Of luggage. accessories which
made SO marked a change in his mp
pearance that when at 6 o'clock he de-
scended to the lower hall Bertha Mon
roe, awaiting her aunt at the foot Of
the stairs. surveyed him in delighted
amaZement.
"Why, Uncle Bruce" she exclaimed,
'you look so fine scarcely knew your
Bertha was his nephew's fancee and
already claimed relationship in private
to the uncle. I'D make Roy wear
evening clothes in the morning If he
had such splendid fgure-so filled
out, you know"
Merriwether following her into the
living room, laughed grimly at the
doubtful compliment. "Oh, he'll tip the
scales at 200 soon enough, don't wor-
ryy'
"You surely don't look that stout"
began Bertha and, turning abruptly
toward the entrance, finished with,
Does he, auntie?"
Gertrude ANGEL swept past her niece
and met Merriwether's outstretched
hand cordially. Look? Why, he looks
surprisingly like the Bruce Merriweth-
err used to know SO we'll"
"Fifteen years ago." was on the end
of Merriwether's tongue, but he check
ed himself Just in time. GertrrSle prob
ably ignored lapses in time as,swomen
have habit of doing, he thought But
surely hers was face, form, bear
ing, which had go successfully with
stood time as to entitle her to the ap-
pellation of youth. Her brown hair
had not lost its luster. nor had her blue
eyes lost aught Of their sparkling In
terest in life, while she carried herself
with her old time spring and vfvacity.
Merriwether noted all these things as
he sat opposite her at dinner. His
memory flashed picture after picture
before him-the primary days in their
old home school, their grammar room
betrothal, the warm friendship Of later
years, which had meant something
more to him; then her marriage and
life abroad. AS he looked at her he
had the uncomfortable feeling that, al
though her birth had antedated his by
one year, she was many years his
junior.
He was just characterizing himself
as "old" when his nephew's voice
aroused him and added point to his
reflection Tomorrow morning we
skate" announced Roy joyfully. 1--WE
had the pond back here cleared TO-,
action, and the ice is O. X" Then he
added carelessly, "By the way, Uncle
Bruce, I forgot to tell you to bring
skates along, but can easily provide
you with a pair
Merriwether quaked inwardly, but
made no reply until after dinner, when
he backed his nephew into a corner
and addressed him privately and force
fully, 1--WE not been on skates for ten
years, and l don't intend to make a
spectacle of myself now by any
means"
"Why, uncle-er-you know, that
makes things rather awkward, for Mrs.
Angel does all those things so well,
and-er-we don't want her to feel
bored here"
"0h!" groaned Merriwether. I'm that
case I'll try, but watch out for rep
etition of a chapter in the 'Pickwick
Papersv" and he turned abruptly into
the ballroom.
care you looking over the scene Of
former triumphs?' asked a gay voice
beside him. And Mrs Angel moved
across the room to straighten candle
In one Of the candelabra.
Merriwether noted with admiration
her free, light step. She was superb