The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1909-04-01
DAILY SHOR II
STORY
THE cHAPERoN.

because the sun, red as the parasol,
would soon sink into the tranquil
sea. The hand that was free of
the parasol held an unopened book,
and the lady herself gazed into the
grayish water for long, silent min
utes. Ripples of maidently laugh
ter floated up from behind cliffs
and lodges that goat would scarce
care to climb; and the monotonous
murmuring of the young things in
trusted to her care beat upon her
unheeding ears.
Then stating sail peeped over
the glooming horizon and the chap
erone tossed the dull book upon
the sands:
II wish" she murmured, dream
ily,. Ito be upon yonder boat-to
sail forever in a sea of golden fan
cyl"
"A beautiful wish" said a deep,
firm voice behind her. A wish that
a prince or beggar, a poet or
plumber might make-a wish that
comes true for us all when we al
| low"
The chaperone turned and
screamed-not loud enough for the
young things along the Lodges to
hear. 'Tom-oh, Tom-where In
the world did you come from?"
1.-THE Iolanthe' is at Rockhaven,"
explained Brantley. 81 heard of
them scrimmage and came over,
pining to be entertained, shocked,
flirted with, made over. But you're
alone-a gallant bunch of gentle
men!"
"Oh," answered the lady. "You
see, I'm the chaperone!'
There was a flush in her cheek,
and Brantley saw. "A chaperone!"
he retorted. And you are 29-and
you read The Decline of Neo-Plat-
onism!'" He picked up the little
brown book and flung it into the
tapping sea. Besides" he added,
looking keenly at her, "chaperones
should not blush"
tom Brantley!" she cried. How
dare you-and my book, you bar
barian!" ..,a-s an
TIL bring you The Courtship of
Lady Mary tomorrow" he prom.
Used. "and read it with you under
the shade of your commodious red
parasol."
She dug her foot into the sand
and sighed again. A strange, exul-
tant sensation came to her, she
hardly knew why. The little smack
| plunged nearer, and, half closing
her blue eyes. she gazed at the on
| coming boat and dreamed.
Here comes our boat" warned
Brantley. Are you ready for the
voyage?"
"'Our' boat?" she asked, frown-
ing. What voyage?"
He laughed-it seemed to her
most unsteady. "The never-ending
dream voyage on the sea of golden
fancy that awaits you. If you will
only permit" he said. earnestly.
"You-the hermit-lady of 29-the
fair priestess of strange, unearthly
philosophies-the charming chape-
rome relegated to sand dune,
whilst gallant gentlemen sit among
| the rocks and murmur in the ears
of sweet &c."
He came nearer and bent over
her. She looked at the sand and
made cunning little figure Fights
and hour glasses and circles.
ELSIE" he persisted, you're
lonely-you're tired of your theo-
ries and your renunciations-you're
weary of playing the chaperone-"
I'm not! I'm not!' interrupted
the chaperone: but her voice was
most unsteady.
You are! You are!" asserted
Brantley, and he held out his
hands. Come, I've given you two
years, and you're weary. and I'm
weary, dear. Come; it's the ship O.
dreams on the sea of the hearts
desire. Come, Elsie!"
And the chaperone came. And
for full two minutes she swayed
and sighed and dreamed in the
arms of the strong man. while the
red sun sank into the tapping sea
and the air grew cool.
Then there came scrambling
among the rock lodges and the
scattered groups of young things
came up along the sand and saw,
Brantley and the lady still tor
gether. ~
well. of all things!" shrieked
Bessie Renwick.
Brantlty bowed low. Mrs.
Brantley to be" he announced.
AS the congratulations showered
the saucy little smack rammed her
nose into the beach.
1.-THE cruise begins" murmured
Tom Brantley; and the chaperone
clapped her hands In glee. I
| AMMONIA ATOMIZER |
| QEATC GIN CyDI q