Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1910-07-22
Ole
Substitute
A Man Plays the Part OF
Another Who Cannot
Appear
By GEORGE L. BYINCTCN
1910. by American Press
Association.

the Communicates orderly came to my
quarters and said that Mrs. Comman-
dant talias Mrs. Colonel Seymour
would like to see me. | obeyed what |
considered an order and betook myself
to the most pretentious house in the
garrison. where the lady lived.
"Mr. Boynton," she said. my neph-
ew. Aft Rogers, is in a lot of trouble
At the supper table after the hop the
other night he drank too much wine
he's just out Of West Point, you know.
and has no practice at winebibbing-
insulted Major Whipple and is now
under arrest. l have invited Lucia
Edgerton. girl in whom am much
interested. to visit me especially to
meet All. To confess, l wish to make
match between the two. This stupid
business of Alf's getting tipsy on two
or three glasses of wine has spoiled
everything
ITO tell a girl that the man l have
been praising to her and have indl-
Gated | wanted her to marry is under
arrest for drunkenness would be an
irreparab BILE blow to my matrimonial
plan. | have thought out a scheme for
substitute. Would you mind person
ating Alt for short timer"
Anything to please you, Mrs. Sey-
mour."
II could tell Lucia that Alf had been
ordered away on special duty, but I've
thought it over and have concluded
that such a subterfuge wouldn't be
wise. l would rather post the officers
and their families that you are to act
as ALI. and as soon as he is restored to
duty we can turn it off as a joke"
Our little post was so dull that not
only |, but the officers and their fami-
lies, were quite pleased with Mrs. Sey-
mour's plan. We all enjoyed the pros
pect Of fooling her protegee. watching
her while we were doing so and OBJ
serving her actions while receiving the
attentions of the wrong man.
Miss Edgerton arrived. was welcom-
ed by her hostess, and | was invited to
dinner. 1t seemed queer to be address,
ed as Mr.. Rogers, but it was very nice
to be expected to make myself agree
able to one of the most winsome young
girls | ever met. She was barely eight
cen. innocent, unsophistocated and ap-
parently very easy person to perpe-
trate any fraud upon. 1t did not seem
possible to me that the deception could
be carried on very long. but had no
sooner made Miss Edgerton's acquaint-
ance than | hoped it might be inter-
minable.
While found myself in one respect
in clover in another | was troubled.
1t was fine to be dancing attendance
on girl intended for Rogers while he
was languishing in his quarters, but
the fact was ever present that the day
would come when | must resign her TO
her rightful owner. | attended her at
Sunday morning inspection. guard
mounting and such ceremonials as
were possible at a small post l gal
loped by her side over hill and dale;
danced with her. sang duets with her
in short, did everything except make
love to her, which under the circum-
stances would have been dishonora BILE.
Every one who came in contact with
Miss Edgerton enjoyed immensely the
innocent ruse that was being perpe-
trated upon her. They were all very
punctilious In addressing me in her
presence as Mr.. Rogers. He was very
popular and there was not one person
at the post who would for the world
have baked the plan to hide the fact
that he was under arrest for intoxica-
ton. | had expected Mrs. Seymour to
find some way out of the matter with.
In few days. but she did not, and II
went on. An order for the converting
OF court martial to try the real Rog
ers for conduct unbecoming an officer
aud a gentleman was daily expected
but did not arrive. However, there
were few of us at the post. and every
one became so used TO palming me of
as Lieutenant Rogers that it seemed
the substitution might go on indef
nitely.
One evening Miss Edgerton. who ha6
been very shy. surprised me by init
mating in a delicate though unmistak
able way that she was cognizant o.
Mrs. Seymour's matchmaking scheme
and showed disappointment mt my moi
having evinced a tender interest in her
1t was hard enough before for me tC
get on without making love. but afte
this it was impossible. | don't meal
that had fallen in love with Miss Ed
gerton We soldiers, prone to extremes
are given as much to lovemakins
MS to fighting 1t is. however, rather
lovemaking than love. for we have /
faculty for choosing sweethearts al
often as we are transferred between
stations My lovemaking with Mis-
Edgerton was more like that we were
used to practicing while at West Poin
during the summer encampment. whel
we met swarms of girl visitors. eacl
one of whom would have considered
the corps ungallant If she were permit
ted TO go back home without having
Received at least one proposal.
But before being carried away l of