The Green Forest tribune., 1910-12-16
MHH11E86EEBEEE &
 THE CHEVALIER
Ry DONALD ALLEN
CopTTie6t. 19io, by Associated Literary Press

And that was how Cnevalier Darcy came to be an honored guest in the house of Flynt. Miss Florence looked at him doubtfully. but the aunt accept ed him al once. Why not? He had the most engaging manners; he was gentleman with title; he had saved their lives; he was a stranger who was making a tour of America to study society and other things. And he ad- mitted in the frankest and most charming manner that it was possible an American bride might return to France with him.
 Mrs. Flynt was a thoughtful woman. She thought that collision might nave jared the chevaliers wallet out or his pocket and lost 1t. At his very first call she offered to become hls banker. She put it in a way to spare his proud feelings, and he pocketed the check and said he did not look TOT such fine consideration in crude Amer ica. They had already looked askance at him at the hotel, but that check saved the day.
 TOT q lOl lulSuI MI T " NV -NSNN- thoughts and dreams connected with herself and titles and castles. She was a chevaieress. She was the boss of hundred servants. She was on friendly terms with people of blue blood. Then she became conscience stricken. There was that poor girl Florence. She had promised to do the square thing by her, and would 1t be doing it to beat her out of title and castles? Wasn't the chevalier already showing by his actions that he was falling In love with the girl? No. Old Josh Flynt had always been called square man-even if he did divide with the alderman-and his widow would uphold his reputation. Later on, of a lord or a count came her way, we'll
 The aunt sought Miss Florence and resigned the cheyalier to her and asked no gratitude in return.
 Then came the long-delayed comics sion. Florence was engaged tc q young man in Poughkeepsie. She didn't exactly know about his family or finances, but he had curly hair and black eyes and very white teeth and tenor voice. She loved him, and she would marry him, and she didn't care two red cents for an old chevalier. As for castles, they must be full of ghosts and cObwebs, and she preferred two story brick house, with a stone dog and a fountain in the front yard.
 Mrs Flynt became very angry. She scolded and criticised and put her foot down. Then she shed tears and appealed. Here was the chance of a girls lifetime. It would never occur again. Wealth, title. station and cas- ties for just saying yes. Had the girls senses deserted her? Let her 1 take a week to think it over. and then l beware how she broke her loving aunts heart.
 The chevalier would wait week i before committing suicide for love of l Miss Florence. He wouldn't do it for any other person than the aunt. He would do it for her because she had l loaned him money until he could hear from Paris, and because he was ! obliged to ask another favor of the same sort Paris wasn't so far away l but those Paris bankers always took their time about business matters. An other check was handed over, and again the hotel bouncer was saved a l job.
 The week was only half up when a l l,o;. l., eyes and white teeth called at the i Flynt mansion. Mrs. Flynt happened l to receive him, and she noticed that | his card bore the name of Walter Al. 1 word. He was just a common Ameri can, and when he asked for Miss Flor ence Mrs. Flynt retired from the par | Tor. She wasn't expecting the cheva- 1 Her at that hour, and that was the req son why he was shown directly into the parlor, and beheld the young man holding willing hand belonging to Miss Florence.
 | He assumed a pose. He meant it ] to be terrible pose. Then his eyes 1 betrayed the tragedy that was turning comersaults in his soul. No apprecia. tion from the audience of two. Then he thundered out:
 Mile tonerres!" in a voice to make one shiver. No shivers. The cheya l Her was about to wave his arms and yell when Mrs. Flynt entered the room. The young man with the dark eyes and white teeth rose up and handed her various newspaper clip. 1 pings and quietly said:
 His history is all there. Shall 1, be read aloud ?"
 In less than a minute the cheva1ie, was gone.
 Mrs. Flynt read those newspaner clippings in the privacy of her own room, and an hour later appeared in the parlor, red-eyed and contrite. tc say:
 Florence, I guess we don't wan, any titles. l guess it's your aunt who lacks the brains. You may introduce me to your young man. as Mrs. Joshus | Flint-F-l-i-n-t