The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1915-06-25
"A SUBSTITUTE CAAPER0N
BY FANNY KENDEROiNE.

| tCOpyTSHt, 49, by tAe MCNIuIt -'@"9po
per SyndiCate)
A bellboy had just brought the tel
egram to Mrs. Ramsey. She regard
ed it with vexed resignation.
Girls" she said, addressing her
pretty daughters, you must 90 home
with me-. Mrs. Kittredge wires me
that she will be in Boston on the 20th
-tomorrow-to make me the long
promised visit. | must be there to
greet her" Her tone was final
But, mother" objected Katharine.
why can't you write Mrs. kittredge
and tell her to visit US here in New
York? We can have heaps more
fun"
There is no reason why we should
not remain until after the Beasley con-
cert" began Rosalind. but the look
on her mothers face checked her
words.
"Unchaperoned?" asked Mrs. Ram
sey, in horror.
Find US a chaperon for the remain
der of the week, and then we'll come
home and help entertain Mrs. Kilt
redge," urged Katharine.
There's no one in town of whom /
would ask such favor, but there is
my cousin, AIgernon Nudge"
Algernon Nudge.
Visions of his portrait in an OBJ
scure corner Of the library at home
assailed the mental vision of the
girls. Cousin Algernon Nudge was
small and pale and very learned look
ing. His little moonlike face was al
most obscured by a pair of huge tor
toise-shell trimmed speCtaCleS.
Surely one would be safe with Al
gernon Nudge, their mothers second
cousin.
When they reached their sitting
room after their mother had gone.
they were confronted by a servant
bearing the card of Mr.. Algernon
Nudge.
All this for the benefit of little,
near-sighted STUDENT
Come" said Katherine, and they
went down to the red parlor where
the visitor awaited them.
But the only occupant of the red
parlor was a tall, b'g-framed young
man, smartly arrayed in most feck-
less clothes.
The young man bowed profoundly.
Il am here" he said pleasantly.
"You-you are mistaken" said
Rosalind haughtily. 1--WE are looking
for our cousin, Mr. Nudge"
Il am Algernon Nudge" insisted
the youth, placing card on the
table. MY father is laid up with
an attack Of rheumatic govt and he
sent meas a sort of substitute
chaperon. Hope you don't mind" ~~
Katharine looked appealingly at
her elder sister.
I'VE didn't know that Cousin Alger-
non had son." confessed Rosalind.
I'VE thought he was a childless wild
over. But we are glad to see you,
Cousin Algernon; but We were sur
prised."
"No wonder" said Algernon, shak-
ing hands vigorously. Expecting
neat little chaperon like dad, and find
ing me-"
I'm sorry, but I'm afraid you won't
do sighed Rosalind.
"Oh, bother" said young Algernon.
Let me take you about a bit. How
long have you been here?"
Arrived last night" announced
Rosalind, tragically.
"Say, that's bad luck, isn't It?
Ever been here before?'
mo; we live in Boston, and it
hasn't seemed-seemed necessary
went on Rosalind. But now We are
here there are so many things we
wanted to see; just common everyday
sights that you will laugh at"
The girls went away with Alger-
ION Nudge and from the moment
hey mounted to the roof of a Fifth
avenue bus until hours afterward
hey were set down at the Nudge
lone in Washington square, they for
'ot everything save that they were
eeing things about which they had
cad and talked for years.
And Algernon Nudge, senior, sort
# balanced matters by proving to be
xactly as they had pictured him
ave that he was the most charming
nd delightful Of hosts.
Il didn't want to disappoint your
lother, my dears," he said patting
heir hands; $50 l just sent nv big
oy along. Algie works too hard
nyway. A little play will do no
arm"
After dinner Jack Kenyon, a friend
Algie dropped in and Cousin All.
ernon insisted upon music. And
le next day there were four who
1t forth upon adventure in Man.
attain.
1t was a double wedding the fol.
wing October
After Katharine and Algie and RI.
Hind and Jack had left the house.
RS. Ramsey looked at Cousin Alser-
IN Nudge, who beamed back at her
L,