The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1916-02-04
A SUBSTITUTE CnAPEROn
- s<sglss
BY FANNY kENDERpINE.
Copyright. 1915. by the Mcclure Newspa
per Syndicate)

1
per Syndicate)
A bellboy had Just brought the tel
egram to Mrs. Ramsey. She regard
ed 1t with vexed resignation.
Girls she said, addressing hel
| pretty daughters, you must go home
with mo. Mrs. Kittredge wires me
that she will be in Boston on the goth
| -tomorrow-to make me the long
| promised visit l 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 a favor, but there lie
my cousin, Algernon 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 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 we're confronted by a servant
bearing the card of Mr.. Algernon
Nudge.
All this for the benefit of a little.
near-sighted student!
Comet 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, big-framed young
man, smartly arrayed in most deck'
less clothes.
The young man bowed profoundly.
81 am here" he said pleasantly.
"You-you are mistaken, said
Rosalind haughtily. 1--WE are looking
for our cousin, Mr. Nudge"
II 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 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 a son." confessed Rosalind.
we thought he was a childless wild
over. But we are glad to see you,
Cousin Algernon; but we were sur
prised.'
mo wonder" said Algernon, shak-
ng hands vigorously. Expecting a
heat little chaperon like dad, and find
ng mel"
I'm sorry, but I'm afraid you won't
TO- sighed Rosalind.
ooh, bother!" said young Algernon.
Let me take you about bit. How
ong have you been here?"
Arrived last night announced
tragically.
Say, that's bad luck, isn't It?
Ever been here before?"
NO; we live in Boston, and 1t
lasnt seemed-seemed necessary
vent on Rosalind. But now we are
lere there are 80 many things we
wanted to see; just common everyday
sights that you will laugh at"
The girls went away with Alger-
on Nudge and from the moment
hey mounted to the roof of Fifth
venue bus until hours afterward
hey we're set down at the Nudge
ONE 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
I balanced matters by proving to be
xactly as they had pictured him
ave that he was the most charming
nd delightful Of hosts.
81 didn't want to disappoint your
lother, my dears," he said patting
heir hands; $50 ! just sent my big
oy along. Algie works too hard
nyway. A little play will do no
arm"
After dinner Jack Kenyon, friend
[ Algie, dropped in and Cousin AL.
ernon insisted upon music. And
le next day there were four who
1t forth upon adventure in Man.
attain.
1t was . double wedding the fol.
wing October.
After Katharine and A1gie and Ro-
Hind and Jack had left the house,
rs Ramsey looked at Cousin Alger-
On Nudge, who beamed back at her
rough his goggles
Tim afraid you're an irrespon-
BILE chaperon," sighed Mrs. Ramsey.
Through you I've lost both my
rls!"
Cousin Algernon squeezed her hend
sntly.
"a rn1foh1o chs maroon uauoJiv -.