The Press., 1916-09-07
sCicely's
 Blunder. Story of a Girl and a
 Chauffeur.
By CLARISSA MACKIE

A
 Mrs. Delmaine smiled across the hearth at her husband.
 II wish"- she began, and then stop ped short at the glance of his twinkling eyes.
 .'Go on, Jean! Of course your wish has something to do with Cicely. What are you wishing for now, a girl and carry her away to his feudal castle, where she will be miserable ever afterT'
 "Of course not, Daniel. was wish ing that if she must fall in love with some one it might be one of the Blair boys. They are delightful"
 "She has never met them" ~'
 "I know 1t, but in visiting Aunt Agatha she is sure to see a great deal of the Blairs. They are next door neighbors and very intimate with Aunt Agatha"
 "I thought they were abroad now" "Mr. and Mrs. Blair and Betty are in Norway, but the boys are home. Peter is writing a book, and Bobby is cramming for his final examinations
 Peter sounds the most eligible to me-" Mir. Delmaine dropped his news paper and grinned broadly. "Cicely doesn't want a husband who is too lazy to graduate with his class. Why, Bobby Blair couldn't earn his salt. wouldn't have him in my office, not even If he was Cicely's husband! Don't worry about our girl, Jean, she shan't be hurried, and I trust her to pick out the right kind of man to marry, Blair or no Blair, money or no money!'
 But Mrs. Delmaine shook her head.
 "I know Cicely," she murmured pes simistically. "She will be perfectly sweet about it,, but she will fall in love with Aunt Agatha's chaufreury'
 "Fiddlesticks! The man may be married. He may be as old as the hills. He may be anything but at tractive! If you have such forebod- ings why let the child go at all?'
 Aunt Agatha wants her." was the conclusive argument.
 So when Daniel Delmaine took his pretty daughter into his arms and bade her farewell he looked deep into her gray eyes.
 Dear" he said, don't forget that you are a Delmaine and that we love your'
 And Cicely gave him back her straight. clear glance and smiled frankly. Don't worry about me Dads." she said.
 AS the train threaded the Long Is land countryside Cicely wondered 6 little at the gravity of her fathers face when he uttered that farewell warning. So far as she knew, she had never caused her parents an hours anxiety unless it had been when she had been secretly helping the invalid wife of her music master and her mother had believed she had discovered flirtati between the two
 Afterward, when the truth was out Mrs. Delmaine had been only too eager to help little Herr Frickel and his sickly wife and send them to g more congenial climate.
 Cicely suddenly remembered the lit JIG IOtc uCT mOLuGI udu luCAGu 1ulS her hand at parting.
 Read this on the train, dear," her mother had whispered.
 Cicely took the note from her pocket and read with amused eyes that grew misty with tears:
 Dearest daughter" wrote Mrs. Del maine, don't, don't fall in love with Aunt Agatha's chauffeur. Some of them are very attractive, and you will break our hearts. Mother"
 "The dear thing!' whispered Cicely as she tucked the note away. "As ii a Delmaine could fall in love with 8 chauffeur!'
 A handsome limousine car was drawn up at the platform of Rose wood, and the smart looking chauf feur came forward and touched a fin. ger to his cap.
 For Oakwood, miss P he asked.
 "Yes." Cicely stepped into the car and handed the man her baggage checks.
 "Thomas will bring the trunks later,'' said the man as he placed her dressing bag beside her and closed the door.
 Cicely saw him walk down the plat form, fine, manly figure in the pale buff livery of Aunt Agatha's servants. He was young, with dark, clearly cut features and firm, resolute mouth.
 He handed the baggage checks to Thomas. who was ruddy faced little Englishman, waiting beside a yellow trap.
 Presently he returned and took his seat
 AS they glided over the hard roads Cicely found herself watching that pro. file through the window instead of re- joicing in the charming panorama of rolling hills, dusky woods and spar king blue sea.
 Now they were within the gates of Oakwood, and Cicely was looking for the first glimpse of Aunt Agatha's alert little figure. Miss Agatha Delmaine was Cicely's great aunt and had spent so many years abroad that now she had returned Cicely found to her sur prise that Aunt Agatha was almost a stranger and Oakwood an entirely new discovery.
 My u0dE Cullu, muTuuFcU AuUt Agatha as she gathered Cicely into her arms. and over Cicely's shoulder she called sharply to the chauffeur, who was bringing Cicely's dressing bag. Peter, how absurd of you! Give the bag to Arnold and come here" ; To Cicely's surprise the chauffeur merely touched his becoming cap and stalked into the house with the bag to immediately return and run down the steps to his car. In second he had cranked the machine and was gliding around the drive to the garage.
 '"This Peter person must be privi legged character" thought Cicely as she freshed her toilet for dinner, Thomas not havings appeared with the trunks She had noted rather amused twin kle in Aunt Agatha's eyes even while she chided the chauffeur But auntie is not so lenient with the other serv. ants. She was quite stern to Arnold whnn ho uao corvinO toa Woll hn ic