The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1916-09-09
& CHAIRS FOR TWO
w@wasa 60 sfsrevlt "
M BY EARL sILvERs. SSA

Iece had lust finished one OF the most
successful dances in history. II was
after midnight when Che last speecn
was given, the last song sung ana me
banpy pleasure seekers bundled into
me four big stages which waited 10
take them back to CollegeviIle- -
The desire for activity had increased
so much that one OF the more adyen'
turous suggested that it would be
flne thing to visit the verandas Of ths
Glenwood homes and make a collec
ton of chairs. No sooner was the
suggestion made than the high-spiritee
students swooped down upon the dark
ened houses. Soon q miscellaneous
collection of chairs was piled upon th'
coaches. saskN%
when the end OF the village was
reached, however, the more sober
members OF the party called halt
The chairs were piled high in the lawr
OF one of the most prominent citizens
But not all the trophies were left be
hind. Jim Duncan, with characters
tic stubbornness, refused to part with
his treasure. 1t was fine chair pi
solid mahogany. .efasg~~
On the very next night, Jim met FL
sic Thurston. II was at o Country
club dance, and after the third foz
trot, Jim decided that Elsie was alto
gether the finest girl he had ever met
Elsie, on her part, evidently consld
cred Jim with favorable light, for she
gave him three other dances before
the evening was over, and just before
they parted she acWIiesced in his sug
gestion that he 20 to see her on the
next evening.
Jim appeared at the Thurston resi-
dence shortly after eight o'clock. Ell
sic, having decided to look her very
best, was not ready when the visitor
arrived, so Mr.. Thurston introducing
himself, accepted the role of enter
tainer. The compensation drifted to
college and the prnnks Of various stu
dents. q
"Yes, we do have lots Of fun" Jim
said In answer to a question Of the
older man, ''But then, we study O
bit. too"
"wen," Mr.. Thnrston answered
grimly, 81 know one time when some
of you didn't study any. That was
two nights ago" -
Jim's heart missed beat.
'What happenedw he asked inno-
Gently.
"A bunch of students came over
here after midnight and stole one of
my best chairs" Jim's face took on
a slight tinge. but 1t was dark and Mr..
Thurston did not notice. 'It was a
chair / value highly" he continued,
"and II could find out who took II
would prosecute him TO the full ex-
tent Of the law"
Maybe I could scout around and
find 1t for you" Jim suggested.
"If you do / shall be eternally
obliged to you," the other anwered.
Elsie appeared. radiant in crea-
ton Of shimmering blue.
would you like to 60 in and look
at that picture / was telling you about
last nightT she asked.
Jim followed her into the spacious
library. The FIRST thing his eyes fell
upon was a chair identical in appear
ance with the one which reposed in
the corner of his own room. Elsie fol-
lowed his glance.
whats the matter?" she asked,
noting his startled expression.
"Why--I--er--was looking at that
chair" he managed to answer. 'It's
rather odd, isn't it2"
Yes It is one of pair we used to
have that has been in the family for
years."
Jim examined the chair with inter-
est
'You say that there was another
one2" he asked. "Where is it?"
"A group OF college boys stole II the
night before last" she answered.
"0h, that's a shamel" He spoke In
dignantly. 'Do they fit together?"
"Yes, they were so made that they
could be Joined to form a tete-a-tete,
DO you see where the joints areY"
''Maybe." he suggested, II can look
around the dormitory and find the
other one. And IL / do, I'll bring it
back to you.r
So bright and early the next morn
ing, he seated himself at his desk and
wrote a letter:
Dear Elsie:
4'I secuted around last night and
found your chair in one Of the stu
dents rooms. Unless 1 hear from you
by phone, / shall bring 1t over 90
night"
No phone message was forthcoming.
so at eight o'clock Jim packed the
chair In his runabout and departed
for Glenwood. Mr.. Thurston was seat
ed on his veranda when he arrived.
II am very much obliged and in
debted TO you" he announced. when
Jim showed him his precious cargo.
ELSIE is In the library"
Taking the chair with him Jim en-
tered the house. When Elsie saw him, I
she gave a cry Of delight.
''oh. it Il just fine Of youl' she ex. Z
claimed. pIe fifSea s
After that. the evening few by on
l I