Ripley County democrat., 1917-04-27
CHAIRS FOR TWO
BY EARL sILvERs.

WAS given, thc a"os S~A-6 e'>--V u
| happy pleasure-seekers bundled into
| the four big stages which waited TO-
! take them back to Collegeville.
The desire for activity had increased
80 much that one of the more adven-
turous suggested that 1t would be q
| fine thing to visit the verandas Of the
| Glenwood homes and make O collec-
| tlon of chairs. No sooner was the
suggestion made than the high-spirited
students swooped down upon the dark
ened houses. Soon miscellaneous
collection of chairs was piled upon the
coaches.
When the end Of the village was
reached, however, the more sober
members of the party called Q halt.
The chairs were piled high In the lawn
Of one of the most prominent citizens.
But not all the trophies were left be-
hind. Jim Duncan, with characteris-
tic stubbornness, refused to part with
his treasure. II was fine chair OF
solid mahogany. !.
On the very next night, Jim met El-
sic Thurston. It was at a Country
club dance, and after the third fox
trot, Jim decided that Elsie was alto
gether the finest girl he had ever met.
Elsie, ION her part, evidently consid-
cred Jim with favorable light, for she
gave him three other dances before
the evening was over, and Just before
they parted she acquiesced in his sug-
gestion that he 60 to see her on the
next evening.
Jim appeared at the Thurston resi-
dence shortly after eight o'clock. El-
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 conversation driftcd to
college and the pranks Of various stu
dents.
"Yes, we do have lots Of fun" Jim
said in answer to question Of the
older man. "But then, we study O
bit, too"
"Wen," Mr.. Thurston answered
grimly, II know one time when some
of you didn't study any. That was
two nights ago"
Jim's heart missed beat.
"What happened" 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 It was dark and Mr..
Thurston did not notice. 'It was
chair value highly" he continued,
"and If could find out who took 1t /
would prosecute him to the full ex-
tent Of the law
'Maybe I could scout around and
fnd 1t for you," Jim suggested.
"f you do ! shall be eternally
obliged to YOU" the other anwered.
Elsie appeared, radiant In crea-
tion Of ~shimmering blue.
would you like to 60 in and look
at that picture was telling you about
lust nightr 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.
"What's the, matterT she asked.
acting his startled expression.
"Why--I--er-was looking at that
chair" he managed to answer. s'It's
rather odd, isn't itf"
Yes, It Is one Of a 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
oner he asked. "Where is itfn
"A group Of college boys stole 1t the
night before last" she answered.
"Oh, that's a shamei" He spoke In
dignantly. do they flt togetherT'
Yes, they were so made that they
could be joined to form a tete-a.tete.
Do you see where the Joints arei'
Maybe he suggested, II can look
around the dormitory and find the
other one. And Il do, III bring It
back to you.r
SO bright and early the NEXT morn
ing, he seated himself ut his desk ana
wrote a letter:
Dear Elsie:
II secuted around last night ana !
found your chair In one OF the stu
dents rooms. Unless hear from you
BY phone. ! shall bring It over to-
night
No phone message was forthcoming,
so at eight o'clock Jim packed the
chair N his runabout and departed
for Glenwood. Mr.. Thurston was scat
ed on bis veranda when he arrived.
II am very much obliged and In
debted to you," he announced, when
Jim showed. him his precious cargo.
sElsie Il In the lihrary.s
Taking the chair with him Jim en-
tered the house. When Elsie saw him,
she gave cry OF delight.
"Oh. 1t Is just fine Of youw she en-
chained.
After that, the evening flew By on |
gildsd wings. But Just before II was
time to go, Jim yentured q sugges-
tion.
'syou haven't shown me how those /