Perth Amboy evening news., 1919-10-03
SOME CHAPERoN
BY MARGARET L. AHERN.


ar Spencer, the senior partner, usual
y hurried away to the country club for
lunch and an afternoon of golf.
But today he fingered at HIS desk, al
though Miss Carroll, his secretary, was
preparing to leave. Jimmie, the Office
poy, was busting about, attending to
the closing of the office with his Gus
tomary Saturday alacrity. For Satur-
lay was the day when Jimmie and his
pest girl, as he called Helen Carroll,
had their weekly ~party-the lady lnan,
cling the affair, for Jimmiers present
remuneration did not permit of such
lavish expenditures for Injuries. He9-
en- Carroll's kindness was one Of the
pleasant topics Of conversation in the
Office.
Where Is 1t today, Jimmie?" asked
Mr.. Spencer. with an indulgent smile,
as the boy stood In the doorway wait
Ing inApatiently for Helen.
Jimmie grinned and answered with
bis NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. familiarity.
sOh, our car is waiting to take us to
the hotel for a little ~fve-course lunch,
and then to the matinee"
(which means" Helen interposed,
with a pretty blush, "a l~unch-counter
and the movies. I'm all ready, Jimmie.
Come along. Good afternoon, Mr..
Epencer."
The senior partner sat In thoughtful
silence after their departure. II only
his son had fallen In love with a girl
like Miss Carroll, instead Of with Jul
dith Spaldingi
Meanwhile, Helen and Jimmie were
hurrying up the street merrily dis
cussing what they would have for
lunch.
A passing soldier diverted Helen's at
tention. She stopped abruptly to gaze
after him.
Doesn't he look lonely, JimmieY'
she said, with pity In her voice and
>eyes. sand hungry, too. Perhaps he
hasn't any money for his lunch. Oh,
Jimmie, do you suppose we ought to in.
vite him to go with us? I've just got
paid and I have plenty of money with
me-"
Jimmie WAS all enthusiasm at the
idea. Without waiting for another
word from Helen, he ran after the sol
der and tapped his arm.
me and my lady friend want to
know If you'll eat with us. She says
you look hungry" he spluttered excit-
eddy. "And maybe she'll take you to
the movies, too"
Jimr1ie introduced his new friend
withou much ceremony.
His names Jimmie, too, and he's
got three service stripes, and he says
he's hungry, and he'd love to 60 to the
movies"
That was the beginning Of a most
wonderful afternoon for Sergeant Jim.
As charming a girl as he had met in his
travels, with golden hair and laughing
gray eyes and a complexion like apple
blossoms-and an irrepressible young
ster-helped him to a precarious perch
on a stool at a lunch-counter. The
young lady, with tender solicitude, In
sisted that he have something substan-
tial to eat, but he explained that he
wasn't really starving. So he shared
their regular Saturday luncheon and
enjoyed the apple pie and Ice cream
fully as much as Jimmie. Afterwards
<- they had gayly purchased a box OF
caramels. Then they had hurried to
the movies. There, while Jimmie gave
all his attention to the candy and the
screen, Helen and Sergeant Jim con
versed In low tones. for the most part
obliyious Of the silent drama being
enacted before their eyes. He told her
something of his experiences abroad,
and of the battle In which he had re-
ceived his wounds, from which he was
almost recovered. And Helen told him
softly of Jimmie, the Oldest Of four
children, and how the lad manfully
trudged to and from work every day
10 a v carfare, and carried ~unappetiz-
ing and meager lunches In order to
turn over his pay untouched to his
mother.
At five o'clock they said a regretful
sgood-by" In front Of the theater. but
" not until after Sergeant Jim had man.
aged to draw Jimmie aside for a mo-
ment and persuaded him to reveal the
Iyoung lady's name.
The next Monday morning there wal
nm air of subdued excitement in tho
office, Mr.. spencer's son. recently
home from overseas, was starting In
his career as Junior partner In the firm.
when the Young man in uniform, walk
ing with clutches, was introduced to
hts fathers secretary, she was so OBJ
viously startled that explanations were
IN order.
Jimmie was too excited by the turn
NJ events to do much work that day
ana It Is doubtful If Helen or the new
iunior partner accomplished their
share. shortly before five that after
noon. after announcing to Helen his In
fention of taking her and Jimmie home
IN his auto, Sergeant Jim told his faith
or what he was doing.
At first Mr.. Spencer was indignant.
s41l have none of that. Jim." he said
sternly. Miss Carroll Is too fine a
MIR TO be trified with. And what would
your friend Judith say? Aren't you
practically engaged to herT
oWhen a girl tells you to go away
because you can't take her to a dance
your liking for her ends then and there.
dad young Spencer explained. "And.
dad" (his ayes met his fathers hon.
sstIv,. ~ think Miss Carroll is the MIC