The Press., 1919-12-11
SOME CHAPERGN
By MARGARET L. AHERN.

promptly at one o'clock on Saturday! in the law offices of Spencer and Boyd Notebooks were tucked away, and type writer desks were hastily closed. Ever MT. Spencer. the senior partner, usual ly hurried away to the country club fol 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 boy, was bustling about, attending tC the closing of the office with his GUS tomary Saturday alacrity. For Satur day was the day when Jimmie and his best girl. as he called Helen Carroll had their weekly party-the lady finan- cing the affair. for Jimmie'S present remuneration did not permit of such lavish expenditures for luxuries. Hel- en Carrolrs kindness was one of the pleasant topics of conversation in the office
 "Where Is it today. Jimmie?" asked Mir. Spencer. with an indulgcnt smile, aa the boy stood in the doorway wait i.::: impatiCntIy for Helen.
 Jir,'''i" "r'nncd md answered with e: after business hours f:"1F"ri:v. "Dl, eur c.,r is w"'''rg to t:,'-r rl< to to, '',tnl for a little fivc-cnurSc lunch. uu' th"n to the mntince"
 "Nhtch means Helen interpHSCd. with a pretty blush 'a Irnch-counter Tnd tho movies. I'm all ready. Jimmie. Come along. Good afternoon. Mir. Spencer"
 The senior partner sat in thoughtful silence after their departure. If only his son had fallen in love with a girl like Miss Carroll, instead of with Ju- dith Spaldiug,
 Meanwhile. Helen and Jimmie were hurrying up the street merrily dis cussing what they would have for lunch.
 A passing soldier diverted IIplen's at tCntion. She stopped abruptly to gaze after him.
 Doesn't he look lonely. Jimmie?" she said. with pity in her voice and eyes. And 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 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 dier and tapped his arm.
 "Mc and my lady friend want to kucw if you'u eat with us. She says you lool; hungry" he spluttered excit- cdly. And maybe she'll take you to the movies too"
 Jimmie introduced his new friend without much ceremony.
 "lIis names Jimmie too. and he's he's hungry, and he'd love to go to the movies"
 That was the beginning of 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 complexion like apple bIossoms-and an frrepressible young ster-heIped 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 q 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 oblivious 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 to save 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 "gOOd-hy" 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 young lady's name.
 The next Monday morning there was an air of subdued excitement in the office. MT. 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 crutches, was introduced to hts fathers secretary, she was so ob- viously startled that explanations were in order.
 Jimmie was too excited by the turn os events to do much work that day and it is doubtful if Helen or the new junior partner accomplished their share. Shortly before five that after noon, after announcing to Helen his in- tention of taking her and Jimmie home fin his auto, Sergeant Jim told his faith CT what he was doing.
 At first MT. Spencer was indignant. "Ill have none of that. Jim" he said sternly. Miss Carroll is too fine a girl to be trifled with. And what would your friend Judith say? Aren't you practically engaged to her?"
 "When a girl tells you to go away because you can't take her to dance your liking for her ends then and there, dad" young Spencer explained. And. dad" (his eyes met his fathers hon. estly). "I think Miss Carroll is the nic- est girl I ever met"
 Copyright. 1919 Mcclure Newspaper Syn
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