Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 February 1911 — Carter vs. Chesterfield [ARTICLE]

Carter vs. Chesterfield

By LILIAN DUCEY

“Such an interesting article, Dicky. Two Famous American Surgeons. Have you read it?” The chaperon’s eyes sparkled as they regarded a young man who with the aid of a cane hobbled up the steps of the vhranda. “Fortunately, I don’t require the aid of a surgeon.” The tone was acrid with irritability. “My dear boy, I wasn’t alluding to your condition at all,” said Mrs. Driscoll still with the twinkle in her eyes. “Well, I read the article yesterday, Felt proud of all Americans. Not a humorous article. Didn’t have the effect of making me grin like a Cheshire cat.” “Why Richard Chesterfield!” “The day is too warm for exclamations," commented Dickey, seating himself with difficulty. “Such rudeness!” exclaimed the woman. "He fancies impudence Is wit.” “Rudeness!” My dear Mrs. Driscoll, 1 simply stated ” “The drift or your remark was obvious,” interrupted Mrs. Driscoll. “Not at all,” said the young man. “But sometimes when shoes fit people they have an idea that they ought to wear them.” . Dickey was leaning forward in order to keep a certain white gowned figure in view. \ “Did you see them?” be asked. But Mrs. Driscoll had turned away from him. “Only after a fitting apology will I answer,” she said. “Don’t you know any better, Dickey, then to call a woman that you expect to ask favors from a cat?” ~ r “Well, then you grinned like a Billlken,” said the young man and a smile for the moment lit up his face. “That is better. Anything but a cat. It does not follow that all chaperons are cats." “You’re not worth your salt as a chaperon,” said Dicky savagely. , “Insult added to injury.’ "Did you see them go?” asked Dicky, still with his eyes on a certain couple. “Yes.” -—“And you her chaperon! Why didn’t you stop her? He is a cad. You know it. What would her father say? Tell you what —I’ve a good mind to write her father and tell him how things are going here.’ “I told her last Friday that if she ever went out with him again I would break the engagement.” "And she said?” Dicky looked sheepishly at _ Mrs. Driscoll for a moment before he answered. “Of course khe waß angry,” he went on, "and did not mean it, but she said —well she insinuated that there was no engagement. Called me 911 kinds of names—jealous, bad-tempered brute and other equally ladylike epithets.” “How dreadful!” “But we patched it up to the last She promised never to go out with him again. And now ” The pause was full of emphasis. “And now ” Mrs. Driscoll repeated looking thoughtfully out to the ocean. , - ■ - •*'~ v '~- “If it wasn’t for this game leg I’d u “Does she know how you got it?” Mrs. Driscoll interrupted. “Of course she does,” Dicky answered. "Ah!” “And wouldn’t you think she would feel proud of me for holding In that runaway team. If it had not been for that wagon in the way there would not have been an accident at all. But she has not said ten words to me since it happened.” “How queer,” commented Mrs. Driscoll. "Could it be possible she was angry because you were driving with Betty Burnett?” “No,” said Dicky. "She would not be as silly as all that Besides she knows I do not care two cents about Betty. A girl with as many strings to her bow as Betty has no charms for me.” “That is all very well,” responded Mrs. Driscoll. “But perhaps Marlon would rather have had the heroism if one of those other strings exploited in the papers.” To this Dicky vouchsafed no answer. Suddenly he jumped up, groaning from undue haste. "There they go now,” he said. "Ouesa I’ll go indoors.” He disappeared within the low French windows of the hotel. The chaperon watched her charge doming slowly along the board walk. With decided satisfaction she noticed that there was an appreciable space between the girl and her escort As they looked toward her she waved to them and they turned and made their way to the .hotel. "Mr. Jackson has been kind enough to offer to take the message to father to the telephone station.” The girl spoke gently but with a hint of dismissal in her tone. “Any other messages, Mrs. Drls- ' coll?” the man queried. “No, Mr. Jackson. Thank yon.” Moving towards an unoccupied chair, Marion drew It to the side at Mrs. Driscoll. Her cheeks were Unshed, her eyes radiant She threw off her hat as he seated herself, ruffling

'her hair with the action into waves of golden brown. “Wasn’t Dicky here with you?” she asked. « “Yes.” ‘ “I was certain I saw him. Did he see me?” “He did,” The girl laughed. "The Irevity of your answers sounds tragic,” she said. “Tell me what he said,” sthe whispered. “I couldn’t,” whispered Mrs. Driscoll in response; “’twould fill a book. “But I’ll tell you what he didn’t say." “And that—| —” “That he , admires Mr. Jackson above all men and is distinctly, pleased whenever he sees you with him.” “No more pleased than I am,” the girl exclaimed hotly, “when I see him with Betty BuiWt.” . Then she sighed, but Immediately blazed forth again. “I hate him, Mrs. Driscoll! I hate him! If there isn’t another man ever proposes to me I won’t marry Richard Chesterfield. ” “Really?” the woman interposed. . “Chesterfield! ” Marion repeated with infinite scorn too absorbed to notice the Interruption. “It’s a shame that such a rude, impolite man should bear the name of Chesterfield.” “So he is, my dear. He has just been calling me a cat, and has threatened to write your father." "He is dreadful,” she said. "I hope he does not trouble father. Besides I would never have gone out with Mr. Jackson if he had not gone driving with Betty. I hate her! She is a flirt and wants all the men dangling after her.” Mrs. Driscoll smiled knowingly. "You and Dicky,” she said, “have other things in common besides an interest in the Carter-Chesterfield Iron Works. You both hate poor Betty Burnett” “He does not” “He does.” - "Did he tell you so?" Mrs. Driscoll nodded in affirmation. Smiling, Marion jumped up quickly. “I’m going upstairs,” she said, “to write to daddy.” “First get your poor, old overworked chaperon a handkerchief,” Mrs. Driscoll called. The girl tripped lightly up the stairs. - The woman waited until she was out of earshot then she called softly: “Dicky!” The young man stepped clumsily through the window looking rather sheepish. “I wanted to see you again, Mrs. Driscoll,” he explained elaborately. “That Is why I waited. I —l’m really ashamed of myself. I didn’t mean to listen. The truth is I —l wanted to take a good look at her before going away forever." “Are you going away?” The chaperon was listening attentively for approaching footsteps. “Might as well.” “Why?" “Oh, well —I fancy I would not be any more miserable In Timbuctoo than in Atlantic City. ■ And I don’t believe it is any hotter.” "Marion will be surprised,” Mrs. Driscoll said. Even as she spoke the girl came forward holding out a snow-white handkerchief. She opened her blue eyes wide as she saw the man. “I —I didn’t know you had some one with you,” she stammered. “Pardon me. lam going right upstairs agan.” Mrs. Driscoll put out her hand and drew the girl to her knee. “Walt a moment, my dear,” she said smiling gaily. “You are now seated in the lap of the Court of Justice. The case of Carter vs. Chesterfield is to be tried before her honor, the Chaperon. “What has the defendant to say?" “He knows I do not like him to go driving with Betty Burnett, and ” “She promised me never to go out with Jackson,” he interrupted. The chaperon looked at both of them severely. “The dignity of the court must be upheld,” she said. “I command you both to be silent” For a brief second the young folks glared at each other in open hostility. “Dicky has told me,” Mrs. Driscoll continued, “that he is so miserable—his love for you makes him so unhappy he contemplates migrating to Timbuctoo for peace of mind.” “That wasn’t what I said," exploded Dicky. * “My dear young man,” the chaperon said, “words count as nothing. That was what your manner conveyed.” Dicky growled. “And again,” Mrs. Driscoll continued, “Marlon says she abhors Mr. Jackson. Yon are the only man she loves." "I never ” began Marion furiously. "Silence!” again commanded Mrs. Driscoll. “Words but inadequately express thoughts or feelings.” Dicky leaned forward. “You know,” he said, “that I don’t care a imp about Betty." “And I,” Marlon blushed, "positively hate Mr. Jackson.” The chaperon kissed Marlon on both cheeks and patted Dicky on the back. "The case of true love.” she whispered “never did—l mess settled amioably oat of court” She aroee and so tend the boteL 7 ■