CHEVALIER BILL

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3197, 22 September 1917, Page 8

CHEVALIER BILL

A MATTER OF LACE INSERTION -AND STOCKINGS [By "Wi."] If anyone should lift up his voice and say that chivalry is dead, that knighte en-ant are departed for ever, I will produce Bill. Men for their womenfolk ■ will light fires, carry water, and chop wood. At a domestic pinch, chevaliers in tbo bud will get down on their knees and scrub floors. Yea, they wiU even, turn the wringer, or sew on buttons. But there are few, very few, who will do what Bill did the other day. I met him wandering aimlessly along Iho Qiiay, his gaze apparently fixed on Eternity. ~ , .„ "Hullo!" said I. "Whither away? He stopped, and turned a eve upon me. "I don't know, exactly; he said. "So, I'm jiggered if I do. "Sleep well last night:-" I asked, with some solicitude. "Oh, yes," he said. "I suppose so. It's not-here, I want to talk to you. He pulled me over to the kerb. I began to feel anxious about him. "What's up?" I asked him. Are you broke, or " • "No, old man," he said. Its alk right. I mean, i'j isn't all right. The fact is " ' ' "Yes?" said I encouragingly. ; He fished a folded paper out of hift' waistcoat pocket, opened it out, and) handed it to me. , -' ' I scanned the first item: "Two yards of insertion, the same as " "Shut up!" he hissed, grabbing the paper a"ain. "You don't want to blow, it on the whole street, do you?" "Well," said I. "What about it? "I've got to go and get these things, , ' he groaned. , I laughed. "Well, why nont you go and get them?" : "Hang said. "I've never beer£ in one of those places in my life before. J "What did you take it 'on for: _j asked him, highly amused. \ "Well," he said, desperately, 1 hadj to. She couldn't get in to get them herself, and I—l-oftered to do it, you see? ; She said all I had lo do was to give the . paper to somebody, and Id be passed,,; 'rom one counter to another all right, ■ till I'd got the lot. I foggiest idea of whafs in that list. ■ ;' "Well," said I, "you'd better set a wriggle on, so I won't keep you. lhc=e things take time, you know." ; He clutched at my ami as I movelj off. "W-wait a minute. Hang it, i.av.j what's the hurry? Tell you what, lets?,: go and have . ■ {, "What!" I exclaimed, "And then go and breathe —;. Certainly.:: not, William! Go on, get it over. lUγ, wait for you." . „„ , \ "What about coming with me. J ■ be c-n treated. I hesitated—and fell. . "Where to, first?" I asked him. "It's all in the one shop, -thank go^cf. 11 We advanced in line on a large establishment with big plate-glass windows* There we opened out and reconnoitred. Finally we 'approached- a swing door.l Bill lagged furtively so that I got there fir«t I pulled it open. "After you, Bill," I said, sweetly. "No—vou," he said. ■ Two ladies closed in upon, us frora the street and we suddenly tried to get through together followed by an audible giggle! Bill made a dive for tae nearercounter and stood gaping at a heap of WOol. , ... o-v-^s" A. girl came forward, smiling. >es. - she 6aid. "Ha-hem!" said Bill. "Show her the paper " I whispered. "Good idea," said. Bill, diving into hifl P °"i e gtve it to you," he said at last in., the girl, ■*««< tA* <* 'a--**' th "ier m e! iCgot it!" said Bill, trium- ; ' phautly producing the list and handinslooked ut it, and smilad.. "Through there," she saut pointing "First counter on the_ngb.t. ; "Thank you," said Bill. <f«»,°V; he said to me. "We're on the track;. What was that girl grinning a*.? Tou. •, "No-you." I said. 1 We reached the other counter safely, and Bill handed the cnunpted-looMe.; slip to a demure damsel, who ooked. with some surprise at Bill, then at me, and at the paper again. "Two yards of insertion, the same as this or near it? Have yon g °"Bv h !ove am yes! r «id Bill. "Now, what piece of lace from a bundle of notes 1 "ATe you sure she wanted two yards. 1 asked the girl. ~ _.., ,rru A <<I_T_don't know, said Bui- „««* all right," said Bill. "A* ml" he added, in a whiter, T do! Lo°k at that. T ,.. , on!" he said to .me. e er askod foi five pairs ofl stacks di ßi^kcd^^P I'm jiggered'- said. ) his wife, hlghljl, a "'l S dld NOT!" said Bill.