The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1882-11-17
SELECT STORY.
LOVE AND BURGLARS.
HOW MoLLIE's MATCHMAKING PROVED A
SUCCESS AFTER ALL.

chairs--a glowing fire in the nickel
trimmed heater "a pretty little woman
listening for the footsteps of the lord
aud husband. This charming picture
of domestic bliss Jack Alderman fully
appreciated as he stepped into the room
a few minutes later.
swell, Mollie, what's the news?"
"Oh, nothing, only supper has been
waiting half an hour. Come, let us
hurry and eat; want to talk to you"
II thought there was something on
your mind. Didn't know but was
going to get lecture for being late"
"You deserve one, for this is the last
evening I shall spend with you for two
whole weeks" Mrs. John Ackerman
tried to frown, but failed completely.
In another half hour they were back in
the parlor, Mollie began
81 think Tom is fine fellow, and
there were never two brothers more
alike than you and he"
"Thank you, my dear; l honor your
Judgement"
"And, John, I have the most brilliant
plan concerning him"
'Do tell!' said John, with move,
ment toward his coat pocket, where the
evening paper lay in uncut solitude.
Mollie observed the motion, and prompt
ly informed him that he should not read
word until she was through talking.
81 am going tomorrow, and then you
may read the paper from the time you
enter the house until midnight, with no
one to bother you, she said.
Somehow, the vision of the little par
lor, without Mollie's lively chatter, did
not seem to strike him favorably. Per-
haps this was why he tossed the paper
to the other side of the room, and
promised to listen. Mollie perched her
self on one arm of his chair, and be-
gan;
"You know my sister Amy is com
ing home with me for long visit, and
don't you think it would be splendid if
she and Tom would fall in love with
each other? They could get married
and set up housekeeping in cottage
like this one across the street. 1t would
make me so happy, Jack!' I-.. !
John laughed long and heartily.
"Match making, by Jove!" he said,
at last miserable yourself, and want
everybody else to be; is that it, Mollle?
sDon't laugh, John, for am in earn.
est. know they will like each other,
and / have set my heart on the match
Just think how nice it would be to have
Amy here; and Tom is such darling! {!
John was laughing again by this
time, and it took considerable manage
ment to reduce him to order.
81 tell you what it is, Mollie, you
don't want me to say word of this to
Tom or Amy, or they will take dislik,
to each other"
| II know it, replied Mollie. "Wher
told Tom was going to visit Aun
Hetty, did not mention Amy's name
and I don't think he knew OF her exis
tence; as for Amy, have been with
her 50 little since was married that
am sure / never spoke to her of Tom.
"Well, see that you don't do so now
for you couldn't mention his name with
out praising him to the skies, and sh'
would see through your plans at once.
Mollie left the next morning: leaving
directions enough to distract man i
he tried to remember half of them.
"Don't have Tom at the house wher
we return. Amy will be tired with he
journey, and / want her to have
chance to beautify little before sh
meets him" .'
When they reached the depot, Mollie'
courage began to fail.
81 am almost sorry to go, John sh,
said. Suppose something should hap
pen to you while am away?"
Nonsense, darling! Go and have
good time, and be sure to be back il
two weeks, and bring Amy with you.
Mollie's heart was 30 thoroughly i
her pet plan that she found it very har
to refrain from all mention of her ador
able brother-iu law during the tw
weeks that followed. Once she did refe
to the cosy party of four they woul
make, and then was obliged to turn
off on Jennie, the little maid-of al
work, as making the fourth.
The day before Mollie was to retur
Aunt Hetty fell i'll. Amy was oblige
to postpone her visit for few days ;
least. Molie could go on as she ha
intended, and she would follow as 500
as Aunt Hetty could spare her.
"Amy will certainly come up ne,
week" she assured John "but | coul
not wait another day"
1t was pleasant to be at home ono
more, and mistress of all she su
veyed. a note from Amy, saying sh
would come on the following Saturda,
set her mind completely at rest. 81
was really sorry to hear John say or
morning:
81 think we had better take that ru
down to Camden's to-day. We mu
go some time this month, and, of cours
you wont want to go after your sist,
comes
"John, you know you cannot sta
away all night. gave Jenny leave
absence until Friday, and it won't
to leave the house alone"
'I'll get Tom to come and sle'
here"
"There are three keys" said she,
they left the house. "You can give OF
to Tom, and | will leave one with M
Gates, next door The house mig
get on fire, and then it would be W,
to have key handy, so they could g
into the house and bring out the thing,
"Yes," said John, sarcastically; ''
| might hire squad of policemen
watch the house day and night"
About IL o'clock that evening Mi
Amy Arden alighted from an EXPIRE
and looked'a about the depot as if expe'
ing some one.
p. They could not have received 4
second postal" she concluded, aft
= waiting nearly half an hour in the ladi
/ waiting room. "Well, | can very so
find their house
A carriage very soon deposited
in front of the pretty cottage on La
street. All was dark. Amy pulled t