Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1889-04-25
THE MATCHMAKING BABY.

l made up my mind was fool to have
quarreled with Theresa, when Frank, my
nephew, proudly showed me his first baby.
1t made me feel a repentant pang that I
was an old fool of bachelor.
If was interested in the infant, I was
not Indifferent to the charms of the lady
they had engaged to look after his lordship.
Her name was Mrs. Ashe, and, while she
was not young lady, she pleased me
greatly. found myself making careful
toilets when paid my frequent visits to
the youngster.
'It must be for thetbenefit of the baby
that spend so much time brushing my
whiskers," 1 lied to myself with smiling
effrontery as 1 stood before my looking
glass.
At first Mrs. Ashe would not talk to
me much. After a while she grew more
sociable.
We used to praiee the baby to each other
and talk about its parents as though we
were its grandfather and grandmother.
And began to think that if Tessy and 1
had married thirty years before we might
have talked in much the same way now. 1
began to fancy that Mrs. Ashe was Just
what Tessy would have been at fifty, and
to feel that l was beginning to make pre-
cious old fool of myself.
1t seemed almost as though l were in
love again. In love or not, determined to
choke it down, to say nothing about it.
The idea of an old bachelor of my age let
ting cOncealment, like q worm in the bud
prey on my damask nose was somewhat
absurd; but that was better than playing
Romeo with my nieces baby's nurse in the
balcony scene. Besides 1 had sworn TO be
faithful to Tessy-dear Tsssy-to whom l
had behaved 80 ill.
l went less and less often to the nursery.
Finally, did not 60 at all. One morning
| heard that the nurse was going. A trunk
stood in the hall. My heart beat painful
ly, but never wavered in my resolution
would be true TO Tessy-and / would not
make fool of myself.
sat alone in my room, when Fanny
came in.
"Uncle," said she, "Mrs. Ashe is going;
don't you want to say goodbye"
Say it for me-" said 1.
Uncle thought you liked Mrs. Ashe"
"She is very worthy woman" said l.
"And nice looking" said Fanny.
For her age" replied.
"Uncle," said Fanny, don't you think
she looks like that old daguerreotype over
your mantel- piece?"
/ have thought So" I said.
"Uncle," said Fanny, "you do want to
say good-by to Mrs. Ashe."
mo, l don't," said 1.
hor To- {hav, }
said Fanny.
Il excuse your joke, but don't repeat it."
"Oh, nonsense, uncle" said Fanny.
Frank and 1 have talked it over. Let
me tell you"
II WON'T" said 1.
"Uncle, you have fallen in love with
Mrs. Ashe; don't deny it."
Fanny" said 1, if you are right, help
me to hide it. Mrs. Ashe would see how
much wiser it is to let the folly die"
Uncle" said Fanny, 'Mrs. Ashe is not
young, nor are you; but your hearts are. 1
want tc tell you about Mrs. Ashe. She
was engaged to some one she loved years
ago. He was jealous without reason, and
went to sea. She was governess then, and
grief made her fall ill and lose her situa-
ion. They sent her to hospital. There
\ young doctor fell in love with her and
The married him. They worked among
he sick together until he died. He left
1er we'll off, and she founded little
chool for nurses, whom she trained, and
through all she never forgot her first
owe. At last she knew that he
vas living and a bachelor; and when
uncle, you are trembling-and when the
,entlemans niece needed nurse in time
If trial she came to her instead of sending
me of her trained band She did it be-
ause she longed to see her old love, to be
With him, to speak TO him. He did not
Know her, but she thought he liked her;
md she-oh. she told me all, uncle; and
'ou know that Mrs. Asbe is no one but
our lost There ss-your Tessy. Uncle, 90
o her! She is crying in the parlor. Go
,ow
She pushed me toward the door and l
lurred down the stairs. A figure in walk
Dg costume stood near the mantelpiece
With its head bent 10 the marble In a
moment 1 was by it's side. "Tessy y 1
ried. "Oh, my own Ttssyw And she
urst into tears and sobbed upon my
houider.
Ive no doubt people call me an old fool,
ut do not care. Frank and Fanny are
elighted. and wife and 1 have made our
7ill in favor of the baby, who, through
iod's providence, brought us together !
gain.
The "LOfely MaId.''