New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-10-28
THE MATCHMAKER.
(ocpyricht; 1894: By Lonsmans. Green 4 Coz
CHAPTER XXXIX Continued.
BY L. B. WALFORD.

CHAPTER XXXIX Continued.
Redwood 10 be sure. had begun 10 forget,
and to take hold of life afresh; but there
would always have been sore spot some
where, or. TO be exact much sorer spot than
there was If little Bob Anslie had not inserted
his finger and thumb into the place, and
plucked out the heart of the fostering wound
That all?" said he. when hour had
passed. and the recital had been heard through
all its stages and variations. why good
heavens. it's the best joke imaginable NO. no.
] don't mean that, Of course. Redwood but
do mean that you need not have been such a
that | am surprised you should cut snort your
season in town. and throw of your friehds
notwithstanding and bolt TO this out-ol-
the-way- place and live here all by yourself
quite melodramat ic-because It a little affaire
du occur"
as that how II strikes you?" said Redwood. Sc
riously.
Every much how it strikes me, and other people,
too, | should say"
''They dont-don't think the worse of fellow
for it?'
Goodness. gracious no, If one were to begin
with that. which of us could throw stone at the
other? don't suppose there's man in our reg-
ment who has not been thrown over by some girl.
Some of us go through it every season regularly.
Fact. You need not look incredulous. Why,
I'll tell you now what happened to myself, so YOU
may believe it's true. | engaged To girl
not bad girl-but rather dsliked her; however,
thought had better he engaged to her because
had no one else. Well if you'll believe me- when
another girl turned up that was gone upon di-
rectly-an awfuly jolly girl she was-the first one
wouldn't Jill me. No, she wouldn't. | never had
TO work at anything in my life as had 10 make
that obtuse creature see what she had to do. OF
wa IN In me- m her
she should have seen how fairly was actin try
ing 10 get her to break with me. But not bit
of her. 1t regularly worried me. Men used to
up and say. How You gettin' on. AIMS
lie? No nearer the grand coup yet? And had
just to grin and bear it. Well. at last ii got 50
bad that | had to give in. and have them both,
for couldn't wait; then when it could do no sort
Of good. il all came out. and both of them Tilted
me at once. There now, what do you think OF
that? Your affair was nothing to that. Every
one knew had been wanting that fool Of a girl
to tire of me. and take up with some other man.
and how Internally stubborn she had been Though
she wasn't a bad sort either, and when met her
abroad after A bit got quite friendly again.
and did a bit Of spoonins-wth care. You
know wasn't going to let her get too far again
when i saw what leech that girl was). but
tell you all this just To show that you are safe
enough. No one will think the Of you.
pecially if-what do you think Of this CarnOustie
girl now? Nina. She's had her admirers too
and fancy you might do worse. OF course. I'm
not sayin' she's patch upon Penelope. but, then,
as you not fetched by Penelope"-
I'm not thinking or either or tnem. thanks.
Aren't you? They think you are"
''Who thinks sou Redwood turned round
quickly. 1t is fact that even Bob Airslie's most
palpable and Ella borate rornances failed II convey
TO companion any conception IF his mar
velous powers. He needed To he known he
was known in his family or in his regiment TO be
appreciated at his true value. Novces would still
suppose there must be something in what he said.
some foundation for his aerial structures. and
Bob accustomed 10 this and the quick de-
mand Of his present companion was therefore
quite foreseen. "Who thinks so? Well, can't
quite tell you who thinks 50. but | can tell you
in confdence-who said So" he replied eisurely.
"My little friend Penelope"
Redwood silent.
Mind you. it was only her own idea. She
talkin as girls will and she said can't tell you
the exact words. but she let she thought
you were epris? Well? Would il do? What
dye say?" pausing between each word
II sincerely obliged to her" said Redwood
with bitterness he could not repress. "and-and
and if / have the chance. | will give her your
messages tonight" rising 10 depart Good bye
I'm not sorry we talked. and | have told you
nothing with faint smile. (which you are I'M
der orders to keep to yourself. In fact. thought
my story was known 10 every one until | came
down here: am glad, on the whole. they know II
now; after your telling Penelope. she would go to
them with it. full cry doubt. Well" after
pause well; I'm off, and the two shook hands.
and each wondered of what the other was think
Ing