Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1896-03-31
A MATCHMAKER.

"I am sure, Cousin Molly, that Mr..
Beaumont is in love with you. -
Nonsense, Nelliel He knows very
little about me. have only been stay
ing with you three weeks.
"But don't you believe in love at first
sight?'
ST am sure don't know, butt
"Now, be sensible, Molly. You know
you are very fond of him.
ST don't know anything of the sort. I
don't care bit about him-that is,
think he is very agreeable and handsome
and kind hearted and all that
"You might add clever, virtuous and
fascinating. +"
"why?"
because then you would have given
him all the qualities that woman can
expect in the man she would marry"
"sRea1ly, Nellie, believe you are
nothing but schemipg little match
maker. -.
I'm this instance perhaps am. But
it is certainly very desirable match,
and you are both head over ears in love
with each otler.''
ST protest don't love him bit. "
"You dom know your own mind"
"Oh, yes, do. don't love him, and
wouldn't marry him."
"Do you mean that?"
"Well, of course do. +"
"Then I'll marry him myself" f"
"You?"
'Why notf''
"ob. of course it is nothing to me-"
"Quite so''
"But 1 think it very mean of you
very, very mean-not to have told me
that you cared for him. -
''Now, Molly, just listen. Mr.. Beau
mont, am sure, thinks you do not like
him and that you would refuse him if
he asked you to marry"
"Do you think so?'
Eyes. So believe, from something
he dropped, that he is going to propose
to me this afternoon. Now, if you slip
into the drawing room and hide behind
the screen''-
"I shouldn't think of doing any such
thing. The idea"
'tDo as tell you, dear, and you will
hear me refuse him. was only jesting
when I said would marry Mr.. Beau
mont myself. "
''Then you are sure you don't love
him the least little bit, Nellie, dear?'
"Not in the least. You will hear me
tell him SO if you wait.
"Well, Mr.. Beaumont. have sound
ed my cousin, Molly"
''And do you really think 1 may hope
for success?"
81 am sure of it. She is very fond of
you, but not yet fully aware of the fact.
We women are curious creatures. "
'It was very good of you to offer me
your advice and help"
''Not at all. We are very old friends.
Now, don'5 you be rash, or you will
spoil everything. Yon must do exactly
as tell you. You must come into the
drawing room and propose to me-.
Propose to you;''
"Yes, and mind you act the part
well. Z"
''I don't understand you"
"Well. while you are proposing to
me, Molly will be behind the screen.
When she hears your protestations Of
love for me, she will think she has lost
you and will discover the true state of
her heart. -
"But, really, this seems rather
"Now, don t argue. Do just as I tell
you. Come into the drawing room at
once. or she will suspect collusion. -
Zone moment. Don't you think'-
"Not a word. I hear Molly coming
down stairs. will sit here ON this sofa.
When I raise my hand, begin. Can you
tell me of good novel, Mr. Beaumont"
"Well-er-it is rather q responsible
ity recommending novels to ladies now
adays. There are as many different
schools of readers as of writer's
'But you know by this time my taste
in fiction. -
'.Not so well, I am afraid, as could
wish Hem If you would-er-only let
me become your sole literary reader,
faster and adviser for life!''
''I am afraid don't understand you,
Mr. Beaumont. -
Cannot you guess what has brought
me here this afternoon. Let me be frank
with you. Oh, Nellie, we have been
friends now for long time Every year
you become dearer to me and more nee
essary for my happiness. viii You not
become my wife? Speak, darling Say
j you consent. Yon cannot guess how l
long to have you always by my side
| Say yes, and make me the happiest man
in all the wide world.
From where she sat Nellie saw the
fiutter of light blue gown as it passed
| quickly from behind the screen to the
| open door. Molly had prematurely fed.
do not keep me in suspense, !" he
went ON. "Say, will you be my wife?r'
She bent her head to hide an irresisti-
Bile smile.
Yes"
| dr. Beaumont leaped to his feet in
amazement. Nellie did not speak a
word. With look of anger ON his face