Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1896-04-18
A MATCHMAKER.

Il am sure, Cousin Molly, that Mr..
Beaumont is in love with you
Nonsense, Nellie! He knows very
little about me. I have only been stay
ing with you three weeks"
But don't you believe in love at first
sight?''
II am sure don't know, butt
"Now, be sensible, Molly. You know
you are very fond of him.
81 don't know anything of the sort.
don't care a 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"
REALLY, Nellie, I believe you are
nothing but scheming little match
MAKER
In this instance perhaps am. But
it is certainly very desirable match,
and you are both head over ears in love
with each other.'
II protest don't love him Bit
"You dom know your own mind"
"Oh, yes, do. don't love him, and
wouldn' marry him."
"Do you mean that?"
"Well, of course do.'
"Then I'll marry him myself"
"You?"
"Why not:''
ooh, of corrso it is nothing to me-"
"Quite So
But l 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, I 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 1 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
81 shouldn't think of doing any such
thlnS. Ihe Idea
''Do 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 mo
tell him so if you wait
"Well, Mr.. Beaumont, I have sound
ed my cousin, Molly"
"And do you really think I 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.
1T 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. You 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''
uOu I UNDERESTIMATE 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 tell
To,nn inf tba ok
once, or she will suspect collusion.
Gone moment. Don't you think'--
"Not word. I hear Molly coming
down stairs. will sit here OH this sofa.
When raise my hand, begin. Can you
tell me of good novel, Mr.. Beaumont"
"Well-er-it is rather responsible
ity recommending novels to ladies now
adays. There are as many different
schools of readers as of writers" "
''But you know by this time my taste
in fiction"
"Not so we'll, am afraid, as I could
wish. Hem If you would-er-only let
me become your sole literary reader,
faster and adviser for life!"
Il am afraid I 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. Will you not
become my wife? Speak, darling! Say
you consent You cannot guess how |
long to have you always by my size.
Say yes, and make mo the happiest man