Connecticut western news., 1896-08-06
A MATCHMAKER.

A MATCHMAKER. II am sure, Cousin Molly, that Mir. 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 sights"
 1T am sure don't know, butt "Now, be sensible, Molly. You know you are very fond of him."
 1T don't know anything of the sort. I 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 a woman can expect in the man she would marry" Really, Nellie, 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"
 "I protest I don't love him bit. p
 "You don't know your own mind" "Oh, yes, do. I don't love him, and I wouldn't marry him."
 "Do you mean that?"
 "Well, of course do. |"
 "Then I'll marry him myself. {"
 "You?"
 "Why noti''
 "Oh. of course it is nothing to me-"
 'Quite so.
 t'But I think it very mean of you- very, very mean-not to have told me that you cared for him.
 ''Now, Molly. just listen. Mir. 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?"
 "Yes 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 hido behind the screen'-
 1T shouldn't think of doing any such thing. The idea !'
 ''Do as tell you, dear, and you will hear me refuse him. was only testing when I said I would marry MT. Beau mont myself. i"
 '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, MT. Beaumont, I have sound ed my cousin, Molly"
 'And do you really think may hope for success?'
 II am sure of it. She is very fond of you, but not yet fully aware of the fact, We women are curious creatures.
 Ut was very good of you to offer me your advice and help"
 "Not at all We are very old friends. Now, don's you be rach, 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 youf"
 "Yes, and mind you act the part we'll"
 ''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 tell you. Come into the drawing room at once, or she will suspect collusion.
 "One 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, MT. Beaumonti''
 "Well-er-it is rather a responsibil- 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 could wish. Hem If you would-er-onlyl lei me become your sole literary reader, taster and adviser for lifel"
 ''I am afraid don t understand you, MT. Beaumont. Cannot you guess what has brought me here this afternoon. Let me be frank with you. Oh, Nellie, we have beer friends now for long time. Every yeal | you become dearer to me and more nee essary for my happiness. Will you no
 
 | you consent You cannot guess how long to have you always by my side Say yes, and make me the happiest mar in all the wide world" From where she sat Nellie saw tn, futter of light blue gown as it passed | quickly from behind the screen to th' open door. Molly had prematurely fed "Do not keep me in suspense, h, went on. "Say, will you be my wife?'
 She bent her head to hide an irresisti ble smile. Yes"
 Mr. Beaumont leaped to his feet il amp cement. Nellie did not speak [ word. With look of anger on his fac, ne stepped behind the screen. There wa nobody there. ....... | "What does this mean?" "It simply means, Mir. Beaumont that you have asked me to marry you and have consented.
 II merely did so at your suggestion because"-
 Exactly, and it was good of you t adopt my suggestion. l have accepte' your offer, and hope I shall not hay reason to regret it. '
 Nonsense. Miss NeIliei You kney | it was only in lest I like good DraC