The Dickinson press., 1896-03-07
MIsCHIEVOUs
MATCHMAKER.
II am sure, Cousin Molly, that Mr..

Beaumont is in love with you"
"Nonsense, Nellie! He knows very
little about me. l have only been stay
ing win you three weeks"
"Rut don't you believe IN love at
first sight?"
II an sure 1 don't know; but"
"Now, be sensible, Molly. You know
you are very fond of him."
Il don't know anything of the sort.
l don't care a bit about him-that is, l
think he is very agreeable, and hand
some, and kind-hearted, and all that
lG,sht add clever, virtuous and
fascinating"
"Why?"
Because then you would have given
him all the qualities that Il woman can
expect in the man she would marry"
Really, Nellie, l believe YOU are
nothing but a scheming little match
maker"
lin this instance perhaps l am. But
1t Is certainly a very desirable match,
and you are both head over ears In
love with each other"
II protest, l don't love him a bit"
You don't know your w mind"
ION. yes, l do. l don't love him, and
I wouldn't marry HIM"
do you mean that's"
"NNell, of curse l do"
80 marry him myself"
you"
"NNhy not?'
"Oh, Of course. it is nothing to me-"
"Quite So"
shut 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, l 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 l believe, from something
he dropped. that lie is going to propose
to me this afternoon. Now, If YOU slip
into the drawing room and hid behind
the screen"
II shouldn't think of doing any such
thing. The idea!'
"Do as l tell you, dear, and you will
hear me refuse him. l was only jest
ing when / said l would marry Mr..
Beaumont myself"
"Ihen 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, 1 have sound
ed my cousin Molly"
"And do you really think l may hope
for success?'
~ am sure of it. She is very fond of
| you, but not yet fully aware Of the
fact. We women are curious Great
ures."
ut was very good of you to ouer me
your advice and help"
"Not ut all; we are very old friends.
Now, don't 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:"
Eyes; and mind you act your part
we'll"
Il don't understand you"
"NVcll, 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"
Nov, don't argue. Do just as l tell
you. Come into tho drawing room at
once, or she will suspect COLLISION"
zone moment. Don't you think"
"Not q word. l hear Nelly coming
down stairs. l will sit here on this
sofa. When l raise my hand begin.
Can you tell me of a good novel, Mr..
Beaumont!"
"Well-er-it is rather; a responsible
ity recommending novels to ladies now
adays. There are as many different
schools If readers as Of writer's"
"But you know by this time my taste
in fiction"
Not 80 we'll, I am afraid. as I could
wish. Hem! II you would-er-only
let me become your sole literary read
er, faster and adviser for life!" .
II am afraid l don't understand you,
Mr.. Beaumont"
"Cannot you guess what has brought
me here this afternoon? Let me be
flank with you. oh, Nellie. we have
been friends now a long time. Livery
year you become dearer to me and
more necessary for my happiness. Will
you not become my wife? Speak, darl.
ing! Say you consent. You cannot
guess how l long to have you always
by my side. Say yes and make me
the happiest nan il all the wide
world"
From where she sat Nellie saw the
flutter Of q light blue gown as 1t pass.
ed quickly from behind the screen to
the open door. Molly had prematurely
fed.
do not keep me in suspense he
went N. "Say you will be my WIFE"
She bent her head to hide an ire.
sistible smile.
"Yes!"
Mr.. Beaumont leaned IN his feet IN