The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1897-03-19


BIO had left tho
army; and as ho was still q vigorous,
energetic man, no needed some whole
some vent for his activity. Match.
making provided him az once with an
interest and an occupation; IL gave
him plenty TO think OF by night, and
10 do by day. Without il, ho would
have been the most miserable Of men
with It, he was the cheoriest and most
salf.important. 1t is O very good
thing sometimes to have a little weak.
ness.
OF course, the Major prided himself
on his tact and delicaoy, and fondly
fancied nobody ever saw through his
transparent little articles. So sure
Of this was he, indeed, shat he not in
frequently explained them at length
to the persons principally concerned,
80 that they might know just when
and how to act under any given cir
cumstances: a very wise precaution,
and one that saved an immense
amount Of trouble and misunderstood.
ing. But though he took every care
TO guard against failure, matters
would occasionally 60 wrong, and the
most prudently planned match came
to nothing, greatly to the Majors
dismay. But he was reasonable
man on the whole, and when he knew
he was beaten he accepted defeat phil
osophically. Yes, when he knew no
was beaten; but as a bold Briton and
q soldier, he was very hard to con-
vince on this point, and sometimes
struggled on manfully long after de-
feat was a foregone conclusion.
Despite his weakness-or, possibly,
even in consequence OF 1.-THE Major
was popular, and men and women
alike found much to admire in him.
! His manner might be a little brusque,
but his means were ample, and this
was a great point in his favor, espec-
tally where the unmarried ladies of
his acquaintance we're concerned. For
they we're not blind to the fact that he,
the matchmaker, would be a most
excellent match and to many of them
it seemed a pity that he should spend
so much time and trouble in providing
for his friends happiness while his
own remained unsecured.
The Major had but one near relative
in the world-his nephew, Jack Mack
intosh. Jack was in a Government
Office, and as no was now twenty three
years of age, his uncle began to think
seriously of arranging a match for
him. He had long had his eyes on at
least half dozen sufficiently pretty
girls, any one of whom might be just
the right thing for the young fellow
If only none of the other five should
prove to be better The Major Yves
very anxious that Jacks match should
really be a triumph, and it cost him
much thought, aud grave weighing of
pros and cons for months, before the
critical time came. OF course, he did
not consult Jack IN the matter. 70 do SO
at so early a stage in the proceedings
would have been contrary to all prec'
edent.
Despite the earnest cogitations Of
months, and all the careful study oil
six specimens OF girlhood, the Major
suddenly made up his mind that Nellie
Bloxham was the ono woman in the
world for Jack, and this within five
minutes of his first Introduction tc
her The girl charmed HIM, and he
at once decided that she must marry
Jack. letter was despatched that
very evening, and few days later the
young fellow joined his uncle at the
watering place where he had been SC
fortunate as to make Miss Bloxham'l
acquaintance.
"Well, Jack, have you got you
leave, or is this only a Saturday t.
Monday trip" was the first question
he asked when they met at the station
81 can stay a fortnight, if you'll
have me.
CHATS capital. I've lot of friends
here, and some uncommonly pretty
girls among them. The Fischers cam
down last week, and the RenshNws--'
els May Renshaw hereP I'm glat
of that.
May h6uSuHW was Ou6 VI IE5 LII
dozen who had been under considera
ton, and it is possible that Jack wa
aware of the fact; but of their recen
rejection he was totally ignorant.
"May? Yes; II believe So"
The Major spoke absentlY, for h
was thinking how very unfortunate
would be if Jack really felt any at
traction in that quarter. Not but tina
May was nice girl enough-till yol
compared her with Nellie Bloxham
, Let Jack once see Nellie, and he woul
think no more of May.
Jack noticed the change of tone
and drew his own conclusions from it
"Any new acqunintances, uncle?
he asked; and there was twinkle i
his eye as he spoke which it was JUS
as we'll the Major did not see.
"a few; yes, Jack, a few. Oh
Colonel Marsh and his sisters pleasan