Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1899-12-21
MATCHMAKING.

alone together, Mrs. Cheedle being out
of town on visit to some relatives,
and this was our crucial glass Of whisky
and soda. We had been very candid
with one another and were in a fine
glow of honesty.
"It's breach Of confidence, Pm
afraid, said CheedIa. "And it isn't
thing you ought to know, because you
are quite vain enough already. mo
offense, of course, old man. We're be-
ing frank, you know. Hang it all, I'm
vain too). But tell you this for her
sake. -
"Her sake? Whose?" / asked.
"All in good time.' he replied. 81
wonldn't tell you at all, Phil, if / did
not repose go much confidence in your
good taste; for, whatever else you may
be, Phil, sou are still gentleman.
You know my wife's cousin?''
Little girl with faxen hair? Rather
"a shade-too conscious of her profile"
Yes. Ha, hal Miss Marsh" He
slipped solemnly.
"Well?"
"It is pity. My wife told me. I
should never have suspected it myself
She's little bit impressed by you.
Poor grill" saidI.
"She isn't fool either. That makes
it all the more extraordinary"
81 don't see that -
my object is to warn you against
playing OH that internal trick of yours.
You know whatsI mean? That way
you have of talking to woman as il
she were the only. one of her sex in the
world. Do be careful, old man."
We were silent awhile. got up,
murmuring again, Poor grill" and
went home. ] had not intended to be at
the Massies party on the following
evening, but, knowing that Miss Marsh
would be there and feeling anxious to
begin the cruel establishments at once
that it might be, sooner over-I dress
ed and went.
The drawing room was crowded. /
looked about for Miss Marsh and espied
her in far corner. By slow stages I
made my way toward her. She marked
my approach with wistful face, and
when was close made room for me.
Poor thing! We shook hands, and I
noted tender light in her eyes.
How hot it is in herel" said she.
Oh, these hollow commonplaces ut
tered calmly in gale Of passionl
Eyes" said I. "Iwonder if we could
get ont into the conservatory?"
We managed it by dint of many po.
lite hustlings, strewing our path with
apologies. Our end attained, we Sat
down under tub palm and looked at
one another.
"How pleasant it is out herel'' she
murmured.
I. $50 cooll' said I.
4 Conversation was certainly difficult
.'The usual rumor concerning you il
out, (" said she.
4 "Indeedi' orieds It was no time tc
be witty.
"They have married you again, Mr..
Wroughtnight. 7"
"Whois the uplucky lady this timer"
st would not be fair to tell. And
two are mentioned.
| Poor grill
You know that rumor Is lyin(
| jade, Miss Marsh.
e1aBy nature, yes, but sometimes
acoident--she speaks the truth"
4 How valiantly women cover up theil
scarsl
"Of course," said l. "there is nj
foundation for the rumor.
81 had hoped there was" said sh
softly.
+ Brave hearth It was dire business
There may be come day." muir
INJURED. II mean that I expect I shal
marry sooner or later. I"
"Oh, hope SOP said she; "whel
J you are a little older. Some strong
helpful woman with ideals. Not poo
little society butterf1y--like me. ["
!. II she were like you, " said an
stopped.
"she WON'T be, said Miss Mars
, quickly.
My heart was torn with pity Of her.
lone SO seldom marries the perso
, one wants to-" said /, breaking tn
truth to her gently.
"And how much better for us that il
isn't it2''
The rejoinder hardly pleased me.
How do youtmean Miss Marshf"
II mean that the object Of our fri
love is SO rarely thelperson to make .
: really happy.
! remembered that this was her thi1
!, season.
First love is the only love-" said
/ "Oh, mol" said she.
, sob. yesl" l repeated firmly. It Wi
no time for mawkish faltering M
/ duty was plain.
"Mr. Wroughtnighs, /" said she. "b
$ lieve what am about to say. You a,
!. too yonng yet to know what is best I,
D your own welfare"
b 1t seemed an odd way to talk, as
' was at least two years her senior. but
8 reflected that she was distraught-th
t she was fighting against her own hapr
{ ness.
Q u think" said I. II know what
: best for me, young as / may be- wht
I my fate comes along''-
7 "That time is not yet. Of oourse3" ga
4 she.
8 Oh, anxious, despairing hearth