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 fine
glow of honesty.
"It's breach of confidence, I'm
afraid" said Cheedle. "And it isn't q
thing you ought to know, because you
are quite vain enough already. (No
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. II
wonldn't tell you at all, Phil, il I 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 oousin?"
Little girl with faxen hairP Rather
"a shade-too conscious Of her profile"
Eyes. Ha, hal Miss Marsh" He
slipped solemnly.
"Well?"
at is pity. My wife told me.
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 what / mean2 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. I 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. I
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 I was close made room for me.
Poor thingl 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 passion!
eyes" said /. 81 wonder if we could
get ont into the conservatory"
We managed it by dint Of many pc.
lite hustlings, strewing our path with
apologies. Our end attained, we sat
down under tub palm and looked at
one another.
GLOW pleasant it is out herei" she
murmured.
$50 cooll" said I.
1 Conversation was certainly difficult
1.-THE usual rumor concerning you ia
/ out, /" said she.
4 "Indeedi" orieds 1t was no time to
be witty.
"They have married you again, Mr..
Wroughtnight. .
"Who is the unlucky lady this time?''
sit would not be fair to tell. And
two are mentioned.
4 Poor grill
"You know that rumor is lyinl
jade, Miss Marsh. =
.ttsBy nature, yes, but sometimes-b,
acoident--she speaks the TRUTH
How vsliantly women cover up thei
scarsl
"Of course,' said l., 'sthere is n,
foundation for the rumor."
II had hoped there was. " said sh
, softly.
Brave hearth It was dire business
, "There may be some day." muir
INJURED. ~ mean that ] expect I shal
marry sooner or later.
"Oh, hope SOL said she; "whel
{ you are little older. Some strong
! helpful woman with ideals. Not poo
little society butterhy--like me- /"
"If she were like you, said I 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 th
j truth to her gently.
"And how much better for DIS that ii
ism it?" (.
The rejoinder hardly pleased me.
! "How do you mean, Miss Marshp"
b II mean that the object Of our fir
: love is SO rarely the person to make I
/ really happy. /"
( remembered that this was her THU
q season.
d First love is the only love-" said