Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1899-02-04
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.
Its breach of confidence, I'm
afraid, T" said Cheedle. And it isn't a
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 tool. But tell you this for her
sake"
Her sake? Whose?" / asked.
"AlI in good time,'' he replied II
wouldn't tell you at all, Phil, if did
not repose so much confidence in your
good taste; for, whatever else you may
be, Phil, you are still a gentleman.
You know my wife's cousin?''
Little girl with flaxen hair? Rather
"a shade too conscious of her profile. y
"Yes Ha, hal Miss Marsh" He
slipped solemnly.
"Well?"
sit is pity. My wife told me.
should never have suspected it myself.
She's little bit impressed by you.
"Poor girlp' said /.
"She isn't fool either. That makes
it all the more extraordinary.
II don't see that"
"My object is to warn you against
playing on that Internal trick of yours.
You know what / mean? That way
you have of talking to a woman as If
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 girls' 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 disilIusionment 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
made my way toward her. She marked
my approach with wistful face, and
! when / was close made room. for me.
Poor thingl We shook hands, and 1
noted a tender light in her eyes.
|. "How hot it is in here' said she.
Oh, these hollow commonplaces ut
tered calmly in gale of passion
eyes, said l. Il wonder if we could
get out 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 aud looked at
one another.
"How pleasant it is out herep' she
murmured
$50 cool!' said I.
Conversation was certainly difficult.
1.-THE usual rumor concerning you is
OUT said she.
"Indeed - / cried. 1t was no time to
be witty.
"They have married you again, Mr..
Wroughtnight.
"Who is the unlucky lady this timer"
"It would not be- fair to tell. And
two are mentioned.
Poor grill
jade, Miss Marsh. -
By nature, yes, but sometimes-by
acoident--she speaks the truth. -
How valiantly women cover up their
scars
"Of course" said /, "there is no
foundation for the rumor."
II had hoped there was. said she
softly.
Brave heart! 1t was a dire business.
"Tbere may be some day." muir
INJURED. Il mean that / expect l shall
marry sooner or later. -
"Oh, hope sol" said she; "when
you are little older Some strong,
helpful woman with ideals. Not poor
little society butterfly-like me.
"If size were like you, said / and
stopped.
quickly.
My heart was torn with pity of her.
lone so seldom marries the person
one wants to-" said /, breaking the
truth to her gently.
"And how much better for us that is,
isn't it?''
The rejoinder hardly pleased me.
How do you mean, .diss Marsh:''
II mean that the object of our first
love is so rarely the person to make. us
really happy"
remembered that this was her third
season.
First love is the only love-" said /.
"Oh, moi" said she.
"Oh, yesp" repeated firmly. 1t was
no time for mawkish faltering. My
duty was plain.
Mr. Wroughtnight. said shea be-
lieve what am about to say. You are
TOO young yet to know what is best for
your own welfare
1t seemed an odd way to talk, as |
was at least two years her senior, but
reflected that she was distraught--'r At
she was fighting against her own happi-
ness.
II think, " said |, 81 know what i,