The Billings gazette., 1899-01-20
MATCHMAKING.

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. y said Cheedle. "And it ism 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 too). But tell you this for her
sake
"Her sake? Whose?'' asked.
"All 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 gentleman.
You know my wife's cousin?"
Little girl with faxen hair? Rather
"a shade-too conscious Of her profile. {"
eyes. Ha, ha! Miss Marsh.'' He
slipped solemnly.
"Well?''
1T is pity. My wife told me. !
should never have suspected it myself.
She's little bit impressed by you.''
"Poor girl!' said I.
"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 OF that Internal trick of yours.
You know what mean? That way
you have of talking to 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 girl!' and
went home. bad 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 disillusionment 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 was close made room for me-
Poor thing We shook hands, and I
noted tender light in her eyes.
"How hot it is in here'' said she.
Oh, these hollow commonplaces ut
tered calmly in gale OF passion!
"Yes, said I. II 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 and looked at
one another.
"How pleasant it is out here!'' che
murmured.
$50 cool !" said I.
Conversation was certainly difficult.
''The usual rumor concerning you is
out, said she.
"Indeedr' cried. 1t was no time to
be witty.
''They have married you again, Mr..
Wroughtnight. =
'Who is the unluoky lady this timer"
"It would not be fair to tell. And
two are mentioned.
Poor girl
"You know that rumor is a lying
jade, Miss Marsh
"By nature, yes, but sometimes-by
acoident-she speaks the truth
A4oW V0AA0ACAy WOAA0A CONCI up tuo4I
scars!
"Of course, !" said I, "there is no
foundation for the Yumor.
81 had hoped there was" said she
softly.
Brave heart! It was dire business
"There may be some day." muir
INJURED. II mean that I expect l shall
marry sooner or later. !"
"Oh, hope so!'' said she; when
you are little older. Some strong,
helpful woman with ideals. Not poor
little society butterfly-like me. -
If she were like you, said and
stopped.
''she won't be-" said Miss Marsh
quickly.
My heart was torn with pity Of her.
Zone SO seldom marries the person
one wants to-" said l, breaking the
truth to her gently.
"And how much better for us that 10,
isn't it?''
The rejoinder hardly pleased me.
How do You mean, Miss MarshT
II mean that the object Of our first
love Is 40 rarely the person u make %
really happy"
remembsred that this was her third |
season.
First love Ia tho only love. said I.
"Oh, not" said she.
"Oh. yes" l repeated firmly. Il was
no time for mawkish falasring. Nv |
duty was plain.
"Mr. Wroughtnight. said che. "bs.
lieve what am about 10 ny. You are
too young yet to know what 10 best TOR
your own welfare"
II seemed an odd way 10 talk. ~ I
was at least two years her senior. but
reflected that she wAa dislsAushl--thae
Ahs WAS lighting against her own happl.
asss,
~ think. Mid !. ~ know what Ia