The Somerset reporter., 1899-08-31
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.
Its a 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. 81
wouldn't tell you at all, Phil, if I did
not repose so much confidence i'll 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. y
Eyes. Ha, hal Miss Marsh. " He
slipped solemnly.
"Well"'
ut is pity. My wife told me. !
should never have suspected it myself
She's a little bit impressed by you
Poor girl" said |.
"She ism foel either That l. >,
1t all the more extraordinary.
q don't see tat
"My oblrrt /, yuu a@mns.
..,
You know ~aal al 1aar VI
you have Of t.sIa1 l. woman as il
she were tAa On 0ne of her sex in the
world DO be careful old man.
We were silent awhile. | got up,
murmuring again, Poor girl p and
the Masses' 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. /
looked about for Miss Marsh and espied
her in a far corner. By slow stages
made my way toward her. She marked
my approach with a wistful face, and
when | was close made room for me
Poor thing We shook hands, and /
noted tender light in her eyes.
"How hot it is in here!" said she.
oh, these hollow commonplaoes ut
tered calmly in gale of passion
Eyes, " said |. 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 a tub palm and looked at
one another.
"How pleasant it is out here" she
murmured
$50 cool !" said l.
Conversation was certainly difficult.
1.-The usual rumor concerning you is
out, =" said she.
"Indeed /" l cried. 1t was no time to
be witty
"They have married you again, Mr..
Wroughtnight.
"Who is the unluoky lady this time?'
ut would not be fair to tell. And
TWO aT6 lueuJlOuou.
Poor girl!
"You know that rumor is a lying
jade, Miss Marsh y
by nature, yes, but sometimes--by
acoident-she speaks the truth. "
How valiantly women cover up their
scars!
"Of course" said l, "there is nc
foundation for the rumor" "
Il had hoped there was" said she
softly.
Brave heartl 1t was a dire business.
"There may be some day, D." L mur.
INJURED. Il mean that | expect | shall
marry sooner or later. y
"Oh, hope so'' said she; when
you are little older. Some strong,
helpful woman with ideals. Not pool
little society butterhy-li';e me.
"If she were like you, said l and
stopped.
"She won't be- said Miss Marsl
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, Miss 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 l..
"Oh, moi" said she.
"Oh, yesp' repeated firmly. 1t was
no time for mawkish faltering. My
duty was plain,
Mr.. Wroughtnight, said she, "be.