Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1900-12-07
An Unconscious Matchmaker.

metamOrphOsis TO have taken
place. Not a month ago we sat here,
two hardened bachelors. determined to
remain so to the end Of our days, and
now | find you transformed into most
devoted husband
A hearty laugh was the immediate
answer to this outburst. and pr. Tren-
ton, to whom it was addressed, took a
puff at his pipe before replying.
well, you see, JIM" he said, Il
thought it would be fun to surprise you
thoroughly for once. But Della shall
tell you the story. and you may be sur
prised to learn that you yourself. I'M
consciously, l admit. made up the
match"
II suppose it is for penance. VIII,
that am to narrate my own mistakes
and misdee1S to Mr.. Allison. Two
months ago l was a stupid little coun-
try girl. My eldest brother had sent
for me to keep his house. Our parents
have been dead many years and had
lived with an aunt. Henry, my brother,
had written me that it would be impos-
eible for him to meet me at the depot,
and that l should drive to the Tudor
Flats, where he was living on the
fourth floor. My poor brain was GER
tainly in a whirl after my long drive
through the noisy streets. When l ar
rived at the Tudor Flats I walked
bravely up the stairs.
Lnou, ra,, will lo,,nh mo JraoI
fully, Mr.. Allison. but you must remem-
Der that l had never before seen so
many stairs. In my ignorance / was
unaware that the entresOl does not
count; therefore, when l arrived at q
landing where door was ajar and an
old man servant replying to an inquirer
the the doctor would not be home until
2 o'clock, l naturally concluded that l
had reached my journeys end, for my
brother also bears the title doctor. To
old James establishment l walked
calmly In, saying:
1.-The doctoreXpects me. Please have
my luggage seen to-
"'But, miss, / don't know he VEN
tured, 4 have the strictest orders never
to allow any one to enter my masters
study during his absence
81 am the doctors sister, and he him
self arranged my coming l answered,
condescendingly.
with that he admitted me, mutter-
ing: Never heard about a sister, into
the smoky. dusty apartments, which l
assumed to be my brothers.
much to James CONSERVATION, set
to work and busted furniture and
books, spread a clean cloth on the table,,
and prepared lunch Though James in
formed me Master never eats at hOmeD
of fresh butter. homemade bread,
cheese, ham and apples; then decorated
the room with roses and honeysuckle
brought from home.
ITO pass away the time, took up
book and began to read. A note fell out
Of this book. My eyes fell on the first
words and my attention was instantly
attracted. 1t was signed Charlie ALL
son, and read:
"Dear Old Man: So you have decided
to install that awful creature in your
house. though you acknowledge that all
hopes of peace and comfort Of your life
will be gone. My dear fellow, do be adj
vised and give up this prepOsterOus
idea. At any rate, don't be surprised If
cut your acquaintance for the present,
and leave you to enjoy the company Of
Miss Della. Your friend,
CHARLIE ALLISON"
my dear lady," interrupted Charlie,
"you don't mean to say-it isn't possible
that any misunderstanding arose out Of
that? My dislike and"
81 do mean to say So" she replied,
laughing; ut was quite pOssible-in-
deed, NATURAL should assume that
those words referred to me- was at
first highly indignant and then began
to cry. My resolution was soon formed;
l would 60 away at once and not ever
see the heartless brother who had dis
cussed me in such a manner before my
rival.
"While repacking my bag came upon
a photograph Of myself. A sudden i'm
pulse made me write a few words on
the back Of it and leave It on the table.
Then l heard steps outside. 1t was
Henry, l thought. He should not find
me there. Seeing the door Of small
room open, slipped in and closed it
behind me-"
LET me tell the rest" Interrupted the
doctor; 81 fancied I was dreaming as
l became aware of the invitingly spr, al
table; then I noted two covers laid rs
II for delightful tete-a tete, and upon
my napkin photograph Of the sweet
est face had ever seen. Listen to what
was written under It:
LAS am so ugly; as | destroy your
peace and drive away your friends. !
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