Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1900-04-06
A MATCHMAKER

"Do tell me, old fellow, how on
earth II is possible for such metamor-
phosls to have taken place. Not
month ago we sat here. two hardened
bachelors. determined to remain so 10
the end Of our days, ana now 1 find
you transformed into most devoted
husband"
A hearty laugh was the immediate
answer to this Outburst, and Or. Tren.
ton, to whom It was addressed, took a
pun at his pipe before replying.
well, you see, JIM he said 81
thought II would he fun to surprise
you thoroughly for once But Della
shall tell you the story. and you may
be surprised to learn that you your
self, unconsciously, | admit, made UP
the match"
II suppose it Is for penance, VIII,
that | am to narrate my own mistakes
and msdeeds to Mr.. Allison. Two
months ago | was a stupid little couu-
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 broth
er, had written me that it would be Inn
possible for him to meet me at the
i
Tudor Flats where he was living on
the fourth floor. My poor brain was
certainly in a whirl after my long drv
through the noisy streets. When ar
rived at the Tudor Flats, | walked
bravely UP the stairs.
- know you will laugh at me dread
fully, Mr.. Allison. but you must le-
member that had never before seen
so many stairs. In my ignorance /
was unaware that the entresol does no.
count; therefore, when | arrived at Il
landing there Il door was aiar and an
old man servant replying to an r
quirer that the doctor would not he
home until o'clock, | naturally con-
cluded that had reached my journeys
end, for my brother also bears the title
doctor. To old Jamess ast0nishmen |
walked calmly in, saying:
The doctor expects me. Plensc
have my Luggage seen TO-.
but Miss, | don't know he ven
tured. I have the stri test orders never
to allow any one to enter my masters
study during his absence
81 am the doctors sister and he
himself arranged my coming | an
swered, condescendingly.
with that he admitted me, mutter-
ing, Never heard about a sister into
the smoky, dusty apartments, which /
assumed to be my brothers.
much to James's CONSERVATION, |
set to work and busted the furniture
and books, spread a clean cloth on
the table and prepared n lunch Though
james informed me Master never eats
mt hOmeD of fresh butter, homemade
bread, cheese, ham and apples; then
decorated the room with roses and
honeysucllle brought from home.
TO pass away the time | took up n
book and began to read A note fell
out of this book. My eyes fell on the
first words and my attention was in
stantly attracted. 1t was signed Chas.
Allison, and read:
Dear Old Man-So you have de-
cided 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 fel-
low, do be advised and give up this
preposterous idea. At any e, don't
be surprised if | cut your acqualnian G
for the present and leave you to enjoy
the company of Della. Your friend.
" Charlie Allison.
"My dear lady" interrupted Charlie,
"you don't mean to say it isn't pos
sihle that any misunderstanding arose
out of that? My dislike and"--
II do mean to say so" she replied,
laughing. 1T was quite pOssible-in-
deed, natural-I should assume that
those words referred to me. | was at
first highly indignant, and then began
to cry. My resolution was soon form
ed | would go away at once and not
tfFh hstf O.
discussed Iue in such manner before
my arrival.
"While repaclllng my bag l came Up
on a photograph of myself. A sudden
impulse made me write few wor =
on the back of 1t and leave it on the
table. Then | heard steps outside. 1t
was Henry, thought. He should not
find me there. Seeing the door Of a
{ small room open, | slipped in and
closed 1t behind me-"
LET me tell the rest" interrupted
the doctor: II fancied 1 was dreami 2
as / became aware of the invitingly-
spread table; then | noted two covers
laid as if for a delightful tete-a-tete,
and upon my napkin photograph
of the sweetest face | had ever seen
Listen to what was written under il:
"'As | am so ugly; as | destroy youI
peace, and drive away your friends,
leave you TO lunch alone and shall find
a home elsewhere
''While puzzling about what this
might mean, ] heard a terrific yell
from Della, my parrot; | opened the
storeroom door and Della, my wife
fell into my arms.
after explanations had been made
restored her to brother Henry as
housekeeper but claimed her in five
weeks for my own. Now do you be
lieve that you are a matchmaker
Boston Post.