The Republican journal., 1901-12-19
AN EXPERT MATCHMAKER.
BY SUSAN BROWN ROBBINS.

Jason did not seem inclined to go on.
41've seen all day that there was some
thing on your mind. Out with it."
''1t's about JESSIE
"a smart little girl" Miss Olivia
commented. you are lucky to have
such a competent housekeeper. Well,
what about Jessie?"
'1'm afraid / am going to lose my
competent housekeeper."
pleton as to think you can have such
an attractive daughter as she is, and
keep her to yourself till the end of
time. | thought you had more sense.
Young people will marry-it's human
nature
''It isn't that, Olivia. It's the young
man in the case. He is not what l
should like for a son-in-laW.'
81 see. You said it was Jessie, and l
did not understand. If he ism worthy,
why don't you put stop to his atten-
tions?"
Jason's face was troubled. 81 tried to,
but they are both headstrong, and l
can't do anything with them. I've done
everything l could think of, and, it
don't do bit of good. l did make her
promise to wait a couple of years be-
fore she marries him. The time is half
gone now, and she seems just as anx-
ious to have him as she did at first
'What is the matter with him? Per-
haps he might make her happy, after
all"
He's a brutew Jason cried, vehe-
mently. Even now he does things to
hurt her feelings. What will # be
when they are married? Besides, he
drinks
at looks bad," Miss Olivia admitted.
''She probably thinks she will reform
him. But don't you worry, Jason. I'm
going to stay week or two, and III
see how the land lies. Something can
probably be DONE and | will find out
what it is. Jessie is too good a girl to
be sacrificed. You leave it to me to
save her.
All during her visit Jason watched
his cousin furtively. There were times
when he had suspicion that she was
playing him false. Why else should
she seem so cordial and friendly when
Homer Elkins came over? Why should
she get him out in the kitchen where
Jessie was at work? Why should she
try to have the two young people talk
together as often as possible: Why
should she speak SO well of Homer be-
fore Jessie?
Jason saw that Olivia was very OBJ
servant. He was even aware that he
himself came in for a share of her
sharp scrutiny. AS time went on, he
became convinced that she had gone
over to the enemy, and was taking the
part of Homer and Jessie He tried to
talk to her about it, but she gave him
no chance.
Finally, one evening, she asked J ason
TO n1r 10 H., r. l.
to go down to the big rock near the
a seat in the rock that Just suited me.
and | want to try it again.
In silence they went across the moon
lit fields. Olivia settled herself in the
niche in the rock, and Jason sat near
her.
Il got you out here" she began, ''be- |
cause L knew it would be some time be-
fore we could be alone in the house,
and | don't want to be broken of my
sleep, as | have got to start early in the
morning. | said I'd help you out of
your trouble about jessie
''1es,' Jason grumbled, land it
seems to me you've made things great |
deal worse than they were before
perhaps you would rather not have
my advice, then" she said coolly. "Usu-
ally, when people cali in doctor /
they leave things to him and trust his
judgment. Shall | say what l came
out here to say, or shall we go back"
ooh, go on he said, hastily. II
don't mean to find fault. I'll keep still !
now till you get through
Every well. That sounds better"
She settled herself comfortably.
Il had to study the people concerned !
I riot To- l. l.,
dence. | found out just what kind of
other things that had bearing on the
case. | shall not tell you half what :
learned, only just enough to show you
how to go to work to break up this |
match. It's so simple that ANYBODY |
but a man would have known without /
being told. I'll tell you in five words, /
and then explain afterward' She i
paused impressively.
f'Pay attention to her yourself
She waited for this remark to have
its effect and then went on.
eff man is going to marry woman,
people expect him to exert himself
little to make her happy. But if man
has daughter, nothing of the kind
seems to be looked for I'm not saying
that you abuse Jessie. / think you are /
kinder to her than Homer would be
after they had been married awhile, but
you see she does not think of that. He
is nicer to her now than you are, and
she thinks it will last This is plain
talk, Jason, but we used to talk plainly
to each other, and l don't see why we
should stop now.
"You spoke of his saying things to
hurt her feelings. Well, you say things
that hurt her feelings, too, and if she
hadn't got used to it from you, why the
things he says would seem good deal
worse. l have noticed that you say
things to her about him.
Don't you know that is the very worst
thing you can do? 1t makes her side
with him against you. She thinks that
everybody is down on him, except her
self, and that makes her feel more
tenderly toward him.
''Now I'll tell you what to do. Stop
finding fault with him. Never say any
thing sharp or unkind. Stop speaking
of Homer. Be polite to him
and talk with him when he comes over
to the house. Be so pleasant to Jessie |,
that when Homer does things that are
not pleasant they will stand out con-
spicuously. Then try to do things for
her. Take her riding, get her little
things she wants, talk to her about