Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1903-07-25
Troubled Matchmaking.
Tie Story Of a Desirable Engagement.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

4 due course Mrs. Bailey proceeded 10
ratify her desire 10 exercise her pow
rs as a matchmaker.
Mrs. Bailey had lCnG5d for such al
opportunity: she had no children Of
ler own. and her brother had been a
nan who did not brook Interference
With HIS domestic arrangements. Elsie
appeared 10 be quite iadifter nj on the
subject. helping her father with his
scientific researches. and taking 2 more
sober view OF life than is common with
young women of her age
Mrs. Bailey's opportunity came with
l.he change in the condition OF things.
and she decided in favor CT gentle
man named Monckton.
John Moncktcn was about ten years
older than Elsie. and reputed 10 lie in
rery comfortable circumstances He
) lived in Wisforl. but he was connected
with large business in the town. and
went backward and forward every day
10 the Office. He WAS very quiet and
reserved. and all that was really known
about his business was that ne had an
office with clerk or two. but did a
large business IL British and foreign
goods.
Mrs. Bailey soca contrived that
Jchn Mcnckton and Elsie Should meet
frequently. He was invited 10 TIE
villa after three or four meetings. and
Gnally she succeeded in bringing :he
match TO pass. John Molcktcn pro-
posed and was accepted. Not exactly
a love match on Elsie's part. but love
r would come after marriage. She re-
spected him. and thought 4 great deal
OF him. so what mere was TO be de-
sired?
Mrs. Bailey kept the engagement Sc
:ret for the greater part CT a week.
and then handed q notice TO the editor
of the local weekly just in time 10 Sc
cure its admission in the Issue pub
iished on Saturday. She strictly en-
poined him to SECRECY. THIS il came
about that the announcement OF the
engagement was made - friends l.,
Wilsfcrd through the medium OF the
local journal.
Elsie had gone to the house OF a
friend some miles away. and intended
TO return that evening. Mrs. Bailey
read the notice with much g.atifca-
ton, and waited with conscious pride
for the numerous conSra ;U!aticns that
were certain TO pour in.
II was about II c'cloc! when the
first visitor was announced: this was
the vicar CT the parish. TIE Rev. Alger-
non Sanders. He looked grave. rs if
he had come 20 offer coincidence in
stead c: congratulations.
Il saw in the Wi.sford Express this
morning. Mrs. Bailey" he began. as
though delivering text. and Ter
that is. suppose it is ccrrect?"
Certainly replied Mrs. Bailey
stiny.
She had never get or very well with
the vicar; he would do things in way
that she considered 10 be quite wrong.
and he was net so ameaable TO reason
ing-Mrs. Bailey's reasoning. that is
as he ought to have been. His man.
ner On this present occasion Jared on
her nerves and she was really TO as
sert herself ii necessary.
Then / am sorry 10 hear it," said
the vicar with such bluntness that he
left her speeches. for the space OF
fully sixty seconds.
Yes. I'm sorry u hear it," repeated
the vicar with emphasis Miss Ros.
coe is an excellent young woman. and
she ought net To throw he-se ELF away
on that gooi-:or-nothing Mcnclton,
Mr. Monckton is an honorable gem
tleman," she burst forth. He is held
in nigh esteem by every person in this
place, and his reputation in the town
where he conducts his business is all
that could be desired think you owe
me an explanation. sir"
The vicar looked uncomfortable.
Il have reason TO know. Mrs. Bailey.
that the reputation of Mcncktcn is not
so good" he said mildly. Il admit
that be is generally esteemed. but nat
Is because certain facts, known 10 4
few. have been kept confidentially by
those few. His financial position is a
very bad cne. should say. but | feel
that it is not my place to say more. as
am no; enc OF the vic-suffe-ers
came 20 give you a hint and | will
leave you to regard it or not as You
please. fear my presence is NOT wei
come Sc | will Withdraw"
Had she made blunder as n match
maker? She tried to assure herself
that she had not. but the vicar was not
a man 10 say such a thing without
foundation. even ii he were an unrea-
sonable individual.
Another visitor was announced in
the person OF Mrs. DR.. Gillett-that
was how she was popularity named in
Wilsiord-who came in hurriedly.
Il saw the notice" said the busting
wife CT the village redico. after tie
usual greetings had been exchanged.
But you surely do not mean 10 say
that dear Elsie has actually become
engaged TO that man."
Why mott" asked Mrs. Bailey. far.
ing up. She was getting tired of the
. di5paragement of the husband select
ed for Elsie: she could not understand
that every one else knew that he was
bad subject. and that she alone had
been guled why not?" she repeated
with emphasis.
Because he is insolvent, Because
ne is worse than that. he borrows
money off his friends and doesn't
PAY" said Mrs. Gillett as defiantly
There"
Mrs. Bailey rather admired the doc.