The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1908-03-04
4, Ole y
Matchmakers
BY
Constance Darcy Macksy.
CopYrighted. 1908. by Z. c. Eastmeat.
copyrighted. 1908. by p. c. Eastmea

Helena Brent made her entrance, and
all the boarders at Mrs. Pennington's
table looked up with soup spoons sus-
pended. The dingy background of the
dining room wall heightened rather
than diminished Helena's beauty.
Against Its duh tan and brown pattern
her supple young figure stood like a
brilliant bas-relief.
So Professor Macklyn thought as he
looked at her qulZzically from behind
his steel trimmed eyeglasses, She was
youth personl1ed, and youth was at n
premium at Mrs. Pennington's. where
elderly bachelors and maiden ladies'
and middle aged married couples sup
ped nightly on the viands Mrs. Pen
nington sparingly set forth.
Helena Brent was different from all
these, and Professor Maeklyn's own
middle aged heart was going out to her
In furtive sympathy when he caught
the stealthy glance that little Miss
Eustis sent to the other end of the
table. where sat Ramsay Sturgis, the
only young man In the house, pleas
low for whom Professor Macklyn had
always felt an instructive liking.
The professors glance followed Miss
Eustls' and rested there, while Ram
say Sturgis imperturbably went on
with his dinner. unaware of any hover
lngs of romance, for rs the professor
looked quickly away again his eyes for
second time encountered those OF
Miss Eustis, and In their depths he saw
the light of born matchmaker before
her lids dropped and hid the tiny spark.
She had tender heart, this little
Miss Eustis, in spite of her prlm, spin
isterial ways, and when the professor
let himself into the chilly boarding
house hall few evenings later he
found her there on guard.
From the parlor came sounds OF a
clear soprano voice, and presently an
other voice, undeniably masculine,
Joined In Miss Brent and Mr.. Stur.
gs were singing college glee. Miss
Eustis held up warning finger.
Don't disturb them" she begged.
"It's SO difficult to become really ac-
qualntcd In a house like this, and they
are getting on famously. She told me
last night that they had discovered
quite number of mutual friends
They are both from the west, you
know, and strangers to New York.
The professor dlsavowed any inten'
ton of entering the parlor and, leapinl
back against the wall, with his books
balanced ON one arm, listened content
eddy to the music.
Miss Eustis listened too. Into thu
daily routine of her life had com
something bright and vital, and he
| faded face glowed under the new I'm
petus,
The professor likewise felt sud
| den quickening impulse. There was ,
certain relish and novelty In playin,
the role of matchmaker. II occurred
! to him that he had kept too steadily
to his books, and now n voice within
him that he had long believed silen
cried out for life and companionship
He turned to Miss EustIs.
What do you think they'd say to Il
demanded whisperlngly.
Miss Eusts' eyes wldened. She
caught her breath.
"Why, professor she gasped, Il
didn't suppose that YOU
Knew what the taste OF good time
was? Wen, did once, but I've been
bookworm these many long years.
"A Inn ,..xI tI. flnp nf
festivity again"
1t was flavor for which Helena
Brent and Ramsay Sturgls were both
equally keen, and so n radiant party
OF four clambcred down the slippery.
sand strewn steps of Mrs. Pennlng-
tons boarding house Into the crisp
wintry starlit night.
Through the hardening process OF
1neventful years Miss Eustis had
reached dreary apathy concerning
clothes, but as 1t dawned on her that
The theater party was only the first OF
a long series of occasions when she
would be forced TO play the chaperon
her wardrobe began to receive partic-
1lar and minute attention
Her hair was loosened from Its Sc
we're little knob ut the back of her
neck and curled softly around her
temples as II had not done since she
was a girl. A stiff, incorporating
walking hat was replaced by toque
mysteriously composed Of violets and
tulle
Nor was the professor to he left be
hind In his sudden orgy of fashion.
His rusty overcoat gave way TO hand
somely tailored garment of black. His
loose, uncertain colorcd neckties were
removed and succeeded by the crisp
est, most up to date adornments the
haberdasher's window displayed.
1--WE owe II to our young people" he
declared as he and Miss Eustis strolled
through the park one February after
noon. 4 little way ahead OF them
walked Helena Brent and Ramsay
Sturgis.
Every now and then Heleua's laugh.
ter drlftcd back to them, ningling with
Ramsay's happy tones. The young
mans salary had been doubled within
the month, and Helena had begun to
eInbroider Initials on certain filmy mus
lin with furious zeal.
The professor looked questioningly at
Miss Eustls. What do you thinkf' he
querled.
81 don't think. know!" she answer
ed. and then added IN evident trepida.
tIon: But perhaps | oughtn't to have
told you. fancy the dear young
things want to keep their secret lit
tie while longer. and Helena hasn'.
D9oken to me about 1t. But last night
! couldn't help seeing it-therc was a
diamond ring on her bureau In little
white satin case
The professor beamed.
"And OF course they'll go to house
keeping. Ramsay has always said that
If he were married he'd have an apart
mont."
'There will be furniture to see to.
and china and kitchen ware, but the
dear children are so engrossed win
their love affair that they haven't time
for anything practical"