Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-03-10
p Die =
Matchmakers
By
Constance Darcy Mackay.
,yrighted. 1908. by P. C. Eastment.

s Copyrighted, 1908. by P. C. Eastment. :
on~eees~N&aaNN~%eee
1t was during the first course that
Helena Brent made her entrance, and
all the boarders ut Mrs. Pennington's
table looked up with soup spoons sus.
pended. The dlngy background Of the
dining room wall heightened rather
than diminished Helena's beauty
Against its dull tan and brown pattern
her supple young figure stood like a
brilliant bas-relief.
So Professor Macklyn thought as he
looked at her quizzically from behind
his steel trimmed eyeglasses. She was
youth personified. and youth was at a
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 Macklyn's own
middle aged heart was going out to her
in furtive sympathy when he caught
the stealthy glance that little Miss
Eusts sent to the other end of the
table. where sat Ramsay Sturgls, the
| only young man in the house. pleas
ant, frank eyed. broad shou!Gered fel'
low for whom Professor Macklyn had
| always felt an instructive liking.
The professors glance followed Miss
Eustis and rested there. while Ram
say Sturgis imperturbably went on
with his dinner, unaware Of any hover
Ings Of romance. for rs the professor
looked quickly away again his eyes FOR
second time encountered those OF
Miss Eustls, 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
Isterlal ways, and when the professor
let himself into the chilly boarding
house hall few evenings later he
| found her thcre on guard.
From the parlor came sounds OF q
clear soprano voice. and presently nm
other voice. undeniably masculine
ioIned In. Miss Brent and Mr.. Sur
gis were singing n college glee. Miss
Eustis held up a warning finger.
Don't disturb them" she begged
"It's so difficult to become really ac
ouainted I'm house like this. and they
are getting on famously. She told Inc
last night that they had discovered
quite Il number Of mutual friends
They are both from the west, you
know, and strangers to New York
The professor disavowcd any inten
ton of entering the parlor and. leapin2
back against the wall, with his books
balanced on one arm, listened content
edly to the music.
Miss Eustis listened too. Into tho
daily routine of her life had come
something bright and vital, and heT
faded face glowed under the new Inn
petus.
The professor likewise felt sud
den quicieEing Impulse. There was y
certain relish and novelty in playing
the role of matchmaker. 1t occurred
to him that he had kept too steadl;.
to his books, and now n voice withii
him that he had long believed silent
cried out for life and companionshlp
He turned to Miss Eustis.
what do you think they'd say to |;
little theater party and oysters" be
demanded whisperingly.
Miss Eusts eyes widened. She
/ caught her breath.
"Why, professor" she gasped, VI
didn't suppose that you
knew what the taste of good time
was? Well, I did once, but I've been
| q bookworm these many long years
and it's time | learned the flavor OF
festivity again"
1t was flavor for which Helena
Brent and Ramsay Sturgis were botl
| equally keen, and so n radiant party
of four clambered down the slippery
sand strewn steps Of Mrs. Penning
toms boarding house into the crisT
wintry starlit night.
Through The hardening process OF
uneventful years Miss Eustis had
reached q dreary apathy concerning
clothes, but as it dawned on her that
the theater party was only the first OF
| q long series Of occasions when she
would be forced to play the chaperon
her wardrobe began to receive partlc
ular and minute attention.
Her hair was loOsened from its Sc
we're little knob at the back Of her
neck and curled softly around hel
temples as 1t had not done since she
was girl. A stiff, uncompromising
walking hat was replaced by toque
mysteriOusly composed Of violets and
| tulle.
Nor was the professor to be left be-
hind I'm his sudden orgy Of fashion
His rusty overcoat gave way to hand
somely tailored garment Of black. His
| loose, uncertain coored neckties were
removed and succeeded by the crisp
| est, most up to date adornments the
haberdasher's window displayed
I'VE owe It to our young people," he
declared as he and Miss Eustis strolled
through the park one February after
noon. A little way ahead Of them
walked Helena Brent and Ramsay
| Sturgis.
Every now and then Helena's laugh
ter drifted back to them, mingling with
Ramsay's happy tones. The young
mans salary had been doubled within
| the month, and Helena had begun tc
] embroder initials on certain filmy mus
lin with q furious zeal.
The professor looked questioningly al
Miss Eustis. What do you think" he
Querled.
81 don't think! knoww she answer
ed, and then added In evident trepida
ton: "But perhaps oughtn't to have
told you. / fancy the dear young
things want to keep their secret n lit
tie while longer and Helena hasn't
spoken to me about 1t. But last night
l couldn't help seeing it-thcrc was
diamond ring on her bureau In a little
] while satin Gaze"