Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1908-12-24

rying apprOvmgly the tall, wen pro-
portioned figure In the doorway. I'm
hiding" she explained as Chisholm
rame forward I'm hiding from
man."
"Remarkabler was Chisholm's quiet
comment as he dropped into chair
opposite the settee on which MISS
Sprague sat. II have come here 10
ride from woman--a woman never
net
Ethel clapped her hands. "Wouidnt
Il be funny IL it happened that you
were running away from me and
were running away from you ana we
both should be hiding here together
from each otherT
.Nore than likely we are the VIC
fins Of Mrs Bayard's well intentioned
errorts.~ asserted chisholm. 1t Is odd
that after lodging Mrs. Bayard we
should find ourselves in the same re-
treat with the common aim OF avoid
ing each other"
off YOU should tell me your name.
angrested Ethel. 1--WE could find out II
we really are the only two victims OF
Mrs. Bayard's matchmaking craze.
"And rob The situation of It's piquan
w objected chisholm no, Miss
AfIss-er- Dimples. think we
rill enjoy chat far more. because we
nre not absolutely certain that pres
emily we viii emerge from our retreat
only TO be bounced upon by the ener-
.,etic Mrs. Bayard, thereupon to be IN
PRODUCED to each other while the woriu
orr little world--looks on and smiles
its commiseration."
.Nrs Rayard means WE'LL declared
Ethel. but il is dreadful the way she
goes around introducing people WIN
look that says. Now have introduced
ION Young people shall expect you 10
he married immediately, because you
IRE nerfectly suited TO each other
Every one finds such amusement IN
Mrs Bayard's matchmaking that her
victims are marked persons, so they
come to hate each other
ar she were content with mere hints
II would not be so bad" continued
chisholm comfortably. "but she had
me over here this morning to tell me
that tonight l should meet my fate.
"And she wrote me-" explained
Ethel. ut seems that she has three
sets of victims here tonight, so as
soon as / came L made straight TOT
This Irritation nook. Mrs. Bayard be
iieves in Irritation booths TO further
her amiahle ends, and ii seemed
clever bit OF satire 10 take refuge In
one of her matrimonial traps"
Il felt much the same way" assent
cd Chisholm. ''Of course some time
in the course of the evening | shall
have to undergo the ordeal. but l am
irving 10 defer her Introduction until
The last moment.
This is the first time that / ever
have been warned that l must marry
whether or no. and-wel, / don't sup
nose that II would sound right to say
that | am bashful. but ! don't seem
to fancy the idea"
(which is unerateful when Mrs
Bayard goes 10 such trouble on oul
account" reminded Ethel "She gives
three or four balls Il year just to bring
PEOPLE together as she expresses it,"
"Just as though the people would no
and each other II lei alonc" comment
ed CHISHOLM. with Il laugh. Now
can imagine that ia happier circum
stances J might
"Whatr demanded Ethel as CHS
holm paused.
Il was eo.ng to say" be concluded
that left Co myself ! NIGH perhap
have carried out MIS- Bayard's wishe
through natural impulse and nc
through sense of DUTY.
Ethel colored softly at The remarl
for the meaning was not 10 be mis-
taken Moreover. she suddenly r.
GREETED the matchmaking propensitit
If her hostess. which had resulted
preiudicing the mind of this ne
found acquaintance against her.
81 remember when ! was Il youni
ster in short trousers reminisce
chisholm. that one day my fath'
mixed pail Of whitewash. placed
brush beside II and gave me strict q
ders not 20 whitewash the chick'
-o,,,,s because / did not have Il
REQUISITE skill. Then he went dow
Town. and | took chances on thras
ing TO prove that | could do IT,
1--WE always want to do the forbi
den things" assentod Ethel. II su
pose we inherit the trait from our fiji
parents"
Its human nature, agreed Oh
holm. -Now. II Mrs Bayard had sai
above all things. keep away frc
Miss -Dimples,' | should he
hunted up The introduction the We
first thing instead of running off
hide
And then You make my acquai
nnce the very first thing. just
same"
But we are not certain. you know
pleadec Chisholm eagerly. "You s.
Yourself that there We're four oil
victims"
"But of course we arc one of
pairs" insisted Ethel
perhaps rot ~ the same pair
may he that through some haI
chance fate has been permitted
take hand and do things right
"If You would tell me who you al
suggested Ethel. 1--WE could settle
natter
And spoil IT ALL" reminded G
holm.
sThen I shall tell you my name"