Democratic messenger., 1908-03-14
= Oe =
Matchmakers
by
Constance Darcy Maekay.
copyrighted. 1908. by p. G. Easimen,.

Helena Brent made her entrance. aud
all the boarders at Mrs pennington's
table looked up with soup spoons sus.
pended. The dlngy background Of the
dining room wall heightened rather
than diminished Hclenas beauty
Against its dull tan aud brown pattern
her supple Young figure stood like II
brilliant bas-relief.
So Professor Macklyn thought as he
looked nj her qulzzlcally from behind
his steel trimmed eyeglasses. She was
youth personihed. and youth was at n
premium AT Mrs. Pennington's. whore
elderly bachelors and maiden ladies'
and middle aged married couples sup.
ped nightly on the viands Mrs. Pen.
nlngton sparlngly set forth
Helena Brent was different from all
these. and Professor Macklyu's own
middle aged heart was going out 10 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 Sturgls. the
only young man In the house. pleas.
ant. frank eyed. broad shouldercd fel-
low for whom Professor Macklyn had
always felt an instructive liking
The professors glance followed Miss
Eustis and rested there, while Ram
sly Sturgis imperturbahly went on
with his dinner. unaware OF any hover.
ings Of romance. for as the professor
looked quickly away again his eyes for
II second time encountered those ot
Miss Eustls, and in their depths he saw
the light of born matchmaker Eefore
her lids dropped and hid the tiny sparl-
She had tender heart this little
Miss Eustis. IN spite of her priln spin
isterlal ways. and when the professor
let himself into the chilly boarding
house hall a few evenings later he
found her there on guard
From the parlor came sounds OF
clear soprano voice. and presently an.
other voice. undenIably masculine
joined In Miss Brent and Mr. Stur
gs we're singing college glee. Miss
Eustis held up a warning finger.
Don't disturb them" she begged
Its so difficult to become really ac'
qualntcd IN n house Ike this. aud 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 disavowed any lnten
ton OF entering the parlor and. leaping
back against the wall with his books
balanced on one arm. listened content.
edly to the music.
Miss Eustis listened too. Into the
daily routine OF her life had come
something bright and vital. and her
faded face glowed under the new I'm
petus.
The professor likewise felt sud
den quickening impulse There was a
certain relish and novelty IN playing
the role of matchmaker II occurred
10 him that he had kept too steadily
10 his books, and now voice within
him that he had long believed silent
cried out for life and companionship
He turued to Miss Eustls.
What do you think they'd say 10 a
little tllcater party and oysters he
demanded whisperingly.
Miss Eustis' eyes widened. She
caught her breath
"Why professor" she gasped Il
didn't suppose that YOU
Knew what the taste OF good time
was: Well. did oIce. but I've been
bookworm these many long years.
and it's time | learned the flavor OF
festivity again"
II was flavor for which Helena
equally keen, and so radiant party
OF four clambered down the slippery.
sand strewn steps OF Mrs. Penning-
tons boarding house into the crisp
wintry s,arit night,
Through the hardening process OF
uneyentful years Miss Eustis had
reached dreary apathy concerning
clothes. but as It dawned on her that
the theater party was only the first Of
long series OF occasions when she
would be forced to play the chaperon
her wardrobe began TO receive partic-
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 her
temples as II had not done since she
was girl. A stlff. uncompromlsing
walking hat was replaced by toque
mysteriously composed of vlolets and
tullc
Nor was the professor 10 be left be.
hind IN his sudden orgy Of fashion.
His rusty overcoat gave way tu Il hand
somely tailored garment OF black Ills
loose. uncertain colored neckties were
removed ana succeeded by the crisp
est. most up 10 date adornments the
haber,lasher's window displayed.
we owe II to our young people" he
declared as he and Miss Eustis strolled
through the park one February after
noon. \ little way ahead Of them
walked Helena Brent aud Ramsay
Sturgls
Every now aud then Helena's laugh