Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-03-07

1t was during the first course that
Helena Brent made her entrance, and
all the boardcrg at Mrs. Pennington's
table looked up with soup spoons sus-
pended. The dingy background of the
dining room wall heightened rather
than diminished Hclena's beauty.
Against its dull tan and brown pattern
her supple young figure stood like a
brilliant bas-relief.
So Professor Aacklyn thought as he
looked at her QuizZically from behind
his steel trimmed eyeglasses. She was
youth pcrsonifed, and youth was at
premium at Mrs. Penningtons, 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 Mack!yn's own
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. a pleas
ant frank eyed, broad shouldered fell
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 as the professor
looked quickly away again his eyes for
a 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 a tender heart, this little
Miss Eustis, in spite of her prim, spin
isteriaI 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 a
clear soprano voice. and presently an
other voice. undeniably masculine,
Joined in. Miss Brent and Mr.. Stur-
gis were singing n college gl6G. Miss
Eustis held up n warning finger.
Don't disturb them she begged.
IT'S so difficult to become really ac-
quainted in Il house like this, and they
are getting on famously. She told me
last night that they had discovered
quite a number of mutual friends
They are both from the west, you
know, and strangers to New York"
The professor disavowed any inten'
ton of entering the parlor and, leapipG
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 hel
| faded face glowed under the new i'm
petus.
The professor likewise felt a sud
den quickening impulse. There was
| certain relish and novelty in playing
the role of matchmaker. 1t occurred
to him that he had kept too steadily
to his books. and now a voice withiF
him that he had long believed silen
cried out for life and compantonship
He turned to Miss Eustis.
what do you think they'd say to
little theater party and oysters?" he
demanded whisperingly.
Miss Eustis' eyes widened. Sht
caught her breath.
'Why, professor" she gasped, .
1-didn't suppose that you
Knew what the taste of good tins
was? Well, 1 did once, but I've beer
a bookworm these many long years
and It's time I learned the flavor o.
/ festiyity again"
!; 1t was a favor for. which Helen.