The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1908-03-31
= Ole .
Matchmakers


ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
1t was during the first course that
Helena Brent made her entrance, and
all the boarders at Mrs. PenningtonS
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 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 peFsonlhed, 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 het
in furtive sympathy when he caught
the stealthy glance that little Miss
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 a born matchmaker before
her lids dropped and hid the tiny spark.
She had q tender heart, this little
Miss Eustis, in spite Of her prim, spin
isterial ways, and when the professor
let himself into the chilly boarding
house hall a FEW evenings later ne
found her there on guard
From the parfor came sounds OF
clear soprano voice, and presently an
other voice, undeniably masculine,
Joined In. Miss Brent and Mr.. Stur-
gis were singing a college giee- Miss
Eustis held up q warning finger.
Don't disturb them" she begged.
TITS SO diflcult to become really &C
ouainted in q house like this, and they
are getting on fRmously. 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, 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 a sud
den qutckening impulse There was q
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 voice within
him that he had long believed silent
cried out for life and companionship.
He turned to Miss Eustis,
"What DO you think they'd say to
little theater party and oystersT' he
demanded whisperingly.
Miss Eustis' eyes widened. She
caught her breath.
"Why, professor" she gasped, y
didn't suppose that you
knew what the taste Of good time
WASP Well, l did once, but I've been
a bookworm these many long years,
and it's time I learned the favor OF
festivity again"
It was a flavor for which Helena
Brent and Ramsay Sturgis were both
equally keen, and SO radiant party
Of four clambered down the slippery,
sand strewn steps Of Mrs. Penning-
toms boarding house into the crisp
wfntry starlit night.
Through the hardening process OF
uneventful years Miss Eustis had
reached a dreary apathy concerning
clothes, but as it 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-
ular and minute attention.
Her hair was loosened from it's Sc
we're little knob at the back of her
neck and curled softly around her
temples as 1t had not done since she
was a girl. A stiff, uncompromising
--.1I-S1c. bo+ ~r1ao ropIoo cod tu a fncr1a
mysteriously composed Of violets and
tulle.
Nor was the professor to be left be-
hind in his sudden orgy of fashion.
His rusty Overcoat gave way to hand
somely tailored garment Of black. His
loose, uncertain colored neckties were
removed and succeeded by the crisp
est, most up to date adornments the
haberdasher's window displayed.
1--WE owe 1t 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 to
embroider initials on certain f1lmy mus
lin with a furious zeal.
The professor looked questioningly at
Miss Eustis. What do you think r he
queried.
''I don't think! l known she answer
ed, and then added In evident repida-
ton: "But perhaps I oughtn't to have
told you. fancy the dear young
things want to keep their secret lit
tie while longer. and Helena hasn't
spoken to me about it. But last night
| couldn't help seeing it-there was
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'S have an apart
ment"
There viii be furniture to see to,
and china and kitchen ware, but the
GEAR CQluf6u are 81 cu5A OooO0 "AeA
their love affair that they haven't time
for anything practical"
I'VE might look up the things before
hand, and then when the young people
are ready give them the benefit Of our
superior wisdom" the professor sug-
gested.
After that, on Saturday afternoons,
he and Miss Eustls roamed to far parts
of the city to furniture, china and pic
ture stores and to brass shops down
on the east side.
There were bookstores, too, where
the professor reveled. What, he ques-
toned, could give more cheerful as
poets to a room than volumes Of limp
red leather and andirons of hammered
brass. They even found an apartment
which combined the amazing trilogy
Of cheapness, beauty and light.
It was when they were secretly re
1oicing over this discovery that the