The Kennewick courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1905-1914, 1908-04-17
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Matchnakers
By
Constance DARCY Mackay.
Copyrighted, 1908. by P. c. Eastment

O1SSNNNNN~NN1eNNA% OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
1t was during the first course that
Helena Brent made her entrance. and
all the boarders at Mrs. Pennington's
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
brilliant bas-relief.
So Professor Macklyn thought as he
looked at her QuiZzically from behind
his steel trimmed eyeglasses. She was
youth personif1ed, and youth was at q
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
Eustis sent to the other end Of the
table, where sat Ramsay Sturgis. the
only young man in the house. pleas
ant, frank eyed. broad shouldered 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 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
isterial 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-
gis were singing college glee. Miss
Eustis held up a warning finger.
Don't disturb Them" she begged.
"It's so difficult to become really &C.
quainted in 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. leap'ug
back against the wall. with his books
balanced on one arm, listened content
eddy 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 quickening impulse. There was 4
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 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 a
little theater party and oysters?' he
demanded whisperingly. .
Miss Eustis' eyes widened. She
caught her breath.
'Why. professor" she gasped, II
didn't suppose that you
Knew what the taste Of good time
was? Well, I did once, but I've been
bookworm these many long years.
and it's time 1 learned the favor Of
festivity again.
1t was a flavor for which Helena
Brent and Ramsay Sturgis were both
equally keen, and SO a radiant party
of four clambered down the slippery.
sand strewn steps of Mrs. Penning-
tons boarding house into the crisp
wintry 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
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 it had not done since she
was a girl. A stiff, uncompromising
walking hat was replaced by a toque
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.
Eve owe it to our young people," be
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 aud 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 fllmy mus