Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-04-28
The Argus Daily Short Story
The Matchmaking of Bobby-By Lulu Johnson
Copyrighted, 1893. by Associated I.era ry Press.

With Il smile of glorious anticipation
Illuminating his chubby face. Bobby
trottcd up the street as fast as pair
of very fat and very little legs would
carry him. He was going to see Dick
Brant. Next to visiting Alice May
ling this was his greatest treat.
Richard Brant could not make amaz-
ing cookies and preserves like Miss
Mayling. but he could tell stories Of
Indians and grizzlies and other crea-
lures dear to- the small boys heart
Miss Mayling'S stories carried morals
and were about little boys who were
so very good that Bobby found them
extraordinarily unintcresting. Had it
not been that the Mayling cakes were
as good as her young heroes Bobby
would not have been frequent caller
on Alice Mayling
This afternoon as he was warming
his dimplcd hands before the open fire
he regarded With secret awe the deft
fashion In which Brant rolled himself
Il cigarette with one hand. Brant had
been plainsnian until he had run
across a mine while he was looking
for stray cattle. and he could throw a
rope and talk real Indian talk.
81 looked for you yesterday" said
Dick Brant gravely as he sank into a
chair on the opposite side of the fire
place.
81 was seeing Miss Mayling." ex-
planned Bobby. "She makes cake on
Thursdays"
"And you deserted me because Miss
Maylng WAS making caker' cried Dick
solemnly. In reality. though he used
| mock pathos. he was little jealous of
Miss Mayling's popularity with his lit
| tie chum. Somehow Bobby seemed to
Brant the most sincere friend he had
made in the big eastern city.
Cake is nice just out of the oven.
/ explained Bobby. "She always bakes
little cake for me. and of course ]
have to 20 and eat it,
81 suppose So" assented Dick, "but
| was very lonesome yesterday"
I'm sorry said Bobby, with
| prompt penitence and troubled face
| Wouldn't it be nice" he added, eff
could go to see you and Miss Maylinc
at the same time? You could tell me
stories and she could bake cake"
| He stared into the fire. lost-in rap
ture at the thought of this most valua-
bic combination. Dick looked scared
and blushed. He was little used to
feminine society. and Il suggestion like
that. even from Bobby, startled him
Besides, he had been secretly studying
Miss Mayling from affair."
| 'Then you wouldn't be lonesome any
more" resumed Bobby. the vast at.
fractions of his good idea growing on
him, mot even if / didn't come and
see you, cause then you and she would
have each other. But of'course would
come to see YOU" he added quickly
ut would be awful nice"
II 81 guess it would" assented Dick a
little absently.
'Then why don't your" demanded
Bobby, with engaging directness.
ITO begin with, don't know her, y
explained Dick. you see, a man has
to know a lady before he can call on
her. and I've never met Miss May.
ling"
4 When Bobby finally trotted away hi
was thinking deeply. 1t was absurd
that his best man should not know
Miss Mayling.
At the next baking day at Miss May
lings the thought was revived. ant
with denial that meant immense de
termination to him he obtained per
mission to take his small spice cake
home. AS soon as he was out of hel
sight he carried it to Brant. his ia,
legs speeding wonderfully.
'Ain't it fine?' he demanded eagerly
when he had watched Brant devoul
the last spicy morsel. not without envy
that almost assumed a poignant de
1 gree.
4 Simply great" admitted Brant, will
i enforced enthusiasm. Il tell you. Bob
by. the woman who made that cake /.
] a wonder Of cook"