Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1909-06-04
The
Matchmaking
OF Cobby.
By LULU JOHNSON.
Copyrighted. 1903. by Associated
Literary Press

| ""hs his cnuDDy 1ace, Bobby
trotted up the street as fast as a 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.
itlchard Brant could not make maz-
ing cookies and preserves like Miss
Mayling. but be could tell stories of
Indians and grizzlies and other crea-
lures dear TO the small boys heart.
Miss Mayllng's stories carried morals
and We're about little boys who were
SO very good that Bobby found them
extraordinarily unlnteresting. Had It
not been that the Mayling cakes were
as good as her young heroes Bobby
would not have been a frequent caller
on Alice Mayling
This afternoon as he was warming
his dimpled hands before the omen fire
ne regarded with secret awe the deft
fashion In which Brant rolled hinoseJf
cigarette with one hand. Rrant had
been plaireman until he had run
across a mine while he was looking
Tor stray cattle. aud he could throw a
rope and talk real Indian talk.
u looked for you yesterday" said
DICK Brant gravely as he sank into n
cnair on the opposite side OF the fire.
place.
Il was seeing Miss MayIing." ex-
piained Bobby. "She makes cake on
Thursdays"
And you deserted me because Miss
Mayling was making eakeY' cried DICK
soiemniy. In reality. though he used
mock pathos. he was little Jealous OF
MISS Maytng's popularity with his lit
tie ehum. Somehow Bobby seemed to
brant the most sincere friend he had
made In the big eastern city.
Cake Is nice just ont OF the oven
explained Bobby. "She always bakes
ittie cake for me. and OF course /
have to 20 and eat IT,
suppose So" assented Dick. "but
was very lonesome yesterday"
I'm sorry," said Bobby. with
prompt penitence and a troubled face
Wouldn't 1t be nice" he added. III /
could go to see you aud Miss Mayiins
az the same ttmef You could tell me
stories and she could bake cake"
he stared into the FIRE. lost IN ran
ture at the thought OF this most yai,,a-
Die combination. Dick looked scared
and blusheth He was little used ia
FEMININE society," and a suggestion like
that. even from Bobby, startled him
BESIDES, he had been secretly studying
Miss Mayiing from afar.
rhen you wouldn't be lonesome any
more, resumed Bobby. the vast at
fractions Of his good idea growing on
MIN. mot even II I didn't come and
sec you. 'cause then you and she would
nave each-Wher. But OF course would
como to see you" be added quickly
1T would be awful nice"
" guess 1t would" assented Dick a
little absently.
Then why don't your demanded
BOBBY. with engaging directness.
TO begin with, ] don't know her"
explained Dick. You see, a man bas
10 KNOW lady before he can call on
ner. and I've never met Mise Nav.
ling"
When Bobby finally trotted away he
was thinking deeply. IL was ahsurd
that his best man should not tnow
Miss Maylpg.
AT the next baking day at Miss MAY.
tngs the thought was revived. ano
Win denial that meant immense de |
termination to him he obtained pep
mission to take his small spice cake |
HOme- As soon as be was out OF her
siynt he carried II TO Brant his fat |
legs speeding wonderfully.
Amt It finer he dem pdpd On oeriv
when mo had watched Rrlnt deyour
the last spicy morsel. not without envy
tnat almost assumed poignant de-
gree.
simply great" admitted Brant. with
uniorced enthusiasm. II tell you, Bob
py, the woman who made that caLe is
wonder OF cook"
Bobby beamed his professional salts.
faction. u thought you'd IKE n" ha
saM eonnoentiy. "She makes nicer
cakes than that sometimes. III bring
you ahotner when she makes fruit
cake"
Don't do It," advised Brant sms.
ingiy. IF the fruit cake Is as rood as
THIS I'm liable to abduct her and force
her TO bake cake for me for the rest OF
her life"
WHATS abductT demanded Bobbv
When the word had been explained To
aim ne wrinkled his pudgy brows. But
II another deep tdes had come to him.
as that contortion would seem to de,
note. II remained q secret In his far
breast Give US an Indian story" he
"Ah right. son." said Dick as no
stretched himself out in his easy chair
and prepared to entertain his small
guest with the story OF how Chief
spotted Panther carried of his Indian
bride from the camp Of hostile tribe
he was unusually graphic In his
story telling. for as he went on he be-
gan TO imagine that he was Spottei h
Panther and Miss Mayiing was the
indian Waid. Thus sadly had the nm.
principied suggestions Of the schemine
Bobby contaminated Dick Brant's good
manners. But II must be admitted Ia
ais favor that It was not the cake. but
ne memory OF her womanly sweet,
hess. that fred his thoughts and lent
'ioquence to his tongue.
1t was deeply impressed small bow
VINO climbed down on the chak arm
when the tale was done and regret.
uiiy announced that he would have to
" going home. The very next day
. went to visit Miss Mayiing with q
he more or less peremptory request B
hat she bake him a fruit cake. In
"dotng to have tea party, Bobbyr' o,
ne asked gayly. But Bobby shook :
Is head solemnly and declined to be-
rawn Into trivial conversation. {
Il want 1t for some one-some one 4
tho doesn't get nice cake" he con- .
escended at last. examining Miss
laying shrewdiy as he spoke. n