Putnam patriot., 1909-07-09
1le Matchmaking of Bobby.
s.i,....i.ii .;.si-t+f-is
By LULU JOHNSON.
ro7yrighted lsos. by Associated
 Literary Press

Ufcharti Brant could not make amaz- ze.a,kies and preserves like Miss Aissfiae. but he conid tell stories of le4iiaus and grizzlies and other crea- ,,.-as dear to the small boys heart pfS- Mayling's stories carried morals aHa were about little boys who were sa very good that Bobby found them extraordinarily uuinterestinS Had it n.s been that the Mayling cakes were as good as her young heroes Bobby uauIc not have been d frequent caller on Alice Mayling
 This afternoon as he was warming his aimpled hands before the open fire he regarded with secret awe the deft faShfnn in which Brant rolled himself T cigarette with one hand Brant had heen plainsman until he had run across q mine while he was looking for stray cattle. and he could throw 6 rone and talk real Indian talk.
 T looked for you yesterday said Dick Brant gravely as he sank into a chair on the opposite side of the fire place
 T was seeing Miss Mayiing." ex- nlained Bobby "She makes cake on Thursdays.
 And you deserted me because Miss Mayling was making cake.'' cried Dick solemnly In reality. though he used mock pathos. he was little jealous of Miss Mayling's popularity with his lit .1Dx DAl Rranf the nlest sincere friend he had made in the big easterf city.
 Cake is nice just out of the oven. ?. explained Bobby She always bakes I iittlp cake for me. and of course I have to gn and eat it
 T suppose se.s assented Dick. but l wax very lonesome yesterday
 I'm sorry, said Bobby. with prompt penitence and a troubled face. Wouldn't it be nice. he added. If l could % to see you and Miss Mayline at ina same time? You could tell me stories and she could bake cake.F
 He stared into the fire. lost in rap tuFe at the thought of this most valua- be combination. Dick looked scared and hlushed. He was little used to feminine society. and a suggestion like that. even from Bobby. startled elim. Besides, he had been secretly studying Miss Mayling from afar.
 "rben you wouldn't be lonesome any more.s resumed Bobby. the vast at fractions of his geod idea growing on him. mot even if I didn't come and see yon, cause then you and she would have each other But of course would come 10 see yon." he added quickly. It would be awful mice"
 T guess it would." assentsd Dick { little ahsently
 Then why don't you?" demanded Bobby. w.iIh engaging directness.
 sTo begin with. I don't know her" explained Dick. "Hon see. man has to know lady before he can call on her and I've never met Miss May ling
 When Bobby finally rtrotted away he was thinking deeply. at was absurd that his best man should not know Mss Mayling
 At the next baking day at Miss May lings the thoa ght was revived. and with denial that meant immense de termination to him bs@ obtained per mission so take his small spice cake home. As soon as be was out of her sight he carried it to Brsnt. his fat legs speeding wonderfully.
 'Ain't it finer' ne demanded eagerly when he had watched Rrant devcus 'the last spicy morsel. not without envy that almost assumed a poignant de gree.
 Simply great" admitted Brant. with unforced entirusiasm- T tell you. Bob by. the woman who -fnade that tscake is a wonder of cook
 Bobby beauled his professional satis- faction T thought you'd like it." he said confidently. She makes nicer cakes than that sometimes. I'll bring you another when she makes fruit cake"
 Don't do it." advised Brant smil- ingly If the fruit cake is as good as This m liable to abeuct her and force her to bake cake for ne far the rest of her life.~
 Whats abduef ?' demanded Bobby. when the word had been explained to him he wriukled his pudgy brows- But II another deep idea had come to him. as that cenfortion would seem to de- hote. it remained secret in his fat Breast. Give us an Indian story" he demanded.
 All right. son.. said Dick as he stretched himself out in his easy chair and prepared to entertain his small guest with the story of how Chief fpotted Panther carried off bis Indian brine from the camp of hostile trfte. He wss nnusuatfy graphic in his stery telling for as he went on he be- gan to imagine that he was Spotted fan'her and Miss Mayling was the Indian maid Thus sadly had the un- krneipied suggestions of the scheming Bobby contaminated Dick Brant's good nia anners But It must te admitted in Els favor that fl was not the cake. but The memory of her wemaniy sweet ness. that fired his thoughts and lent eaoauenee to his tongue
 II was deeply impressed small boy uho climbed down off the chair arm. Hhen the tale was done and regret iaily announced that he would have to es going home. The very next day le went to visit Miss Mayiins with the more or less peremptcry request That she bake him a fruit cake.
 Going 10 have tea party. Bobby tee asked gayly. Buf Bobby shook Bis head selemnly and declined to De arswn into trivial conversation
 l want 1T for some lonesome one who doeSr.s ret nice caxe- he con