The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1909-05-06
TRe
Matchmaking
Of Bobby.
rrrTrI THHhJcnN
By LULU JOHNSON.
Copyrighted. 1909. by Associated
Literary Press.


With a smile Of glorious anticipation
Illuminating his chubby face. Bobby
trotted up the street as fast as pail
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
NIayling, 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 uninteresting. Had 1t
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 dimpled hands before the omen fire
he regarded with secret awe the deft
fashion In which Brant rolled himself
cigarette with one hand. Brant had
been a plainsman 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
Mayling was making cake" cried Dick
solemnly. In reality. though he used
mock pathos. he was little jealous of
Miss MaylnGs 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 l
have to go 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" be added, "if
could 20 to see you and Miss Mayling
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-
BILE combination. Dick looked scared
and blushed. He was little used to
feminine society. and suggestion like
that even from Bobby, startled him.
Besides, he had been secretly studying
Miss Mayling from afar.
"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 eacf Nther. But Of course would
come to see you" he added quickly.
1T would be awful nice"
81 guess it would" assented Dick a
little absently.
"Then why don't you?" demanded
Bobby. with enga ging directness.
ITO begin with. l don't know her"
explained Dick. "You see, man has
to know a lady before he can call on
her. and I've never met Miss May
ling"
When Bobby finally trotted away he
was thinking deeply. 1t was absurd
that his best man should not know
Miss Mayling.
At the next baking day at Miss May
ling's the thought was revived. and
with denial that meant immense de-
termination to him he obtained per-
mission to take his small spice cake
home. AS soon rs he was out Of her
sight he carried 1t to Brant, his fat
legs speeding wonderfully.
"Ain't it fine?" he demanded eagerly
when he had watched Brant devour
the last spicy morsel, not without envy
that almost assumed a poignant de-
gree.
Simply great" admitted Brant, with
unforced enthusiasm. Il tell you. Bob
by, the woman who made that cake is
wonder Of a cook"
Bobby bcamed his professional salts
faction. Il thought you'd like it," he
said confidently. she makes nicer
cakes than that sometimes. III bring
you another when she makes fruit
cake"
Don't do It." advised Brant smil-
lngly. IF the fruit cake is as good 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 Bobby.
When the word had been exnaincd to
him he wrinklnd his pudGy brGws But
if another deep idea had come to him,
as that contortion would seem to de-
note, 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
Spotted Panther carried off his Indian
bride from the camp of a hostile tribe.
He was unusually graphic in his
story telling. for as he went on he he
gan to imagine that he WAS Spotted
Panther and Miss AlHyiing WAS the
Indian maid. Thus sadly had the un-
:; T..
Bobby contaminated Dill: Erant'$ good