The Democratic advocate., 1909-04-30
7he
Matchmaking
Of. Bobby.
By LULU JOHNSON.



Indians and grizzlies and other crea-
tires dear to the small boys heart
Miss Mayatng's stories carried morals
and were about little boys who were
so very geod that Bobby found them
extraordinarily uninteresting. Had 1t
not been that the Mayling cakes were
as good - her young heroes Bobby
would nst have been frequent caller
on Alice kayling.
This afternoon as he was warming
his dimp1ud hands before the open fire
be regarded with secret awe the deft
fashion In which Brant rolled himself
q cigaret4e with one hand. Brant had
been a piainsman until he had run
across . mine while he was looking
for stray cattle. and he could throw a
rope and talk real Indian talk.
II looked for you yesterday" said
Dick Brant gravely as he sank into a
chair on the opposite side Of the FIRE
place
II was seeing Miss Mayling," ex-
piained Bobby, "She makes cake on
Thursdays"
"And you deserted me because Miss
Mayling was making cakeF' cried Dick
solemnly. In reality, though he used
mock pathOs. he was a little jealous of
Miss Mayiing's popularity with bis 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 go and eat t."
81 suppose so" assented Dick, "but
was very lonesome yesterday"
'Im sorry" said Bobby, with
prompt penitence and troubled face.
Wouldn't 1t be nice" he added, IF !
could go 10 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-
bic combination. Dick looked scared
and biusiled. He was little used TO
feminine society, and suggestion like
that, even from Bobby, startled him.
Besides, he had been secretly studying
Miss Mayiing 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 II ! didn't como and
see you, cause then you and she would
have each other But of course would
come TO see you" he added quickly.
'It would be awful nice"
81 guess lit would" assented Dick a
little absently.
"Then why don't your demanded
Bobby. with engaging directness.
ITO begin with, don't know her."
explained Dick "You see, a man has
to know lady before ho can call on
her. and I've never met Miss May
ling"
When Bobby finally trotted away he
was thinking deeply. II 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 10 take his small spice cake
home. As soon as he was out OF her
sight he carried II TO Brant his fat
legs speeding wonderfully.
"Ain't II fineT 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
a wonder OF a cook"
Bobby beamed his professional salts
faction. 4 thought you'd like IT," he
said confidently. "She makes nicer
cakes than that sometimes. III bring
you another when she makes fruit
calre.'
Don't do It." advised Brant smil-
ingfy. IF the fruit cake is as good as
this I'm liable to abduct her and force
her to baise cake for me for the rest Of
her life."
WHATS abductT" demanded Bobby.
When the word had been explained to
him he wrinkled his pudgy brows. But
If another deep idea had come to him,
as that eontortion would seem to de-
note, 1t remained a 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 hostile tribe.
He was unusually graphic in his
story telling. for as he went on he be-
gan TO imagine that he was Spotted
Panther and Miss Mayling was the
Indian maid Thus sadly had the un-
princlpled suggestions of the scheming
Bobby contaminated Dick Brant's good
manners. But 1t must be admitted in
his favor that 1t was not the cake, but
che meuory Of her womanly sweet.
ness, that fired his thoughts and lent
eloquence to his tongue.
IT was deeply Impressed small boy
who climbed down of the chair arm
when the tale was done and regret
fully announced that he would have to
be going home The very next day
he went to visit Miss Mayling with
the more or less peremptory request
that she bake him fruit cake.
.'Going to have tea party, BobbyT'
she asked gayly. But Bobby shook
his head soemnly and declined to be
drawn into trivial conversation.
II want 1t for some one-some one
who doesn't get nice cake,v he CON
descended at last examining Miss
Mayling shrewdly as he spoke.
aaIf rn1i don't fnIl mo ruhn IL IL