Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-12-01
The Argus Daily Short Story
aNItrimonial Bureau-By Esther Aldershaw
Copyrighted. Associated Literary Press.

The doorbell rang sharply, and Eva
lima dropped the rolling pin and open
ed the side door.
\ man stood in the porch, his hat in
banda good looking man of forty.
perhaps. with a nice smile and Il well
shaped head. Evalina liked a man to
have well shaped head. and she
rather liked the looks Of this man.
When he spoke she liked the deep
mellow tones of his voice.
Il am looking for Miss Ward" he
said pleasantly rs she at homer
i am Miss Ward" acknowledged
Eyalina. smiling.
Il was told Miss Ward could supply
me with some homemade bread"
IT have wheat. rye and graham"
Evalina opened a glass case that rest
ed on a side table and from its depths
drew forth a crisp golden loaf.
"I'r take one of each" he declared.
Just then there came a querulous
voice from 4 room beyond the kitchen.
'Evalina. who are you talking tor
You amt got any beaus out there,
have your"
The girl flushed brightly. and
strange air Of reserve settled over her
lovely face. at is my Great-aunt Har-
riet She is very old and somewhat
peculiar. nope you will not mind
what she said
"EvaliIa! That's. Tom Taylor's voice.
What's be doin' here?" Aunt Harriet's
voice shrilled through the rooms.
The man let himself out the door
while Evalina fastened TO the side of
bedridden Aunt Harriet.
whats Tom Taylor doing here?"
asked the old woman peevishly.
1T wasn't Tom, Aunt Harriet: It
was stranger" explained the girl
with sweet patience.
What you going TO give me for sup
PERI" With Evalina'S help she sat up
while the girl brushed back her scanty
gray locks and Strengthened the bed
clothes.
Dreamed toast and peaches. some of
my fresh jumbles and a cup of tea"
Sounds dreadful good, Evalina. 1
expect I'm mighty cross to you some
times. You've got the patience Of an
angel, for you amt never cross" Aunt
Harriet stretched forth a bony hand
and caressed the girls bright hair.
Evalina bent and kissed her softly.
TOO bad 1 can't be nice to you. Aunt
Harriet. You're all I've got in the
world"
I'm a poor critter,' lamented Aunt
Harriet-"not worth my salt. You're
killing yourself baking and brewing
there to make a living for us both.
wish you'd get married. Evalina.''
Maybe 1 shall marry millionaire"
laughed Evalina as she went busily to
and fro. "You would like that aunt,
Wouldn't that be perfectly lovely? You
would you like that?'
81 wouldn't like it mite" said Aunt
Harriet grimly. I'D say to the driver,
You can take me right up to the
graveyard now; I'm bound to get there
if 1 go riding in an automobile and
so II there was an accident I'd be
right handy to the Ward plot. There,
Evalina. that supper does smell real
tasty. It's shame you don't get mar.
ried. You are a splendid cook, and
some good man would appreciate you"
AUNT Harriet, I believe you might
operate a matrimonial bureau, only
please don't practice on me. I'm too
busy to get married"
Evalina hurried away to attend to
her baking. which by series of acct
dents had been delayed until the late
afternoon. AS she BUSTED to and fro.
putting things to rights. clearing away
the disorder Of -four and ether ingre-
dents. she passed small mirror hang
ing on the wall.
Dear me-" murmured Evallna. II
wonder If that smudge of -four was on
my forehead when he was in here. /
hope not"
"Evallna. do come and set me rightr'
called the old lady. 1--WE eat my sup
per and spilled the tea, and want to