Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1910-12-10
A MATRIMONIAL
BUREAU
its First Case and the
Way tine Bill Was Paid
BY ESTHER ALDERsnAw
Copyright. 1910. by American Press
Association.
BY ESTHER ALDERsnAw

ed the side door.
A man stood in the porch, his hat in
hand-a good looking man of forty.
perhaps, with a nice smile and 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
II am looking for Miss Ward" he
said pleasantly. ''Is she at homer"
II am Miss Ward" acknowledged
Evalina. smiling.
II was told Miss Ward could supply
me with some homemade bread"
81 have wheat. rye and graham"
Evalina opened glass case that rest
ed on side table and from its depths
drew forth crisp golden loaf.
'l'll take one of EACH" he declared.
JUST then there came a querulous
voice from room beyond the kitchen.
"Evalina. who are you talking to?
You amt got any beaus out there.
have your"
The girl flushed brightly. and a
strange air of reserve settled over her
lovely face. 1T is my Great-aunt Har-
riet She Is very old and somewhat
peculiar. nope you will not mind
what she said"
"Evalina. That's Tom Taylors voice.
What's he doin' here?' Aunt Harriet's
voice shrilled through the rooms.
The man let himself out the door
while Evalina hastened to the side of
bedridden Aunt Harriet.
whats Tom Taylor doing here?"
asked the OLD woman peevishly.
'It wasn't Tom, Aunt Harriet; 1t
was stranger" explained the girl
with sweet patience.
what you going 10 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
"Creamed toast and peaches, some of
my fresh jumbles and cup of tea
Sounds dreadful good, Evalina.
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 bony hand
and caressed the girls bright hair
Evalina bent and kissed her softly.
TOO bad I can't be nice to you, Aunt
Harriet. You're all I've got in the
world.'' ~
"rm a poor critter," lamented Aunt
Harriet-"not worth my salt. You're
killing yourself baking and brewing
there to make living for us both. !
wish you'd get married, Evalina."
Maybe l shall marry a millionaire '
laughed Evallna as she went busily to
and fro. "You would like that. aunt
for shouldn't do any more baking.
Wouldn't that be perfectly lovely? You
might ride In an AUTOMOBILES. How
would you like that?''
II wouldn't like 1t 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
IL go, riding in an automobile,' and
so If there was an accident I'd be
right handy to the Ward plot. There.
Evalina. that supper does smellMreal
tasty. It's shame you don't get mar
ried. You are splendid cook, and
some good man would appreciate YOU
AUNT Harriet, believe you might
operate 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 hustled TO and fro.
putting things to rights, clearing away
the disorder of flour and other ingre-
dients. SHE passed small mirror hang
ing on the wall.
Dear me.' murmured Eva1ina. II
wonder II that smudge of -four was on
my forehead when he was In here.
hope not" at.,n
"Evaiina. do come and set me right!''
called the old lady. .'I've eat my sup
per ard spilled the tea. and want to
go to sleep.''
When Evalina had cleared away the
supper things and Aunt Harriet had
been tucked under the covers Evalina
sat a. long time over her owB meal
with soft brown eyes dreamily fixed on
the glowing square of the stove door.
Every day thereafter the strange
man called at EvalIna's house and
bought some product Of her baking.
One day several weeks after the
strangers first visit Aunt Harriet was
left alone In the house while Evalina
went to nearby town to order sup
plies. Late In the afternoon there
came knock at the sitting room door.
"who is it7" demanded Aunt Har-
riet shrilly.
'I would like some bread. please" !"
came the meek voice of the stranger
."rhe keys under the mat" called
Aunt Harriet eagerly. Come right
in."
When the door had opened and clos
ed and she knew the. stranger was In
the sitting room Aunt Harriet called
again: "Evailna's gone 10 the store.
II you want bread you can take 1t
from the case and leave the money on
the table. Be you Tom TaylorT
"No, I'm not Mr.. Taylor. merely