The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-10-24
BY JOHN CHARLTON.
wright 1871. by Associated Lat
erary Press.

His name was Giles Weldon, but
far and wide his friends had nick
named him Cupid" for the reason
that he was small and plump, with
a round, rosy, cherupie race and in
nocent blue eyes, and also because
OF his fatal tendency to bring about
marriages between his acquaint-
ances.
A bachelor himself. Cupid" Wee
don lost no opportunity TO mate men
and maidens whenever they VEN
tured In his vicinity. Thus he had
married off not only his pretty eous-
ms. but even the plain and elderly
ones who had long since despaired OF
matrimony. Many contented bach
erlor had found himself engaged and
married to some charming spinster
or widow before he could catch his
breath. or some ineonsolaole widow
er would take to himself second
wife--as the result of Cupid" Wee
dons personally conducted whirt-
wind. matrimonial campaigns,
AS most of these marriages turned
out happily-Cupid possessed a weird
prescience of the affinity between
congenial spirits-his benehc iaries
were correspondngly grateful, and
therefore he enacted the part of best
man at innumerable weddings ana
never demurred at the gic,s called
forth on these occasions or the
christening cups which as godfather
he presented later on.
At last the day came then most OF
Mr.. Weedon's friends had entered
the married lists and his occupation
seemed to have ceased. But stili there
remained his friend and bosom COM
panion. Hilary Ingram, who had just
fv-tR. h..
world. handsome, rich unattached
and heart untouched, and consequent
ly Cupids active brain and his kind
heart co-operated TO find a suita BILE
mate for Hilary.
Hilary Ingram obIected a, the first
intimation of his friends interest In
his behalf
See here. my fat friend. he said
bluntly. you may constitute yourself
mixer of love philters and minister
extraordinary to the court of love,
but III be hanged If III permit YOU
10 drag me into your matrimonial
bLreau,''
Cupid Weldon eyed his friend
doubtfuily. But You can't go On
like this. old man. You ought no,
To he living around at hotels. What
YOU need is a home where you can
have all your stuffed birds and ami
mails around" he added siyiy.
For that matter, why can't | pu,
them In museum? 1t would be
much more appropriate than messing
up a home returned Hilary con-
temptuously. Before you marry me
off, Cupid. why don't YOU Try dose
Of your own medicine"
Il may some day" returned the
ms hmaker lottily, provided | cseI
! fall In love with :, girl.
Take II from me-" predicted HI
larry darkly, that wtep You fail T.
! love with a girl ---;nen j. too, shall
fall in love with her and cut you
out"
Il dare say yoI will was Cupid
grinning retort. and they resumed
| their golf.
| Several weeks aiterwsrd IL hap
pened that Hila y Ingram discovered
| Cupid Weldon mo ,ning about the
country club. His blue eyes eagerly
searched the occupants or moto,
cars as they stopper. ara listiesst,
/ turned away whea he had scam &c
/ the faces beneath Inc disgusting vets
Who Is she'' Lsmanded Hilary.
( Who is who? retorted Cupil
she, pishty.
THE one you IRE waiting for--ths
girl with the-~yhat e.,or eyes,"
I Blue" admitted tae matchma ker
I Blue as your owl "ornf1ower op
tics" commented Hilary. II great
! II fear you have made a miscalcuia
| ton. my friend. You should have
! chosen brown eyes or black. pre-
die. unhappiness In your married lifs
wi L a dark man in the Background
/ Who is the dark MANI"
! Hilary bowed. Myself" he said
modestly.
Get OUT" ordered Cupid. his eye!
still seeking the driveway.
Il shall remain, Cupid" protested
Hilary firmly. you may count or
me for best man and--er--by love
who is that?''
It's Miss WALL" breathed Mr.
| Weldon as he bounced down the step.
and assisted graceful form to align
from a luxnriously appointed car.
She was lovely girl. She wa'
gowned in q pale blue robe that f-i
about her feet III simple lines. ane
|. her Hopping hat WAS OF the same
blue. trimmed With pink roses
Hilary saw all this as she tosset
| off big chiffon veil and loose coat
/ An elderly woman followed and an
other cavalier was ready to attent
her In the person OF Major Dem,met
Hilary knew Major Demmet, and hi
resolved to seek out the major lAtcl
and gain an Introduction to Mis-
Wall
you will excuse me, Hilary" sale
| Mr.. Weldon az he passed his ckum
hut I am lunching with friends.
" They disappeared and Hilary fount
himself standing there on the piazza
gazing after them with Indoubtes
! jealousy haInmeriug al his heart