The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1911-12-16
Being


Mrs Barlow was so essentially a
matchmaker that it was impossible
For her 10 see any unattached person
without being fred with a desire to
find some other unattached person OF
tRs opposite sex and .1.na,e y
ssirable age, bring them together and
launch them upon the troubled sea of
matrimony. That her brother, Tom
Hobbs, was still unmarried was due
to no lack of energy or her part,
Consequently, when Tom received
her invitation to pass his vacation at
her summer home he grinned know
ingly. Wonder what kind Of female
person she's going to hook me up with
this timer" he chuckled to himself.
Being thus prepared In his own
mind, he wal neither surprised nor
disgruntled when he stepped out Of
the motor car on to his sisters wide
front porch to find the wealthy, If
no longer strictly youthful, Miss Rob
bins gracefully p%ostured in a reclin-
ing chair. He was somewhat sur
prised, however, a short time later,
when his sister explained with a
troubled expression that the extreme
ly prosperous, though slightly passe,
Miss Trotter was expected the next
day.
Il hadn't planned to have those two
girls here at the same time" she
fretted, but Molly Trotter wrote and
asked II she might come two weeks
earlier than | had intended to have
her, and then It was too late to put
Miss Robbins of. I'm afraid 1t won't
be a bit nice or the way | meant to
have It"
Don't worry, old lady," said Hobbs
soothingly. III promise to be per-
fectly impartial"
But l don't want you to-" began
Mrs. Barlow. But Hobbs interrupted
her with a shout of laughter.
"oh, Polly, Polly" he cried. You
certainly are the prize ostrich"
For the succeeding. two weeks
Hobbs devoted himself with the
greatest assiduity to the two young
women. Mrs. Barlow looked on with
Ill concealed discomfort. while her
brother joyfully took drives and walks
and excursions of various kinds with
the two girls"
Thus the days wore away more or
less pleasantly until the day before
Toms departure for town. Mrs. Bar
low had arranged a beach party and
about ten o'clock that morning, being
driven to desperation by the number
less accidents which invariably at
tend the preparations for such festivi.
ties, she ferreted Tom out to inform
him unreservedly that she considered
him a hopeless idiot. Upon being told
why, Hobbs assured her that he had
proposed to both her other guests and
had been rejected by both.
II told you | would be perfectly I'm.
PARTIAL" he concluded.
The beach party was a success in
80 far as beach parties can be termed
successes when participated in by
those who have outgrown their keen
enjoyment Of sand In sandwiches and
mosquitoes in coffee. However, as
they all sat around the fire after sup.
per there was a distlnc. atmosphere
Of hilarity, The middle aged coun.
tenances had begun to assume that
expression Of pleased anticipation
which indicates that home and bed
are beginning to loom in sight. 1t
had become quite dark and the scene
was lit up only occasionally by a
faint glow from the dying fire.
Then BaSlow, %exhilarated by the
lively social converse and ginger ale,
suddenly drew out his match safe.
II never think it's a real picnic I'm
less everybody holds hands. Now,
one, two, three, I'm going to find out
who's losing his opportunity"
AS the match fared up for an in.
slant there were two distinct ladylike
giggles and what appeared to be a
genteel scufie In the place where
Hobbs sat between Miss Robbins and
Miss Trotter. Then the match went
out, but not before every one had got
full view of the two hands OF Hobbs
as he raised them aloft- In his right
hand squirmed the left hand OF Miss
Robbins; in his left we're the dainty
digtts Of Miss Trotter.
II always aim to be perfectly i'm.
partial" said Hobbs.
mo gentleman could have done
such a thing" declared Mrs. Barlow
to her brother a few moments later
as she stalked haughtily beside him
back to the house. followed at some
distance by her husband, fanked on
either side by a ~statuesque and coldly
silent figure. "f any one had told
me that a brother Of mine could have
so far forgotten himself / never would
have believed II"
I'm awfully sorry" murmurec
Hobbs meekly, 'but I'm so spontane
Gus, Polly dear. l really didn't know
l was going to do It until 1t was al
over. I'm such a child Of nature.
Just bubble over with spirits"