The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1912-03-21
- Being
Impartial

Mrs. Barlow was so essentially a
matchmaker that II was impossible
for her to see any unattached person
without being fired with a desire to
find some other unattached person OF
the opposite sex and approximately
suitable 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 on 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 was neither surprised nor
disgruntled when he stepped out OF
the motor car on to his sisters wide
front porch to find the wealthy, II
no longer strictly youthful, Miss Rob
bins gracefully postured in reclin-
ing chair. He was somewhat sur
prised, however, short time later,
when his sister explained with
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 IL she might come two weeks
earlier than / had intended to have
her, and then 1t was too late to put
Miss Robbins of I'm afraid 1t won't
be bit nice or the way meant to
have It,"
Don't worry. old lady" said Hobbs
soothingly. I'm promise to be per-
fectly impartial"
But don't want you to-" began
Mrs. Barlow. But Hobbs interrupted
her with 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 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
aim 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
no 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 ire after sup.
per there was q distinct atmosphere
Of hilarty. 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. II
had become quite dark and the scene
was lit up only occasionally by a
faint glow from the dying fire,
Then Barlow. exhilarated by the
lively social converse and ginger ale
suddenly drew out his match safe.
Il never think It's real picnic un.
less everybody holds hands. Now
enc, two, three. I'm going To ind out
who's losing his opportunity"
AS the match fiared up for an In
stant there we're two distinct ladylike
giggles and what appeared to be q
genteel scufile in the place where
Hobbs sat between Miss Robbins and
Miss Trotter. Then the match went
out. but not before every one had gol
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 were the dainty
digits OF Miss Trotter.
II always aim to be perfectly i'm
partial" said Hobbs
No gentleman could have done
such thing" declared Mrs. Barlow
to her brother few moments later
rs she stalked haughtily beside hin
back to the house, followed at some
distance by her husband. fianked OF