Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1912-09-12
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A Blundering Matchmaker
By LOUISE J. STRONG

They concern me so much that
have driven like mad across the loot
to intercept the train and ask you tc
return with me. There IL an explana
ton you must hear-so much is my
due"
Nothing 10 your due from mel"
Il hope you will think differently,
he replied gently Come. be good
enough to go back with me-"
People were listening with broad
smiles
You are making me ridiculous, y
she snapped.
Come, then, else | shall stay until
you are willing to go with me-" He
dropped into the chair beside her
There was culver Of the train and
Erma bounced up and dashed out.
conscious that the spectators were
grinning and chuckling over her de-
feat. Blazing with Indignation, she
sat bolt upright. with averted face.
He had. virtually. kidnapped her,
compelled her to accompany him, but
he could not compel her to accept his
explanation. or excuse. She braced
herself to meet 1t with mocking indif.
ference. and the gay announcement of
her coming marriage with Billy.
But. instead Of plea. or explanation,
Edwin maintained an utter silence,
giving his undivided attention to get
ting over the ground az swiftly as the
law allowed; and Erma was in a very
bewildered state of mind when they
finally entered the hall.
Grandpa met her with such evident
embarrassment that she instantly as
sumed that 1t was his scheme as a
sort Of punishment to her; while Bes-
sic regarded her with an amusement
that. under the circumstances, was
perfectly insulting. She bristled.
meditating resistance. but Edwin hur-
ried her to the old gentleman, saying
sternly:
Nov then. grandpa, have brought
her back. and you must make plain to
her the game you put upon me. It is
your business entirely. and l have
held my tongue. though had to bite
1t to do 30. Tell her everythingl I
must be fully vindicated. though there
is no chance for me, for I did and do
love her. and had hoped to persuade
her to marry me, not knowing of her
engagement to anotherl"
Erma whirled aro"nd to him, but
Grandpa interposed, taking her hand,
looking very downcast and ashamed.
You see. little girl. I've always want
ed to leave the old Morrill, place to
you and Edwin. and I've blundered
along trying to make q match be-
tween you. expected this summer
here would settle It all right, but you
seemed contrary and wouldn't give
Hdwin fair show. and l thought II
you saw that some one else was likely
TOTO land him you would appreciate
him moro yourself. It was my scheme,
Edwin didn't even imagine It l got
Bessie-she's to marry Harvey, which
you didn't know-and together we've
managed to make It seem a. II Ed
win was-"
WAS q contemplate saphead who
deserved a good cow-hidingl" Edwin
tnterjected wrathfully.
And o. Erma. you should have
seen what a bear he was when l 20
ooolly appropriated him a. II had
the right to. and he just couldn't
shake me. He tried 1t enough. but I
was AZ dense. and sweet and sticky
a. molasses taffy." Bessie gurgled at
the memory.
"But ! didn't know you were going
to marry some one else. or l never
would have undertaken It. Of course. :"
grandpa sighed.
'But IL wasn't engaged till
wrote to Billy. and IL didn't send
the letter, Grandpa. IL couldn't bear
to-" Erma stammered. glancing shyly
at Edwin.
'Erma!" he shouted. and grtnning
broadly, Grandpa drew Bessie away.