The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1912-10-11
Being
Impartial

Mrs. Barlow was SO essentially a
matchmaker that it was impossible
for her to see any unattached person
without being fired with 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 a reclin-
Ing chair. He was somewhat sur
prised. however. q short time later.
when his sister explained with q
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 I had intended to have
her. and then 1t was too late to put
Miss Robbins OF. I'm afraid 1t won't
be a bit nice or the way I meant to
have It."
Don't worry. old lady" said Hobbs
soothingly. I'll promise to be per-
fectly impartial"
But I 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 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 hopeless idiot. Upon being told
why, Hobbs assured her that he had
proposed to both her other guests alS
had been rejected by both.
Il told you would be perfectly i'm
partial" he concluded.
The beach party was q 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 distinct 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. It
had become quite dark and the scene
was hit up only occasionally by q
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,
one. two, three. I'm going to find out
who's losing his opportunity"
AS the match flared up for an in
slant there were two distinct ladylike
siggles and what appeared to be a
gehteel scuffie 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 were the dainty
digits 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. fianked on
either side by statuesque and coldiy
silent figure. IF any one had told
me that brother Of mine could have
SO far forgotten himself I never would
have believed It"
''I'm awfully sorry" murmured
Hobbs meekly. 'but I'm so spontane-
Gus. Polly dear. really didn't know
was going to do it until 1t was All
over. I'm such q child OF nature.