The Dolores star., 1921-12-23
MATCHING UP
BY ELIZABETH !. aAunoss.

g. 1891. ey Mcclure Newspaper syndc.,.
II just hate men. SO therei I never
did like them-much. anyway, but now
oh. please. Shirley. don't get mar.
ried and leave me. I will be so lone
some. You were all had and now
that selfish old Matty has taken Won
away from me-"
him up now. He means SO much TO
me-and anyway. we won't be married
for three months yet. and perhaps bv
that time you will have matched mn,
too"
me? Matched up-to a man? ShIr.
ley, how absurd! Never. never. / viii
just have 10 forget you. l suppose.
but tell you, hate them"
Edna, dear, you don't mean that
you really couldn't hate them that bad
its nature to like them"
But ! do. just the same" persisted
Edna.
what is the matter with you, Ed.
ma? Why don't you say something?
You sit there looking SO blue and Sc
rious!
"oh. Shirley. forgive me, but can't
help it."
What pretty picture Edna
makes" thought Shirley, sitting with
her head tossed at a contrary angle.
and ewes bright from the trace Of an.
cry tears. How l wish she'd marry
but, oh. dear. II she wasn't so spoiled
and stubborn, ] might have had her
matched up with Tom ages ago. II
she'd only meet him, she'd like him
and he couldn't help loving her. Gee,
| wonder-Tm going to try"
TRY what?" asked Edna, turning
at Shirley's sudden exclamation
ITO get you matched up" answered
Shirley, defantly.
Really, and who's on your mind?"
TON. No joking. either"
tom? Well. bless his little heart,
hasn't he got girl yet? No. guess
you lose. l don't want Tom or any.
one else; so Just stop worrying about
me-"
Don't be so sarcastic about Tom.
He is just as nice as he can be, and
he hates women" added Shirley.
"Now, Tom, he good sport She
thinks you're irst-class woman
hater.' Don't disappoint her"
I'm on, Mntty, old scout; but it's
going to be hard. Are we ready to
start? Is she blonde or brunetteT'
"She's 100 per cent on top, Tom. as
far as looks goes; but, oh. boy, what
disposition
Tom was happy-go-lucky-lovin
none, liking all. bohsting his motto
NO wedding bells for me-"
"Mr. Prebble, meet Miss Curran."
"How do you dor coolly from Tom
"The pleasure Is all yours" defiant.
ly from Edna. a.
"Sat on! You and l are going to
get on famously," unused Tom.
Think so?" questioned Edna.
No; not IL I can help It," curtly an.
swered Tom.
How dare you. Mr.. Prebble! hate
you"
II hate you, too" added Tom. as
though 1t were the most congenial
lHiIlS 10 say. l-.r
Edna's feelings were hurt.
Why had this man spoken so to herl
No one had before. Was her dispo-
sition at fault7
Tom noted the tears with sort Of
fiendish joy. She was so pretty and
so lovable that he. would truly have
liked to take her In his arms and prom.
Use never to hurt her again, but that
was not part of the bargain. So In
stead he said doggedly: Just like
woman. When you don't say pretty
things to them they cry. Perhaps It's
because I've no use for women, but
can't endure their tears. Brace up
don't be baby and let's dance"
Edna, for the first time in her life,
meekly obeyed man. She brushed
away her tears and for the rest OF
the evening his word was sort OF
law to her.
"Going out? questioned Shirley
some time later. "who with, that you
are spending SO much time at the mir
ror2"
Yes, going out riding with Tom
Watch your step, Euna, OF sou W."
be spending your savings on baby
grand for yours truly"
You silly little goose. Why, rom
doesn't even care for me-" she saiu
dreamily.
"Is that the only reason teased
Shirley, "or do you fancy that you still
hate him."
"Of course, hate all me
Except Tom." finished Shirley and
she was gone.
Was Shirley right? Didn't she real,
ly like Tom? Yes, in fact. she loved
him just little. But what was the
use? He would never care for her'
Perhaps 1t serves me right for saying
I hated them all and laughing at Iolh
before even knew hIm-but 40
II