Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1921-12-16
MATCHING UP
BY ELIZABETH /. SAUNDERS

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! @. 1921. by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.
II just hate men, so there l never
did like them-much, anyway, but now
oh, please Shirley, don't get mar
ried and leave me- l will be so lone
some You were all had and now
that selfish old Matty has taken you
away from me-"
I'm sorry, Edna, but can't give
! him up now. He means so much to
me-and anyway, we won't be married
for three months yet, and perhaps by
| that time you will have matched up
| too"
Me? Matched up-to a man? Shir-
ley how absurd Never, never. l will
just have to 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 l 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 1 can't
help it."
what pretty picture Edna
makes" thought Shirley, sitting with
her head tossed at a contrary angle,
and eyes bright from the trace of an
cry tears How | wish she'd marry
but, oh, DEAR if she wasn't so spoiled
and stubborn, l might have had her
matched up with Tom ages ago. If
she'd only meet him, she'd like him
and he couldn't help loving her. Gee,
| wonder-I'm going to try"
"Try whatY asked Edna, turning
at Shirley's sudden exclamation.
ITO get you matched up" answered
Shirley, defantly.
Really and who's on your mind?"
"Tom. No joking, either"
Tom? Well, bless his little heart,
hasn't he got a girl yet? No, 1 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
be hates women" added Shirley.
"Now, Tom, be a good sport. She
thinks you're a frst-class woman
hater Don't disappoint her"
"Tm on, Matty, old scout; but it's
going to be hard. Are we ready to
start? Is she blonde or brunette?'
"She's 100 per cent on top, Tom, as
far as looks goes; but, oh, boy, what
disposition
Tom was y-go-lucky-loving
none, liking ALL Boosting his motto
mo wedding bells for me-"
Mr.. Prebble, meet Miss Curran."
How do you do?' coolly from Tom.
1.-THE pleasure is all yours" defiant
ly from Edna.
"Sat on You and l are going to
get on famously," unused Tom.
"Think SOP" questioned Edna.
"No; not if l can help it," CURLY an
swered Tom.
'HOw dare you, Mr.. Prebble! hate
you"
81 hate you, too" added Tom as
though it were the most congenial
thing to say.
Edna's feelings were hurt.
Why had this man spoken so to her7
No one had before. Was her dlspo-
sition at fault?
Tom noted the tears with a sort OF
tiendish 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 a
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 a sort of
| law to her.
Going out?" questioned Shirley
some time later. "Who WITH that you
are spending so much time at the mir.
! ror?"
Eyes, going out riding with Tom"
! watch your step, Edna, or you will
be spending your savings on a baby
grand for yours truly
you silly little goose. Why, Tom
doesn't even care for me" she said
dreamily.
as that the only reason" leased
Shirley, "or do you fancy that you still
hate him"
"Of course, l 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 it serves me right for saying
| hated them all and laughing at Tom
| before | even knew him-but | do