The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1921-03-11
Amateur
Matchmaker
By GRACE sEwELL

the thin blue flames that Quivered over
the top of the fire like dancing furies.
Roger Frear watched her adoring-
ly. They had only been engaged a
short time and each Gay he discovered
new and enhancing beauties about his
betrothed. He offered her bright
penny on the end Of his finger and she
tipped it away and turned bright, seri-
GUS eyes upon him.
I'm thinking about Aunt Barbara"
she said. "She's not SO old and she Is
still sweet and pretty in her own way
and she ought to get married"
''Of course she could If she wanted
to-" agreed Roger, who was In the
state Of mind where all of Lucile's
relatives shone in the girls reflected
glory. Il heard my Uncle Don used
to be sweet on Miss Barbara"
"Really?" gasped Lucille, Il believed
was the only one who guessed there
was an old attachment between them.
wonder what parted thein?'
"Perhaps he was scared stiff at the
idea of proposing to girl, and 1t died
q natural DEATH" said Roger, wise in
his own recent experience.
'Were You afraid to ask me,
RogerT asked the girl shyly.
He shook his handsome head. 'You
helped me out a bit, you know" he
confessed.
Lucille stiffened into hauteur and
moved to the other end Of the old sofa.
II was unaware that l helped one
teeny Bit" she protested. Are you
sorry that didn't discourage you-0r
refuse you? 1t is not too late now!"
Roger slid along the sofa until his
arms went around her proud young
form. Darling, you were perfect"
he said, and she knew he meant It,
'but don't let us quarrel over some
foolish word, and perhaps be like Miss
Barbara and Uncle Don, lonely and
unhappy"
The girls face changed to one Of
eagerness. "You are right, dear, our
love is great and we must not fail to
measure up to it. How can we help
those two old young people to be
happy7 You really, really believe Mr..
Trevor cares YETI"
Seems to, somehow. Banks out
something now and then about her be-
ing fine woman, and even said you
did not measure up to Miss Barbara's
beauty when she was your age-rot
like that !"
tits not rot and you know it, Roger
Frear! Il am proud to look like Aunt
Bah ana / should love to grow into
sweet middle age like hers. Suppose
you send her valentine and I'll
send him one-they might think-you
know"
"Fine-let US go down to Mr.. Potts
shop now" Bundled in furs the lovers
walked briskly down the village street
to tiny stationer's shop in the CEN
ter. Mr.. Potts shop had stood there
for forty years, and the little old man
had dispensed valentines and writing
paper and other stationery to several
generations Of his fellow townspeople.
Lucille and Roger found the old sta
toner all alone amid his depleted
stock of valentines.
'aThe choicest have been selected,
Mr.. Frear," he. explained.
Haven't you got any old ones In
stock2 Not last years or the year be-
fore that, but twenty or thirty years
back-thOse dear old lace paper
things?" asked Lucille with winning
smile.
Mr.. Potts became thoughtful. II
dessay have" he admitted II don't
sell out every year and there's a big
box up in the loft here with hodge
podge of valentines and greeting cards
and such; there's cards with silk
fringe all around, real beautiesl"
"Let us see the box" said Roger.
aTll fetch it down, Mr.. POTTS."
"Youll get considerable dusty" said
the old man, "but you're welcome to
pull it down. Go up that ladder in
the back ROOM"
Presently Lucille and Roger were
porting over cardboard boxes filed
with old valentines which had not
found customer. The different lay
ers marked the changes in the taste
of the people, but at last they came
to the ones they wanted. Delicate and
fairylike in structure, with rather
stilted verses, the old love missives
had tender appeal. They picked out
dozen, and paid lavishly for them.
Mr.. Potts was so pleased that he put
the remainder on his counter to help
out his thinning stock.
'Let us go home and each select one
to send-I hope the dears will be
pleased" chartered Lucille as they
paused in front of the shop window to
look at the display.
"Look here" whispered Roger as
some one entered the shop. Lucille
stared at the trim, dignified form of
Mr.. Donald Trevor approach the coun-
ter and poke gloved finger among
the valentines.
HE isl He is buying one-that