The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1922-02-08
MATCHING UP
Nv ELIZABETH /. SAUNDERS

q. 1921. by Mcclure Newspaper syndicats
Il just hate men, so there: never
did like them-much. anyway, but .
oh. please, Shirley. don't get mar
ried and leave me. l will be 5" tone
some. You were all | had and no"
h selfish old Matty has taken you
away from me.
I'm sorry, Edna. but | cint CIV
him up now. He means $" inutli I"
ne-and anyway, We won't he married
for three months yet. and perhaps ~
that time you will have 'matei'ed up
too
me? Matched up-tO Il man: Shit
ley. how absurd. Never, never. ! will
just have to forget you, suppose;
but tell you, I hate Them"
EDNA. dear, you don't mean that.
you really couldn't hate them that bad
its nature to like them"
"Eut I do, just the same persisted
Edna.
"What is the matter with you. Ed
ma? Why don't you say something's
You sit there locking so blue and Sc
rious"
"Oh, Shirley. forgive me, but l can't
help it."
what a pretty picture Edna
Makes" thought Shirley, sitting with
her head tossed at a contrary angle.
and eyes bright from the trace OF Al
| cry tears. How I wish she'd marry
but. oh. dear. II she wasn't SO spoiled
and stubborn, I 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.
I wonder-rm 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 mindr'
tom. No joking, either"
"Tom? Well, bless his little heart,
hasn't he got a girl yet? No, I guess
you lose. I 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 first-class 'womsn
hater.' Don't disappoint her."
I'm on, Matty, old scout: but it's
going to be hard. Are we ready to
start? Is she blonde OF brunette!
"She's 100 per cent on top, Tom. N
far as looks goes; but, oh. boy, what
q disposition!
Tom was a NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
none. liking all, Doasting his motto.
"No wedding bells for me-"
mr.. Prebble, meet Miss Curran."
How do you do?" coolly from Tom.
1.-THE pleasure is all yours" defiant
~ from Edna.
"Sat on! You and l are going to
get on famously,' unused Tom.
think sO:" questioned Edna.
"No; not il I can help it," curtiy an
swered Tom.
! "How dare you, Mr.. Prebble! hate
you"
Il hate you. too added Tom. az
though it were the most ~congenial
thing to say.
Edna's feelings were hurt.
Why had this man spoken SO to herr
No one had before. Was her dispo-
sition at fault:
Tom noted the tears with a 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 l
can't endure their tears. Brace up.
don't be a baby and let's dance"
Edna, for the first time in her life.
meekly Obeyed q man. She brushed
away her tears and for the rest Of
the evening his word was u 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.
us that the only reason" leased
Shirley, Tor do you fancy that you still
hate him."
"Of course, I hate all me"
Except TOm," finished Shirley. and
str was gone.
Was Shirley right? Didn't she real
" like Tom? Yes. in fact, she loved
him just a 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 Tom
before I ever knew him-but I do
love him." she sobbed aloud.
Love who, hOney?" came from \