The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1922-12-01
MATCH MAKERS
BY MYRA A. WlNGATE

(@. 1921. by Mcclure Newspaper syndicateD
Halsey Briggs threw his pad and
pencils on the grass, stretched out at
full length and gazed up into the
branches of the apple tree.
The Illustrations he was preparing
for q new book of the best-seller type
failed to satisfy him. With everything
in the world to make him happy
young bachelor, he was unhappy, lone
ly and morose.
At rustic in the hedge Halsey
turned his head quickly. Framed in a
gap resembling an irregular doorway
In green wall stood a tiny girl OF
seven years, fascinating in a fluffy
Dutch cap and abbreviated pink ging-
ham.
Good morning." she said. Are you
our new neighbor? We've always had
ladies'"
But how much more exciting to-
have a man." said Halsey, persuasive
ly. sitting up and reaching for his pad
and pencils. "Will you please stay
| there just minute? I'd like to make
picture"
"Of course" she said. II live on the
other side of the hedge with Aunt
Jane. Haven't any man at our house.
Haven't you any lady at yoursT'
only Mrs. Rokes, who comes to do
my housekeeping" he explained.
Its funny" she unused. "Why do
you s'pose there isn't any man at our
house or any lady at yours"
Nov you're asking me to unscrew
the inscrutable," returned Halsey,
carelessly. AS he held off his rough
sketch for inspection clear voice
called:
Betty Betty Where are your"
That's my name," said the child.
Aunt Jane wants me, now; but I'll
call again."
DO" answered Halsey, scrambling
to his feet. II am your Uncle Halsey.
Good-by, Miss Betty"
In high good humor he returned to
his table and drawing board.
80 much for the feminine in
fiuence" he chuckled.
1t was week before the quaint lit
tie caller again appeared in the or
chard, and Halsey hailed her with q
gay reproach for her long absence.
Il was at school," she told him.
Aunt Jane is teacher and I have to
stay until she comes home, so she can
keep care Of me. It's too late to call
on the neighbors then"
She stood at his side quietly, watch
ing his sure pencil strokes. Presently
she remarked:
II can un-screw the un-scru-table."
mol" said Halsey. explosively
why, Betty" said surprised voice..
They both turned. Halsey, when he
thought of Aunt Jane at all, had pfc
tured her as q stout, gray-haired lady,
well on the way to fifty. This dark, |
slender woman was no more than his |
own age, and undeniably attractive. |
He felt a quick admiration for the
woman who had made her choice so |
bravely.
Said Betty, nothing disturbed "This
Is Uncle Halsey, auntie"
Good morning, Aunt Jane" said he,
Il see you were going to
drive nails. May 1 not do it for your"
1t developed that he might. Eventu-
ally, he did. Nor was that the end,
for many friendly service did he
perform, and many a pleasant evening
did he spend on the veranda of the
little house next door.
So summer passed into autumn and
autumn into the first gray days of
December. Still Halsey Briggs lin
,ered In the house he had taken only
Tor the summer.
Betty strolled into his workroom one
hight after school, pulling off her
small, shaggy coat, and dropping
into the chair before the
,pen fire.
Uncle Halsey," she said mourn
ully. 1--WE seem to need a man this
winter. All the other kids have 'em ,
It their houses and they're just fine.
They bring Christmas trees and sleds {
md go sliding with you, and make it ]
eem like home. You'd be an awful {
ice one. Couldn't you come over to s
ur house2"
Aunt Jane might not like it." he :
aid hesitatingly, yet playing with an
aspiration.
Betty sprang up, her face aglow.
Lets go ask her."
So it came to pass that the man
nd the eager child together faced
unit Jane.
Betty says man Is needed here this
inter-" he said significantly. "rd
Ike to apply for the position" E
What qualifications have your" N
Chilly asked the surprised auntfe. E