The Matchmaking Man - When May a Girl Encourage a Man? - How She can do so - The

Tale of a Plot that Succeeded

It is really rather curious how often a man obviously really admires a woman, and yet cannot make up his mind to "pop the question."

For days, weeks, and months he devotes all his attentions to her. At numerous social functions he is constantly at her side. He finds her interesting and companionable. He always feels perfectly happy in her society. But it never seems to dawn upon him that he may be doing her a grave injustice.

If he were told that he were spoiling her chances with other men, he would be annoyed, for at the back of his mind the man feels that "she" is his!

The Matchmaking: Man

This may be a very nice, comfortable feeling, but it is distinctly hard upon the girl.

Sometimes it happens that when a man has been paying marked attention to a girl for a long period, and he has not yet asked her to make him happy for life, his own men friends have rather resented his conduct.

"Blank is a good fellow," they have agreed, through rings of smoke; "but Blank is spoiling Miss Brown's chances by not coming to the point."

"Yes, it is a pity," friend number two answers meditatively; "and he's obviously fond of her. The fact of the case is this, he is so sure of her, and it seems so natural for him to be with her, that although he more or less looks upon her as his property, he delays, probably through indolence, to bind himself."

Both friends agree as to the unfairness of Miss Brown's position. She is a girl both men thoroughly admire. This type of girl is usually the one who may be described as "a good sort." The girl of whom a man instinctively makes a pal and friend. The two men hatch a plot. The better-looking of them is to pay Miss Brown assiduous attention, on the golf links, at social gatherings, and doleful tea-parties; whilst friend number two is to call Mr. Blank's attention to the fascinations of Adonis - his co-conspirator.

They set to work, the plot succeeds beyond their wildest dreams. For the next few weeks Mr. Blank finds that Miss Brown is seldom disengaged.

"Golf to-morrow?" she says thoughtfully to his inquiry. "Oh, I am so sorry, I cannot play with you to-morrow as I am playing with -------," and she mentions the name of conspirator number one.

How The Plot Works

The local leader of polite society gives a dance. Mr. Blank arrives to find that Miss Brown's programme is full. Adonis has taken good care of that. Mr. Blank has been obliged to content himself with the possibility of "the third extra." Suddenly life doesn't seem quite so easy and smooth as it used to be. On a certain afternoon, Mr. Blank, in a somewhat desponding mood, finishes his round of golf with conspirator number two; they adjourn to the clubhouse verandah. Blank lights a cigarette. and smokes in silence. Both men hear a woman's happy, infectious laugh. They look up!

The setting for the romance is perfect. The low downs, taking a hundred reflections from the setting sun, purple, green, and gold, fade gently into nebulous distance. Far away, below dark trees the sea is betrayed by a gleam of gold. The sunlight catches the woman's animated features. The soft green she treads upon makes an ideal background for her pretty figure, and Adonis is talking to her intently, obviously charmed.

"By Jove!" conspirator number two exclaims. "What a fine-looking pair! Pardon me, old fellow, I used to think that you were in the running there. But what chance could we have against a good-looking man like-------?" And he mentions the name of conspirator number one.

When Jealousy Proves a Friend

Blank flushes, mutters something, and impulsively throws his cigarette away, and tramps home alone. Jealousy - jealousy, the green-eyed monster - is not always such a bad friend as we are led to suppose.

The scene then changes to the home of the girl. She has wandered off to the drawing-room after dinner. She gazes wistfully into the fire, there is a painful sadness in the brave eyes. She goes over to the piano, sits down, and her fingers stray mechanically over the keys - the drawing-room fades away, she is out on the golf links again. The keen, pungent, intoxicating air fills her nostrils, she sees two figures sitting on the verandah of the club-house, and as she approaches one man rises abruptly, and flings away his cigarette. She sees the alert, vigorous figure tramp away into the gathering gloom. Her fingers no longer lie on the keys, for they cover her eyes - eyes which are now full of suppressed longing.

The parlourmaid opens the door, somebody is announced - it is a man! The man who for months has dogged her footsteps, stolen her heart, and yet who has remained silent. She looks up, but he seems to have reached her side in two strides.

"Why are you treating me like this?" he breathes heavily, taking her somewhat roughly in his arms. "You know I love you. I want you. Tell me you will marry me?" And she trembles in that warm, close grasp.

A few weeks later two men walk somewhat soberly along the streets from the railway station. Their silk hats, white buttonholes, and a rakish suspicion of confetti denote festivities.

"Well," exclaims number two conspirator, "I consider Blank a jolly lucky fellow!"

"Yes," sighs Adonis, somewhat regretfully. "I think our plan for helping a man to propose succeeded very well; and I agree with you, Blank's a jolly lucky fellow!"

At any rate, two men have succeeded in making a man and woman radiantly happy.

Then there is the man who loves, and yet knows that his material position at the moment hardly permits of his asking a girl to wait for him; meanwhile he may lose her. The girl feels this, she notices the way the man effaces himself, and yet she fully realises that he is the only man who can make her happy. Surely this is a most cruel position for a girl, for she must naturally shrink from appearing forward and unwomanly. At the same time, she feels instinctively that a woman has a natural right to claim her mate if she knows her love is reciprocated. It is not easy to hide true affection. A cynical world may say it is folly for a man to know how deeply a woman loves him, and that to hold a man's love a woman should withhold. That is to say, give a half-hearted gift, a poverty-stricken love.