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O 6 O O O O 0 O O O O 9.9 $ 6.m 9.. ‘0‘0‘ 0.. $ 0.. Q. 0.0 Q. 0‘9‘. 0.. Q. 0.0 .v 0.“ Ii 3‘ lHE i . oz. oz. 9 .g. MATCHMAKERS 7; o ..0 0°. 0 o . , O O 6 0 O 0" o 9 o e $0.0‘o.o%o.o%o.o‘o.¢$o.ooo.a09.¢60.o‘9.o% I. There was little of the diplomat in the composition of Captain I’aul Osborn-e, retired master mariner. When any business came his way wherein the exercise of tact was (10- Sirable he was apt to blunder unwitâ€" tingly; for he held stoutly to the beâ€" lief that a man who could bully a mutinous crew into discipline and obedience had nothing to learn in such a trifling matter as the man- a-gement of a son. :‘xnd he had dc- finitely resolved that Dick should marry Milly Marston, the pretty daughter of his nextâ€"door neighbors. Milly‘s parents had met his overâ€" tures for the match enthusiastically, and when, over a glass of the cap- tain’s brewing in the Osborne parâ€" lor, the old seaâ€"dog had promised to bring Dick’s assentâ€"and the happy youth himselfâ€"to the little party to be held on the marrow in honor of Milly’s birthday, Mr. Marston deâ€" lightedly vowod that his wife’s and his own dearest hopes were on the eve of fulfilment. Mrs. Osborne shook her head dubiâ€" ously when the captain breezin un- folded his scheme. Dick was a fine, highâ€"spirited young fellow, and she had grave doubts regarding the ‘wisâ€" dom of an attempt at coercion. Iler shrewd, motherly instinct told her that the young people Were already, although perhaps unknowingly as yet, trending easily toWards the ma- trimonial goal. and that sooner or later their parents’ (ltsires' would be gratified. Besides. they were both 'ridiculously young, and she, for her part, couldn’t bear the. thought of parting with him just yet, even to Milly Marston. ‘- 'l‘he captain airin pooh-poohed her objections, and ultimately gained her halting con.currence,-. along with a warning to be cautious how he dealt wit-h Dick. The captain good- humoredly protested that such an injunction was quite superfluous; he was always cunning, but on this occasion she might rely upon him being an ambassador and a snake rolled into”'onc. So in the morning he brought his son to bay. "This is the girl's birthday, Dicky, my lad,” he began cheerfully, with a. jerk of his head towards the wall, on the farther "side of which the Marston gable abuttcd. -“What girl, dad?" “Her next door-«Milly Marston. And to kind of honor the event George and the mother want the three of us to trot sound and take tea with ’em toâ€"night. You'll go, of course?” 7 “Delighted, d-at.” said Dick, heartâ€" fly. . The captain nodded a sagacious “I told you so, didn’t I?" to his wife. His round, red face became wreath-ed in smiles, and he rubbed his hands delightedly. . . “That’s it, Dicky, my lad. Ha, ha! .I do like to hear you say it that way. She’s a clean, clipperâ€" built little hooker, is Millyâ€"well 'b-al- lasted, too,” sinking his voice to a hoarse whisper, and winking mean- ingly into his son’s face; "don’t for- get that, _Dickâ€"mighty Well ballasâ€" ted. The sort. of craft thvat'll stand up to a gale; oh, you rogue?” Dick understood and laughed easily. “Whenever I see her, be it week- 'day or Sunday,” proceeded the cap- tain, "I can’t help feeling envious of old George. I won’t deny that Prov videncd’has given mother and me the bestboy in the. world; but, Dicky, mylad, a son ain‘t everythingâ€"â€" mother and I have always had a sort. of hankering after a girl as well to make up our cargo of happiness. - Ain’t that true, Polly? Of cOurse it is.' And if we'd had the choosing of her she’d have been just such _anâ€" other as Milly.” Here the captain gave an emotional sniff and mopped his face with his handkerchief. But he quickly recovered and said, abruptly. “What’s youropinion of the lass, Dick?” 0 e .O 1111- Dick. hesitated, colored, then his glance steadied on his father’s. “Why,” he said, simply, “I like Milly.” The captain banged his fist on the table and gurgled and shook with laughter. “There,” he cried, trium- phantly, to his wife, “didn’t I tell you ’twas all‘plain sailing? The job’s done, Polly." - But the mother’s face did not reâ€" flect her husband’s triumph: Dick looked from one to the other of his parents, clearly puzzled. ‘ ' “What job do you refer to, dad?” he asked. "Ha, ha, ha!” laughed the capâ€"‘ tain, prodding his son’s ribs, gleeâ€" fully. “You sly dog, Dick! You thought we were blind, (lid you? But we ain’t. You like the jade, as we knew all along, and she likes you; so, to clinch the matter, we're goâ€" ing to have the pair spliced right away." _, "You’re going to have us mar- ried?” cried Dick, amazed. Mrs. Osborne coughed warn.ingly, and made. to. speak, but the captain waved her down. “Aye, married, my lad. You thought we didn’t see the course you‘ve been drifting. We did; but drifting is mighty slow work, and Mâ€" the irate captain. dangerous too; so among us we’ve planned to give Milly and you a. tow into part, that's all. Ain’t you glad?” ' “Bubâ€"but I don't want to be towed, dad. I'm negnmch inclined that way just yet; and, besides, you forget that Milly's views on the inat- ter are most unlikely to agree 'with‘ yours." V ' -. . The captain chuckled. “Don't let that annoy you, Dick,” he said, cheerfully. "Old George is seeing to that. While I’m talking t0» you I’ll bet he's bllSy persuading the dear little tllingw" v Dick sprang to his feet, electrified. “Do you mean, sir, that Mr. Marrâ€" ston is trying to force his daughter to marry me?” he. said, sternly. “Oh, no: no force about it, my boy. Just a m.ere--â€"â€"" “Excuse me, sir; I call it compulâ€" sion." Dick’s face was drawn and white, and he breathed quick. “Faâ€" ther-mothex I hope you can asslfre me that neither of you has a hand in this scandalous thing.” “Don't be angry with your father -â€"with us, Dick,” said Mrs. Osborne, imploringly. “I thought it was badrâ€"I mean that anything we have done, or countenanced, has been soleâ€" ly in the interest of your future happiness.” ‘ “What’s all the pother about, any- way?” growled the captain, Chagâ€" rined at the evident failure of his scheme. “You love Milly; she, I reckon, loves you, so What more do you want?” Dick was struggling to counlmand him. elf, and at length partially suc- ceeded. “I think, sir,” he said. bit- terly, addressing his father, “that it may save Miss Marston some pain if you will at once inform hen-father that I absolutely refuse to be a party to this shameful plot. I love henâ€"I say it proudl’yâ€"â€"but now I shall never be able to hold up my head before her!” life turned and made for the door. “Then. you are an ass, sir,’ roared The door slamâ€" med behind Dick. "I say,” thunder- ed the captain, "there's a confound- ed blockhead of an ass in this room!” ' r - "'Then it (must be either you or me,” said Mrs. Oslrorne, acidly. “Dick has gone, and I’m not sur- prised." II. 'l‘he suave, dignified Mr. Marston tOOk a different line with his danghâ€" ter; yet, notwithstanding the fact that his wife nobly seconded his every argument, it seemed as though his efforts were destined to be no more fruitful than his neighbor’s. He stood on the hearthrug with his back to the fire, facing Milly, whose soft cheeks Were like twin reses at the moment. and her wideâ€"open eyes fixed on his in a gaze at once questioning and fearful. “And, my dear child,” Mr. Marâ€" ston was saying, persuasively, “apart altogether from sentiment, ‘I need hardly point out._th‘e very sub- stantial advantages which will ac- crue to You through such a union.I People believe me wealthyâ€"J have a. lingering suspicion that Captain Os- borne is one of them--but between ourselvesâ€"strictly betwocn ourselves, mind you-â€"I am really nothing of the sort; and your mother and I are agreed that if you will accept Dick now our greatest anxiety will there- by be relieved in that you, at least, will be secured:henceforth against all fear of ultimate want.” Mr. Marston 71.:pallSCd impressively and his wife sciicd her opportunity. “You see, mydear Millicent, that although it is not yet a question of bread and butterâ€"which Heaven forâ€" bid ib should ever l)CCODIO!.â€"'S'tl1l, the captain’s money, which will eventuâ€" ally fall to“ Dick, isâ€".â€"â€"” ' "Oh, mot-her, how can you?” cried Milly, i‘é‘proachfully, and Mrs. Mar- ston’s glance wavered and strayed suddenly from her daughter's face. “Ounfi-iâ€"your mother‘s and mineâ€"re- maining years must necessarily be few,” resumed Mr. Marston, patheâ€" tically, “and -if we saw you wedded to such an exemplary young man as Richard Osborne, instead of looking to the future with distrust, not to say terror, for 'our beloved offâ€" spring’s Well-being, we should re- gard the approaching evening of our lives aséâ€"in fact, as a long dream of â€"â€"erâ€"‘bliss." He pulled out his handkerchief with a flourish and __ blew his nose with vigor, doubtless" 'to conceal some natural emotion: “A long dream of bliss, Milly, as your father so feclingly puts it,” said Mrs. Marston;. - "Surely on this your birth-day You will not be so heartlessâ€"” ' “Oh, mot-her, you know I’m not that,” Milly burst ’ forth, almost tcarfully. “But. really, I don’t wish to marry anyone.” "I-I'umphl" exclaimed her father; “mere girlish shyness which an hour’s calm reflection will cure." “Not want to marry!" cried her mother, in amazement. “My dear child, how absurd you are! Marriage is the goal of eVery girl’s ambition. It is her destiny, especially when she is so goodâ€"looking as you are." Milly shrank and trembled under the weight: of her mother’s logic, her hands clusping and unclasping nerv- ously, and her eyes flashing agitatedâ€" ly from one to the other of her par- ents. "But above all,” continued Mrs. Marston, with decision, "you love Dickâ€"I know you do!" “Don‘t, mother: oh, don't!” cried -‘MM, NEW ALLAN LINER “VICTORIAN.” The Allan steamship officials in Montreal have received word intimat- ing that the new turbine' S.S. "Vio- togan,” recently constructed for the Canadian Atlantic steamship service, 'will sail from Liverpool on her maidâ€" en trip for St. John and Halifax on March 23 next. _ Mr. George Hannah, passenger manager of the Allan steamship line says that the company was especial-I ly interested in the sailing for Can- ada of the “Victorian.” "It means more to this country," Said Mr, Hannah, “than most Cana- dians can imagine. In the first place the ‘Victorian’ will practically inauâ€" gurate what will be known as the fast Atlantic mail service between the British Isles and Canadian ports. The steamers ‘Vic’torian' and 'Virâ€" ginianfl, I have no hesitation in sayâ€" mg, will give just’ as fast 'service as there is under the British flag, run- ning to any country you may menâ€" tion. These vessels will equal, if not surpass, the fastest runs made to New York by the big liners, and when I tell you that we expect to carry the mails from Moville to Halâ€" ifax in five days, twelve hours, or from Moville- to Rimouski in six days, you can form. an idea how we will compare with the fast mail steamers to New York, which take WW Milly, covering her face with her hands. "Tut, tut!” said her father, irri- tubly. “There's nothing to cry about. Just make up your mind to take him, and all will be well.:’ The girl suddenly looked up with a gesture of defiance. “Why do you torture me like this? He has never asked me," she said. “As to that,” said her father quickly, "I may tell you that he inâ€" tends proposing toâ€"night.” , ,Mil-ly : started. “Who told' you that?” she demanded. “Not be himâ€" self, surely?” “Not at all: oh, fromâ€"ha! 1' know, ficient, isn't it?” "But I insist on knowing h0W-‘:y01l know,” .said Milly, suspiciously.- “Why, my darling,” said Mr. Mar- ston, with an uneasy laugh, "the captain told me that Dick’s dying to marry you. As a matter of fact, we have decided betwecnhus that, as the pair of you are so of coming to the point, We can’t do better than lend you a helping hand. So. while I’m pointing the path of duty and inclination to you, the; captain is tackling his son.” . With a. cry of dismay Milly turned and fled. But. in an instant she re- appeared in the doorway, her eyes blazing with indignant scorn. "How could youâ€"how "gould you?” she panted. “I hate 3'1nyself'â€"evcrybody â€"Dick Osborne most of all.” She raised a clenched‘f‘ist and shook it wildly at her astonished parents. “I shall neverâ€"1leverâ€"never marry him nor anyone! I‘d kill myself rather!” "I’m afraid, Jane,” said Mr. Mar- ston, about five minutes laterâ€""I’m afraid we have been hasty.” “Nonsense; _.leorg'e,” said" his wife, tartly. "You simply were not firm enough.” “But what’s to be done? The capâ€" tain will have had no difficulty with Dick; and it will be most humiliat- ing to us and insulting to them' to confess ourselves beaten.” “Give her an hour or two to think it OVer and then use your rightful authority. She’ll ,gladly give way.” “I cannot help thinking," said Mr. Marston, with a slow shake of his head, “that the captain was wrong. I’m afraid We have only made mat-- tcrs worse by our interference. Cuâ€" pid is a ticklish little customer to meddle with.” no. I have it and that’s suf- â€". III.‘ The birthday party turned out a tragic failure. Milly had looked her- self in her room on a plea of headâ€" ache, and so 'her parents felt sore. Strangely enough, ,‘their feelings ,'of irritation ' were aggravated ' rather than lessened when the Osbdrnes _apâ€", peared without- DiCk. Instead, therefore, of a genial atmosphereof congratulation. and. geodwill, there was a general, suspicion _'on both sides that they'hadcacli been trifled with. . ' . ' _ "The precious ..f001.' wouldn't come,” was the captain‘s crusty ’exâ€" pl'anation. “Just.:about"told us to mind our own l)usincss.'.‘l3_ut where’s Milly?” _ ,. . .. - ‘JConfined' to her room, ill,” said Mr. Marston, somewhat stiffly. “She simply wouldn’t listen to our wellâ€" meant efforts for her happiness. But I am more than astonished that -- ,queer tWist for Dick and Milly; ‘ from six days to seven days to make the passage from Quecnstown. The Allans signed the fast mail contract to the St. Lawrence for 1905 with the 'government, believing that it was possible to beat the United States routes. "And please remember this fact,” said, Mr. Hannah, “this is not the .ultimate time limit in which the 'Alâ€" lan steamers will carry the mails to and from Canada to the British Isles, but it is considered that the steamers 'Victorian’ and ‘Virginian’ are,up to the present requirements of the ,Canadian trade, and when it is necessary to develop, both as to vessels and speed, the company will be prepared to meet any’obliga'tions lin this ‘ respect. This is thefirst time, at least to my mind, in the history of transatlantic navigation, that two steamers of the :size and lpower of the ‘Victorian’ and ‘Virgin- ‘ian’ have been placed in commission simultaneously, and it opens a new page in St. Lawrence navigation.” The SS. “Victorian,” under comâ€" mand of Captain McNicol made her ltrial trip on March (I. The new SS.‘ “Virginian” in charge of Captain Vipond, will sail for the St. Lawrence, if local navi- lgation conditions are favorable, on or about April 8 next. ard.” “Oh, you are, are you?" snorted U‘c captain. “Do youhear that, Polly? Well, he sort of surprised me too, but I reckon I _l:rought the girl to ’ brace of shakesâ€"I could “With all due deference to your opinion, Captain Osborne, I beg to assert that you could not,” said Mr. Marston, politely, but firmly. "My daughter has got a fair share of her father’s spirit." ' , The captain’s face reddened, then he gave vent 'to an illâ€"natured snigâ€" ger. “Paul!” said his wife, pressing his arm warnineg. "It’s all right, Polly,” he snoered; “but I can’t help laughing at; thenotion of friend Mar- stondrragging of ,liis spirit. The selling of pulls and pomades don’t, I should fancy, tend to make a fire- eater of a man.” “Sir,” said Mr. Marston, with a dignified tremor, "my business is an honorable ouch-quite as much so, permit me to say, as that of a glori- fied coalâ€"carrier such asvâ€"â€"”‘ "Go on,” snarled the captain. “Say it out, man, and then we’ll see could have reason in a '1! yu should have failed with Rich- l what’s what. Leave me alone, l‘olâ€" ly, will you?” "I sha'n’t, Paul,” said Mrs, Os- borne, excitedly. "Come away home. It’s a blessing we’ve discovered what What a fate our I I can’t they are in time. Didk’s might have: been ithink. Come away.” “I guess you're right, Polly,” said the captain. “We’ll go home and make it“‘i'ip with the lad. and if he 'ever looks at a Marston again I’ll cut him off with a shilling!” Mr. Marston bowed sarcastically. l“Pray don’t disturb yourselves about us‘or our dear daughter. Her estiâ€" Hhate of your son quite coincides With our owu newlyâ€"discovered esti- mate of you.” “Weâ€"we despise you,"’ said {Marstom hotly; "and woâ€"â€"” i1 "By no means, my dear,’ said Mrs. Marston, pompously. “We de- M r . ispis-e nobody, but when necessary we. ignoreâ€"we simply ignore. We "' wish you both a very goodâ€"night Mr. Marston’s assumption of cold superiority made the captain almost lspeechless with rage. .He stormed and fumed, but his wife kept her head, and finally managed to coax him aWay before anything more re- grettable occurred. - So the course of true love took a. At two neighboring h'earths of nights for a’whole Week two pairs of . pafrents volubly congratulated them- ’selves on a truly marvellous escape from a dire calzumity on the‘pa'rts of themselves and their respective offâ€" spring. In then: inmost hearts, how'- 'ev'_er', regrets and yearnings we're‘ hover absent. The captain’s manner of stifling them was by drinking" a double share of his excellent brew before, turning in; Mr. fMarston 51110le more than was good for him and dreamt of the captain’s whisky. Milly was humiliated and; ashamed, while Dick was bitterly, but silently, angry. The change was telling visÂ¥ ibly on the healths of all concerned when the outraged little god again took a' hand in the game. One evening Dick fouan himself isprint‘ing up the platform at Water- Iloo as his train for home was pull- ing out. He managed to grip. o, lugubriously, "hating me as you handle and pull the door open, and’ I the next meinent, aided by a vigor- ous push from the hand of a friend- ly porter. he was sprawling across~ the lap of a girl, who, with admirâ€" able presence of mind, contrived to- break his fall with her arms while: her startled compartment. D. I the lei strut" ‘led to h' feet in hot haste, with oag flood shamed apologies and‘th'anks; then heglanccd at his preserver. "My goodness! Milly!” he gasped. The girl bowed, clearly confused, and turned her head away. sat dOWn, his heart thumping in real earnest. scream yet filled _‘ llOW' 101' some moments- he gazed entranced at the soft outr line of her check; then he edged along fowm'ds her as if drawn by an invisible chain. No Sign from. the girl. "Miss Marstonâ€"Milly!” he said. She looked swiftly.at him. their away again, and along her cheek went a rush of color. .“Milly, isn't it time something was done to bring our parents together again?” he said, gravely. [Milly’s shoulders gave a. little im- patient shake. “I really don’t know,” she said, stiflly. "Dad has done nothing but mope- ever since. He has quxte gone off his food, and I’m beginning to fea.râ€"~â€"" Dick paused significantly, and Milly flashed round a glance of eager conâ€" cern. "Oh, so has father,” she- said. "Then would it not be cruel to let them pine away and perhaps dieâ€"- yes, (lieâ€"when it lies in our power to save them? Of course,” he went do'â€"'â€"” "I don'tâ€"don’t hate you.” "Well, then. despise.”_ ‘4 "Nor despise. It’s you "who these things.” Her eyes met his defiantly as she said it. His hands found hers somehow, and her glance wavered. ' "Oh, Milly, Milly!" hesaid, proachfully, "what I feel for you is the very essence of loveâ€"~â€"” But enough. Let it suffice that two fond hearts were soon beating as one, and Cupid danced a jig on the roof of the carriage the rest of the home. do Te- way ‘I’ * * * * 4} Captain Osborne was watching for Dick through the parlor window. SUddenly he started, rubbed his eyes and peered intently. "Polly," he gasped, “come here and tell >me who’s that with Dick.” Mrs. Osborne looked. "It’sâ€"it"sâ€" bless me if it isn't Milly!” she cried, and her face began to twitch and glow. The captain clenched his fists and scowled ominously at the ad- vancing pair. When he discerned their arms linked cosily together he beganto fume; but he had a distinct shock when, instead of 'Separating at Marston’s door, they halted, hesiâ€" tated a moment, then marched in together. “Bust my- toplights!” he snarledp and sank. limply into a. chair. "‘Mothcr and dad,” gleefully, “I’m the luckiest alive and Milly’s an angel! blessing is'all we want now.” “You confounded young Scoundrel, Thus far had the captain gone when the 0x13105110“ trailed off into a stutter. Mr. Mar- ston had appeared on Dick’s heels at the parlor door, and advanced to- Wards the captain with outstretched hand. “My dear sir,” he said, contritely. “I .was an awful foolâ€"vâ€"J’ “You were indeed," growled the Then suddenly cried Dick, fellow Your I’ll See youâ€"-â€"” captain, with gusto. his eyes twinkled. “No, hang it, it was all my fault." He caught Mr. Mu'rston’s hand and Wrung it heart- ily. "No, don't say it wasn’t. I beg your pardon, your wife’s, and dear little Milly’s most of all. By Jupiter, what a. time we’ve had! I wouldn't live through another week like it for a million. George my lad. Bring out the bottle, Polly!"- â€"â€"Lo_n-d_on- Titâ€"Bits. ’ - ,-â€"â€"â€"+â€"â€"â€"â€" SENTENCE SERMONS. Love is-‘life’s interpreter. The driest religion is the kind. Every man owes every other man a. happy face. “Time to burn" keeps the furnace going. When hypocritesmeet the devil has time to eat. He cannot be a saint who will not be a servant. You soon lose the religion you try to keep to yourself. Most of us believe that fasting fatâ€" tensâ€"the other fellow. You do not cleanse yourself smutting every one else. 'A bushel of potatoes may be worth a, ton of philanthropy. V We find no better feelings in others than we footer in ourselves. It takes more than the Sunday suit to make the solid saint. ‘ The man who puts heart into ‘work will always get ahead in it. You cannot escape your taxes here about gushing devil's DY. his by talking your citizenship there. A When “the good things of life” are our best things they become our worst. ' When .you come to say goodâ€"by to old sins it is unwise to hold a fare- well meeting. When a man wears his piety as an ornament you Can depend On its be- ing paste. If vinegar would preserve ’morals some men are sour enough to save the world. Dick , L7,“ ‘4» v'.’ u L‘ l J l l s . .l