The daily morning Alaskan., 1903-07-07

But he is my uncle
 "Only by marriage. Even if he were I don't think that would protect you"
 This was not the only safeguard Mrs. Trcaddle threw out against a pos slble loss of her brothers fortune. She gave Reginald Knlckerbocker young profigate with whom she had been carrying on an Intimacy, instructions to win Matilda. thus preventing Scher merhorn from doing SO. Having thus put up the bars, Mrs. Treaddlc felt that she had her brother corralled.
 ooh. aunty." said Matilda few days later what do you thmkI Mir. Knick- erbocker- But ! suppose l shouldn't tell"
 "Tell me everything my dear"
 Last night when we were alone be put his arm around me"
 Indeed? What else did he do?'
 "Oh, don't like to tell"
 You'd better. my dear"
 "He kissed me-
 Well. my child. congratulate you. MT. Kniekerbockcr is one of the few ane young men In New York fashion able society"
 Isn't 1t nice that he's not like Uncle SchemT
 "very nice. trust it will an come out right and you will be very happy"
 A few evenings later Matilda entered the drawing room m her accustomed tlmld and noiseless way and saw Mrs rreaddle and Reginald Kuickerbocker dttiug on u tcte-a-t,tc hand in hand. The young man dropped thc hand and he lady looked annoyed, but she was ,qual Co the emergency.
 Come here. MatilSa l want to con raulate ycn Ieggy has been giving re bis confidence just us if Inc were ny own son He hJs told mc Of your ngagemcnt to h.m."
 "Oh. Aunty. how you surprise me! 'lr KnickerbocSer hasn't proposed to uc." She turned away with her eyes cnt ou ,hc floor
 'Tlut Is only because was wait ug." said KulckcrIockcr rising and advancing toward her, "lor your tunts permission"
 Why for thaty asked Matilda, turn. ng a pair Of wondering eyes on him.
 'You dcar unsophisticatcd chld" said her aunt. "lh our set it is not considered honorable for man to win girl without permission"
 "Oh. dear" said Matilda. a mild dis appointment in her voice and eyes I'm SO sorryl You cau't be hononblc You didn't have permission when you kissed me"
 Mrs. Treaddle put a lace bordercd handkerchief Co her lips to hide a smile. "Mr. Knickerbocker had my permission to win you from the first" she said.
 Matilda looked as 1T she were going to cry.
 Whats the matter. childT asked her aunt.
 "Oh. nothing! Mir Knickcrbockor asked permission 70 love me, then loved me afterward. Suppose be hadn't got permission. l should have been so disappointed" And. putting her hand kerchief to her eyes, she glldcd out Of the room.
 A month passed. during which Reg. nald Knlckerbocker spared no pains to make himself agreeable and restore confidence. One day SchcrmerhOrn Wrinkle asked bis sister if she were not going to give Matilda an entertain ment
 "An entertainment! Why, ScLcm. are you crazy? Give that country chit an entertainment3 It would cost me my position In society"
 But Schem insisted on it In quiet way as the proper thing. and Mrs Treaddle dii not dare disobey. On the evening of the entertainment Matilda appeared in a simple white dress, with a rose In her halr. looking for an the world like a Greek statue. Mrs. Tread. dle was astonlshed to find that tho introduction Instead of mjuring her reputation in society had made hit
 "Mrs. Treaddle." said a guest, "what a pity to introduce such a charming girl and announce her engagement at the same time"
 Her engagemeni~ stammered tho hostess. "Ah, yes-to Mir, Knicker. booker. But I did not know 1t was to be given out tonight"
 "Air. KnickerbOcker! Why, your brother announced to me himself that he was engaged to Miss Thorne." Mir. Wrinkle at the moment was passing with Matilda on his arm and heard the gmark.
 i"Alartha." be said to his sister. "this little chit has consented to be my wife" "nitue chitl Little catl She has been stealing around like a snake and deceived us all"
 Not at all." said Matilda. with dig nity. "You deceived yourselves"
 - ELIZA E, ARTHUR