Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1909-02-27
Converting
GWendOlyn.
BY MARTHA COBB SANFORD.
Copyrighted. 1903. by Associated
Literary Press.


mother. "why, at your age r.
Eyes. indeed" corroborated Mr.
Rand, "at your age. Gwendolyn. your
mother had settled down-she wasn't
running around after all the young
men In the neighborhood."
"Oh, daddy demonstrated Owen.
dolyn. II think you might be little
more gallant"
"Well. well, the young men weren't
all running after her. then" amended
In Gwendolyn's big brown eyes. But
II doesn't look well either way
can't understand where
Mother was brought up In con-
vent you remember. I'm the product
Of cocducatlon," ventured Gwendolyn
In explanation.
Him." reflected Mr.. Rand. "That
may be the reason. but the remedy Is
your Aunt Abiatha."
Gwendolyn gave little gasp Of mp
prehension.
Eyes, my dear" continued Mr.. Rand.
your mother and | have decided to
send you down to Florida to spend
the winter with your Aunt Abiatha."
'She will teach you the things
girl Of your age ought to know daugh-
ter" added Gwendolyn's mother dole
fully, things which ! have somehow
failed to make you take an interest
In"
''In other words, I'm to be sent to a
convent" exclaimed Gwendolyn as
she swished out of the ROOM her head
high In air. but her eyes glistening
with unshcd tears.
Aunt Abiatha's spacious, old fashion
ed house merited kinder verdict than
Gwendolyn bestowed upon 1t at first
glance. Once up In her coy bedroom.
however. with Its chintZ covered four
poster and French windows opening
out on to little rose covered porch.
the girls heart melted in spite of her
self, and she threw both arms around
Aunt Abiatha. completely submissive
for the time being.
But after the novelty of busting,
itself into routine Gwendolyn suddenly
baked.
"Now | know how to do all these
prosaic things. Aunt Ablatha," she ar
gued what's the use of doing them
day after day? There are so many
real live things to do in the world.
Let's give garden party or some
thing, Aunt Abiatha. Are there any
male inhabitants in Centeryille that we
could hire to come, do you Think"
"Gwendolyn. my dear. how you talk.
or course there are" Aunt Abiatha
was startled into admitting. There's
young Jack Hayward for one"
whats he llke"
Every thoughtful and polite" replied
Aunt Abiatha loyalty. HE comes of
one of our best families"
Poor thing" muttered Gwendolyn.
"What did you say, dear"
II asked what he does for living!"
prevaricated Gwendolyn unblushingly.
"Why. he manages his fathers es-
tate, OF course. He's country gen
tleman."
ooh" commented Gwendolyn indif-
ferently. "he must be very provin-
cial kind of person! ! don't think l
should like him."
well. of all things, Gwendolyn"
bristled Aunt Abiatha. "Of course
you'd like him. Every one does. Ill
ask him to call"
An afternoon or two later as Gwen
dolyn was reclining In the hammock
on her little porch engrossed In Il nov
eli she became suddenly conscious that
the front doorbell had been ringing for
some time. On the veranda below she
could hear Aunt Abiatha rocking to
and fro.
1.-THE front doorbell's ringing. Aunt
Abiatha." she called. jumping up. If
It's that polite and thoughtful young
country gentleman please don't dis
turb me. I'm in the midst of an aw-
fully exciting love story"
A hearty masculine laugh followed
Gwendolyn's declaration.
1t aroused her curiosity. but also her
Indignation. and she rc-established her
self In the hammock. determined not
to display the slightest interest, what
ever happened.
But the next thing she heard startled
her into sitting posture.
Now, Aunt Abiatha. will You intro.
duce u.s."
Gwendolyn. walking to the rail of
the porch. could hardly believe her
eyes. There. on the roof Of the veran-
da, not ten feet away from her. sat
an extremely good looking young man.
And there on the lawn stood Aunt
Abiatha. the picture of dismay and
disapproval.
"Gwcndolyn." she called up, "this Is
Mr.. Hayward. Jack. my niece. Miss
Rand. | never saw such goings on in
my life. Go right into your room.
Gwendolynw
Gwendolyn did not bulge. She only
laughed and laughed. until Aunt Abba
:ha finally joined In.
But such u triangular situation was
not over encouraging. especially since
Aunt Abiatha refused to leave her an