St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1909-02-03
Converting
GWendOlyn.
By MARTHA COBB SANFORD.
Copyrighted, 1905. by Associated
Literary Press.

ways. Gwendolyn," complained her
mother "Why, at your age p
"Yes, 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 Gwen
dolyn. Il think you might be little
more gallant"
"Well well, the young men weren't
all running after her, then" amended
Mr.. Rand, softening at the hurt look
in Gwendolyn's big brown eyes. But
it doesn't look well either way.
can't understand where
Mother was brought up in con-
vent you remember. I'm the product
of coeducation," ventured Gwendolyn
in explanation.
HIN" reflected Mr.. Rand THAT
may be the reason, but the remedy is
your Aunt Abiatha."
Gwendolyn gave little gasp Of ap-
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 a
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 unshed tears.
Aunt Abiatha's spacious, old fashion
ed house merited kinder verdict than
Gwendolyn bestowed upon it at first
glance. Once up In her coy bedroom.
however, with its chintZ covered four
poster and French windows opening
out on to a 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,
sewing and cooking began to resolve
itself into routine Gwendolyn suddenly
baked
"Now | know how to do all these
prosalc things. Aunt Abiatha," 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 Centerville that we
could hire to come, do you think?"
"Gwendolyn. my dear how you talk!
OF course there are" Aunt Abiatha
was startled into admitting. There's
young Jack Hayward for one"
whats he like?
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%
81 asked what he does for living"
prevaricated Gwendolyn unblushingly.
why. he manages his fathers es-
tate. of course He's country gen.
tleman."
"Oh," commented Gwendolyn indif
ferently, "he must be very provin-
cia kind of person! don't think
should like him."
We'll. Of all things, Gwendolyn"
bristled Aunt Abiatha. "Of course
you'd like him. Every one does I'll
ask him to call"
An afternoon or two later as Gwen
dolyn was reclining In the hammock
on her little porch engrossed in a nov
ell 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.
''The front doorbells ringing, Aunt
Abiathar 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 reestablished her
self in the hammock determined not
to display the slightest interest, what
ever happened.
But the next thing she heard startled
her into a sitting posture
Nov, Aunt Abiatha, will you intro
duce us?'
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.
"Gwendolyn," 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 Alba
tina finally joined in.
But such triangular situation was
not over encouraging, especially since
Aunt Abiatha refused to leave her an
gle of observation, so eventually they
all adjourned to the downstairs veran-
da for afternoon tea