The Press., 1909-03-10
Converting
 GWendOlyn.
By MARTHA COBB SANFORD.
Copyrighted, 1908. by AsAociAtsd
 Literary Press.

ways, Gwendolyn," complained her mother. "Why, at your age F.
 'Yes, indeed" corroborated NP. Rand, lat your age. Gwendolyn, your mother had settled down-she wasn't running around after all the young men in the neighborhood."
 "Oh, daddy" remOnstrated Gwen dolyn. "I think you might be little more gallant"
 "Well. well, the young men weren't all running after her, then" amended MT. Rand, softening at the hurt look in Gwendolyn's big brown eyes. 'But 1t doesn't look we'll either way. can't understand where"-
 Mother was brought up in a con- vent, you remember. I'm the product of cOeducation." ventured GwendOlyn in explanation.
 "H'm." reflected Mir. Rand. That may be the reason. but the remedy iS your Aunt Ablatha."
 Gwendolyn gave a little gasp of ap- prehension.
 "Yes. my dear" continued MT. Rand,
 your mother and I 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 l have somehow failed to make you take an interest in."
 'In other words, I'm to be sent to . convent" exclaimed Gwendolyn as she swished out of the room, her head high in air. but her eyes glisteninR with unshed tears.
 Aunt Abiatha's spacious, old fashion ed house merited kinder verdict than GwendOlyn bestowed upon 1t at first glance. Once up in her cozy 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 dusting, sewing and cooking began to resolve itself into routine Gwendolyn suddenly baked.
 Now I know how to do all these prOsaic things. Aunt Abiatha," she ar gued, whats the use of doing them day after day? There are so many real live things to do in the world. Let's give a 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"
 What's he like?'
 'very thoughtful and pOlite," replied Aunt Abiatha Loyalty. ''He comes of one of our best families"
 Poor thing!" muttered GwendOlyn.
 What did you say, dearY'
 ''I asked what he does for livingr prevaricated Gwendolyn unblushingly. tate, of course. He's country gen. tleman."
 "Oh," commented Gwendolyn indif- ferently, "he must be a very provin- cial kind of person! don't think I should like him."
 "Well, of all things, GwendolynT 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 el 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 doorbell's ringing. Aunt Abiatha" she called, jumping up. eff 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.
 It aroused her curiosity, but also her Indignation, and she re-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 3uce 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 
 "Gwendolyn," she called up, "this is MT. Hayward. Jack. my niece. Miss Rand. I never saw such goings on in my life. Go right into your room, 
 GwendOlyn did not budge. She only laughed and laughed, until Aunt Abia- tha 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 I Ill adjourned to the downstairs veran- la for afternoon tea
 ''SO you're q climber, MT. Hayward ?" observed archly, taking ad- of Aunt Abiatha's absence in he kitchen
 "Given sufficient incentive - yes," lack answered lightly. 'I couldn't | Stand down there below, you know, md let a fellow in a book get ahead of me"
 ''Get ahead of youY'
 Well, absorb your interest to the ex- ,lusion of a real human being" ex- Dlained Jack.
 You took an awful risk" laughed Swendolyn.
 ''Oh, that was nothing" Jack boast d. ''I'm used to all sorts of athletic Itunts, you know"
 '"That isn't the kind of risk I meant 'xactly," Gwendolyn enlightened him.
 ''Well, how did you like him?' beam d Aunt Ahiatha after the callers de Darture.
 ''Not very well," said Gwendolyn, making her head dubiously. He's so