The Colorado statesman., 1915-01-16

insufferable old codger, quite a fos-
| SLICED specimen of the race.
His thirty years ran before him in
swift review. He rather fancied he
had occupied them somewhat well.
"One thing l have not dome" he
began.
And that?" Mr.. Brownson looked
at him politely. The relatives shared
his amiable doubt.
Il have never bored any one. I
don't think have" He paused quick
ly and looked at his boots. 'Ill tell
you, Mr.. Brownson, I think I have oc-
cupied my thirty years rather we'll. l
have made myself happy, and tried to
make others. I'm sure everyone who
has ever been on my yacht has pleas
ant memories of it, and anyone who
has ever ridden in my car. I've taken
out all sorts of people, from newsboys
to bishops.
81 don't know of any special dam
age I've ever done. Certainly, I've
never run over any one-not that
know of. I've done my best general.
ly. These are probably negative vir-
tues, but they're the best l have, all
but the biggest and the greatest of
them all, loving Cicely."
The relatives looked at each other
gingerly. The maiden aunt felt some
what shocked. Mr.. Brownson felt the
responsiveness of the circle.
THAT is very WELL" he breathed
heavily, but we are a serious family,
and negative virtue is too-well, too
negative-quite too much in the alb.
stract to satisfy"
Then, what need is seriousness
Of purpose?"
Exactly"
Mr.. Brownson Joined his finger-tips.
Two of the relatives coughed. Mrs.
Brownson gurgled. The girl looked at
Wayne and smiled. The man instant
ly forgot the others and quickly start
ed to his feet. Cicely alone was there,
and she was smiling at him. She was
his love and his hearts desire. She
was the most that the world might
give to him.
He loved her, and that was enough
for him to know. She loved him, and
there was nothing else for him to
know. He started to the center OF
the room. The girl rose and met him
Mr.. Brownson shot up from his seat
in amazement. Mrs. Brownson pre-.
pared for further tears. The relatives
leaned back and waited.
What does this mean?" Mr.. Brown
sons voice hit the note of tragedy
DO you intend to steal her from
me?" Indignation mingled with the
tragic. This is too much. We are a
serious family. You are simply an
idle man of the world. We have moth.
ing in common. The conference is
over"
Mrs. Brownson decided there were
to be no tears. The relatives rose
with her.
"The conference is decidedly over::"
Mr.. Brownson loftily repeated.
"Father!" The girl gave a little
cry. "Father!"
Mr.. Brownson paused at the agony
In his child's cry. Mrs. Brownson
again raised her handkerchief. The
others made way for scene.
Il don't see why you are all this
way!" The girl choked little. T
love him, and he is worthy of more
than can give him. Yes, he is. He's
better than any of us. He's always
doing something for people-poor peo-
pie. I know. Jack, you know love
you. and my father can never change
mel"
Mr.. Brownson coughed From the
resultant sound It would seem that the
cough was uncalled for.
"That will do, Cicely; that will do
A last word, perhaps, may be neces.
sary, and I would suggest that it be
made in private. Jennie, all of u.s.
We shall go up to the library. We
shall discuss Mr.. Wayne's-philan.
thropy alone.
"Cicely, you will go to your room
Mr.. Wayne. you may remain here, or
return in half an hour for our final
decision"
With this, the head of the clan
Brownson gathered his forces and left
the room.
Half an hour later he returned
again, leading the line. Wayne was
there awaiting them. Cicely was be.
side him. From all appearances,
they had never left the room. Mr..
Brownson looked at the girl in some
astonishment.
"Cicely, what does this mean? IL
thought l sent you to your room. Mr.
Wayne, have you taken undue advan.
tage?"
Wanye spoke very quickly.
"It means, Mr.. Brownson, that I am
serious man myself. should say
perhaps I am. I rathe-' thought my
love for Cicely was serious enough
She agrees with me in the matter ]
won't apologize for my thirty years,
even If l haven't done anything spe-
cial for my country. I haven't built
bridges, nor have I operated street
railways. But I have done one big