The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-01-28

4 SERIOUS FAMILY
BY HENRY KIRK.
(Copyright.)

(Copyright)
"The marriage Of my daughter, Mr..
Wayne, is . matter Of the greatest
importance. Az you see. it concerns ,
my entire family. That is why we are
all here to discuss It."
Mr.. James Brownson made q sweep
ing gesture with his right arm. The
circle included . small group Of men
and women arranged about the room,
half . dozen people Of varied ages and
descriptions. 1T is the greatest event
IN q woman's life-her marriages.
you must not wonder at our delibera-
ton. You are thirty years Of age,
believer"
Wayne shifted in his chair.
Eyes," he said, quietly. He was
rather weary Of the proceedings. al.
though. for the sake Of the girl. he
was willing to make certain conces-
sions to the claims and prejudices Of
her family. "Yes. I am thirty"
Thirty! And what have you done
with yourself?" Mr.. Brownson looked
at the young man squarely and aggres-
sively.
"Done?" Wayne laughed q little.
"Why. think the principal thing
yes, the greatest thing-I have done
Is to love your daughter!"
He looked at the girl as he said 1t.
She was sitting very quietly next to
her mother.
Mr.. Brownson went on without not
ing the reply he had made, quite as II
1t we're Of too trivial a nature.
"You are possessed Of a large in
come. Fortunately, my daughter does
not require it; nor. at the same time.
can we say you have Interior motives
in seeking her hand"
Wayne bowed.
Mr.. Brownson raised q protesting
hand.
| "You love my daughter-good! But
what have you done with your life?
p; Thirty years of age. and what have
you Accomplishment"
Wayne looked up frankly.
II don't know Of anything in par
tjcular." he said, but suppose shall
do neutrality-suspicious."
"You have occupied your time prin-
cipally with frivolities and idleness!"
Mr.. Brownson came out at last with
his long-suppressed sentiment. He
looked about him. II have asked my
sisters and brothers, and also Mrs.
Brownson's only living relatives. to
hear this matter discussed. We are
serious family, Mr.. Wayne-simple,
serious people-and the marriage Of
my daughter"
Wayne looked squsrely into the eyes
Of his hoped-for father-in-law.
MAY ! parry your daughter. Mr..
! Brownson?"
| Mr.. Brownson fldgeted.
Zone moment, please" he said mild.
~. This is serious question, and
we are. as said before. serious PEG.
pie. You. as take 1t, are not q seri.
GUS man. You spend your time upon
your yacht, in travels Of a useless
nature. and In this country you race
about In q somewhat criminal and
reckless manner in your automobile.
Do you think It would be wise for q
parent to trust his child to you?"
The relatives nodded their heads and
looked at their folded hands. Mrs.
Brownson raised her handkerchief to
her eyes.
Wayne looked them all over, from
Brownson himself at the head, to the
little fussing individual. a nervous
aunt, at the end. He marveled that
Cicely could have come of such PEG.
pie.
Certainly, she could not follow the
bent Of her pompous old father, nor
yet that of her hysterical mother,
who was just now. he was certain, rev.
cling in the thought Of her child
crushed under the wheel Of his big
white car. or drowned somewhere in
the bottom Of the sea. The others
were quite impossible.
Mrs. Brownson began to cry snd
audibly.
"Jennie!" Mr.. Bruwnson raised hfs
hand. MR Brownson did not SEQ tho
hand; but she knew \ was there, for
she instantly ceased. "Cicesy, what
have you b say?"
The girl had been boxing quietly
at the tips u her fingers: New. she
changed her line of vision until u
reached the eyes Of her hther.
II 1--we him"
She said II simply and without the
slightest trace Of emotion or hysteria.
Y was something quite settled IN her
mind. and III the family councils
could not possibly change her. Wayne
booked ut her gratefully.
"Ciceiy!" Mrs. Brownson soNbed
sharply. You wish to leave mel"
The relatives raised their eyebrows
and thought Cfcely shower q certain
lack Of niceness in her frank avowaL
Mother, yon married father!"
'What do ysa meant"
EVERY one marries, and don't see
why Jacks motor and his yacht
should be plaeed between N"
Mr.. Brownson looked with gaspins
astonishment at his child. n was. the
first time she had ever assertea her
self.
| "Cfeely," he got out. do you realize
what you arc saying? Do you realize
that you are questioning me. youl
parent? Are you forgetting your fiiial
duty? My dear Mr.. Wayne, I mus,
apologize for my daughter. she can
not know her own mind. and upon
that score as we'll, object to Ael
!. rnion with you. No. no. It h quite I'm