THE STORYTELLER.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 5 April 1907, Page 4

THE STORYTELLER.

CYNTHIA'S WUOEI'.S. The old lady drew her char a little closer to the ukl man. "1 sent fur you to conn; over, Brotiitr -Ned,' 1 ,iic said i u carefuly modulated '.onus, "to have a little family consultation. 1 .want to talk to you about Cynthia." "<><>, (ynthia. What about Cynthia? Ain't eoiuin' down with anything, is she:'' "No, no. She's got two beans." "Weil, ain't that enough'" "Wait, Xed. JJoth of -cm are in dead earnest. And what I'm seared about is that she may marry one of "cm." Tim old man's fae'e suddenly wrinkled. "Well, mat's all the law allows, ain't it?" he chuckled. "Come, Ned, we've got .0 look at this matter in a serious light. It's our duty to do the best we ean for Cynthia. Wo promised Brother James we* would. It there's danger of Cynthia inakin' a poor choice, it's our dulv to try to set her right.'' 'Then you don'i tUink much o' lhe-e two fellers V" » "One of -em 1 dont. The other is Cy Hobsoii."-' 'Acs. He's a sewing machine agent. Doing real good, too." "He comes of good inolicv-making Stock.'' y "That's right. And he ain't going to peddle sowing machine., forever, lie's promised a chance to be the agent of the company over at Braceville." "Who's the other feile'r ?" "Ho's a choofer. He drives a autymobel." "You mean a chuffer. Well what about him »" "1 don't know. He's just a young feller that runniu' some rich man's "aunty and he happened to see Cynthia outside one day, whejn he broke down, and he asked her if he couldn't have some water, and he's broke down right in front of the house three times since. And every time he's wanted something.'' The old man looked thoughtful. "And Cynthia is always round m time for the accidents, is she V" '•She has been so far." '■And you don't Uiink a chuffer is good enough for Cynthia, eh V "No, I don't. But I've known Cy. liobson since he was a boy, and 1 don't think Cynthia could do 'better.'' "And what does Cynthia think V "She'd be all right if this choofer hadn't conic round." Th-- sound of a mellow horn came from the highway. "It's that choofer," said the old lady. "There, he's stoppin'. Broke down again, I s'posei And there's Cynthia coinin' down the driveway. See him laughin'. 1 tell you this ain't a goin to do, Xed. That girl's got to finish her ehurnin'. Well, well, look at that! He's backing that machine up the driveway." "That's a fine car," said the old man. 4 "See there! Cynthia's bringing him a rope. He's fastening it to the machine. There's he's gone back with tha other end of it. Now, they're both out of sight." "Don't get excited, Jane." "Well, I don't like tliesei mysterious doings. There they are. I declare if Cynthia isn't getting into the seat!" "Hark!" cried the oid man. Thoy could hear the soft rumble of the engine and then, mingled with it, came a steady splash, splash, splash, splash. The old man suddenly chuckled. "Well, if that ain't blamed clever!" he cried. "The boy has harnessed up the Jog treadmill to the autymobel and he's makin* it do the ehurnin'! What do you think of that?" The old lady sniffed. "I don't think much of it. and I guess the man that owns the autymobel ain't goin' to think much of it, either." She suddenly turned to the old man. "See here, Brother Ned, you've got to assert yourself. If Cynthia is going to marry Cy Hobson this other thin's got to stop —and I as good as promised Cy she could have her." The old man suddenly frowned. "Tell you what I'll do, Jane. I'll invite Cynthia to come over to our house and stay a week or ten days. That'll keep her out o' the way." Then he added, "1 want you to leave all this to me, Jane." The next morning Cynthia departed for her uncle Ned's comfortable farmhouse a dozen miles away. Scarcely an hour after Cynthia's departure, the mellow horn was heard in the highway.; But there was no Cynthia to answer the summons.

A few hours later there was another caller, a young man with a self-assured air, a light blue necktie, and a broad- ! brimmed gray hat. "Howdy, Aunt Jane," he cried as she opened the door. "Where's Cynthia V" "She's gone to her Uncle Ned's to spend a few days." The young man's face clouded a little. "That's too bad,'' he said. ''l wanted to ask her to go to the spcllin' bee at Henry Thompson's next Friday night." "That's too bad," said Auiit Jane. "Can't you drive over and ask her?" "Nope," the young man replied as he hacked across the porch. "Too busy. Sold three machines last week. Got one in my wagon now that I'm delivering to Aunt Truly Grimslon. Tell Cynthia 1 was sorry I couldn't see her. Goodby." Four days later Aunt Jane was surprised to receive another call from Cy Hobson. "Cynthia ain't home yet, Cy," she called. "I didn't s'pose she was," lie answered. There was a moment's silence. "Business pretty good, Cy?" "I can't complain." "It takes a good head to tend to your business, Cy. Been over to see Cynthia vet?" "No, I ain't." He paused and shook bis head slowly. "I saw her, though." "Saw Cynthia? Where?" "Bout three miles 'tother side of the village in an automobile." Aunt Jane drew a quick breath. "I wonder what Brother Ned will say to that?" she cried. "Well, he seemed to be taking it pretty icooly, on the back seat of the ear behind Cynthia. They were all laughing when I passed by. Guess they didn't see me ." Aunt Jane nodded with slow dignity. "I can't understand about Ned's behavior. Why, lie seemed to favor you right along. Well, I'm going to drive over to my brother's this very afternoon, and 111 bring Cynthia back with me." Early that afternoon an erect old lady driving a stout horse attached to a phaeton was halted at a turn in the road by a big touring car. The horse arose on his hind legs, but before he could leap the driver of the car jumped down and caught the seared brute and quieted Km. The old lady sat bolt upright during this performance. Now she spoke. "I've come to bring you home, Cynthia," she said. The girl in the ear waved her hand "I'm on my way, aunty." Jane noted that there were throe persons in the car. One was her niece, one her brother, the. third was a handsomely gowned and cloaked la.lv. "If you will kindly turn my horse around sir," she said to the young man, "I will be obliged to you." "Certainly," he answered. "But I. think it will be safer for you to alight. He seems strongly disposed to bolt." With great dignity Aunt Jane stepped into the roadway, while the. young man turned the horse about.

J "Ami now." he gently suggested. " think it woui.l be well for me to drivi your horse back to the house. He st.il seems inclined to make trouble. I'm f a . miliar with horK-. And I want vou te take a seat in (he ear. My -i-le'r lien has something to say to you. Mrs Gardner Burr, Miss Kadford. ' Miss Cynthia, will you kindly assist your aunt?" .And before she knew it Aunt .1:111" was bundled into the big ear. As she took her seat. Cynthia ran forward and stepped into ,!n> phaeton, and an instant later the young man and .-lie drovi. ahead. Aunt Jane had no time to protest. Then the lady moved a |,.ve,r and the car started at a discreet- pac. "How do you do. Jane';"' a voice troni the rear sea't inquired. ••I'm quite well, Edward," she replied with freezing dignity. Then the lady spoke. '■Mis. Iladford." she said, 'd call this a fortunate meeting. We were on our way to your home. Miss Radford, as my brother's only immediate relative, and as the bead of the family. I ask the hand of your neiee for him. You will find George an exemplary vouns man. I am sure. His prospect's are eveelle-nt. Ho is the owner of several in .-aliens. He, i-' a partner in an antom..!.;;,. faetory that promises to do an meisunlly good business. He met your jici-.i! while

she was at school in the city and brought her to see me. I think her a sweet and lovaldo girl, and we feel much honored by the alliance.'' She paused and glanced slightly at Aunt Jane's stony countenance. Tile old lad}' looked ahead at the dis-'u-int phaeton. Then she settled herself comfortably m the upholstered seat. "I don't" scorn to be anything but. a passenger in this tfl'au.'' she stilily remarked. Then she suddenly smiled. •'But I gue-s niebbe it's all right." —W. A. Rose.