A family Matter.

Evening Post, Volume LXXV, Issue 27, 1 February 1908, Page 10

A family Matter.

"As a. family we have no secrets from each other." Major Wellington Hopper looked decidedly into Iho faco of tho young man who sat in his private office, and who had just askod permission to pay attention to his daughter Maude. "You see, Mr. Pendleton," h& said, "we have always made thi3 a rule, and, the thing having become a habit with us, of course we could aot make an exception in your" case." "You mean" "I mean that my daughter Maude has always confided everything to her parents. There has been no concealment. It is all open and aboveboard. I believe it's- the only way to bring up children. Now, 3ir, if you wish to make love to her, you'll have- to do it in our presence." "But" "Xo buts, I assure you. And there should bo no cause for embarrassment on your pait. I understand you are a. worthy young man. Very well. If you think there's a chance of your winning Maude, you are welcome to try. But it's got to be- in conformity with our rules, and not yours." "Can't I take her out to drive?" "No, sir." "Nor see her alone?" "Never." "But how can I hope, sir, to win her? I don't even know whether she. cares for me yet or not. , I've- had no means of finding out." "You can find out just as well in the family circle as out of it. We live in the utmost freedom. Don't be afraid. You can cali in the evening, and act just as if you were alone with her. And now, if you will excuse me, I must go on with my raja-il." That evening Mr. Pendleton appear&d at 8 p.m., but there- was a doubtfulness about him, an air of anxiety, that was only too plainly evident. ■Miss Maude Hopper, who was- a very pretty girl, endeavoured to relieve his embarrassment by ' a reassuring smile, as she led him into the living-room where her father and mother were, reading, and her brother Claude was rigging a boat. •All said good evening to Mr. Pendleton, who looked extremely foolish. "Don't mind us," said the Major, taking •up lvis paper. "Remembor what I &aid." ' Making a mighty effort, ■ the yonng man led Maude over to tho sofa, which happened to be in a shadowy part of the room, as fa'f'-'-away from Clauds as possible. He managed to look into her eyes once or twice, but found, to his discomfort, that Maud&'s mother was watching him; not furtively, however, but openly and frankly. "Maude," she said, "from what your father tells me, Mr. Pendleton is smitten with you. Don't be afraid," she , added to Pendleton, "to tell her so." Pendleton', blushing a deep crimson, managed to, >'each forward and take •Maude's hand. She did not withdraw it. They sat thu's in silence for somo moments. "" * ' " Finally, with another mighty effort, he stammered ; , - "Do you*-think — you—^conld — ever" — Claudo , looked tip fronv hi 3 rigging -anxiously. He* leaned forward; his boyish lipa parted in curiosity to near the rest of tho, sentence.' liutt, Penile 1--ton, hopelessly entangled, stopped shoi^t. . "You' were going to ask me," said Maude, helping, him out .with a smile, i "if I ever could caro for you?"< . < 1 , "Yes."- 1,.: v • -. ' "I think I might— in Hme." . ■ "Now, ;Maucl&," iaid hor mother, "don't be too forward Let Mr. Pendeton do sohis of tho Courting." This in a slightly satirical tone. ' v Tho Major looked up, a "look of annoyance passing over his hitherto immobile fate. "Now, my deaz*," he said to his wife, "you let Claude alono. She's all right. You must remember that the circumstances are peculiar. Our young friend here is not used to our way qf doing things, and Mau.de is only helping him out, I feel sure that My. Pendleton understands and .appreciates her attitude fully. Don't you?" 116 asked, appealing directly to that young man. ."Certainly," stammered Pendleton. . Ho looked almost hopelessly from opeto the other of the parents. A fcebb smije came to his face. "I guess you'll believe that I docare — some — for— Maud©," ho added, earnestly, "for otherwise I couldn't do this. It's awful hard, I assure you." "Of course it is," replied the Majqr, soothingly. ''But it only goes, to prqve " what I've- contended all along — that our ntodern. system of conventions and education i 3 all wrong. Too much secretiveness. Too much false modesty. It's tho fault of 'society.- But you'll get over it," lie went on. "Just' keen at it." ' 1 He resumed his 'paper, and Pendleton edged a trifle nearer to Maude. He put one arm half around her waist, and, leaning forward," whispered, "Do you love ma?" l "What did he say?" asked Claude from his rigging to his mother. "I didn't hear him?' "He said," repeated Maude's mother, impatiently, for she was sitting closo to Maude, and besides was blest with almost supernatural hearing " 'po you love me?' Claude, T must warn you not to interrupt. It is very bad manners for a boy of your age. If you cannot hear what Mr. Pendleton ib saying to you'v sister, then move your boat nearer, but quietly — very quietly." Claude dragged his apparatus over toward the sofa. "Excuse me." he said, politely, with a note of rea' contrition— for Claude was at heart a gentlemnn. "Certainly," replied Peudletoo, feeling in some vague manner that ho must not to be outdone in courtesy. "You were saying something," 6aid Maude, in a tono of resumption. "Yes-I " Pendelton paused, and pulled out his handkerchief and wiped his brow with ii. "I — I said," lie went on, "that I—lI — I —wanted to know if " "If I loved you?" "Yes." Claude leaned forward, "dropping the main boom apd all the halyards in his eagerness. Maude's mother lifted her finger at him warningly. "Just a ■ little," Maude replied, with a sweet smile. Claudo relaxed. ■ Pendelton got up. The strain had told upon him heavily. "Thank yon," he said hoarsely. "I think now (- must be going." ' "So' soon"'" '•Well— yes I " "He's tired," said the major, rising. "Why shouldn't he bo? Don't try to do too much at one time," he said, with a smile of ripe sympathy. "Wo understand. It's all right. Come tomorrow. You'll be fresher then, and gradually .you will get used to .our ways." ■* And so, presping Maude's hand fhmly — for it would have been useless for her to follow him into tho hall, this being against the rules — Pendleton departed. As he did so, however, he felt a littlo bunch of paper that she pressed into his palm. He took it silently away with him. .When he got home that night he read

it over and over with tears of joy. Pendleton was himself again. Tho next evening, at tho usual hour, j he presented himself at tho house of his j beloved. But there was about him such an air of confidence that even the major noticed it. "You feel better?'" he said. i "Much bcttev, thank you, sir," said Pendleton. "Tho fact is," he went on, "that last evening I was so totally unprepared for your methods that I hadn't time to collect myself. But now that I've thought it over, I can 300 that you arc quite righb and that I was tho one. that was foolish. Maude, darling, come over here on the sofa." Maude obeyed. Maude's mother sat in her favourite chair with her book. The major began on his paper. Claude, who had rigged his boat, was now beginning to unrig it. Pendleton grasped Maude's hand firmly and barely. Then his other arm stole, confidently around her waist. He drew her head down on his' shoulder. "You told me last night,' ■ he said "that you loved me a little. Is that right?" "Yer," replied Maude, "softly. Claude paused with the bowspirit in mid-air. "From, the very instant I saw you first," .went on Pendclton, his vOico gathering courage as he proceeded. "I loved you passionately. Are you my sweetheart?" he asked, anxiously, hugging her closer.' "Yes, dear." The major looked up approvingly. "Good work," he Baid. "That's the way." Pendleton, getting a firmer hold, continued : My precious, darling, pet!" "Yes, love." "Arc you my dear, delicious little tootsey-woosey?" "Yes, ducky." "Oh, it's just sweet of you to say that." Pendleton kissed her upturned face, "My lovely dovey !" Claude picked up the hull and top hamper of his boat and began a swift retreat. "Kiss me again, sweetness." "JSTo ! Oo kiss me." , "No ! Oo kiss me."' "Sare. riow Oo." "Darling,, precious sing !" "Petsy wetsy!" The nlajor, unable to contain himself any longef, sprang up, throwing, his paper on the table. "Look hero, young man," he, said fiercely, "how long are you going to keep this up?" "Don't mind us, 6ir," said Pendleton. "Darling 1" "D.ucky!" And then, as the door slammed, and they wero alone, he said : "Maude, dear, that letter of instructions you gave me was an inspiration." While outside the door the major crjed fiercely to Maude's mother: "My dear, for heaven's sake; let's get them married as 6oon as possible, or we'll all bo in a sanitarium!"' — T.L.M., in Life, New York.