MR. WAKELING'S PEARLS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14250, 22 December 1909, Page 9 (Supplement)

MR. WAKELING'S PEARLS.

an AMUSING STORY OF An exchange of GIFTS.

!£§||}.ll. JOHN -WAKELING had Srt .|fg four daughters, a reputation li\ J/l l r wea ' l ' l, and nn uncertain tfl/ s»jL temper. Ho was a widower, &d ruled bis house with a rod of iron. put about the four girl* ho was much excised in bis mind. He wished, in short, <0 see them provided with husbands. Several young men were in the habit of (dlling '" house in the evenings, but ' Bon9 baJ shown as yet any inclination to coma to the point. One evening a week or so before ChristI 'pi he returned from business to find that each of his daughters had a caller on the finises. At one end of the drawing-room jit Bertha and Mr. Jimson ; at the other jjr, Toller and Maggie. In the library lie 1 discovert Ida and Rosie entertaining two 1 friends, Messrs. Rainworth and Shales. The | light annoyed him. Though the young men greeted him policy enough, he glared at them in turn. golic, his eldest daughter, hurriedly endeavoured to soothe his evident irritation. ' "Mr. Kaiuworth lias been admiring your books, father." "That's true enough, sir. I've never seen UCh ft lot of fine volumes outside a museum." "But I wish you'd let me show him those tobies and- diamonds of your.<\. He's interested in any kind of collection —precious ,tones particularly." j[r, Wakeling coughed. " You want to KB them, do you?" I The young man somewhat nervously agreed. "Well, they're not here now, so I'm afraid I can't oblige you. But if you care to come round on Christmas Day, I'll show you the lot." "That's very good of you, sir." ! Mr. Wakeling paused a moment. " Yes ; and what's more, I'll make you each a present of a pearl." V, Mr. Shales and Mr. Rainworth opened their eyes, stammering delighted thanks. "That is, if you will accept them." > "We shall be honoured, sir." "And Eosie— you, Ida—ask your sisfen to tell those other gentlemen the same." * "Yes, father. I'll go at once." As they departed later on the young men agreed that old Wakeling was. "a jolly decent sort, after all." The first visitor to arrive on Christmas afternoon was Mr. Toller; but Messrs. : Shales and Rainworth were only a few minutes behind him. They were shown into the name room, and shook hands rather stiffly. The minutes passed, but of the girls there waj no sign. When at last the door opened all three row in expectation ; but the new arrival E roved to be Mr. Jimson, who carried his at and stick in one hand and in the other i brown-paper parcel. ♦As the maid closed the door behind him he grinned amicably, and, being less re«erved than the others, waved his parcel aloft. ' "A present for the old man," he informed them in a theatrical whisper. " Did you, too—happen to—" 4®Mr. Rainworth nodded a trifle curtly. "Yes, of course. We could hardly do otherwise; so Shales and I— *'

• "H'm! considering those pearls he offered us, yon mean." Mr. Jimson winked. "And you, Mr. Toller?" That youth, nodding, fumbled in his pocket. * " I've got it here. I hope we've none of us brought the same. Mine's a tobaccopouch." \ "I'm all right," said Rainworth fully. "A silver match-box." "And a pipe-rack," added Shales. They all looked at Jimson. He tapped lis parcel proudly. "A box of cigars-—so!* Their faces fell at this munificence.

" That is all," said Mr. Wakeling gruffly. "You may go to her." Mr. Toller hesitated, then he turned, and finally parsed through the door as if in a dream. 'I he maid ushereu him to the draw-ing-room. Returning, she showed Mr. Rainworth into the library. Ah! the compliments of the season, Mr. Wakeling! Allow me to present to you —" " One. moment!" Mr. Wi.keling interrupted with such decision that Hainworth put the match-box back into his pocket. "It has come to my knowledge, Mr. Rainworth, that for the last six .months you have been seeking the society of my daughter Rosie." 'I he. young man admitted the fact, with a nervous laugh. "It is 110 matter for merriment. I presume you are serious in the affair?" struggled, but was overawed. 1 wo ni,miles later the maid was leading mm into a neighbouring study. There he found Miss Rosie. In their turn, Mr. Jimson and Mr. Shales were similarly received and similarly vanquished. The,- were taken away into the dining-room and the conservatory respectively. Presently, after a decent interval, Mr. akeling followed. In each room he came upon a visibly embarrassed couplo. "Well, have you young people settled things?" he asked invariably. "That's right. I shall expect you in the drawingroom in live minutes' time." When that interval had elapsed he addressed the gathering "Now," he said cheerfully, "we are all, so to speak, a family party. Make yourselves comfortable, everybody." All the young men displayed a manner subdued in the extreme. Only Mr. Jimson j had the courage to reply. " Youyou promised to —to show us some jewels to-day, sir." "So 1 did. so I did ! You shall see them." He rang the bell. " Marv, step in next door, and ask if Mrs. Canby finds it convenient to coma round now." The company looked at one another. Not a word about the pearls!- Had he forgotten? A hint was surely necessary. Again Mr. Jimson advanced to the attack.

" I—er—Lave here, sir, a small mark of my admiration and esteem, which at this festive season—erl shall be honoured if you will accept." The other three rose. " And this from me, sir." "And from me. sir." "And my little gift, Mr. Wakeling." Mr. Wakeling set the articles before him. " I thank you," he said pompously. As your future father-hi-law, I thank you." "And I join with you, John," declared a voice from the hall. Mrs. Canby, an elderly widow of plump proportions, suddenly beamed upon the party. The girls stared in horrified surprise. Mr. Wakeling advanced and took her hand. ■ " My dear Louisa, all these young people have taken each other for better or worse. May I tell them that we havfc decided to do likewise?" Mrs. C'anbv attempted a blush. If you like, John, dear." A strained silence fell. "My collection of jewels, gentlemen," continued Mr. Wakeling affably. " They are now before you." He indicated a necklace encircling Mrs. Canby's far from slender throat. " Small in number, perhaps, but each one a choice specimen. And now that I have given you all your pearls'" " N-no, "sir." "I beg your pardon, sir." " Why, Mr. Wakeling, you—" " Youyou've overlooked" Mr. Wakeling turned and eyed the young men in lofty surprise and reproof. My daughter, gentlemen—pearls among girls! Have I not bestowed them upon you?"

"So I ought to get the biggest pearl, B*l ♦ There was a prolonged and strained pause. lien the handle of the door rattled. 'I he Biaid entered. - "Mr. Wakeling says will Mr. Toller step "to the library, please." . Toller smiled broadly ; and, as he followed he turned. 'First pick he murmured. The three ■"Wed with one accord. At the library the maid held the door SP®*}- He walked in confidently enough. °*«md the table Mr, Wa.kfding was cnscon- ,; 0 He did not rise or offer his hand. Sit down," he commanded abruptly. Mr. Toller took a chair rather confusedly, looking up, saw that Mr. Wakeling, JSpfajg his glasses, was regarding him 'Ml a fixed ant ' tony glare. 'I've noticed, Mr. Toller, that for some JJWiaerable time past you have been hang- , 8 round my daughter Maggie." f *he statement was so unexpected that Mr. T# J« jumped. *„ J-y-yes, sir." And I presume you are serious in the ou wish to propose to her in due Mr. Toller endeavoured to recover his ™po«ure. " Ki'er—" he began. wiou cannot have been trilling with her Wgg affections. You are not such a "®»*drel as that. Mr. Toller?" P»r<s°' sir. T-that is—" hn* therefore conclude that the reason for delay is that you have not found a anient opportunity hitherto of speaking tWe" Bul) i ect - Answer me, if you I#'!, sir. afi I—l woe going to reunderstand. However, you will 4n#, t a^'e in the drawing-room now. No; Ifr T r ,? bl ° to thank me." IHilit • • r to his feet and took < i«nLi <W 8 Twice he strove

9 One might have heard a pin drop as he offered Mrs. Canby his arm. " And now, my dear Louisa, we will take a short stroll, and leave these happy couples to discuss their future. Let us hope it will be as happy as ours promises to be."