The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1875-08-06


GUARDIAN IN DIsGUlsE.
had been reared by bachelor uncle
who, dying when l was eighteen, be
queathed me to the tender care Of Mrs
Yepsy, his housekeeper. At the age Of
twenty-five I ferventIy hated every wo-
manin the world but her. II would be
too Notifying 10 me, and dull and un-
interesting TO you, were l to recapitulate
the causes which bred dislike 70 keen
and intense. may just hint that AL.
thea Brand (who is now a madame, with
an ugly German name, utterly Ynpro-
nounceable), had something TO do with
my misanthropy.
led a quiet, somewhat secluded life
"a life of my own designing. smoked
and read, or went ~ the club, or on ex-
cursions, when chose, with no one to
question my motives. ! congratulated
myself in grim sort Of way, when
alone, on my freedom, which ferociously
declared I would not be despoiled Of.
Imagine my fright, my horror, when
the following epistle came to hand:
MY DEAR Mr.. BERNARD: l am dying.
The only relative you have in the world will
soon be an orphan. I.cenGde her 70 your
care, knowing your magnanimity and benev.
olencs. Please make necessary arrange
inents for her provision. DO this for the
sake Of your dying cousin,
AGATHA FRoTH.
l could not wholly resist this plea,
though ! deputed Mrs. Yepsy, who was
In every rsspsot a capable woman, to do
what my conscience told me should give
my personal supervision to.
In weeks time my housekeeper re-
turned, saying she had placed Florelle
in a very respectable seminary; 80 ],
with a dep, relieved inspiration, dis
missed my unwelcome protege from my
mind, without any inquiries relative to
her appearance, and Mrs. Yepsy was too
discreet to furnish gratuitous infoma-
ton.
At the close of a year, a tiny note, in
a schoolgirls hand, came to my address.
i was angry and annoyed. Ibid not an
swer it. For FIVE years these dreaded
missives arrived with persistent pune
tuality. could not shut my eyes to the
fact that the unknown writer had i'm
proved rapidly in these FIVE years, though
no very great depth of thought was per-
ceptible; yet the chirography was elegant,
the spelling. for wonder, beyond criti-
cism, while those glazing idiosyncracies
characterizing romantic young ladyhood
were apparent. At last she announced
that she had finished her education, and
was going to stay while with the dear
est girl in the world"
l read this from a tiny sheet of per-
fumed paper, under the hall lamp, before
going to Mrs. Finch's reception. l had
hardly paid my compliments to that ex-
cellent lady, before Judge Finch took
my arm, and nodding toward petite
young girl, whom had already noticed
as seeming to bewitch young and old
with her spirited, piquant ways, said:
"a young friend of my daughter-Miss
Florelle Froth. Shall Ipresent your
"No, excuse me-"
And, as the Judge moved away, /
drew back in the shadow of curtain,
and watched my ward. had, all along,
fancied that my bank-notes were develop
ing palefaced, flaxen-ringleted little
thing, who would, some day, in fit of
romance, elope with a fictitious lord. l
was not at all prepared for the contrast
To my imaginings that the sparkling
sylph presented to my dazed perceptions.
i returned TO my domicile, dreaming
Of fairy in crimson silk, with scarlet
roses in her hair; and the following
morning became the recipient of the fol-
lowing gushing, but not positively COM
plimentary note:
My DEAR OLD GUARDIAN: Will you not
allow me to come and see your | am In
town, stopping at Judge Finch's. Il he an
acquaintance Of youis? Just give me per-
mission 10 visit you, and see II you regret it.
j know how TO compound at least dozen
for preventing the hair from
falling of. | will tie your neckcloth (drab
or white doy wear p and get your slippers,
and make Cruel for you when you are laid
up with the govt Pm so pretty, and SO
smart, and can dance, or sing, or read your
fsvorite German and French authors. Your
eyesight must be failing, Ell?
lido 80 wish 10 see youi | pledge my
word, as lady, not to be disagreeable, nor
You. Your curious ward,
FLoRELLE FR0ru.
am sure the worthy pastor whose
church regularly attended would have
been shocked at sundry CALCULATIONS be-
gotten by that hattering epistle, in which
modesty, at all events, was not.appar-
ent. ] glanced in the mirror; and as
sert, without exaggeration, that il re-
hected tall, well-made gentleman,
stylish, digu fed, and not unhandsome,
but flushed and angry at the moment.
i trod the floor with hurried steps,
strongly emphasized. strove TO think
bitterly Of Florelle, as | had heretofore
done Of all women; but the sparkling,
changing face, set in crispy curls, frank
and enhancing despite its pertness,
swan before my vision, and charmed
me, while the audacious style Of her ad-
dress was anything but soothing.
al will punish the mink !" was the
sum Of my oogitations; Therefore, the
following;
Miss FLoEKLLE; | am old, and, eonse.
luenuy, entertain distaste for society; and |
u just nov, and desire quiet yet, perhaps,
! Is no more than justice 10 you 10 aeeede to
our wishes. II you come, let II be alone.
cave Judge finsh's with the understanding
kat you have been suddenly summoned