River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1878-05-23
MIR DELMAYNE'S WARD.

what can be done7" asked Mr.. Rich
ard Delmayne, looking helplessly at his
sister-in-law, ''we cannot shut her up in a
convent"
mo, we can find her a husband and get
her comfortably settled"
'But she is so young
''She will be nineteen in May, and
married at that age. 1t is great pity that
you were obliged to receive her into your
household, Richard. Guardianship over
girl like Dororthea, was a great respon-
sibility for bachelor to assume"
81 suppose So" was the reply; 'but /
could not refuse the dying request of an
old friend
"At first I entertained hopes that she
would improve by remaining with us, "
said Mrs. Delmayne plaintively; ''but, as
| remarked before she is wilder than ever.
am kept in a perpetual state of nervous
excitement, for never know what mad
cap prank she will play next. / thought
1t disgraceful enough when she donned a
suit of Dicks and went skating on the
pond the evening they had that skating
party, but this last prank is still worse, if
possible.
Mrs. Deimayne folded her plump,
white hands and settled herself comfort
ably in a luxurious easy chair, and pre-
pared to enjoy her favorite pastime, which
consisted of retailing Dorotheas misde-
meaDors.
You know Squire Vonsonby has been
looking for a wife for year or two-now
he is quite wealthy, is respectfully con-
nected, and would be a very suitable
match for Dora"
esquire Vonsonbyr' gasped Richard,
in amaZemcnt, & he is old enough to be
her grandfather, and has a married
daughter who is considerably older than
Dot"
"WeIl," replied his sister-in law,
"Dora needs husband who is steady
and sober minded she is so Tightly her
self Besides, Mr. Vonsonby looks full
ten years younger than his real age. In
my opinion it wonld have been very
suitable match. But it is all over now,"
she added, with sigh, "he will never
enter this house again.
In answer to Richards look of inquiry,
Mrs. Delmayne contidued:
g | invited Mr.. Vonsonby to tea last
evening" had my household duties to
attend to after tea was over, so l left
Dorothea to entertain our guest. She
must have neglected him shamefully, for
the poor man fell asleep, and the little
h'ZZy seized the opportunity to play one
of her ridiculous pranks; she actually
had the audacisy," and Mrs. Delmayne
lowered her voice to an impressive whisp-
er, actually had tie audacity to remove
his wig and substitute an old red one,
that she found among some rubbish in
the garnet
" Fla, ha, hal" laughed Richard. L
can imagine how ridiculous he looked
struttiug along in his pompous man
nern
: am certainly astonished at you,
sincerely hope you do not uphold
the girl in her disgraceful actions?'
" | shall Of course reprove her," he
replied. /" Dot will improve as she grows
Older | have no doubt-she is merry
and thoughtIess now, but l think she
will develop iuto a splendid woman"
Mrs. Delmayne cast an uneasy look
at her brother-in- laws face as she left
the room. She had a reason for wish
ing Dot safely disposed of she wis fear
full that Richard might fall in love with
his fascinating ward, and that would
never do, tor if he were to marry, it
would dash Mrs. Delmayne's hopes TO the
ground. She had secretly determined
that her son Dick-his uncle's 1amesake
should be his heir. Beside, her bro
ther-in-law's elegant residence made a
very comfort tble home for herselfand faith
erless boy, and madame had no intention
of losing it, hence she made the most OF
Dots meschievous escapades.
Just as madames silken skirts rustled
up stairs the hall door flew open and
light footsteps danced along the passage.
The appeliatin exactly suited the
young girl who entered. \ dainty form,
dark, piquant face, lit up with pair OF
black eyes which sparkled with mischief.
"Well, Guardy," she said, with a saucy
smile, which revealed dimple in each
soft pink check "What-is it a lecturer"
Yes, Dot" replied Mr. Delmayne,
eravely, II really must lecture you. Your
conduct to Mr.. Vonsonby was extremely
unladylike."
Il don't care, Guardy," cried Dot, def
antly, II can't bear old Vonsonby, AMI
am confident that Mrs. Delmayne invited
him here to make love to me, so resolved
to Illustrate her kind intentions. She left
me to entertain him all the evening, and
was Just DIVING to finish Jane Eyre Well,
| gave him the last number of Serjbaer' S
and the Monthly ReciCtC, and hoped he
would entertain himself; but nO-he
wanted me to play game of cribbage.
/ hate cribbage. so | told him never
PLAYED the game without stalking a small
sum of money just 10 make it interesting
'Oh, Dot!"
g He looked Mortified at the idea of
gambling, and asked for some music. so
sat down to the piano ard made as
much noise as possible. lie said that
sort of music was very ediIying, but it
made his head ache, and inquired if |
could favor him with 'Annie Laurie
complied BY playing Yankee Doodle
with variations, tor | knew he could not
distinguish the difference. Just as was
playing the last bar l was startled by a
prolonged suore-he had actually gone
to sleep with his head hanging over the
chair, his wig awry, and his mouth wide
open Now, Guardy, YOU must ADMIT
that was too much for flesh and blood to
endure, and / don't profess to be a
saint.
Not by any MEANS" assented he
guardian.
WELL" continued De-, a happy
thought struck me. | ran softly up stairs
and got an old red wig that Dick used
to wear when he belonged TO the ANA
teur Dramatic Club. Then | carefully
removed Mr.. Vonsonby's nicely dressed
black wig, and substituted the red one.
| had to stuff my handkerchief into my
mouth to keep from laughing, you can't
imagine how comical he looked
We'll, waited for him TO finish his
nap until my patience was exhausted
and then went to the piano and gave an
awful thump with both hands. He gave
sudden start and Strengthened up. ]
grf vclv INQUIRED how he liked the piece
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