Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1878-05-10
Mr.. DELMAYNE'S WARD.

Something must be done" said Mrs
Charles Delmayne, decisively, "the girl
is getting more reckless every day."
"What can be done ?" asked Mr..
Richard Delmayne, looking helplessly
at his sister in-law, "we cannot shut her
up in convent"
mo, but we can find her husband
and get her comfortably settled"
"But she is so young"
She will be nineteen in May, and l
married at that age. 1t is great pity
that you were obliged to receive her into
your household, Richard. Guardianship
over girl like Dorothea, was great re-
sponsibility for bachelor to assume"
"I suppose SO" was the reply; "but
could not refuse the dying request of
an old friend"
eat first, entertained hopes that she
would improve by remaining with us, "
said Mrs. Delmayne, plaintively; "but,
as remarked before, she is wilder than
ever. l am kept IN a perpetual state of
nervous excitement, for never know
what lnadcap prank she will play next.
I thought il disgraceful enough when
she donned q 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. Delmayne folded her plump,
white hands and settled herself comfort
ably in luxurious easy chair, and pre-
pared to enjoy her favorite pastime,
which consisted of retailing Dorothea's 8
misdemeanors.
"You know Squire Vonsonby has
been looking for wife for year or two
now he is quite wealthy, is respect
ably connected, and would be a very
suitable match for Dora"
esquire Vonsonby p gasped Richard,
in amazement, "he is old enough to be
her grandfather, and has a married
daughter who is considerably older than
Dot"
"Well," replied his sister-in-law,
"Dora needs husband who is steady
and sober minded, she is 80 highty her
self. Besides, Mr.. Vonsonby looks full
ten years younger than his real age. In
my opinion it would 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 continued:
81 invited Mr.. Vonsonby to tea last
EVENING" had my household duties to
attend to after tea was over, 30 I left
Dorothea to entertain our guest. She
must have neglected him shamefully, for
the poor man fell asleep, and the little
huzzy seized the opportunity to play one
of her ridiculous pranks; she actually
had the audacity," and Mrs. Delmayne
lowered her voice to an impressive
whisper, actually had the audacity to
remove his wig and substitute an old red
one, that she found among some rubbish
in the garret. The poor man did not
discover the trick until he had become
the laughing-stock of the community.
Dick happened to hear about it this
morning, and considered it my duty to
inform you of the affair, as you were
absent at the time"
"Ha, ha, ha |" laughed Richard. "I
can imagine how ridiculous he looked
strutting along in his pompous manner. "
Il am certainly astonished at you,
Richard, " said Mrs. Delmayne, severely.
"I 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 thoughtless now, but I think
she will develop into splendid wo-
man."
Mrs. Delmayne cast an uneasy look al
her brother-in-law's face as she left the
room. She had reason for wishing
Dot safely disposed of; she was fearful
that Richard might fall in love with his
fascinating ward, and that would never
do, for 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 name.
sake-should be his heir. Beside, he1
brother-in-law's elegant residence made
very comfortable home for herself anC
fatherless boy, and madame had no in
teHtion OF losing it, hence she made the
most OF Dots mischievous escapades.
Just as madames silken skirts rustlet
up stairs the hall door few open ant
light footsteps danced along the passage
"Dot Dot !" called Mr.. Delmayne
The appellation exactly suited tn,
young girl who entered. A dainty form
dark, piquant face, lit up with pal
Of black eyes which sparkled with mis-
chief.
"Well, Guardy," she said, with
saucy smile, which revealed dimple il