Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-05-16
Mr.. Delmayne's Ward.
By LENA LESLIE.

Something must be DONE" said
Mrs. Charles Delmayne, decisively,
"that girl is getting more reckless
every day."
What can be done?" asked Mr..
Richard Delmayne, looking helplessly
at his sister-in.law eve cannot shut
her up in q convent"
"No, but we can find her husband
and get her settled"
But she is so young"
"She will be nineteen in May, and I
married at that age. 1t is great pity
that you were obliged to receive her
into your household, Richard. Guar
dianship over a girl like Dorothea was
great responsibility for bachelor to
assume"
q" ! suppose So" was the reply, "but
could not refuse the dying request of
friend"
"At first 1 entertained hopes that she
would improve by remaining with u.s."
said Mrs. Delmeyne, plaintively :" but
she is wilder than ever. lam kept in a
perpetual state of nervous excitement,
for never know what madcap prank
she will play next. l thought it dis
graceful enough when she donned
suit of Dicks clothes AMI went out on
the night of the skating. pcrty, but this
last is still worse, if possible"
Mrs. Delmayne folded her plump
white hands and settled herself COM
fortably in luxurious easy chair, and
prepared to enjoy her favorite pastime,
which consisted in retailing Dorothea's
misdemeanors.
"You know Squire Ponsonby has
been looking. for wife year or two
now he is quite wealthy, is respectfully
connected, and would be very suita.
BILE match for Dora"
esquire Ponsonby!" gasped Rich
ard, in amazement, "he is old enough
to be her grandfather, and has mar
ried daughter who must be considera.
bly, older than Dot"
Well, Dora needs husband who is
steady and sober-minded, she is so
Tightly herself. Besides, he looks fully
ten years younger than his real age. In
my opinion it would be a very suitable
match. But it is all over now" she ad.
ded, with sigh, he will never enter
this house again"
In answer to Richards look of in.
quiry, Mrs. Delmayne continued
invited Mr.. Ponsonby to tea last
evening" had my household duties to
attend to after Aea was over. 80 I left
Dorothea to entertain him. She must
have neglected him shamefully, for the
poor man fell asleep, and the little
huzzy seized the opportunity to play
one OF her practical jokes. She actually
had the audacity to remove his wig and
substitute an old red one that she found
among the rubbish in the garrett. The
poor man did not discover the trick
until he had become the laughing stock
OF the village. Dick happened to hear
oil 1t this morning. and I thought you
ought to be told about it."
Ha, ha, ha /" laughed Richard. CT
can imagine how ridiculous he must
have looked strutting along in his
pompous manner"
am certainly astonished at you,
Richard" said Mrs. Delmayne, severe.
~. II hope you don't uphold the girl
In her disgraceful conducts"
shall OF course reprove her" he
replied. Dot will improve as she
grows older, / have do doubt-she is
merry and thoughtless now. but I
think she will develop into splendid
woman"
Mrs. Delmayne cast an uneasy look
at her brother-in-law's face, as she left
the room. She had reason for wish.
ing Dot disposed of; she feared that
Richard might fall in love with his fas-
cinating ward, and that would never
do, for if he were to marry that would
dash Mrs. Deimaynes hopes to the
ground. Size had determined that her
son Dick, his uncle's e-sake, should
be his heir. Beside, her brother.in-
laws elegant residence made q very
comfortable home for herself and faith.
erless boy, and madame had no inten-
ton of losing it, hence she made the
most OF Dots mischievous escapades,
Just as madame's silken skirts rus.led
up stairs, the hall door few open and
hight footsteps danced along the pas.
sage.
Dot !! Dot !" called Mr.. Delmayne.
The appellation exactly suited the
young girl who entered. A dainty
form, dark, piquant face: lighted M
~ith pair Of black eyes, which spanked
with mischief.
Well, Mr.. Delmayne she said.
with a saucy speile, which revealed q
dimple in each soft pink cheek. " what
is it. lecture ?"
Yes. Dot, I really must lecture you.