The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1882-08-01
srlert stoyv,
THE WISE GUARDIAN.

FREQ Dayton nau hung nlmSelt at full
length on the grass, leaning his head on
one hand while be held gu open letter in
the other. He had arrived from Europe
only the day before and had hurried to
bis coun'ry-seat, near Bryn Mawr, in the
envilons OF Pbiladelphia, to escape the
heat of the August weather.
Prom the dear old GUARDIAN" be
said. II wonder ii he has changed ?
Or if the Cstskiil Mountains, above Blue
Mere, are as lovely as ever2 Or the
Hudson as beautiful, by moonlight, as
thought 1t when boy2 BY Jove," as
he read, t.lhis is rather cool Ill,
The letter ran as follows
"MY DEAR Boy: Welcome back!
yon would never weary of wan
dering Pray, take the earliest train to
Blue Mere, where, as usual, am spend.
ing the summer. My sister, Mrs. Uli-
phant. and her daughter are with me
just here, Fred, wish to say q piivste
and personal word to you. My niece is
a very charming young lady; and re-
membering your old penchans for ar;s-
tion with every pretty girl you see, l
e,ate frankly that l will have nothing Of
that kind in this case. Ny sister has
already settled views regarding her
child's future, and ] do not wish them
with You will incur my
strongest displeasure by disobey ing my
in this particular.
"Apart from this. hope you will en-.
joy each others society, and have a
pleasant summer. We shall have con-
siderable company through the sea-
son-the Davenan's, the Wiltons, the
Lemperts, all of whom you remember !;
and number OF my sisters friends, who
will probably be new to you. Of course,
you know, you can ask any one down
you like; and it is my earnest wish. dear
boy, that, whatever your plans may be
for the future, you will spend the next
three months here. Affeciionately,
HAROLD DAYTON.
Fred read the letter through attentive.
ly twice.
Evidently the gusrdian's brain has
began to soften" he aid, "under the
strain OF fifteen years martyrdom to q
grsceless ward. Does he think Irritation
my whole aim of life ?"
In moment he began again:
"His niece, indeed! S,rne bread and.
hutter school. girl, no doubt. Oliphant ?
OF course. The little girl, remember.
that tormented so when she came down
to the Mere the summer before went
to college-seven years ago. A little
milk-and- water creature afraid Of 9
snake. But for that matter / never saw
q womsn that wasn't. will 90 down
TO the Mere to morrow, If for no other
reason than to show nv worthy protec.
tor what sublime indifference his niece
can be accorded"
That very day, a: Blue Mere, Mrs. o.
iphant was heard calling to her daugh-
ter
"Dsphne! Daphnel my love-" she
said "wherc are you?"
Here, mamms," answered a sweet
voice from the rose-garden. And q
graceful girl came running in; girl as
bes utliul as the Daphne that Apollo pur-
sued Of old. with glory of gold hair.
rose-leaf skin and violet eyes.
"My darling, I have word to say to
you this morning. began Mrs Oliphant
"But don't look frightened, dear. 1t is
nothing very serious; only little duty
that owe to your Uncle Harold. But
read this telegram. 1t will'explain mat
iers."
Daphne took the slip OF paper ODE.
diently, and read telegram which. Fred
Dayton bad sent to his uncle that morn.
ming:
81 shall he at Blue Mersztc.morrow
afternoon You can coupeznH me for
the summer. Any wish OF yours is 9
law of mine. FRED DAfroN
Daphne lifted her eyes to her mothers
face. "But how does this affect me ~
sue sske1,
only this. my love. Fred Dayton is
very handsome and fascinating gentle.
man. Your uncle is very deslroas thai
be should marry certain young lady O.
-our acquaintance; and we thought
would simplify matters to have you un.
derstand these Wishes before he came
Mrs. oliphant Concluded this speech 8
little nervously.
81 do not see" began Daphne with
a slight hautedr that made her look like