Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1883-04-24
TWO WISE GUARDIANS.

Fred Dayton had flung himself at full
length on the grass, leaning his head on
one hand, while he held an open letter
in the other. He had arrived from Eu-
rope only the day before, snd had hur-
ried to his country seat, near Bryn
Mawr, ip the environs of Philadelphia,
to escape the heat of the August wealth
er.
"From the dear old guardian" be
said. II wonder if he has changed? Or
If the Catskill Mountains, above Blue
Mere, are as lovely as ever? Or the
Hudson as beautiful, by moonlight, as I
thought it when boy? By Jove,n as
he read, "this IS rather cool !"
The letter ran as follows:
my DEAR Boy
"Welcome back! I thought you
wonld never weary of wandering. Pray,
take the earliest train to Blue Mere,
where, as usual, I am spending the
summer. My sister, Mrs. Oliphant, and
her daughter, are with me. Just here,
Fred, wish to say private and person
al word to you. My niece is q charm
ing young lady, and remembering your
old pe7achant for filtration with every
pretty girl you see. state frankly that
J will have nothing of the kind in this
case. My sister has already settled
views regarding her child's future, and
I do not wish them interfered with. You
will incur my strongest displeasure by
disobeying my command in this partic
ular.
APART from this, I hope you will en-
joy each others society, and have a
pleasant summer. We shall have con-
siderable company, through the season
the Davenants, the Wiltons. the
Lemperts, all of whom you remember !;
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.
"Affectionately,
"HAROLD DAYTON"
Fred read the letter through, atten-
lively, twice.
Evidently, the guardians brain has
strain of fifteen years martyrdOm to q
graceless ward. Does he think flirta.
ton my whole aim in life ?'
In moment be began again:
His niece. indeed! Some breadand
butter-school-girl. no doubt. Oliphant
Of course. The little girl, 1 remember,
that 1 tormented SO when she came
down TO the Mere the summer before
went to college-seven years age. A
little milk and water creature, afraid of
snake. But, for that matter, / never
saw u woman that wasn't | will go
down to the Mere to lnorrow, if for no
other reason than to show my worthy
protector what sublime Indifference his
niece can be accorded"
That very day, at Blue Mere, Mrs.
Oliphant was heard calling to her
daughter.
Daphne! Daphne! my love-" she
said. "where are you?"
"Here, mamma" answered a sweet
voice from the rose garden. And a
graceful girl comes running in girl as
beautiful as the Daphne that Apollo
pursued of old, with glory of gold hair,
a rose leaf skin, and violet eyes.
my darling. l have word to say to
you this morning." began Mrs. Oil
phant. 'But don't look frightened,
dear. It is nothing very serious; only
little duty that l owe to your uncle
Harold. But read this telegram. 1t
will explain matters"
Daphne took the slip of paper, obe-
diently, and read telegram which
Fred Dayton had sent to his uncle that
morning:
81 shall be at Blue Mere tomorrow
afternoon. You can count on me for
the summer. Any wish of yours is 8
law of mine.
FRED DAYTON"
Daphne lifted her eyes to her mothers
face. 'Rut how does this affect me ?n
she asked.
"Only this, my love: Fred Dayton is
very handsome and fascinating gen.
tleman. Your uncle is very desirous
that he should marry certain young
lady of--our acquaintance; but we