Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1885-04-09
Sylvia's Guardian;
Or
A YOUNG GIRLS LOVE.
by RETr WILDWOOD.

Sylvia rose from her seat at the open
window, through which the soft Nav
air drifted spicily. At least score Of
girls were variously grouped in the
school-room, but she had stolen apart
from all. At the moment of the inter-
ruption she had just erected n charming
air-castle, and was peopling it accord
ing to her poetic fancy.
Who is it, Miss Briggs?" she eager
ly inquired. "My guardian?"
Miss Briggs could not say. She had
simply been sent with the message, and
had delivered it.
The girls heart was beating rapidly
as she stole down the stairs and along
unknown guardian be like? A thou
sand times had she pictured him in her
dreams. She imagined him tall and
straight, with strong, earnest face,
dark hair, and eyes full of tenderness
and truth-a kind, manly man, one up
on whom it would be a pleasure to lean.
Would he equal her expectations? a
mist rose before Sylvia's eyes as she
stood at the door of the reception-room,
afraid to advance. Her life had been
so lonely and sorrowful, poor child, and
she had such need of friends! 1t was
easy to fancy the happiness of her flu
ture was at stake.
Come in, Miss Dreeme," said the
authoritative voice of Madam Pinkney,
the lady principal. Il wish to present
you to Mrs. Dalton"
Sylvia drew deep breath, and the
mist was gone in moment. Sitting
bolt upright, just across the apartment,
she beheld thin, angular figure, prim-
ly dressed in drab-colored silk. For an
incfarnf N YNair Of an11 iorl,%
seemed to transfix her with their search
ing gaze.
Il fancied my guardian, Mr.. Castle
ton, had come for me-" she faltered,
feelinga vague sense of disappointment.
The lady frowned.
II am here in my nephew's stead.
We decided between us that was the
proper person to act as chaperon."
Sylvia had never heard of Mrs. Dal-
ton before. But she had called Mr..
Castleton nephew" so she made an
effort to overcome her instructive dis
like of the woman.
do you live at Ingleside? And are
you come to take me home with you?n
Yes" Mrs. Dalton replied to both
questions. II reside with my nephew,
and you are to 60 back with me.
Though why Mark should consent to
burden himself with hoydenish school
girl is more than can understand. 1t
was very selfish and inconsiderate of
your father to leave you to his care. He
was no relation, and had not the shadow
of claim upon him."
The girls eyes filled with sudden
tears.
u loved my father very dearly" she
said, a tremor in her voice. AT the last
he was greatly concerned about my fu-
ture, and fancied this was the best
thing he could do for me-"
mo doubt" sarcastically. "He knew
all about my nephew's long purse and
kind heart. OF course he was very for
tunate in being able to fasten you up
on person of Marks wealth and gen.
enrosity."
a deep flush rose to Sylvia's beauti-
full face. Was her hunger for sympathy
and love to be answered in this wayp
She felt momentary temptation to
turn her back upon the hard, cold wO-
man, and go out into the world to strug-
gle by herself.
Papa left some money!" she said. II
am sure he never intended / should be
burden upon any body"
"Humphi doubt if there is enough
to keep you out of the poorhouse week,
no affair of mine. How soon can you
have your boxes readyp do not pro-
pose Visiting an unnecessary moment
here
Il will send one Of my servants to
Miss Dreeme's assistance" interposed
Madam Pinkney. "IIalf an hour will
suffice in which TO complete her prepara-
tons and say her adieux." In the next
breath she added, conciliatingly: 'sMiss
Dreeme was considered one of my most
promising pupils. She has real talents
and ability. You viii End her pleas
ant addition to your home circle, Mrs.
~Allow me TO say that am the best
tldge OF what is agreeable or otherwise.
The girl looks to me like young saw
age. Her presence is one of the evils
my nephew's soft-heartedness has rem
dered necessary, and must be endured
for the present."
ashamed to weep, but all the beautiful
castles she had built in air had tumbled
about her head since entering the re-
ception-Toom, and she felt like one gaz-
ing across q pile of gloomy ruins.
Mrs. Dalton scarcely spoke to her
during the brief, lonesome journey, but
sat prlmly-erect, pretending to be alb
sorbed in the scenery. The few glances
with which she favored her were any
thing but friendly ones.
Is Was early evening when they rea0lh-
ed Ingleside, a handsome old-fashiOned
house toward which the city had crept
with giant strides, and now completely
encircled. Mrs. Dalton led the way to
q large, pleasant chamber on the second
floor.
II shall come for you in ten min
utes," she said, ere departing. "Mr.
Castleton Is at home, and will expect to
see you this evening"
Sylvia YEARLY bathed her face, and
brushed out the clinging curls of nut
brown hair. She could not help think
ing how wan and hopeless was the face
that looked back at her from the depths
of the mirror. No trace of the morn
ing's dreamy brightness was left.
When Mrs. Dalton came for her she
followed the woman listlessly. All the
interest she had felt in her unknown
guardian was gone. For moment af-
ter being ushered into the spacious
library where he sat she did not even
look up.
And this is my ward, Sylvia Dreemes
Welcome to Ingleside."
The voice was winning, musical and
kind. For her life Sylvia could not have
resisted the impulse to drop her fiutter-
ing white hand into that so cordially
extended.
Then sho raised her eyes. An invol-
untary cry broke from her. Tall and
straight, with astrong, earnest face and