Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1885-01-22
A Wayward Ward.

IL Is the business of the philosopher,
as the world knows, to find law and or
der in even the most abnormal pheno-
mena, to suggest at least, and adequate
explanation of every enigma. For
what other purpose does he exist than
20 throw light on the surrounding
darkness ? He is a Iorch-bearer to hu-
manity's ignorance. III now and again
by reason of a pessimist temperament or
defect Of training, the rays he sheds a.
round intensity rather than dispel the
gloom, and cast shadows as of Egyp-
tian night across mans forward path,
surely he misconstrues his mission.
But the wisest head is sometimes
puzzled, and the shrewdest explorer of
the all-environing mystery is some
times confounded, a problem presents
itself which cannot be solved by any
of the familiar processes. The why Of
some suddenly disclosed fact is as in
scrutable as the Sphinx of the Eastern
desert. 1t was thus with Bernard Raj
ston.
Those who thirst for fame, as misers
thirst for gold, or coquettes for admir-
alton, would have found much to envy
in this young mans position. At an
age when a statesman Is currently sup.
posed to be studying his parliamentary
primer, and when future general may
still be writhing under the sarcasms of
a barrack-room instructor, Bernard
kalston had been welcomed into the
front rank of philosophical thinkers.
His book on "Instinct Conscience and
Reason" was read and criticised by the
few, praised and avoided by the many.
The noisy heterdox claimed him as a
new and promising recruit and so al
so, to the amusement Of the onlooker,
did the staunchest maintainers Of old
landmarks. He was fiattered, feted,
and the lion of his season.
1t was from this suddenly acquired
distinction that his embarrassment had
approached. The solicitors letter that
was the beginning of sorrows made
this clear. 1t ran thus
DEAR SIR: We have TO inform
you that by the will of our late client,
Mr.. Humphrey Power, you are appoint.
ed sole guardian of his only surviving
daughter, Olive. AS this may be in
the nature of surprise, we beg leave
to quote the precise paragraph of the
will And I hereby empower Mr..
BERNARD Ralston to act in every respect
as the guardian of my child. I am
sure that Olive can have no filter or
wiser protector, none better qualified
to advise and to regulate her life and
should he-as 1 earnestly beg-accept
and fulfill this charge, give and be-
queath to the said Bernard Ralston, O.
yer and aboye such reasonable expenses
as he may have incurred on my daugh-
ter's behalf, the sum of $4,000, to be
paid by my executors on my daugh-
ter's twenty-first birthday, as small
tribute of my gratitude
The young lady is very considera-
BILE heiress, in her eighteenth year, and
at present at private pension in
France. Further particulars will fol-
low on your reply. We are, dear sir,
yours obediently,
FANsHAwE & FITCH"
The gift of the proverbial white ele-
phant could have produced in no hear t
a greater CONSERVATION. What should
retired and solitary student, of SER
ious pursuits and courtly manners, an
swer to such a challenge I If Clee-
thorpe Hall were large, 1t by no meaus
followed that he want more life within
it's bounds; and girl in her teens, q
mere child, as with the sage wisdom of
five-and.thirty years he considered her
How could her presence by his freside
be barmonized with the quiet current
of the life he elected to live 2
Yet the bait of five thousand pounds
was a temptation. The glories of Clee-
thorpe Hall had been sadly tarnished
through the improvidence of Bernard's
father, and philosophy is not particu.
larly remunerative hobby to ride. Mr..
Humphrey Powers legacy, if not pre-
cisely fortune, would be an assistance
in the keeping up of the restrilted Clee
thorpe establishment.
The matter was debated long ald
anxiously, and as the result Miss Olive
Power arrived at the Hall one snowy
February morning. Slight of figure,
winsome of feature, with merry, violet-
tinted brown eyes, and lips continually
parting in piquant smile over teeth of
whitest pearl,i if he was properly to pro-
tect his ward, his position might not
plo owe sinecure. Neither did it.
The girls beauty attracted suitors
as clover blossom allure bees and it
was soon an open secret in the country
side that Miss Power, as we'll as being
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