The Wilmingtonian., 1886-09-18
Her First Ward.

lies in folds.
swell, then," said Kate jennings "you
have no business to be left an heiress, with
no one to look after your rights and privile-
ges. 1t is natural enough that you should
become the prey of your needy relatives"
"But this Mrs. Whyte Wayte was the
most disagreeable of them all - cried Alice.
"Then let us be thankful that she has de-
parted to better world" observed Kate.
"Yes, but to leave her great clumsy boy
to my guardianship that always detested
boys. Kate its actually fiendish ~
"Oh, well, Alice, wouldn't take such
gloomy view of it is as all that" suggested
Kate. "He may be an infant cherub for all
you know. You can send him to boarding
school.
"He is not old enough for that"
How do you know ?" queried Kate.
81 don't know ; | have only dark presen-
timent. Oh, dear, what do people want to
die forP Or, if they must die, why couldn't
it have been Alexander Adolphus instead OF
his mother ?"
'When does he arriveP" asked Kate.
Tomorrow was the mournful re-
joinder.
'And what are you going to do with him?'
'I've fitted up the north room as a nur-
sery, with tops and balls and all that sort of
thing, and old Hannah has promised to have
an eye to him at night, in case OF Group or
diptheria, or any other of those mercifnl dis
pensations. And I've bought sled
and pair of skates for him, and perhaps he
may break his neck without much trouble ON
my part"
Alice Hawkes. laughed as she spoke; but
there was a sigh mingled with the mellow
ring of her mirth, and thereby Katharine
Jennings knew that her fair friends soul
was inwardly troubled at the unwelcome be-
quest
poor, dear, Alice !" thought Kate. ''But
she'll make the best of things-she always
does And perhaps it won't be so bad after
ALL"
Miss Hawkes. countenance was very de-
.iected, however, the next day, when, wrap
ped in sables and velvet, she drove to the
depot, about mile and half distant from
Hawkes. Hall, to take possession of her new
treasure.
But the horses we're fat and the roads were
heavy vi ith the mud following ON January
thaw, and the noise of the retreating train
had long since ceased to echo among the hills
when the carriage drew up in front of the
station.
81 knew we should be too late, Ralph"
said Miss Hawkes., signing, as she descended
from the carriage, with little sugar dog
the result of a last sudden uncertainty
whether her future charge were three or
thirteen years of age-in her gloved hand.
There was but one nhabitant of the wait
ing-room as Alice Hawkes. swept ina tall,
fine-looking man, somewhere in the tweuties
with hazel eyes, nut-brown mustache and
valise Alice looked obviously at him.
He looked with puzzled air at the fair ap-
partition in blue velvet and ermine.
For one minute--and then the whole situ-
alton seemed to flash, as it were, upon Alice
Hawkes. mind. Mrs. Whyte Wayte had
never mentioned the age of her son. Could
it be possible that this young man was the
the charge? She felt her cheeks grow scar
let as she dropped the sugar dog into the
depths of her pocket
"I-I beg your pardon" said Miss
Hawkes., laughing and coloring, 81 expected
TO see much younger person."
The stranger rose and bowed. Alice
Hawkes. was wel-proportioned girl, but
the gentleman lowered head and shoulders
above hers.
''And beg yours, ma'am," he said, 81
was prepared to see quite an old lady"
at is Mr.. Wayte, isn't is?" hesitatet
Alice.
"That is my name ~
81 am sorry we are so late-it is all my
coachman's fault. The carriage is waiting
Will you allow Ralph to take your checks p
He smiled as he touched the valise and col
or-box that lay on the floor at his side.
~ have no other luggage than this ~
Old Ralph, with eyes like full moons, be
slowed the two boxes on the seat besid
him, and held open the carriage door for hi
mistress and her guest to enter.
''Ma'am," he could not forbear whispering
with a slight giggle, 'there won't be no cal
for them there sleds and marbles and tn
kite shaped like a man."
Alice pretended not to hear, but she knel
that her cheeks were as red as the searle
feather in her hat.
SIS this the old place ?" he asked leanin
out Of the window, as they neared the grey
stone portico in front, every column drape
in'glossy green ivy SIT will make beaut
full picture"
"Do you think SO? ?'' said Miss Hawke
smiling. "Wait until you see the souther
elevation it is still prettier and more pic
ursque."
The housekeeper, old Hannah, came smi
ing and courtesying to the door; but 81
stared a little as Mr. Wayte, springing fir
from the carriage, assisted her young mi
tress to descend.
''If you please, men," quoth she, "whe
is the young gentleman"
'This ere's the young gentleman, Ha
nah ~ cried Ralph from his box, converting
laugh into very explosive species Of coug
And Hannah remembered the little era
berry tart she had just baked on "a. B. q
tin platter ''for the dear little orphan boy
''The blue room, Hannah" said Mi
Hawkes., biting her lip, to repress her anus
ment at the old wonan's face Of astonis
mpnt