Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1886-08-05
HER FIRST WARD.

| 'Chere oupnl tO Oe IL law "sai'lSt IL
said Alice Hawkes.. Yes, there
ought
She was o tall, handsome giIl, with
great dark eyes hair of lustrous brown,
all lighted with changing CLEANS, like
satin when it lies In folds.
well, then,' said Kate Jennings,
you Lave no business 10 be left an
heiress, with no one to look after your
rights and privileges. 1t is natural e.
nough that you should become the
prey of your needy relatives
But this Mrs. Whyte Wayte was
the most disagreeable of them all y
cried Alice.
Then let us be thankful that she has
departed to better world observed
Kate.
Yes, but to leave her great clumsy
boy to my guardianship-I that always
detested boys. Kate,i it's actually fiend.
ish p
'Oh, we'll, Alice, l wouldn't take
such gloomy view of it rs all that,
suggested Kate. lie 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.
Il don't know 1 have OILY dark
presentiment. Oh, dear, what do peo-
pie want TO die for ? Or, If they must
die, why couldn't it have been Alexan-
der Adolphus instead Of his mother p
'When does he arrive p asked Kate.
Tomorrow, was the mournful re-
| joinder.
And what are you going to do with
him p
I've fitted up the north room as a
nursery, with tops and balls and all
thas sort of thing. and old Hannah has
promised to have an eye on him at
night, in case of Group Oh diphtheria,
or any other of those merciful dispen-
sations. And l'ye bought sled and a
pair of skates for him, and perhaps he
may break his neck without much fur
ther trouble on my part
Alice Hawkes. laughed as she spoke
but there was sigh mingled with the
| mellow ringing of her mir:h and there
by Katharine Jennings knew that her
fair friends soul was inwaIdly trou-
bled at the unwelcome bequest.
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. counIenance was very
detected, however, the next day, when,
wrapped in sables and velvet, she drove
to the depot, about mile and a half
distant from Hawkes. Hall, to take
possession of her new treasure.
But the horses were fat and the
roads were heavy with the mud follow
ing 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.
Il knew we should be too late, Ralph,
said Miss Hawkes., signing, as she de-
scended from the carriage, with little
sugar dog-the result of last sudden
uncertainty whether her future charge
were three or thirteen years of age-in
her gloved hand.
There was but one inhabitant Of the
waiting room as Alice Hawkes. swept
ina tall, fine. looking man, somewhere
i'm the twenties, with hazel eyes, nut
| brown mustache and valiSe. He
looked with puzzled air dt the fair ap.
partition in blue velvet and ermine.
For one minute-and then the whole
situation seemed to fash, as it were,
upon Alice Hawkes. mind. Mrs
Whyte Wayte had meyer mentioned the
age of her son. Could it be possible
that this young man was the charge :?
She felt her cheeks grow scarlet as she
dropped The sugar dog into the depths
of her pocket.
IL beg your pardon said Miss
Hawkes., laughing and coloring, Il ex-
pected to see much younger person.
The stranger rose and bowed. Alice
Hawkes., was well-proportioned girl,
but the gentleman lowered head and
shoulders above her.
And beg yours, ma'am,' he said,
Il was prepared to see quite an old
lady y
1T is Mr.. Wayte, isn't it p hesitated
Alice.
That is my name y
Il am sorry we are so late it is ali
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 color-box that lay on the floor al
his side.
Il haye no other luggage than this ~
Old Ralph, with eyes like full moons
bestowed the two boxes on the seat be-
side him, and held open the carriage