The Penn's Grove record., 1888-08-11
MRS. MORTON'S WARD.

SWelcOme home, R0dneyl'
''Thanks, dear mother! 1t seems
very pleasant to be under ones own
roOf.tree again." replied the young
man addressed, glancing appreciatively
around the beautiful and home-like
rooms, while a look of satisfaction stole
over his bronzed face. Then he turned
to the lady again. "And 1t seems to
me you grow younger every year,
mother" he said.
''The time has slipped away very
quickly. You remember | wrote you
two years ago, shortly after your de-
parture for Europe, that my old friend,
Mrs. Fletcher. died, leaving as my
ward her daughter, then a girl of fit.
said Mrs Morton.
"You placed her at school, l sup
poser" remarked Rodney.
"No, l engaged a governess. and
masters instruct her In music anu the
languages"
''NIy dear motherI What a world of
care you have taken upon yourself!
Now l propose that you place the
young lady at a tirst-rate boarding
school. The plan has proved a deci-
ded success, with Aunt Edith's daugh-
ters."
81 could not send her away from
me-" returned the lady, with gentle
decision. ~ love her altogether too
WE'LL"
'My dear motherI" exclaimed the
young mar again, impetuonsly- You
we're always ready to sacrifice yourself.
but this is nonsense. l insist that the
a should be removed from your
shoulders for at least a year or two.
Pray send her to a good school,"
The lady smiled.
"She would die Of home sickness,
Rodney"
"She would meet with girls of her
own age, and would enjoy their com
partnership" asserted Morton. emplat-
ically. "These schools bring together
q number of bright, intelligent girls.
I believe she would be very happy and
contented there; my cousins WERE"
"Well, we will talk of it again."
said the lady.
A knock was heard at the door, and
n servant entered.
1.-THE singing teacher for Miss Elsie,
ma'am."
Very well; she is in the sitting,
room, reading" replied Mrs. Morton.
~ could not find her, ma'am."
"Tllat is singular; she knows this Is
the hour for the singing lesson; | will
look for her myself" said tine lady.
starting III.
This is too much!" thought Rod.
ney. "NIy mother at the beck and call
of IA careless school grill" He frowned,
and his cheek flushed with annoyance;
he was very proud and fond of his
mother. II am convinced that a
strict school would do Miss Wilfulness
all the good in the world. She would
meet young ladies there whose ac-
quaintance 1t would be pleasant for her
to retain. If she Is bright and attract.
i've, she will doubtless some day meet a
sensible and perhaps wealthy fellow.
and mother can congratulate herself
that she has fulfilled her trust nobly
and satisfactorily"
lie sauntered out of the room. along
the hall, passing the MUSHROOM, where
an impatient Italian professor stood
%nervously pulling his long mustache.
The reception room looked inviting.
Rodney went to the fire, and suddenly
became aware that the apartment was
not u~ninhabited. The huge chair-back
had concealed It's little occupant from
view. She was sound asleep. Rodney
gazed at the young girl in surprise.
"Whom have we herep" murmuIed
he. surveying her with a look of pro-
found admiration. "a little prln-
cessl"
She was certainly worthy of the
remark; her dress of dark velvet was
quaint in its design, setting off per-
fectly her fair, rather childish face,
with its ripping brown hair; the eye
lashes that rested against her round
cheek were dark and very long. She
had curled herself ny in the great chair
like a tired child. Mrs. Morton en-
tered the room; Rodney turned to her
with a new expression of tenderness i'll
his fine eyes.
"WhO IS she, mother" he said,
'Step softly-she is asleep"
Elsie. child, wake up, dear. Your
singing master is here" said the lady,
giving the girl IA gentle touch on the
arm.
Mother, IS this young lady your
ward?"
Certainly, Whom did you suppose
she was, Rodneyp"
Rodney bluShed deeply; he thought
of all he had said, and bit his lip; with
out a word he turned and made his
escape from the room, not, however,
before he caught a glimpse of a pair
of wide brown eyes liked wonderingly
upon him, sleepy eyes, not half awake
very charming eyes.
lie reached his W room, and sat
down TO mediate.
"What have l been saying to
mother?" exclaimed he. "Send that
child to boarding-school. among 4 LOT
of pert, saucy girlsl"
Then a very troublesome idea occur
red to him; what if his mother had
been Influenced by his forcible remarksr
What if she decided, after all, TO con-
sign the little princess to a 'frst-rste
boarding-school?'
Rodney sprang up and walked rest
lessly to the window, from whence lie
heard the sound of a fresh young voice
practicing scales and exercises over
and YER again.
"Poor little girl! What tedious