Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-03-17

ego rested upon boarding at the first
| idly. then with purpose, finally with q
timid sidelong glance. The advertise
ment which had caught his attention was
q coarse engraving OF half dozen heads,
arranged in circle with one in the CEN
tire. Under this last, which was larger
and more staring and less 10 be evaded
than the Others appeared the words
"Miss Kittie Latonche." He went on
with a SILVER, crossing here and there TO
avoid the hoardings, but only to fall in
with string OF sandwich-men bearing
the same device, and TO plunge into the
| haven OF Soho as il he were a political
conspirstor.
The portrait and the name of his
ward In few days he would be left
in charge Of an actress whose name was
known to all London-guardian an loco
PARENTS, what you will, OF the closest
and most responsible, TO giddy girl OF
unknown antecedents and too we'll
known by name He wondered whether
an archdeacon had ever been in such a
position before-a position which 1T
would be hard 10 acknowledge and i'm
possible to explain. He could talk OF his
old friendship for her mother. the &C.
tress, and his duty to adying woman. But
would the world believe bin Would
even bis wife believe him +? Would
not she read much between the lines,
though the space might be as white as
snow He, a man of over fifty. grew
red and white by turns as he thought OF
this. 81 will tell it all to Jack was
his first resolve. 81 will tell it him at
dinner tonight" be grosned. But
would he have the courage? He had a
secret respect for his sons practical ma
ture. lie had heard him called Gas
hard as nails" And when he found
himself opposite TO him and eyed the
cool, close-shaven young lawyer, who
looked decade older than his years, he
resorted to subterfuge.
"Jack, " he said &" want your opin-
ion for friend of NINE"
"It is at your service, SIR" said his
son, his hand upon the apricots. "What
is the subject ? Law 2"
"Not precisely" replied the Arch
deacon, clearing his throat. at is
rather question of knowledge of the
world. 'You know, my boy" he went
on, THAT 1 have very high opinion of
your discretion.
"You are very good" said Jack. And
he did that which was unusual with
him. He blushed, but the other did not
observe it,
"My friend, who, / may say, is q
clergyman in my archdeaconry, re-
sumed the elder gentleman, "bas been
appointed gusrdian-it is a ridiculous
thing for a man in his poStion-to "a
Young actress. She is quite girl, |
understand, but OF some notoriety
already"
"Indeed," said Jack, dryly. "May l
ask how that came about ? Wards Of
that kind do not fall from Heaven-as
rule"
The Archdeacon WINGED. "He tells
me-" he explained, THAT her mother
was an old friend OF his, and when she
died, some time back. she left the girl as
kind OF legacy, you see"
GA legacy to him. sir ?"
"To him, certainly. You follow me ?"
said the elder man III some distress
"Quite so" said Jack. "Oh, quite
80 A common thing, no doubt. Did
you say that your friend was a married
man, sir
"Yes. replied the Archdeacon family.
"Just 80 ! just so " his son said, in
the same tone, a tone that was so dread:
full to the Archdeacon that it needed
Jacks question, "And what is the point
upon which he wants advice " to induce
him to go on.
"What he had better do, being a
clergyman"
"lie should have thought Of that
earlier-ahem Il mean it depends a
good deal on the young lady. There are
actresses and actresses, you know"
al suppose So" the Archdeacon ad-
mitted grudgingly. He was in a mood
to see the darkest side of his difficulty.
"Of course there are " said Jack, for
him quite warmly. And, indeed, that Is
the worst OF barristers. They will argue
in season and out of season if you do not |
agree with them quickly. "Some are as
good-as good girls as my mother when
you married her, sir.
"Well, well, she may be good girl
l do not know" the elder man allowed.
"You always had rather a prejudice
against the stage, sir"
The Archdeacon looked up sharply,
thinking this uncalled for unless, hor-
rible thought his son knew something
of the matter and was chatting him. He
made an effort to get on frmer ground.
"Grauted she is n good girl" he
said, "there are still two difficulties.
Her father is q rascal, and there is q man,
probably a rascal too, hanging about
her and likely to give trouble in another
way"
Jack nodded and sagely pondered
over the position. GO think l should
advise your friend to get some respecta-
bic woman to live with the girl, " he sug-
gested, "and play the duenna, first get
ting rid of your second rascal "
"But how will you do that And
what would you do about the father ?"
buy him off said Jack CURLY.
Gas to the lover, have an interview with
him. Say to him, DO you wish to
marry my ward ? If you do, who arc
you? If you do not, 60 about your
business.
but if he will not 60" said the
Archdeacon, "what can my friend dO?"
"Well, indeed. replied Jack, looking
rather nonplussed, 81 hardly know, I'M
less You make her ward of court. You
see," he added apologetically, "yOur
friend position is httle-shau 1 say
little anomalous ?"
The Archdeacon shuddered. He !
dropped his napkin and picked it up
again, to hide his dismay, and plunged
into a fresh subject. When his son
upon some excuse left him early he was
glad to be alone. He had now, how
ever course laid down for him, and
acting upon it, he next day saw the land
lady in Sidmouth-street and requested |
her to take charge of the young lady in
the event Of the mothers death and 10
guard her from intrusion until other ar
engagements could be made "You will
look to me for all expenses, added the
Archdeacon, Selling with eagerness upon |
the only ground on which he felt him
self at home. To which the lsndlady |
GLADLY said she would, and accepted Mr.. |