The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1891-11-20
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man met Howard Baker. They were
classmates, and soon became close friends
A long time mad elapsed since the day
they graduated, when Earle received
letter from Howard, written on his dy-
ing bol. In it he implored Earle to be-
come guardian to his motherless ten
year-olI girl, SHE is rich in worldly
goods, he wrote, but without home"
Earle accepted the charge, and placed
Dorothy Baker under his mothers loving
care. This was eight years ago.
Dorothy, or little Miss Dot, us she was
generally called, owing to her petite
form and childish ways at ten, willful,
yet loving, sparkling bit Of fun and
cheer, was changed but little at the
age of eighteen; while Earle Welman,
still handsome at thirty-nine, had lost
the frank, merry hearted way that had
once characterized him, and had grown
coldly stern and repelling to all, except
. ing the irresistible Dot.
1t was true, us the servants said, that
Dot could win Il smile, even snatch of
true, ringing laughter from Earle Well
man while others failed. Her childish
winSomeness unconsciously compelled
all to love her. Her irrepreSsible impul-
siveness was forever causing her trouble.
yet she was always ready to soothe and
cheer others with her soft, caressing
ways. Willfully defiant one moment,
strangely quiet and lovingly docile the
next, she had woven herself around Mrs.
Wellman's heart until she seemed like
an own daughter.
1t had been 4 happy household Of four
until the discovery that Lucie Wellmau
had eloped with struggling artist, rob-
bed it of all its sunshine, crushing out
the life Of the gentle mother, for the
sudden blow was too heavy. Then it
was that Earle Wcllman changed "a
change so quick and complete that it WAS
difficult to realize and believe. He open
ed one letter from the erring girl, plead
ing for forgiveness, thus obtaining her
address, so that he could forward one
half the fortune bequeathed him at his
mothers death, and forbade her ever to
let him see her face again. Then he
asked Dot to refrain from utterins her
name in his presence, laying his mothers
sudden death at her door.
True, Lucie had pleaded with her
| brother to allow her to marry the artist,
whom she declared she loved. All to
no avail. Had appealed to the mother,
but the son ruled, and the young girl
left them. Since then Earle had not
seen her, and her numerous letters We're
thrown on the burning Goals unopened.
Dot still remained, and the active
housekeeper and servants were all the
companions she had in the large, roomy
mansion. Earle spent most of his time
in the city, and Dot was left to amuse
| herself the best she could. She missed
Lucie sorel,T, and had attempted to
broach the subject many times, but
Earle's chilling hauteur had silenced her
She found no chance now to be lone
some. Baby, as she continued to call
her. claimed all her time and the child
chung to her with passionate fondness.
Leading the child, Dot went into
Earles study one day. He 1Sas, as on
the day the little stranger had fallen into
his hands so mysteriously, just one year
ago, lazily reclining in the same chair.
"Ah, Miss Dot, you have Baby, as
usual"
why, of course! We are insepara-
BILE, and love her So"
He saw the wistful, yealning look that
she cast on the child, so full Of anxiety,
too, that he felt something was amiss
"What is the trouble, Miss Dot? Isn't
Baby well?" and he took the curly
headed fairy up in his arms. He, too,
had learned to care for the blue eyed
stranger.
Eyes, hesitatingly, Baby is we'll; bat,
oh, Guardy! | want to talk to you. May
f." and she looked at him anxiously, en-
treatingly.
why, child! What do you mean?
Why ask if you may? Am not always
willing?"
Eyes, Guardy, yes! But it is about
Lucie. Oh, don't!" and she grasped his
arm with both hands as she saw the
look of mingled rage and CONSERVATION
that had swept over his face.
Dorothy"
''Oh, Guardy, don't look sol Be pitt
full" and the tears welled up into her
brown eyes, while his face softened
slightly
Think of all these years, and not a
word from Lucie. Don't you want to
see her?'
"Nor' Distinctly and harshly the
word fell, and he threw off her hands
and walked to the window.
One moment the girl looked after him,
irresolute and doubtful, then she fol-
lowed. This time she did not touch
him, but laid one hand on the head of
the child clinging to her dress.
"Guardy, | do not believe you. know
you do want to see her"
Miss Dorothy" and Earle looked at
her in amazement.
II mean it. Since Baby came you
have relented toward your sister. Oh,
Guardy, forgive her fully"
dot, | cannot. Think of mother
You know and know that it was Lucie's
disgraceful conduct that killed her. For
give her? Never!''
Think of your mother in heaven
pleading for her homeless child. She
loved and would have forgiven her, in
spite of all. Guardy, for her sake, call
her back"