The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1891-07-05

mo, know you 90 not, out OO
"Then know what we can do, Guardy.
You can tell Mrs. Grundy that Mrs. Grey,
your housekeeper, has adopted child. She
will consent if ask her. May l!'
Earle Wellman tugged viciously at his
dark mustache, looking thoughtfully at
the uplifted face.
"You know, Guardy, that 1 am so lone
some sometimes. Just think how this
little one would amuse me. Do not re-
fuse me, Guardy."
..No, / will not. Have your own way,
little Miss Dot That is, if Mrs. Grey will
consent
"Oh. she will. Snow kiss your little
protege," and Dot laughingiy held up the
cooling baby. With deeper color Earle
Weilman bent his dark head and did as she
oade him.
That's rightr and, laughing merrily,
the happy, triumphant girl fled from the
room.
ltwas at college that Earle Wellman met
Howard Baker. They were classmates,
and soon became close friends. long
time had elapsed since the day they gradu-
ated, when Earle received a letter from
Howard, written on his dying bed. In 1t
he implored Earle to become guardian TO
his motnerless ten-yesr-old girl. ''She Is
rich in worldly goods" he wrote, ''but
without a home" Earle accepted the
charge, and placed Dorothy Baker under
his mothers loving care. This was eight
years ago.
Dorothy, or little Miss Dot, as she was
generally called, owing to her petite form
and childish ways at ten, wilful, yet low
ing. sparkling bit of fun and cheer, was
changed but little at the age OF eighteen;
while Earle Wellman, still handsome at
thirty nine, had lost the frank, merry
hearted way that had once characterized
him, and had grown coldly stern and re
peliing to all, excepting tie irresistible
Dot.
1t was true, as the servants said, that
Dot could win smile, even snatch OF
true, ringing laughter from Earle Well
man while others failed. Her childish
wlnsomeness unconsciously compelled all
TO love her. Her irrepreSsible impulsive-
ness was forever causing her trouble, yet
she was always ready to soothe and cheer
others with her soft caressing ways.
Willful, 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 daugh-
ter.
1t had been happy household of four
until the discovery that Lucie Wellman
had eloped with struggling artist robbed
it of all its sunshine, crushing out the life
OF the gentle mother. for the sudden blow
was too heavy. Then 1t was that Earle
Wellman changed-a change so quick and
complete that it was difficult TO realize and
erring girl, pleading for forgiveness, thus
obtaining her address, so that he could for
ward 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 uttering her
name in mis- presence, laying his mothers
sudden death at Der door.
True, Lucie had pleaded with her brother
to allow her to marry the artist, whom she
declared she loved. All 10 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 were thrown on the burning Goals
unopened.
Dot still remained, and the active house
keeper and servants were all the compan-
ions she had in the large, roomy mansion.
Earl spent most of his time in the city, and
Dot was left to amuse herself as best she
could. She missed Lucie sorely, and had
attempted to breach the subject many
times, but Earls chilling hauteur had 81
fenced her.
She found 40 chance now to be lonesome.
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 Earle's
study one day. He was, as on the day the
little stranger fell into his hands so mystic
riously, just one year ago, lazily reclining
in the same chair.
"Ah, Miss Dot. you have Baby, as
usual"
"why yes, of course, we are inssparable,
and / love her sou
He saw the wistful. yearning 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.
hos iforIr rrlxv khoh tc WALL lint
oh, Gusrdyl l want to talk to you. May
l .'' and she looked at him anxiously, en-
trestingly.
"Why, child What do you meana Why
ask if you mays Am 1 not always will |
ingl"
Lucie. Oh, don'tr' 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 so Be pitiful," |
sad the tears welled up into her brown |
eyes, while his face softened slightly.
think of all these years, and not |
word from Lucie. Don't you want to see
her.n
ssNol" Distinctly and harshly the word |
fell, and he threw off her hands and walked |
to the window.
One moment the girl looked after him, |
This time she did not touch him, but laid |
one hand on the head of the child clinging |
to her dress.
.Guardy, 1 do not believe you. I know
you do want to see ner.''
Miss Dorothy 2" and Earle looked at her |
in amaZemeIt
AZ mean it. Since Baby came you have |
relented toward your sister. Oh, Guardy, |
forgive her fully"
'tDot, cannot Think of mother. You |
know and know that it was Lucie's dis |
graceful conduct that killed her. Forgive |
her. Never"
pleading for her homeless child. She loved |
and would have forgiven her, in spite of |
all. Guardy, for her sake, call her back"
With stifled groan he staggered to a |
chair burying his face in both hands. Dot |
cast herself at his feet, laying one hand on |
his bowed head.
"Guardym There was a depth of pity
ing tenderness in her young voice.
"Let me tell you what ] know of Lucie |
She is in B, alone. Her husband is
dead. and she is longing to return home
long to have her. Her husband was true, |
Guardy, and she loved him to the end. |
Think of that. Oh, say something to me +!
This awful silence frightens me sou
He lifted his head slowly.
LET me think Dot. / am bewildered,n
and he passed mis- hand over his forehead.
"Yes, think, Guardy! Think of the
long years that have rolled by since she
last saw her home-her brotherl And, oh, |
Guardy think of the long. heart broken
year that has passed since she held her
baby in her arms. Think how she is yearu-
ing TO feel the touch of warm, baby lips
once more. Knowing all this, can you