Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-06-27
HIS OWN GIRL.

Ing some society function.
He had kindly face, and, as he
walked rapidly along. he seemed to in
hale the cool air of the night with
sense Of delightful relief. He pursued
his way on the Green park side of Pic
adflly.
As he passed beneath the flare of a
vivid lamp his eye was attracted by an
object insignificant in size. but great
in pathos-a female child in poor rags
and with naked feet. The child's hair
was tangled and not too clean; her face
pinched and white. but her eyes We're
large and brilliant and stared out with
an expression of bewilderment sad to
behold.
Gerald bent down to her and said
gently, @Iittle one, what are you do
ing here
The child looked at him much as a
very tame cat regards stranger-not
frightened. but doubtful.
Il dunno" she replied, after pause.
where do you live?"
II dunno"
nave you no mOtherT"
Ees. Mudder far away"
"Are you hungry?"
"'Ees."
Will you come with meT
A long pause-then little sigh.
use so tired
Without another word Gerald lifted
the child in his arms and carried her
into small restaurant Off King street.
There he ordered for her little warm
soup and an egg pudding. She took
them greedily. Her hunger being ap-
peased, Gerald agnin lifted her in his
arms and bore her to his chambers
An fashionable hotel. She fell asleep
on the way. Indoors he laid her on a
soft couch and then sat down to con-
template this "lndp of his over ci-
gar
% The thoughts of what he should do
with this waif of humanity, which fate
had thrown in his path, gradually
shaped themselves into vision of pro-
phetic fancy. Sanguine temperaments
are prone to castle building. Gerald
thought he would claim this bit of fem
ininity for his own.
He was rich. He would have her ed
ucated. He would make of her all that
money and care could make of her. II
the total result pleased him he would
make her his sister; If 1t more than sat.
isfied him he would make her his wife.
The waif, under the name Of Carrie
+ KING woS cont tn a capiac cf enhooy,
and finishing academies. Fancourt
stuck to his scheme; he never saw her.
He signed checks; he answered school
principals letters; he gave permission
for his ward to visit her school fellows
at their homes, and he provided her
with pocket money to keep up her po-
sition as lady; that was all.
The crowning pleasure and reward
for all his care and expenditure was to
come at the end of ten years, when
she would be 10 years old, and he
would see her in the glory of her bud.
ding womanhood.
The period Of ten years was nearly
closed. The night before the final day
when Carrie was to appear before her
protector and guardian, Gerald invited
one or two choice chums to dine with
him.
They We're laconic men of the world,
He had told them the tale of HIS fancy
and Its approaching completion.
II have taken n little house for her"
he concluded, "and tomorrow she en-
ters into possession"
as she pretty?"
'How do know? She promised to
be SO ten years ago"
1.-THE whole thing seems Quixotic and
risky"
Tomorrow will decide whether she
Is to be my wife or not"
"Not WISE" replied the more taciturn
Of the two friends.
Next morning Gerald entered the
+ drawing room Of Carries newly fur
nished house. The maid Informed him
that the young lady had arrived late
the night before; she had breakfasted
In bed, but would be down In few min
utes to receive him.
What would she be like?" he kent
asking himself.
After about five minutes he heard
the soft rustic of skirts coming down
the stairs. The door was gently open.
ed and sweet-faced young girl step
ped into the room, dressed all in flow.
ing morning robe Of white. 1t seemed
to Gerald afterwards as II 1t We're en-
broidery and lace, with soft drapery4
as though covered with an ethereal an
gel webbing. AS 1t was, the girl came
slowly down the room with one hand
outstretched tlmidly, yet with sweet
determination of manner.
Gerald had time to notice that she
was tall and slender, quite fair, with a
mass of red gold hair and the prettlest
pink cheeks he had ever seen. "a pink
and white prettiness," he thought to
himself, but in that one glance he had
to acknowledge that there was depth
behind the pink and white softness
which spoke of earnest thought.
II am SO very glad to see you," said
she. hesitating for her words; 80 very,
very glad. cannot tell you how often
have thought of this moment"
Gerald took her hand In his. ~ sup.
pose should call you my daughter,"
said he, smiling, "but shall do moth
ing of the sort"
please do" said she, 81 would like
go much to have you, for feel as II
you were my father--the only father
have ever had"
Gerald took seat and the girl sat
down by the side of him. "Do you
know" said she, II have been afraid
to meet you. almost wished, some
times. that l had seen you and had 1t
over. ! SO dreaded it; and then there
were other things l wanted to tell
you
Gerald sat spellbound. Such pref
ty girl he had never seen. What
sweet voice; what glorious color; how
prettily she spoke. So she had been
4. = = ~ - "a.