Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1901-11-07
HIS LITTLE WARD |
A Story Having More to Do With
the ChiId's Governess Than :
: the Child Herself.
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1t was very annoying. Leslie Thorn
as threw the letter impatiently on the
table and gazed for some time into the
glowing embers of his bachelor fireside.
What had he done? He, sober
minded. single man, to be saddled with
a child for the rest of his days; he,
who disliked children, to be the guard
ian and protector of n girl who was
nothing to him until she should arrive
at an age to take care of herself. Yet
he had promised the child's father
With an impatient sigh. he picked up
the letter again and read the contents.
Dear Mr. Thomas-I trust you will not consider
this a piece Of interference my part, but l
thought it necessary for YOU to know that your
little ward, Eva Gresham, has reached the
age of five, without having the face Of
her guardian. l anxious to know what you in
tend to do in the way Of her education and
thought perhaps you would better Judge by com
ing down soon to see her. Yours faithfully,
Rose HERscHEL.
"a piece of impertinence." said the
devoted guardian. biting his nails.
"What is it to do with Miss Rose Her
schel. | should like to know? The child
is nothing TO me. However, l suppose
l must do my duty by her. I'll run
down to Sevenoaks and set matters
right straight away, packing my ward
off to a boarding school and Miss I'm
pudence about her business. She has
had a nice. soft time of it looking after
that child. and now perhaps she will
be sorry she had a finger in the pie"
That was how Mr. Leslie Thomas
found himself the following afternoon
outside snug little villa at Seyenoaks.
He hesitated before knocking The
cottage, he thought, looked rather fine
for such humble inhabitants. and yet
there was the name written up over
the porch right enough-Woodbine Cot
tage-in big gilt letters. Filmy lace
curtains futtered at the windows,
through which glimpse of daintily
furnished drawing room could be seen.
The window boxes were gay with flow
ers, and the whole house had thor
oughly we'll kept appearance.
In some surprise Eva's guardian
reached up and lifted the shining door
knocker. wondering in spite of himself
venture here before The door was
opened by a spruce maid. to whose
skirts chung a little. girlish mite of five.
Miss Herschel?" he inquired, with a
glance of interest at the child.
"Will you please come in, sir" said
the girl. and Mr. Thomas followed the
girl into the Suggest little drawing
room ever furnished. He had hardly
taken chair ere Miss Herschel enter
ed, with Eva ON her hand.
She was a tall. graceful girl of about
eight and twenty, with a sweet, wom-
anly face. frank eyes and a rich, glow
ing color.
MIR. Thomas! I'm so glad you've
come. | thought you would" she said.
with a smile. betraying a bewitching
dimple in either cheek. 81 did so want
you to know your little ward. Isn't
she daring?'
"A nice little girl indeed" stammer-
ed Leslie. Il am glad you sent for me.
She is now at an age when she should
mix up with other children. | will see
about a boarding school at once"
"A boarding SCHOOL, The color deep
ened suddenly in Miss Herschefs
cheek, and her eyes flashed indignant
~. "a boarding school," she repeated
warmly. for a delicate child like that!
Nonsense. She wouldn't live a month
of it. Besides. | love her and cannot
part with her."
The haughtiness and assurance with
which she spoke surprised and irritated
h,
a masterful man in his way.
Indeed" he said dryly. But the
future of the child must be considered
before personal desires"
"She could go to a day school about
here. Or-or l could spare time to teach
her."
Thank you, but l prefer the idea of
a boarding school," said Leslie Thomas.
You forget am the child's guardian"
''And you seem to forget that have
taken the place Of the childs mother"
said the girl quickly.
We'll. you have been paid for it,"
They were insulting words. and Les
lie was sorry the moment he had utter
ed them. Even then he was surprised
10 see the effect they had upon the
girl.
She rose instantly. trembling in ev-
cry limb. the color coming aud going in i.
her cheeks and with her eyes ablaze
with Indignation.
Paid for il! Yes" she said rapidly.
And for all you knew and for all the
interest Won took in me and the child
might have been a wicked, worthless
woman who accepted the money for
her own use and shamefuly neglected
and III used the child"
With this she swept him look Of Ut
ter disdain and contempt and. walking
hover to her writing table. unlocked a
drawer and drew forth a small box in
which reposed a little hoard Of bank
notes and golden coins.
Here are Eya's savings" she said