Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1901-11-09

\ Il was very amusing. Leslie Thorn
as threw the letter mpatiently on
the table, and gaZed for some time
into the glowing cmbers of his
bachelor tireside.
What had he done? He. a sober
minded single man, to be saddled with
child for the rest of his days. He,
who disliked children, TO be the guar
dian and protector of girl who was
nothing to him, until she should ar
rive 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 con-
tents.
Dear Mr.. Thomas" it ran. II trust
you will not consider this a piece of
interference on my part, but l thought
it necessary to know that your little
ward, Eva Gresham, has now reached
the age of five, without once having
seen the face of her guardian. | am
anxious to know what you intend to
do in the way of her education, and
thought perhaps you would better
judge by coming down soon to see
her. Yours faithfully,
ROSE HERSCHEL."
"a piece of impcrtinence," said the
devoted guardian. biting his nails.
"What is it to do with Miss Rose
Herschel, should like to know? The
child is nothing to me. However,
suppose | must do my duty by her.
III run down to Sevenoaks and set
matters right straight away, packing
my ward off to boarding school, and
MISS Impudence about her business.
She has had 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 after
noon outside a snug little villa at
Sevenoaks. 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 Cottage, in big
gilt letters. Filmy lace curtains flut-
tered at the windows, through which
a glimpse Of daintily furnished
drawing rom could be seen. The
window boxes were gay with flowers,
and the whole house had thoroughly
well-kept appearance.
| n
cached up and lifted the shining
door-knocker, wondering, in spite of
himself, that he had never had the
curiosity to venture here before. The
door was opened by spruce maid, to
whose skirts chung little girlish mite
of five.
Miss Herschel?" he inquired, with
a glance of interest at the child.
"Will you please come in, siry"
said the girl, and Mr.. Thomas fol-
lowed the girl into the suggest little
drawing room ever furnished. He
had hardly taken chair ere Miss
Herschel entered with Eva on her
hand.
She was n tall, graceful girl of
about eight and twenty, with a sweet,
womanly face, frank eyes and a rich,
glowing color.
Mr.. Thomas! I'm so glad you've
come; l thought you would" she said,
with a smile, betraying a bewitching
dimple in either cheek. II did SO
want you to know your little ward.
Isn't she a darling?"
"A nice little girl, indeed" STAN
mered Leslie. II am glad you sent
for me. She is now at an age when
she should :uix up with other chill.
drcn. l will see about boarding
school at once"
"A boarding SCHOOL, The color
deepened suddenly in Miss Herschel's
cheek and her eyes flashed indignant
ly. "a boarding school," she repeat
ed warmly; for delicate child like
that! Nonsense. She wouldn't live q
month in it. Beside, l love her and
cannot part with her"
The haughtiness and assurance will
which she spoke surprised and irri
tated Mr.. Thomas, who considered
himself masterful man in his way.
Indeed he said dryly. But the
future of the child must be consid
cred before personal desires"
"She could 90 to a day school about
here. or-or l could spare time tC
teach her."
THANK you. but I prefer the idca
of boarding school," said Lesli,
Thomas. You forget am the child.
guardian"
And you seem to forget that I have
taken the place of the child's moth
err said the girl quickly.
We'll you have been paid for It,"
They were insulting words, ant
Leslie was sorry the moment he hat
uttered them. Even then he was sur
prised TO see the effect they had upol
the girl