Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1901-12-12

here, or-or I could spare time to
teach her."
"Thank you, but I prefer the idea
Of boarding school," said Leslie
Thomas. ''You forget am the child's
guardian
"And you seem to forget that I have
taken the place Of the child's moth
err" said the girl quickly.
"Well, you have been paid for it."
They were insulting words, and
Leslie was sorry the moment he had
uttered them. Even then he was sur
prised to see the effect they had upon
the girl.
She rose instantly. trembling in
going in her cheeks, and with her eyes
ablaze with indignation.
paid for it!-yes," she said, rapid
IL. nAEd for all you knew, and for
all the interest you took in me and
| the child, might have been wicked,
worthless woman who accepted the
money for her own use and shame
| fully neglected and ill-used the child.
With this she swept him lock OF
ute, disdain and contempt, and walk
! Ing over to her writing table unlocked
| a drawer and drew forth a small box
in which reposed little hoard Of
| bank notes and golden coins.
! Here are Eya's savings" she said,
| stiffly; $3.50 fo- nearly five years. It
is q nice little sum. VIII you please
| take it with her now:''
| Leslie Thomas turned abashed from
| the scorniul brown eyes, and by way
OF diversion picked up the child, who
! beat him furiously with her little
doubled fists
! Leslie laughed awkwardly and set
her down.
| "She is 4 little mite," he said. II
| suppose she will not be the worse for
a little more coddling. What do YOU
say? Shall we keep the peace for an
her twelve months:"
The girl swept him a deep courtesy.
"My lord is gracious" she said, with
mock gratitude, and then, with a sud-
den change of manner she turned
from him with sob and caught the
child passionately to her breast.
|
Emboldened by a strong sense Of
duty, which had never troubled him
before the interview with Eva's good
friend, Leslie Thomas paid frequent
visits to the little villa at Sevenoaks.
Miss HerscEel was consulted about q
school in the neighborhood for his lit
tie ward, her talents were discussed,
her toys chosen and her pleasures ar
ranged. and in the mutual interest for
! .na cai.d.s Ne!sare the alteration st.
their first meeting was forgotten, and
the two became fast friends--nay,
more, for the fine color in Miss Her
scnel's cheek deepened to an alarming
degree when the familiar knock came
at the door, and although Leslie
Thomas had as yet spoken no words
but those of kindly friendship, his
eyes were unconsciously eloquent.
But silence could not be maintained
for long, and one day, when Leslie
had accidentally met her returning
from a walk, he purposely returned to
the subject Of a boarding school for
the hapless little Eva.
This time Miss Herschel maintained
i
She knew her power now.
do you want to be saddled with
the child all your life:" he demanded.
IF you put it that way-yes."
"But you may marry" this anx-
iously.
''In such an event." began Miss
, Herschel, coloring, and with swift,
upward glance, "she would still be in
, the care Of her guardian"
"Then you would leave herr" asked
Leslie.
. "Oh, no; she would still remain as
E my little daughter"
: This time her eyes were withdrawn
, | for. with burst of eloquence. Leslie
, ! had caught her in close embrace.
e "Do> you really mean it, Rose?" he
murmured, at length. "Can you really
b look upon me as lover after-afte1
my rudeness to you and my brutality
. to that child"
/ Eyes, I think I can," said Rose
e smiling; seven after your brutality.
e But listen, and don't think me quite
$ disinterested with regard to LITTLE
r Eva. Her father was once betrothe(
to ms.'
f TO your said Leslie, suddenly re
[. leasing her.
!. "Yes, but you needn't be Jealous
II dear. 1t was most prosaic affair
e and he afterward fell in love wit
!. | and married Eya's mother, who died
. as you know, soon after the littl
10 ones birth. Perhaps It was natura
i. for my poor Herbert, when he kney
that he was dying, to wish to plac
A. the little orphan in my care.'
1t "Then you love the child for he
n fathers sake?' said Leslie, almost II
H. sentfully.
lr "No; for her own and for his sa
memory said Rose, gravely. "Is sh
II to be your little daughter, too, or onl
's mine?"
t. ''She shall be ours" said Lesli
IT, with some fervor. "She was the NEAR
Se of bringing us together, and for thu
a alone owe her debt OF gratitude
I'd shall never be able to repay"