Smyrna times., 1901-10-30
HIS LITTLE WARD
A Story Having More to Do With
the Child's GoVerness Than
the Child Herself.
,oAo@o@o%oSoOAOSOAO&

/
1t was very annoying. Leslie Thom-
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, a 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 a 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 piece of interference my part, but
thought it necessary for you to know that your !
little ward, Eva Gresham, has reached the |
age of FIVE, without once having the face of |
her guardian. | am 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
1 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 finger in the pie"
That was how Mr.. Leslie Thomas
found himself the following afternoon
outside a snug little villa at Sevenoaks.
He hesitated before knocking. The
cottage ne 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 huttered at the windows,
through which a glimpse of a daintily
furnished drawing room could be seen.
The window boxes were gay with flow
ers, and the whole house had thor
Oughly well kept appearance.
In some surprise Eva's guardian
reached up and lifted the shining door
knocker, wondering in spite of himself
that he had never had the curiosity tC
venture here before. The door was
opened by a spruce maid, to whose
skirts clung a little, girlish mite of five
Miss Herschel?' he inquired with {
glance of interest at the child.
"Will you please come in, sir?" salt
the girl, and Mr.. Thomas followed tn
girl into the snuggest little drawing
room ever furnished. He had hardl.
taken a chair ere Miss Herschel enter
ed, with Eva on her hand.
She was a tall. graceful girl of abou
eight and twenty, with Il sweet. won
anly face, frank eyes and a rich, glow
ing color.
MIR. Thomas! I'm so glad you'v
come. | thought you would" she saiC
with a smile, betrayng a bewitchin
dimple in either cheek. Il did so war
you to know your little ward. Ism
she a darling?"
a nice little girl indeed" stamme
ed Leslie. Il am glad you sent for m
She is row at an age when she shoul
mix up with other children. | will 81
about a boarding school at once"
"a boarding schoolp' The color dee
ened suddenly in Miss Herschel
cheek, and her eyes flashed indignan
ly. a boarding school," she repeat'
warmly, for a delicate child like tina
Nonsense. She wouldn't live mon
of it. Besides, love her and cam
part with her."
The haughtiness and assurance wi
which she spoke surprised and irritat
Mr.. Thomas, who considered hims'
a masterful man in his way.
tFTD1opd bo coi6 tFRnf (
future of the child must be consider
before personal desires"
"She could go to a day school abe
here, Or-or could spare time to tea
her."
THANK you. but prefer the idea
a boarding school," said Leslie Thorn
You forget l am the child's guardian
"And you seem to forget that hs
taken the place of the child's mothe
said the girl quickly.
'Well. you have been paid for it,"
They were insulting words, and L
lie was sorry the moment he had utt
ed them. Even then he was surpri
to see the effect they had upon
girl.
She rose instantly, trembling in
cry llluD, tue cOlOT COuluB dhu SOlhs
her cheeks and with her eyes abl
with Indignation.
"Paid for it! Yes" she said rapi
"And for all you knew and for all
interest you took in me and the chi
might have been a wicked, worth
woman who accepted the money
her own use and shamefully negle
and i'll used the child"
With this she swept him look oi
ter disdain and contempt and, wall
over to her writing table, unlocke
drawer and drew forth a small bo
which reposed a little hoard Of
notes and golden coins.
"Here are Eva's savings" she