Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1901-11-07

stitfiy; fifty pounds yearly for nearly
five years. Ii is a nice little sum. WIN
you please take it with her now?"
Leslie Thomas turned abashed from
the scornful 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 little mite" he said Il
suppose she will not be the worse for a
little more coddling. What do you say:
Shall we keep the peace for another
twelve months?"
The girl swept him a deep courtesy
MY lord is gracious" she said. with
mock gratitude: and then, with sud
den change of manner, she turned from
him. with sob, and caught the child
passionately TO her breast.
Emboldened by strong sense of du-
", which had never troubled him be-
fore the interview with Eva's good
friend. Leslie Thomas paid frequent
visits to the little villa at Sevenoaks.
Miss Herschel was consulted about a
school in the neighborhood for his little
ward, her talents were discussed. her
toys chosen and her pleasures arrang-
ed, and in the mutual interest for the
child's welfare the alteration at their
firsb meeting was forgotten, and the
two became fast friends-nay, more,
for the fine color in Miss Herschels
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 We're uncon-
sciously 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 sub
ject of a boarding school for the hap
less little Eva.
This time Miss Herschel maintained
her composure and smiled severely. 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 anxiously.
"In such an event." began Miss Her
schel, coloring and with a swift, up
ward glance. "she would still be in the
care of her guardian"
"Then you would leave herr" asked
Leslie.
ooh, no. She would still remain as
my little daughter"
This time her eyes were withdrawn.
for, with a burst of eloquence. Leslie
had caught her in a close embrace.
.Do you really mean it, Rose?"' he
murmured at length. Can you really
look upon me as a lover after-after
my rudeness to you and my brutality
to that child?"
Eyes. | think cam" said Rose, smil-
ing. even after your brutality But
listen, and don't think me quite disin-
terested with regard to little Eva. Her
father was once betrothed to me-"
'To you," said Leslie. suddenly re-
leasing her.
Eyes, but you needn't be jealous.
dear. 1t was most prosaic affair, and
he afterward fell in love with and mar
ried Eva's mother. who died. as you
know, soon after the little ones birth.
Perhaps it was natural for my poor
Herbert when he knew that he was
dying to wish to place the little orphan
in my care"
Then you love the child for her IA
Tiers sake?" said Leslie almost resent
fully.
NO; for her own and for his sad
memory" said Rose gravely. rs she to
be your little daughter. too, or only
miner
"She shall be ours" said Leslie. with
some fervor "She was the means of
bringing US together and for that alone
1 owe her a debt of gratitude l shall
never be able to repay"
Except by being good to her and her
adopted mother for the rest of your
life" said Miss Herschel. lifting her
lips temptingly.
And Leslie sealed the compact.-Pen-
ny Pictorial Magazine.