The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1901-10-25
HIS LITTLE WARD
A Story Having More to Do With
the ChiId's Governess Than
the Child Herself.
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NhDlC WllU E2AAGu AOb bDtAAI AAhAG lAtS AAU
glowing embers of his bachelor Preside.
What had he done? he. sober
minded, single man, to be saddled with
a child for the rest Of his days; he,
who dlslIked children, to be the guard
ian and protector of girl who was
nothing to him until she should arrive
at an age to take cnre Of herself. Yet
he had promised the chlld's father.
With an impatient sigh, he picked up
the letter again and read the contents.
Dear Mr. Thomns-I trust you win not consider
this piece Of interference on my part but
thought II necessary for you TO know that your
little ward, Eva Gresham, has now reached the
age Of Eve without once having seen the face OF
her guardian. I 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. Youu iaithfuly.
Ross HEEscHEl-
"a piece OF impertincnce," said the
devoted guardian. biting his nails.
what is 1t to do with Miss Rose Her
schel, should like 10 know2 The child
is nothing to me. However, l suppose
] must do my duty by her. Ill run
down to Scvcnoaks and set matters
right straight away, packing my ward
on to n boarding school and Miss I'm
pudencc about her business. She has
had nice. soft time Of It looking after
that child. and now perhaps she will
be sorry she had ii finger In the pie.
Tint was how Mr.. Leslie Thomas
found himself the following afternoon
outside n snug little villa NJ Sevenoaks.
He hcsitatcd before knocking. The
cottage. lie thought. looked rnthcr dne
for such humble Inhabitants. aud yet
there was the name written up over
the porch right -Woodbinr Cot
tnge-in big gilt letters. Filmy lace
curtains huttcred Mt 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 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 to
venture here before. The door was
opened by spruce maid, to whose
skirts chung little, girlish mite Of five.
Miss Hcrschel?' he Inquired, with a
glance OF interest At the child.
"wtl you please come in. sIr?" said
the girl. and Mr.. Thomas followed the
girl into the snuEgest little drawing
room ever furnished. he had hardly
taken chair ere Miss Herschel enter
cd, with Eva on her hand
She was tall. graceful girl Of about
eight and twenty. with sweet, wom-
anIy face, frank eyes and rich. glow
ing 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 check. 81 did so want
you to know your little ward. Isn't
she dnrlInG?"
"a nice little girl indeed" stammer-
cd Leslie. 81 am glad you sent for me.
She Is now at an age when she should
mix up with other children. will see
about boarding school at once"
"a boarding schooI!' The color deep
cned suddenly in Miss Herschels
cheek, and her eyes flashed Indignant
IL. "a boarding school," she repeated
warmly, "for delicate child like that!
Nonsense! She wouldn't live month
OF 1t. Besides, love her and cannot
part with her."
The haughtiness and assurance with
which she spoke surprised aud irrltated
Mr.. Thomas. who considered himself
a masterful man in his way.
Indeed he said dryly But the
future OF the child must b. considered
before personal desires"
"She could go to a day school about
here, or-or could spare time to TEACH
her."
Thank you. but 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 chlid's mother, y
said the girl quickly.
well, you have been paid for 1t"
They were insulting yordA 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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS IN eV.
cry limb, the color coming and going in
her cheeks and with her eyes ablaEe
with Indignation.
paid for it! Yes" she said rapidly,
And for all you knew and for all the
interest you took In me and the child
might have been q wicked, worthless
woman who accepted the money for
her own use and shametully neglected
and Ill used the child"
With this she swept him look Of ut
ter disdain and contempt and. walking
over to her writing table, unlocked q
drawer and drew forth . small box In
which reposed little hoard OF bank
notes and golden coins,
"iere at6 Eva's SavingS," she said
stifiy: "nfty pounds yearly for nearly
nve years. 1t is q nice little sum. Will
you please take 1t with her now?"
Leslie Thomas turned abashed from
the scornfuI brown eyes and by way OF
diversion picked up the child. who beat
him furlously with her little doubled
hsts.
Leslie laughed awkwardly and set
her down.
"she Is a little mite" he said. 81
suppose she VIII not be the worse for a
little more coddlinE. VIVA: do you say