Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1901-09-21
HIS LITTLE WARD.

| threw the letter lmpatlently on the ia Die,
and gazed for some time into the glowing
embers Of his bachelor freside.
What had he done? He. a sober-mind-
ed single man, to be saddled with a
child for the rest of his days. He, who
disliked children, to be the guardian 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 prom
Used the child's father.
With an impatient sigh he picked up
the letter again, and read the contents
Dear Mr. Thomas it ran Il trust
you will not consider this a piece of inter
ference on my part. but | thought it neces-
sary for you to know that your little ward
| Eva Gresham, has now reached the age OF
five, without once having seer the face Of
her guardian. | am anxious to know what
| yUC intend to 30 in the way of her educa-
tion. and thought perhaps y0u would better
Judge by coming down soon TO see her.
Yours faithfully,
ROSE IIERSCHEL.
"A piece of impertinence said the de-
voted guardian. biting his nails. What
| is it to do with Miss Rose Herschel. /
should like to know? The child is moth
ing to me. However, | suppose l must
do my duty by her. I'll run down 10
| Seven0aks and set matters right straight
| away, packing my ward off to boarding
| school, and Miss Impudence about her
| business. She has had a nice soft time
of it, looking after that child, and now,
| perhaps, she will he sorry she had a
finger in the pie"
This was how Leslie Thomas found
| himself the following afternoon outside
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 futtered at
the windows, through which a glimpse
of a daintily-furnished drawing room
could be seen. The window-boxes We're
gay with flowers, and the whole house
had thoroughly wel-kept appearance.
In some surprise Eva's guardian
reached up and lifted the shining door
that he had never had the curiosity to
venture here before. The door was
| opened by n spruce maid to whose skirts
chung little girlish mite of 3.
| Miss HerschelY' he inquired, with
glance of interest at the child
| "Wlll you please come in, sir r said
| the girl, and Mr.. Thomas followed the
girl into the Suggest little drawing room
ever furnished. He had hardly taken a
chair ere Miss Herschel entered with
Eva on her hand.
She was tall, graceful girl of about
ly face, frank eyes and a rich, glowing
color.
MIR. Thomas! I'm so glad you've
come; | thought you would" she said
with a smile betraying bewitching
dimple in either cheek. Il did so want
You to know your little ward. Isn't she
II darlingT
"A nice little girl, indeed" stammered
Leslie Il am glad you sent for me.
she as now at an age when she should
mix up with other children. l will see
about a boarding school at once
"A boarding SCHOOL, The color deep
ened suddenly in Miss Herschel's cheek
and her eyes flashed Indignantly. "A
boarding school, she repeated warmly
for delicate child like that! Nonsensei
She wouldn't live Il month of it, Besides
l love her ana cannot part with her"
The hdughtiness ana assurance with
which she spoke surprised and irritated
Mr.. Thomas, who considered himself n
maSterful man, in his way.
Indeed he said, driy. but the flu
fore personal desires"
"She could so to a day school about
here, or-or | could spare time to teach
Thank you, hut prefer the idea of 4
boarding school. said Leslie Thomas
10. gu forget am the child's guardian .
Ana YOU seem to forget that | have
taken the place of the childS mother
said the girl quickly.
We'll. you have been paid for it,"
Ihey were insulting words. and Leslie
Was sorry the moment he had uttered
them. Even then he was surprised 10 500
the, effect they had upon the girl.
;, she rose instantly, trembling in every
lllln; lhe color coming and going in her
checks, and with her eyes ahlaze wirh
indignation.
1p II for it:-yGs," she said rapidly
Ana Tor all yen knew. and for all the
interest you took in me and the cbild I
, might have been wicked, worthless
woman VINO accepted the money for her
own own use and shamefully neglected and
! ill.uSed the child" "D'
with this she swept him look ~ NJ.
> o oTa Usual" 80 IN anu contempt and walking
. over 10 heE writing table unIocked :
drawer and drew forth a small how n
Which rTtpoSed Il little hoard of bapknotes
; and golden coins. A''''es
t Here are Eva's savings" she saia
: sunny; 800 yearly for nearly Ave wears
1t Is Il nice little sum. VIII yon 3ioasa
take 4 with her now. -" pie'"sF
LeSue Thomas turned abaShed from
me Scornfui brown eyes. and by wav> of
diversion picked mp the child. who boot
alm furiously with her little dopbled
lie, Leslie laughed awkwardIy and set her
shes a little mite" he said. ~ SIM.
pose she viii not he the worse for = ~
lie more codding. What do Won saw
snail we keep the peace for anothar
twelve MONTHS o'"s'
The girl swept him deep courtesv
My lord is gracious" she said. Win
mock gratitude; and then, with a sudden
change Of manner. she turned from him
win a sob and caught the child passion
ately to her breast. f9'O''
Embroidered by strong sense OF dpty.
which had never troubled him before tbs
interview with Eva'S good friend 7 .asi;a
Thomas paid frequent visits to the Iittlc
villa at SeyenoakS. Miss Herschel was
consulted about a school in the neiqhbor-
hood for his little ward. her talents rrer,.
| discussed. her toys chosen and her nioos-
ures arranged: and in the mutual intereSt
for the child's welfare the altercation ~
their first meeting was forgotten. ana the
two became fast friCnds-nay, more. for
| the fine color in Miss Herschel's check
deepened TO an alarming degree when me
| familiar knock came at the door oDd -