The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1901-10-16
HIS LITTLE WARD
A Story Having More to Do With
the Child Governess Than
the Child Herself.
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hO&O 40 40 q . aO6OOA 40 40 40 80 q
1t was very annoying. Leslie Thorn
as threw the letter impatiently ON the
table and gazed for some time into the
glowing embcrs of his bachelor fireslde.
What had he done? He. sober
minded, single man, to he saddled with
child for the rest of his days; he,
who disllked children, to he the guard
ian and protector of girl who was
nothing to him until she should arrive
at an age To take care of herself Yet
he had promised the ehild's father.
With an impatient sigh. he picked up
the letter again and read the contents.
Dear Mr.. Thomas 1 trust you will not consider
this piece Of interference my part, but /
thought II necessary for you 10 know that your
little ward Eva Gresham. has now reached the
age Of five, without once having seen the face Of
her guardian am anxious 10 know what you in
tend 10 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 HERsouEL
"a piece of lmpertinence," said the
devoted guardian, biting his nails
What is It to de with Miss Rose Her
schel. should like to known The child
is nothing To me. However, | suppose
l must do my duty by her. I'll run
down TO Sevcnoaks and set matters
right straight away. packing my ward
off to Il boarding school and Miss I'M
pudence about her business. She has
had n nice. soft time of 1t looking after
that child, and now perhaps she will
lb.ee s.a!rryl she Ind finger in the pie"
mat WAS uUW stf. Evst,c .is...,.S
found himself the following afternoon
outside a snug little villa ut Seyenoaks.
He hcsltated 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-W oodbine Cot
tage- in big gilt letters. Filmy lace
curtains nuttered ut the windows,
through which glimpse of daintlly
furnished drawing room could be seen.
The window boxes were gay with flow
ers. and the whole house had n thor
oughly well Kept appearance.
In some surprise Evas 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 a spruce maid. to whose
skirts clung n little, glrlish mite of Ave.
Miss iIerschelY he inquired. with
glance Of interest at the child.
"Will you please come In, sir" said
the girl and Mr.. Thomas followed the
girl into the Suggest little drawing
room ever furnished. He had hardly
taken n chair ere Miss uerschel enter
ed, with Eva on her hand.
She was Il tall. graceful girl of about
eight and twenty, with sweet, wom-
anly face, frank eyes and a rich, glow
ing color.
"Mr. Thomas! I'm so glad you've
come. | thought you would" she said,
with a smile, betraying n bewitching
dImple III either cheek. Il did 50 want
you TO know your little ward. Isn't
she darlingY
"a nice little girl indeed" stammer-
ed 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 SCHOOL, The color deep
ened suddenly In Miss Herschel's
cheek, and her eyes flashed Indignant
ly. "A boarding school," she repeated
warmly, "for IA delicate child like that!
Nonsense! She wouldn't live n month
Of 1t. Besides, | love her and cannot
part with her"
The haughtiness and assurance with
which she spoke surprised and irrltated
Mr.. Thomas, who considered himself
a masterful man in his way.
Indeed" he said dryly. But the
future of the child must be 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"
taken the place Of the child's mother"
said the girl quickly.
well, you have been paid for It."
They were insulting words, and Les
lie was sorry the moment he had utter
ed them. Even then he was surprised
TO see the effect they had upon the
girl.
She rose instantly, trembling in ev-
cry limb. the color coming and going In
her cheeks and with her eyes ablaze
with Indignation.
paid for 1t! Yes" she said rapidly.
"And for all you knew and for all the
interest you took in me and the child
might have been a wicked, worthless
woman who accepted the money for
her own use and shamefully 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 a
drawer and drew forth a small box In
which reposed little hoard of bank
notes and golden coins.
"Here are Eya,s sayiupsn she said