St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1901-12-25
HIS LITTLE WARD.

:. glowing embers of his bachelor tireside
|. 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
l 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 a piece Of interference on my part, but l
thought it necessary for You to 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 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 to see her. Yours faithfully
Rose HERscHEL
"a piece of impertnence,' said the
devoted guardian, biting his nails.
'What is it to do witt Miss Rose Her
scheI, | should like to know? The child
is nothing to me. However, l suppose
l must do my duty by her. I'll run
down to Sevenoaks and set matters
right straight away, nacking 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 a finer in the pie"
That was how Nj Leslie Thomas
found himself the 70, wing afternoon
outside a snug little V la 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 enougL- Woodbne Cot
tage-in big gilt letters Filmy lace
curtains huttered al the windows,
through which a GLIMPSE of daintiIy
furnished drawing room could be seen.
The window boxes were gay with flow
ers, and the whole house had a thor
/ oughly well kept appearance.
In some surprise Eya'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 a spruce maid, to whose
skirts chung a little, girIish mite of five.
Miss Herschel% he inquired, with a
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 a chair ere Miss Herschel enter
ed, with Eva on her hand
She was a tall, graceful girl of about
eight and twenty, with a sweet, wOm-
anly 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
dmple in either cheek - did so want
you to know your little ward. Isn't
she a darling?'
"A nice little girl indeed" stammer-
ed Leslie. Il am glad you sent for me.
She is now at an age when she should
mix up with other children. | will see
about a boarding school at once"
"a boarding school" The color deep
ened suddenly in Miss HerschePs
cheek, and her eyes flashed indignant
ly. "a boarding school," she repeated
warmly, "for delicate child like that!
Nonsense! She wouldn't live a month
of it, Besides, love her and cannot
part with her"
The haughtiness and assurance with
which she spoke surprised and irritated
Mr.. Thomas, who considered himself
masterful man in his way.
Indeed" he said dryly. "But the
future Of the child must be considered
before personal desires"
"She could 60 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 chld'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 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 a wicked, worthless
woman who accepted the money for
her own use and shamefully neglected |
and i'll used the child"
With this she swept him a look of ut
ter disdain and contempt and walking |
over to her writing table, unlocked a
drawer and drew forth small box in
which reposed little hoard of bank |
notes and golden coins.
Here are Eya's savings" she said
BtliHy; fifty pounds yearly for nearly |
five years. 1t 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 laughoG ov,lu-ordI,, ond cot |