Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1901-11-09

going in her cheeks, and with her eyes
ablaZe with indignation.
Paid for it!-yes," she said, rapid.
ly. And for all You knew, and fol
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 shame.
fully neglected and ill-used the child.
With this she swept him look of
utter disdain and contempt, and walk.
ing over to her writing table unlocked
drawer and drew forth small box
in which reposed little hoard OF
bank notes and golden coins.
Here are Eva's savings" she said,
stitfly; $3.50 for nearly five years. 1t
is a nice little sum. Will 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 awkwartlly and set
her down.
"She is little mite" he said. II
suppose she will not be the worse for
little more cOddling. What do you
say? Shall we keep the peace for an
cher twelve months?"
The girl swept him deep courtesy.
"My lord is gracious" she said, with
mock gratitude, and then, with a sud-
den change Of manner she turned
from him with sob and caught the
child passionately to her breast.
EmbOldened by a strong sense OF
duty, which had never troubled him
before the interview with Eva's good
visits to the little villa at SevenOaks.
Miss Herschel was consulted about
school in the neighborhood for his lit
tie ward, her talents were discussed,
her toys chosen and her pleasures ar.
ranged. and in the mutual interest for
the childs welfare the alteration at
their first meeting was forgotten, and
the two became fast friends-nay,
more, for the fine color in Miss Her.
schels 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 unconsciously eloquent.
But silence could not be maintained
for long, and one day, when Leslie
had accidentally met her returning
from walk, he purposely returned to
the subject of boarding school for
the hapless 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 anx-
iously.
"In such an event." began Miss
Herschel, coloring, and with a swift,
upward 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 We're 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 lover after-after
my rudeness to you and my brutality
to that child"
Eyes, 1 think I can" said Rose.
smiling; "even after your brutality
But listen, and don't think me quite
disinterested 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 married Eva's mother, who died,
as you know. soon after the little
ones birth. Perhaps 1t 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
fathers sake?" said Leslie, almost re-
sentfully.
mo; for her own and for his sad
memory" said Rose, gravely. us she
to be your little daughter too or only
mine?"
"She shall be ours" said Leslie.
with some fervor. "She was the means
of bringing us together, and for that
alone l owe her debt of gratitude
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
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