The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1901-10-16

L
Ave years. 1t is nice little sum. VIII
! you please take It with her now2"
| Leslie Thomas turned abashed from
the scorpful brown eyes and by way. of
diversion picked up the child, who bent
him furiously with her little doubled
fists.
Leslie laughed awkwardly and set
her down.
"She is little mite" he said. 81
suppose she Will not be the worse, for q
little more coddling. What do you say
Shall we keep the peace for another
| twelve months?"
The girl swept him deep courtesy
MY lord Is gracious" she said. with
mock gratitude; and then, with sud
! den change of manner, she turned from
him, with a sob. and caught the child
passionately TO her breast
Embroidered by n strong sense of du
| ~, which had never troubled him be
| fore the interview with Eva's good
friend, Leslie Thomas paid frequent
visits to the little villa at Sevenoaks
MISS HIN Nlltl W hh CunSuiltu uuOuI u
school In the nelghborhood for his llttl,
ward. her talents were discussed, hel
toys chosen and her pleasures arrang
ed, and In the mutual interest for the
chlld's welfare the alteration at thelI
| first meeting was forgotten, and the
two became fast friends-nay, more
for the fine color in Miss llerschel'f
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 were uncon
sciously eloquent.
But silence could not be maintained
for long, and one day when Leslie had
accidentally met her returning from q
walk he purposely returned to the sub
jeet of n boarding school for the hap
less 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 llfeY' he demanded.
'If yen put 1t that way-yes."
buN Npu mag ihhii y tiiS hhAipuoiS
"In such an event" began Miss Her
schel, coloring and with a swift, up
ward glance, "she would still be In the
care of her guardian"
"Then you would leave herr" asked
Leslie
ooh, no. She would still remain ms
my little daughter"
1 1.
for with ii burst of eloquence, Leslie
had caught her In a close embrace.
"Do you really mean 1t, RoseY" he
mnrmured at length Can you really
look upon me rs n lover after-after
my rudeness To YOU and my brutality
to that chlld?"
Yes. | think | can.p said Rose, smii
ing. even after your brutality but
listen, and don't think me quite disln.
terested with regard to little Eva. Her
father was once betrothcd to me-"
"ro your 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 mar
fsfifi,,lA f Il w. NJ eipwho died, as you
know, soon after the little ones birth
Perhaps It was natural for my poor
Herbert when he knew that he wae
dying to wish to place the little orphan
In my care"
Then you love the child for her fa-
TIERS sakeY' said Leslie almost resent
fully.
mo; for her own and for his sud
memory" said Rose grayely. rs she to
be your little daughter. too. or only
miner
"She shall be ours" said Leslie, with
some fervor. "She was the means of
bringing us together. and for that alone
/ owe her a 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.-Pen-
ny Pictorial Magazine.