The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1901-10-22

stiffly; fifty pounds yearly for nearly
five years. 1t is 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 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 monthsT'
The girl swept him n deep courtesy.
'My lord is gracious she said, with
mock gratitude; and then, with sud-
den change of manner, she turned from
him, with sob, and caught the child
passionately to her breast.
Emboldened by strong sense of du-
ty, which had never troubled him be-
fore the interview with Eva's good
friend, Leslie Thomas paid frequent
visits to the little villa at Seyenoaks.
Miss Herschel was consulted about a
school in the neighborhood for his little
ward, her talents were discussed, her
toys chosen and her pleasures arrang-
ed, and in the mutual interest for the
child's welfare the alteration at their
| first meeting was forgotten, and the
two became fast friends-nay, more,
| for the fine color in Miss Herschers
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
sciously eloquent.
But silence could not be maintained
| for long. and one day when Leslie had
| accidentally met her returning from a
| walk he purposely returned to the sub
| ject of 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 life?' he demanded.
"If you put 1t that way-yes."
"But you may marry" this anxiOusly
"In such an event." began Miss Her
schel, coloring and with a swift, up
ward glance, "she would still be in th'
care of her guardian"
"Then you would leave her" asked
Leslie.
"Oh, no. She would still remain a
my little daughter"
This time her eyes were withdrawn
a-lt.
had caught her in a close embrace.
do you really mean it, Rose?" b.
murmured at length. "Can you reall.
look upon me as a lover after-afte
my rudeness to you and my brutalit.
to that child?
"Yes, think 1 can," said Rose, smil
ing, "even after your brutality. Blu
listen, and don't think me quite disin
terested with regard to little Eva. He
father was once betrothed to me-"
''To your said Leslie, suddenly re
leasing her.
"Yes, but you needn't be jealous
dear. 1t was a most prosaic affair, AM
he afterward fell in love with and mar
ried Eva's mother. who died, as yo
know, soon after the little ones birth
Perhaps it was natural for my poo
Herbert when he knew that he wa
dying to wish to place the little orpha
in my care"
Then you love the child for her ia
TIERS sake?" said Leslie almost resent
fully.
mo; for her own and for his sa
memory" said Rose gravely. SIS she t
be your little daughter. too. or onl
| mine?"
"She shall be ours" said Leslie, wit
some fervor. "She was the means o
bringing US together, and for that alon
| owe her a debt of gratitude l shal
never be able to repay"
Except by being good to her and he
adopted mother for the rest Of you
life," said Miss Herschel, lifting he
lips temptingly.
And Leslie sealed the compact-Per
ny Pictorial Magazine.