Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1902-01-11
HIS LITTLE WARD
A Story Having More to Do With
the Child's Governess Than
the Child Herself.
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1t was very annoying. Leslie Thom-
as threw the letter impatently on the
table and gaZcd for some time into the
glowing embcrs of his bachelor fireside.
What had he done? He. a sober
minded, single man, to be saddlcd with
n child for the rest of his days; he,
who disliked children, to be the guard
ian and protector of n girl who was
nothing to him until she should arrive
at an age to take care of herself. Yet
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 my part. but
thought it necessary for you to know that your
little ward, Eva Gresham, has now reached the
age of five, without having seen the face OF
her guardian. anxious 20 know what you in
tend to do in the way Of her education and
thought perhaps you would better judge by com
ing down soon to her. Yours faithfully,
ROSE IIERsCHEL.
"a piece of impcrtincnce." said the
devoted guardian. biting his nails.
what is it to do with Miss Rose Her
schcl, should like to know? The child
Is nothing to me. However, | suppose
| must do my duty by her Ill run
down to ScvCnoakS and set matters
right straight away, packing my ward
off to boarding school and Miss I'm
pudcnce about her business. She has
had nice. soft time Of it looking after
that child, and now perhaps she will
be sorry she had finger in the pie"
That was how Mr.. Leslie Thomas
found himself the following afternoon
outside a sHug little villa at Sevenoaks.
He hcSitatcd 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 cnough-Woodbine Cot
tagc-in big gilt letters. Filmy lace
curtains tluttered at the windows,
through which glimpse of a daintily
furnished drawing room could be seen.
The window boxes were gay with flow
crS, and the whole house had thor
oughly well kept appearance.
In some surprise Eva's guardian
reached up and lifted the shining door
knockcr 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 little, girlish mite of five.
''MiSS IIerschel?" he inquired. with n
glance of interest at the child.
"Will you please come in. sir?" said
the girl and Mr.. Thomas followed the
girl into the snuggcst little rawing
room ever furnished. He had hardly
taken n chair ere Miss Herschel enter
ed, with Eva on her hand.
She was a tall. graceful girl of about
eight and twenty, with sweet. wom-
anly face, frank eyes and rich, glow
ing color.
"Mr. Thomas! I'm so glad you've
come thought you would" she said.
with a smile. betraying bewitching
dimple in either cheek. 81 did so want
you to know your little ward. Isn't
she darlingT
"A nice little girl indeed" stammer-
ed Leslie. II 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
encd suddenly in Miss Herschers
check. and her eyes flashed indignant
ly. "a boarding school," she repeated
warmly, "for IL delicate child like that!
Nonsense! She wouldn't live 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
a mastcrful man in his way.
"Indccd." he said dryly. But the
future of the child must be considered
before personal desires"
"She could go to n day school about
here, or-or | could spare time to teach
her."
"Thank you. but prefer the idea of
. boarding school," said Leslie Thomas.
"You forget | am the child's guardian"
taken the place of the child'S mother"
said the girl quickly.
"Wcll. you have been paid for It,"
They were insulting words. and Les
lie was sorry the moment he had utter
eel 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 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 look Of ut
ter disdain and contempt and, walking
over to her writing table. unlocked
drawer and drew forth n small box in
which rcposed a little hoard of bank