Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1902-01-11
FROsTBURG Md, SATURDAY, JANUARY IL, 1902.

stifiy; fifty pounds yearly for nearly
FIVE years. 1t Is a nice little sum. VIII
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 n little mite" he said. Il
suppose she will not he the worse for 4
little more coddling. What do YOU say?
Shall we keep the peace for another
twelve monthsT'
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 sob and caught the child
passonatcly to her breast.
Emboldcncd by strong sense of du-
ty. which had never troubled him be-
fore the interview with EvaS good
friend. Leslie Thomas p,sd frequent
visits to the little villa ID S"vcnoakS.
Miss IIcrschcl was consulted about a
school in the ncighborhood 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 fricnds-n2y. more.
for the fine color in Miss ncrSchclS $
cheek dccpcned to an alarming degree
when the familiar knock came at the
door. and. although Leslie Thomas had
as vet 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 a
walk he purpoScly returned to the sub
ject Of Il 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 lifc?" he demanded.
"If you put it that way-yes."
"But you may marry" this anx:ously.
"In such an event." began Miss Her
schcl, coloring and with swift. up
ward glance, "she would still be in the
care of her guardian
''Then you would leave hcr?' asked
Leslie.
"Oh. no. She would still remain as
my little daughter"
This time her eyes were withdrawn.
for, with burst Of cloqucncc. Leslie
had caught her in close embrace.
DO you really mean 1t. Rosr!" he
murmurcd at length. Can you really
look upon me as lover aftcr-aftcr
my rudencss to you and my brutality
to that child:'
"YeS. | think | can" said Rose. smil-
ing. "cvcn after your brutality. Hut
listen, and don't think me quite disin,
terestcd 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 mar
red Eva's mother. who died. as you
know. soon after the little ones birth.
Perhaps it was natural for my poor
Herbert when he knew that he was
diving to wish to place the little orphan
in my care
Then you love the child for her IA
Tiers sake?" said Leslie almost resent
fully.
"No; for her own and for his sad
memory" said Rose gravcly. "ls she to
be your little daughter, too. or only
mine?"
"She shallb be ours" said Leslie. with
some fervOr. "She was the means of
bringing us together and for that alone
l 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 Hcrschel. lifting her
lips tcmptingly.
And Leslie sealed the compact.-Pen-
ny Pictorial Magazine.