The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1903-08-14

/ - ~~--N- WIZ b1A AEAly
stirred.
Now this telegram. followed by let
ter from old Penroy. Arthurs lawyer,
Is far more disQuieting.
find myself the appointed guardian
OF young eirl OF whom know abso-
luteiy nothing. whose sudden orphan
age thrusts her upon me and makes
her entirely dependent on my decis-
ions and judgment.
II this overwhelming and siupendous
charge was Artbur's son. | would well
come him but with distrust. rccollect-
ing his fathers many failings. but |
would checrtuily Go the best could
for him.
| would have brought him here for
his vacations and shipped him OFF 10
college. and looked after him as well.
or as badly, as fathers usually Loot
after their offspring. | would have
stood by him. and pulled him out CO
the inevitable difficulties he would
have gotten into. as is the way with
youth.
But the ward Providence. in its fan
tastic DEGREES. has seen iii to aliiict ms
with a girl
Her name is Alma. and she is grow
ing up to womanhood. SO Penroy saws
in his epistle.
or course. she must come TO Bran
leigh Hall. have instructed my
lousekeeper. Mrs. Brown, TO prepare
for her. and il is evident the advent Of
this disturbing element in our orderly
household Is no more 10 her liking than
10 mine.
Wen. il can't be helped Fate has
willed IT. The child will be here this
afternoon and until have arranged TO
send her 70 some college-there again.
difficulty No. ! looms mp. What do I
know which college is fitting for a
girls education? What inflne nees
should surround an Uniformed feminine
mind on the verge of womanhood,
My gray hairs and that experience
which ! pride myself is varied and ex-
tensive. for having been accumulated
At vast cost to myself. stops short
At the education and bringing up Of a
girl
Perhaps she will bring herself up.
with complete scorn of my authority
II che is al all discerning and realizes
on what uncertain theories and ideas
II rests. she will certainly disregard it.
All. my boosted quietude, Ny life Of
calm. and undisturbed con:entment-
what will become of YOU. with this un-
welcome element thrust upon us?
Alma came last evening.
Penroy was wrong She has already
reached the threshold OF a very mag
niicent womanhood Alma has her
mothers beauty idealized. and. If
mistake not. an energy neither OF her
parents ever possessed.
Has she Arthur's clever. subtle
brain, Ills INSCRIPTIONS egotism
| believe absolutely in Inherited
traits. Our acquaintance is too short
for me to decide.
have retreated tn the library. with
orders not To be disturbed on any ac-
count. in order to readjust conditions
tut Noih ott lIlc lsIIlbit pTODlt4N.
made ten times worse by Almas
beauty
What am TO do with herr In jus
tice TO her youth. I cannot shut her up
and keep her prisoner in Branleigh
Hall. But the college idea is out OF
the question You cant send a re-
markably handsome girl OF IS to col
lege TO set rid Of her.
Come in. Who Is that, You. Mrs
Brown? Anything the matter with
Miss Alma I'm afraid she will End IL
pretty dull ont here in the country
Have you any suggestion TO make,
Mrs. Brown,
There arc always surprises 10 a man.
in the feminine way OF looking al
things.
Now. my greatest dread had been