The daily Alaskan., 1905-02-08
HIS WARD
toriginal.l

LUIS CiuO lllct Sdlu AtuoAu buteo to himself, ''is becoming intolerable," Going to the coat room, he took his hat and cane and sauntered to his house.
 The next morning on Arnold Bates plate at the breakfast table was an en- velope with several inclosures. When he had been child he was thrown into constant companionship with Tim othy Sinclair, young man of twenS. Sinclair had married and passed out of Bates life. One of the inclosu"es an nouuced Sinclair's death, another stat ed that he had appointed Bates guard ian to his only child, little girl, with the request that he would take full charge of her.
 Mrs. Winfield" exclaimed Bates to his housekeeper, springing up and walking excitedly back and forth, 'pre pare rooms for a guestl No, not a guest-one to be here permanently"
 "A gentleman, sir?"
 "Gentleman? No. l have all the mems society want, A child-a little girl"
 "Yes, sir"
 Several days later telegram was received that the ward was to arrive that evening. Bates went home un usually early to see that all was in readiness.
 twill you have high chair for her at the dinner table, sirT' asked the housekeeper.
 q don't know. wonder how old she is. have no idea"
 "Pn put one at her place, and if she doesn't need 1t l can take 1t away"
 Bates spent the time till the arrival of his ward walking through the rooms prepared for her or trying to read the evening paper, constantly smiling in spite of himself at the prospect of hay ing child in the house. Suddenly he heard a carriage drive up and stop be fore the house. Springing to the front door, he opened 1t just as girl appar- ently about eighteen years of age mounted the steps. She stood looking at him. he at her.
 'I suppose you are the governess| said Bates.
 "The governessT'
 Have you got the child in the car riageg"
 What chlld?"
 ''The little Sinclair girl"
 q am Lillian Sinclair"
 "whatY'
 Are you Mir. Batesp
 "I am. and am expecting my ward, the little daughter of my bOyhood friend, Timothy Sinclair, l supposed of course some one would bring her to me, and as you have arrived when she is expected l naturally But don't stand here. Come into the house."
 Why, MT. Bates" said the girl after they were inside, did you suppose your ward to be childT
 Because the letter notifying me of the charge quoted the words of Mir. Sinclair referring to her us a child"
 'Dld you understand when those words were wrlttenY
 "No."
 "The will by which my father com mitted me to your care was made twelve years ago, when was six years old"
 Bates stood in that dazed condition usual with one whose expectations have been suddenly shifted.
 And you, a young lady, are my ward?"
 T am If you are Mir. Arnold Bates"
 "H'mph" This was spoken aloud but there was more that he thought "What the dickens am l going to do with herr"
 The young lady was also evidently put out. ''I supposed you were an old man." she said in a disappointed tone.
 "I am, in the eyes of people of your age; I'm thlrty-six. Well, come in to dinner. We'll talk it over."
 He ushered her into the dining room. The girl took Off her wraps, and Bates in his confusion, without noticing what he was doing. pointed to the high chair.
 
 The girl burst into a laugh
 'Take that thing away" he said to a servant
 The chair was removed and replaced by one fitted for a grown person.
 There was a very pleasant dinner. The housekeeper occupied a position at the table, and when the coffee was served Mir. Bates said to her:
 Mrs. Winfield, do you suppose you'll do for a chaperon for this young ladyT
 Certainly. I'm old enough to be her mother, and yours, too, for that matter"
 "Very well. She'll remain with us. I would suggest your making some changes in her apartments more be- fitting her age. Never mind; I'll do l. myself" And, rising, he hurried up stairs.
 Lillian Sinclair heard something drop in the hall Going out there, a large wax doll lay on its back staring