Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1906-03-08
HerGuardian
BY FRANK n. SWEET
Coppright 1906. bp MeC1ure. Phillips 60.
By FRANK n. Z

"What makes you SO thoughtful Of mef
At school there was no other girl who
had such beautiful and dainty things
And il was not money. for many Of
them were wealthy. They said | had
such exquisite taste. and IL was not /
at all. but you who procured them anJ
who influenced me into the way of
wanting such things, and il used to be
the same before | went 10 school and
has been so since | graduated and
came heme. You are always intiuenc-
ing me toward what is most beautiful
in life and then bestowing il on noe. so
lavishly."
Mr.. Barclays hand moved uneasily
among the papers.
Il promised your father be began.
when she Interrupted him with an inn
perious motion OF her hand.
Yes. yes, | know. but most guard
isns would have been satisfied with
keeping a general oversight and paying
the bills. You have been my most in
innate friend from the time my father
died. when | was only twelve. Why"
laughing. and her voice q~uavering a lit
tie. Il have told you my secrets and
love affairs as few Of the girls | know
tell their own mothers. Ii has seemed
perfectly natural. You were interested
in them, or appeared TO be, and never
requested me 10 keep away from the
boys. Indeed, | think you always ia
vored my going with them. only you
We're careful to inquire about their
habits"
She vas in a reminiscent mood, and,
though her eyes were still moist and
tender. her lips were half parted in
amused recollection.
'yhat a lot of boys | must have told
you about. Mr.. Barclay" she went on,
"all those OF my early school days,
then the ones | met at college and now
the young men who have been calling
on me during my six months here. You
know about the ones like best and
those | just tolerate"
II am afraid you are a sad firt. Eli
he said.
"Yes, | am afraid | am" she agreed
readily. her face becoming clouded.
but what can i do? The boys seem
nice. and l like them, but some way
when come TO know them better they
all fall a little short, and / have to let
them go. | have felt awfully sorry for
some of them. but there was no other
way, Two or three who are coming
here o are really talented and will
make successful men, l am sure, but |
have a premonition what my verdict
will be. They almost reach my IDEAL"
the lurking mischief again returning to
her eyes. but not quite"
perhaps your ideal is too high"
Perhaps" demurely, ''but you fixed
Il for ne. and you have made it so
much Of my being that | cannot stoop
% a lower one now"
"Well. | am glad. The ideal will
along some day. and then there
will be no mistake. Are your trunks
III packedf"
Yes. | can get ready in a few min
ties. and there is over an hour. That
$ why came down to have IA last
ak with You, Mr.. Barclay"
He WINGED ever so slightly. She had
called him uncle until the past
months. Now 1t was Mr.. Barclay.
he vas older, of course. and was
away from him. And she
would be absent for two whole years.
What would ii be like when she re
YES" he said. his voice a little
lreary with the thought, II was wait
ne for you to come down. 1t will be a
ong. delightful two years for you. and
hope you viii enjoy them thoroughly.
irs. Carruth has the reputation of be-
ng the best chaperon in the country,
he will take you every where, and you
Will meet nice people. / will give you
etters to some I wish o to know.
Dr.. Laurens Is going abroad on the
anne steamer. I hear. SO you will have
chance to meet him after all. was
orry for his peremptory m to
be hospital that day I invited him
ere. but of course his professional du-
les should come first. l shall ask him
0 look you up and request Mrs. Car
nth to present him. DIR. Laurens Is
ne OF the most brilliant and noble men
know and Is making himself an en-
reputation. and he is only three
older than you are. Elinor."
Don't. Mr.. Barclay she impIored,
nth sudden pain In her voice. Please
o not talk that way. You mean well,
Mt IL do not like 1t Just now. This
the only home I remember much
bout and | am going away for a
ing. long time Let us moi talk OF
Their people. When ! left college I
,oked forward to coming home and
wing quietly, N We did before I went
way. when We read books and played
hess and talked over things. But you
honght ! should 60 into society and
beet people. 20 you left your books and
ook me everywhere and introduced me
everybody. ! think I must have met
II m noted people. especially the
Dung men, In the whole city and sur
ounding country. And now I am to
o abroad to meet people and people
people! suppose Il b for the best
"a my good. but I am not brilliant
nough 10 appreciate n III sSouId
I'VE liked the chess and bocxs 20 much
etter.~