The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1906-03-13
HerGuardian
By FRANK II. SWEET
Copyright. 1905. By Mcclure. Phtllsps d Co.

Copyright. 1905, By Mcclure, Philips 4 Co.
'Then you think you have everything
you will need, may needY
Everything? Oh, Mr.. Barclay!"
The girls eyes were misty with tears
what makes you so thoughtful Of me?
AT school there was no other girl who
had such beautiful and dainty things
And it was not money, for many Of
them were wealthy. They said had
such exquisite taste, and it was not 1
at all, but you who procured them and
who Influenced me into the way of
wanting such things, and it used to be
the same before l went to school and
has been so since l graduated and
came home. You are always infuenc-
ing me toward what is most beautiful
In life and then bestowing 1t on me, SO
lavishly."
Mr. Barclays hand moved uneasily
among the papers.
II promised your father he began,
when she interrupted him with an i'm
perious motion of her hand.
Yes, yes, l know, but most guard
ians would have been satisfied with
keeping general oversight and paying
the bills. You have been my most in
Innate friend from the time my father
died, when I was only twelve. Why"
laughing, and her voice quavering lit
tie, II have told you my secrets and
love affairs as few of the girls know
tell their own mothers. 1t has seemed
perfectly natural. You were interested
in them, or appeared to be, and never
requested me to keep away frem the
boys. Indeed, l think you always IA
vored my going with them, only you
were careful to inquire about their
habits"
She was in reminiscent mood, and,
though her eyes were still moist and
tender, her lips were half parted in
amused recollection.
What 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 l like best and
those just tolerate"
II am afraid you are a sad fiirt, Eli
nor" he said.
Eyes, am afraid / am" she agreed
readily, her face becoming clouded.
'But what can do? The boys seem
nice, and l like them, but some way
when come to know them better they
all fall 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 now are really talented and will
make successful men, am sure, but
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
1t for me, and you have made 1t so
much of my being that cannot stoop
to lower one now"
well, l am glad. The ideal win
come along some day, and then there
will be no mistake Are your trunks
all packed%
Eyes. can get ready in few min
utes, and there Is over an hour. That
is why l came down to have IA last
talk with you. Mr.. Barclay"
He WINGED ever so slightly. She had
always called him uncle until the past
few months. Now 1t was Mr.. Barclay.
She was older, of course, and was
growing away from him. And she
would be absent for two whole years.
What would it be like when she re-
turned?
YES" he said, his voice q little
dreary with the thought. II was wait
Ing for you to come down. 1t will be
long, delightful two years for you, and
1 hope you will enjoy them thoroughly
Mrs. Carruth has the reputation of be-
ing the best chaperon in the country.
She win take you everywhere, and you
will meet nice people. I will give you
letters to some / wish you to know.
DR.. Laurens is going abroad on the
same steamer, / hear, so you will have
chance to meet him after all. l was
sorry for his peremptory summons to
the hospital that day / invited him
here, but of course his professional du-
ties should come first / shall ask him
to look you up and request Mrs Car
ruth to present him. DIR. Laurens Is
one Of the most brilliant and noble men
| know and is making himself an en-
viable reputation, and he is only three
years older than you are, Elinor."
Don't, Mr.. Barclayw she implored,
with sudden pain in her voice. please
do not talk that way. You mean well,
but IL do not like it just now. This
is the only home | remember much
about, and am going away for
long, long time. Let US not talk of
other people. When l left college j
looked forward to coming home and
living quietly, as we did before / went
away. when we read books and played
chess and talked over things. But you
thought l should go into society and
meet people. so you left your books and
took me everywhere and introduced me
to everybody. | think | must have met
all the noted people, especially the
young men, in the whole city and sur
rounding country. And now l am tc
go abroad to meet people and people
and people! 1 suppose it is for the best
and my good, but | am not brilliant
enough to appreciate 1t. II should
have liked the chess and books so much
better"
His face was turned away from her
now, but his voice was steady.
Eyes, it is for the best, Elinor. 1t is
right for girl to marry, and she
should know men before she is ready
to make choice. Some girls are &C
luainted with only Il Jew, and the best
of these is her standard of manliness.
Perhaps just outside her limited area
there are hundred who are stronger
and nobler in every way. This girl has
like that. | have done the best for
you in the way of an education. As a
conscientious guardian could do less
for the rest of your life? 1t is not that
| want you to go, Elinor; It is not that
| have any inclination to be a match
maker. 1t is because-because I can
do nothing else. being myself" He
looked at his watch abruptly. "Fwen-
ty minutes" he suggested.
$50 late? Well, l will go and get
ready"
At the door she paused, looking back. |
You must excuse my talk about your |
Hberality. Mr.. Barclay" she said visit
fully. "But-but l could not go away |
without saying something"
Halfway up the stairs she paused
again. She had forgotten the letters Of
introduction, and It would be more con-
venient to put them in her bag before
starting
When she re-entered the library Mr..