Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1906-03-08
Her Guardian
BY FRANK II. SWEET
Copyright. 1905. bv Mcclure, Philips q Co.


you will need, may needT
Everything? Oh, Mr. Barclayr'
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 ii was not
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 / went to school and
has been SO since l graduated and
| came home. You are always infiuenc-
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.
Il promised your father be began,
when she. interrupted him with an i'm
perious molten Of her hand.
"Yes, yes, 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 / was only twelve. Why"
laughing, and her voice quavering q lit.
tie, Il 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 from the
boys. Indeed, think you always ia
vored my going with them. only you
were careful to inquire about their
habits"
She was In a reminiscent mood, and,
though her eyes were still moist and
tender, her lips were half parted In
amused recollection.
what a lot Of boys ! must have told
you about, Mr.. Barclay" she went on,
call 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 sad fiirt, ELI
nor" he said.
"Yes. am afraid I am" she agreed
readily. her face becoming clouded.
"But what can do? The boys seem
| nice. and ! like them, but some way
when come to know them better they
all fall little short, and have to lot
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
have premonition what my verdict
will be. They almost reach my IDEAL"
the lurking mischief again returning to
her eyes. "but not quite"
"Perhaps yonr ideal Il TOO Llsh.''--.--
Perhaps" de.1rely, "but you fixed
1t for me. and you have made 1t 30
much Of my being that cannot stoop
| to lower one now."
"Well. am glad. The ideal will
come along some day. and then there
will be no mistake. Are your trunks
/ all packedT
"Yes. can get ready In few min
utes, and there Is over an hour. That
is why I came down to have IA last
talk with you, Mr.. Barclay"
He WINGED ever 80 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 1t be like when she re-
turpedt
"Yes," he said, his voice little
drcary with the thought, 81 was walt
ing for you to come down. 1t will be
long, delightful two years for you, and
hope you win enjoy them thoroughly.
Mrs. Carruth has the reputation OF be-
ing the best chaperon In the country.
She viii take you everywhere, and You
will meet nice people. win give you
letters to some I wish you to know.
DIR. Laurens is going abroad on the
same steames. hear. so you Will have
/ q chance 10 meet him after all. was
sorry for his peremptory summons to
the hospital that day / invited him
here, but OF course bis professional du-
ties should come first shall ask him
to look you y and request Mrs. Car
ruth TO present him. DIR. Laurens is
one OF the most brilliant and noble men
I know and ID making himself an en-
vlable reputation, and he 10 only three
years older than you are, Elinor."
Don't, Mr.. Barclayw she implored.
with sudden pain In her voice. "Piease
DO not talk that way, You mean well,
but II do not like It just now. This
is the only home l remember much
about. and | am going away for a
long, long time. Let US not talk OF
other people. When / left college l
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 1 should 90 into society and
meet people 30 you left your books and
took me everywhere and introduced me
to everybody. think must have mot
all the noted people, especially tho
young men, In the whole city and sur
rounding country. And now ! am to
go abroad to meet people and people
and peoplel suppose IL 10 for the best
and my good. but I am not brilliant
tuoukH W uDpAcNiotp Ae' ss~es@
bave liked the chess and books 80 much
better"
His face was turned away from her
now, but his voice was steady.
"Yes. II Is for the best, Elinor. 1t Is
right for q girl 20 marry. and she
should know men before she is ready
20 make a choice. Some girls are nc-
quainted with only few, and the best
of these In her standard OF manlinees.
Perhaps Just outside her limited area
there are hundred who arc stronger
and nobler In every way. This girl has
been cheated. do not want your life
like that. have done the best for
you In the way OF an education. Az a
conscientious guardian could ! do iess
for the rest OF your iifef II In not that
want you to go. Elinor: II In not that
/ have any inclination 10 be a match
maker. II is because-bceauso ! can
do nothing else. being myself" He
looked at his watch abruptly. 'Twcn-
~ minutes" he suggested.
$50 latef Well. win go and get
ready"
A. thu door aha Dausod looking back