Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1906-03-17
HerGuardidn
BY FRANK n. SWEET
CopnrinLf. 1915. bu Mca lnre. EhNlips & 90.
BY FRANK n. SWEET
Copyright, 1875, bu Mcclure. PhaIips 4 60.

Everything: oh. Mr.. Barclayw
The girls eyes were misty with tears.
What makes you so thoughtful of me?
At school there was 10 other girl who
had such beautiful and dainty things.
Aud 1t was not money Tor many OF
them were wealthy They said had
such exquisite taste and IL was not |
ut all. but you who procured them and
who influenced me into the way OF
wanting such things. and II used To be
the same before | went To school and
has been so since | graduated and
came home. You are always influence
Ing me toward what Is most beautiful
ia life and then bcstowing II on me. so
lavishly."
MIR Barclays hand moved uneasily
among the papers.
Il promised your father be began.
when she interrupted him with an i'm.
pcrious motion of her hand
Yes. yes. | know but most guard
ians would have been satisfied with
keeping Il 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 ana her voice quavcring lit.
Tie. Il have told you my secrets and
love affairs rs few of the girls know
tell their own mothers II has seemed
perfectly natural You were Interested
in them or appeared TO he, and never
requested me To keep away from the
boys. Indeed. | think you always ia
vorc1 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 We're half parted In
amused recollection.
what lot Of boys | must have told
you about. MIR 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"
Il am afraid you are a sad fiirt. Eli
nor" he said.
"Ycs. am afraid | am" she agreed
readily. her face becoming clouded.
"But what can do? The boys seem
nice. ami like them, but some way
when come TO know them better they
all fail little short. and have 10 let
them 20. 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 "a prcmonition what my verdict
will be-. They almost reach my IDEAL"
the lurking mischief again returning to
her eyes. but not quite"
"Pcrhaps your ideal is too high"
Perhaps" demurely. but you fixed
II for me ana you have made it so
much of my being that cannot stoop
10 u lower one now"
well | am glad The ideal will
come along some day. and then there
will bc no mistake. Are your trunks
all packed"
"Yrs can get ready in few min
utes. and there Is over an hour That
IS why | came down to have "a last
talk with You, Mr. Barclay.
lie WINGED ever so slightly She had
always called him uncle until the past
few months Now II 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 II be like when she re-
turned
yes" he said. his voice little
dreary with the thought. II was wait
ing for you 10 come down. It will be
long. delightful two years for you. and
| hope you will enjoy them thoroughly.
Mrs Carruth has the reputation Of be-
ing the best chaperon in the country.
She will take you everywhere. and you
will meet nice people. VIII give you
letters to some wish you TO know
DR. Iaurens Is going abroad on the
same steamer. ! hear, so you will have
chance To meet him after all ! was
sorry for his percmptory summons 10
the hospital that day | invited him
here. hut OF course his professional du-
ties should come first. shall ask him
10 look you up and request Mrs. Car
ruth 10 present him. DR. Laurens IL
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. Barclay" she implored.
with sudden pain In her voice please
do not talk that way. You mean well,
but II do not Ike II Just now This
Is the only home ! remember much
about. and | am going away for a
long. long time. Let Us not talk OF
other people. When left college
looked forward to coming home and
living quietly. rs we did before went
away. when we read books and played
chess aud talked over things. But you
thought should 20 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 ! am TO
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