The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1910-02-16
Her Guardian.
BY LOUISE BROWN.
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He stood on the broad veranda and
sazed down the long slope of green
lawn. Yes, there they were, just
emerging from the wooded path
which led to the lake. Hand in hand
they walked, his nephew and his
ward, evidently in very earnest con-
versation, as the girls eyes were bent
upon the ground and the young mans
head was very near hers. The
watcher sighed, then shrugged his
shoulders vigorously as though to
shake off some feeling which pos
sessed him. He was tall, splendidly
proportioned man of forty, with
square-cut jaw, grave dark eyes and
hair very slightly touched with gray.
Il have never gotten over the Won
der of it," he murmured, that plain,
shy little child has developed into
such an attractive woman. If only |
were not so old" "Wallace,"
called querulous feminine voice.
The tall man on the veranda gave one
last look at the approaching couple
and turned to enter the house, where
his sister evidently desired his help
with her troublesome household ac-
counts.
The two young people drawing near
to the house were good to look at.
The man, who would become of age
on the morrow, somewhat resembled
his uncle, Wallace Grant, with whom
he and his mother made their homie,
except that his figure was decidedly
boyish and his hair was not cropped
so closely as to prevent its curling
slightly upon his broad forehead.
Esther Charles, who had made her
home here for the past year since
completing the course of education
laid out for her, would reach her
twenty-frst birthday the following
week. Esther's blue eyes were bent
upon the ground to hide the laughter
IN their merry depths, but in a SYM
pathetic voice she murmured: "Yes.
Harry, dear, but which one are you
IN love with now? You haven't told
@'N NhS iuuy . udlnt. one WAS Ac-
customed to having Harry's affairs
OF the heart confided to her, but the
weather vane of his affection some-
times veered so rapidly it was quite
impossible for her to be absolutely
sure of whom he was speaking.
1T is Madge Clereford," he replied
reproachfully; then impetuously,
any other attachment l have had.
Esther, was as nothing compared to
the love l have for Madge. Esther"
pieadingly, won't you manage some
now to prepare uncle? l think | can
manage mother all right, but for
some reason Uncle Wallace seems to
avoid any conversation relating to
love and marriage"
The girls face grew grave and her
lips trembled slightly. The depart-
ing sunlight rested lovingly upon the
shining golden braids which crowned
her head. She did not smile now.
but said slowly, do you not think.
Harry, 1t would make a better i'm
preston if you presented the matter
to your uncle yourself?" "Oh." he
demonstrated, Il do not mean for Won
10 tell him everything" then hesitat-
lngiy, Just casually mention how
things are"
That evening Wallace Grant sat in
MS library, deep in thought. He had
never been in love until now and
could scarce understand the pent-up
emotion within him whenever his
eyes rested upon Esther's face. He
signed as he mentally compared his
age with hers and then thought of
Harry. Those two young neonIe
were meant for each other" he
thought, and have evidently discoy-
cred the fact. / doubt If Esther conld
ever regard me in any other light
than as her guardian"
AT this juncture there was a lipbt
tap at the door. He was ashamed of
tne rush OF blood within him as he
recognized Esther's knock. "Come
1n,'. he called. The girl entered hest
tatingly. She seemed at loss how
~o'H, ehN hC remembered tDat for
some time she had ceased to call him
Guardy," her old pet name for him
He duly wondered why this was
Lately she had not addressed him di-
rectly. Finally she said in a low
voice: Harry desires very much that
break to you the news of his en-
gagement." She faltered and her
eyes dropped before the steady gaze
OF the man before her.
With an effort he strove to conceal
he said. my dear child, / have been
expecting this, and congratulate
Harry and wish you both happiness
from the bottom of my heart"
Bewildered. she raised her head
and looked at him. But you don't
understand" she gasped. '1t is
Madge-Madge Clereford."
"Madge Clereford." he repeated