The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-10-29
HIS GUARDIAN.
iFirst PARTY

iFirst Part.)
I'm an old-fashioned maple wood
rocking chair, sat Mrs. Wilson, with
her almost transparent hands resting
on her opon bible. which she held In
her lap. The faded face which in ear
~ years had boosted of unusual calm
illness bore traces of severe sorrows
meekly borne; and the patient sweet
ness that sat IN the lip. and smiled
s%erenely in the mild gray eyes. invest
cd II with irresistible charm that oc-
casionally lenders ripe old age more
attractive than flushing dimpled youth.
Her hair, originally pale brown. was as
s~now-white as the ,arlatan cap that
n W named II in a crimped border.
The tranquility Of the warm sum
mer's day and Mrs. Wilson'S day
dream of post rcminiscences were in
terrupted by quick, child-lilte steps. and
then a boisterous, 81 am homo fof the
day, mother" And Charlie, q bright
faced lad. pr~ematurely grown for hts
age. appeared and. with unconcealed
affection for his dear mother. he kiss.
ed her with great gentleness.
How are you feeling to-day. moth
erf" he asked. kindly.
about the same, Charlie she re-
piled, with a smile, although with the
answer, her hand shook tremulous-
ly, and n pallor overspread her kin
face
II meet a doctor to-day. and indeed
he was a gentlenan"-enthusiasticaily
- told him the circumstances. and
he promised he'd come sometime to-
day. When I told him we were poor.
and could not AFFORD to pay a large
doctors bill, he said: Money isn't
everything, my boy"
DR.. Vincent. a handsome. debonair
penf1nn,nD IL ont bIg ,rn,ntca a.. ,.,1
ed that evening. prescribed for the
gentlewoman, and when he was offered
pay for his visit, he refused it. and
assured Mrs. Wilson he would call the
following day.
Dir. Vincent did not think seriously
of his PATIENTS sickness. and was In
deed surprised to find her critically
i'll the next day-the crisis was surely
shocking mans to Charlie. for the doc
tor positively said that she could not
live through the day. Mrs. Wilson APP
parently knew tho state In which she
was. for she called Charlie to her bed
and said, sadly: '"The doctor has not
told me how sick I am. yet ] know that
! must soon die, and before 1 depart
from this earth | want to tell you
something which has worried me for
many years" the dying. woma stopped
for a minute, then continued, "I am not
your real mother"
why, you -" interrupted Charlie,
surprised,
Charlie" said DR.. Vincent. sternly.
do not interrupt, for she is rapidly
losing her breath"
mo. ! am not your mother. and
neither do ] know her; for you We're
put under my guardianship by your
rich father, who Is now dead" she
continued" and neither can i tell you
his name. I have loved you, dear boy
as II you were my own son; and my
list wish is that DR.. Vincent Will adopt
you" and she gased pitlfully at the
doctor, who hcsitatingly replied: 81
have found Charlie "a very Intelligent
youth. and your dying wish shall be
granted
God bless you BOTH" she cried rev.
erently, II forgot-the ring-ring-
ring" and then she fell gently down
upon her pillow. where she breathed
her last contently. with a smile on
her lips.
Charlie was in good hands, and was
most surely to succeed In life under tn
deligent and watchful guardianship OF
Or. Vincent.
I be continued.)
Original composed by
!. HAMILTON WHITE,
PA West Clay Street.