The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1912-08-01
WEEKLY SHORT STORY
DICKS ORPHAN.
BY Emma Eblet.

'c"i -Viu girl. asked DICK Betting OF
his friend, Gordon Amherst, as they
sat together in the formers library.
Gordon favored his host with an
elaborate scrutiny that included the
crown Of his head and swept down to
MS toes and shook his own head
gravely.
IF L wasn't positive that you dyed
your hair, Dick, l should say no at
once. But beng aware that beneath
your carefully polished raven locks
there turks many a white and ven
cradle hair. l will say that l believe
you're old enough to have an entire
orphan asylum in charge"
She is an orphan" admitted Dick.
Brothers child?" asked Gordon.
You know l never had a brother or
a sister"
"Confound it, man, tell me about il
while smoke another of your cigars"
Gordon helped himself from the box
and scratched a match. 1t isn't a
guessing game, is it?''
'No-rememberN Miles WeudelI?"
Perfectly we'll. He died in Japan
short time ago-I read il in the
paper"
Its his daughter. He did a favor for
ME once upon a time, and L told him
to command me when he needed a SER
vice in return. He's written me a
liter appointing me guardian of his
daughter, Elizabeth, and it was for
warded to me after his death. Her
mother died long ago-nine years, the
letter appointing me guardian of his
York this afternoon in care of a gov
erness or companion. I'm to see her
tomorrow" Dick Sosssd a sheet of
paper across the table and Gordon
read the feebly scratched lines with
interest
What are you going to do with
her?" he asked.
Dick shrugged his shoulders. Go
ing to keep her in school for ten years
by shat time l shall be a settled old
bachelor and ready to present her to
society"
Ten years from now you will be
80 years DID," murmured Gordon
You will still be good looking,
Dick"
"Humph!"
And will undoubtedly marry Miss
Weldon"
Il never suspected you of romantic
ideas" returned Dick dry1y.
Gordon's round, fat face grew pink.
81 may marry your ward myself-Tm
five years younger than your are" he
protested.
She isn'S an heiress-no fortune
hunters need apply" teased Dick.
You need a rich wife, Gordon-you're
a spender.'
It's the high cost of living" groan-
ed Mr.. Amherst.
You mean the cost of high living"
Gordon laughed. when shall see
the infant-wonder if she wouldn't
like to go 20 the circus?'
I'll have you around tomorrow
night to take dinner with us if you
like"
All right I'll come-perhaps 1 can
help keep her in order"
When Dick was alone ne smoked
several cigars before he retired. This
guardianship of young girl had in
troduced a new element into his quiet,
comfortable, bachelor existence. He
told himself reassuringly that with
Elizabeth at school nine months of
the year it might have very little
difference in his life, and yet there
were holidays and vacations to be
considered. The thought OF making
this unknown child happy stirred UNI
usual warmth in the region of his
heart.
He blushed unaccOuntably when he
thought Of The coming OF Elizabeth
Wendell. lit won't be unpleasant"
he admitted as he turned out his light.
IF l had married 1 might have had
a daughter of her age-but somehow
I've never fele the call"
The next day he went to the hotel
where Miles Wendell's daughter was
staying with her companion, a Mrs.
Armstrong.
Miss Wendell will join us at once"
said Mrs. Armstrong, after she had
greeted him. she has been shopping
all the morning and is rather tired"
Mr.. Betting stared "Er-yes. !
suppose little girls need plenty of new
frocks and so forth. l may have to
call upon you to help me out in that
respect don't know much about
fripperies."
1t was Mrs. Armstrong; turn TO look
surprised and then amused. Eliza
beth will not take kindly to our inter
ference" she said. she has chosen
her own clothes ever since she was 10
years Olu
OH" stammered Dick blanlly, con-
scious that he was talking at cross
purposes with EliZabeth'S companion.
Deity he changed the subject and
waited for the appearance of this
precOcious Elizabeth, who was, un-
doubleday a little older than he had
had reason to believe. Miles Weldon
was such a careless fellow it would
be just like him to forget the age of
his only child.
"a few years more won't make much
difference" ne was thinking when the
door opened and girl entered.
A girl of 10 she was, with small
oval face framed in misty black hair;
a pair of hazel eyes and a scarlet
mouth that smiled at him with charm
ing shyness.
Elizabeth, this is your guardian,
Mr.. Betting" said Mrs. Armstrong de-
murely.
AS Dick bent low over the girls
hand he recovered his equanimity.
81 was looking for 9-year old girl
he said with a charming smile. "I'm