The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-07-20
THE EVENING STORY
Dicks Orphan.
(By Emma Ebelt.)

| DO look like the guardian of a
9-year-old grip" asked Dick Betting
of his friend, Gordon Amherst, as
they sat together in the formers Ii
brary.
| Gordon favored his host with an
elaborate scrutiny that included the
crown of his head and swept down to
his toes, and shook his own head
gravely.
eff wasn't positive that YOU dyed
your hair, Dick, 1 should say mo- at
| once. But being aware that beneath
your carefully polished raven locks
there turks many a white and VEN
| cradle hair, I will say that 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 I never had brother
or sister,
"Confound it, man, tell me about
it while smoke another of your
cigars" Gordon helped himself
from the box and scratched a match
ut isn't a guessing game, is it?''
"No-remember Miles Wenden?"
| Perfectly well. He died in Japan
a short time ago-I read it in the
paper"
ITS his daughter. He did a favor
for me once upon a time, and I told
him to command me when he need
ed a service in return. He's written
| of his daughter, Elizabeth, and it was
/ forwarded to me after his death. Her
mother died long ago-nine years, the
letter states. The girl arrived in New
| York this afternoon in care of a gov
erness or companion. I'm to see her
| tomorrow" Dick tossed a sheet of
paper across the table and Gordon
read the feebly scratched lines with
| interest.
What are you going to do with
|
Dick shrugged his shoulders. GO
ing to keep her in school for ten
years-by that time I shall be a set
tied old bachelor and ready to pre-
Ten years from now you will be
SO years old" murmured Gordon.
You will still be good looking, Dick"
"Humph!"
And will undoubtedly marry Miss
Weldon
81 never suspected you of romantic
IDEAS" returned Dick dryly.
Gordons round, fat face grew pink
Il may marry your ward myself
I'm five years younger than you are"
he protested.
"She isn't an heiress-no fortune
hunters need apply teased Dick.
You need a rich wife, Gordon
you're a spender."
Its the high cost of living
groaned Mr.. Amherst.
You mean the cost of high living
Gordon laughed when shall 1
see the infant-wonder if she wouldn't
like to go to the circus?"
I'll have you around tomorrow
night to take dinner with US if you
like
''A11 right I'll come-perhaps I can
help keep her in ORDER
When Dick was alone he smoked
several cigars before he retired. This
guardianship of a young girl had in
oil irfa hi
comfortable, bachelor existence. He
told himself reassuringly that with
Elizabeth at school nine months out
of the year it might make 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 un-
usual warmth in the region of his
heart.
He bIushed unaccountabIy when he
thought of the coming of Elizabeth
Wendell. TT won't be unpleasant"
he admitted as he turned out his
light. IF I had married 1 might
have had daughter of her age-but
somehow I've never felt the CALI
The next day he went to the hotel
where Miles WendelPs daughter was
staying with her companion, Mrs.
Armstrong.
Miss Wendell will join us at once"
said Mrs. Armstrong, after she had
greeted him. ''She has been shop
ping all the morning and is rather
tired
Mr.. Betting stared. "Er-yes. Il
suppose little girls need plenty of
new frocks and so forth. I 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
Elizabeth will not take kindly to our
interference" she said. ''She mas
chosen her own clothes ever since she
was ten years old"
"Oh!" stammered Dick blankly,
conscious that he was talking at cross
purposes with Elizabeth's companion.
Deity he changed the subject and
waited for the appearance of this pre-
eddy little older than he had had rea-
son to believe. Miles Weldon was
such 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 he was thinking
when the door opened and a girl en-
tered.
A girl of nineteen 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.
Mr. Betting said Mrs. Armstrong |
demurely.
AS Dick bent low over the girls |
slender hand he recovered his equa- |
nimity.
at was looking for nine-year |
GIRL" he said with his charming smile. /
I'm afraid I had relegated you to the /
schoolroom for ten long years.
Elizabeth laughed softly. "How |
dreadful when I have just hidden
goodby to it forever!'
"I even contemplated selecting your
Clothes" went on Dick gravely.
''Horrorsi You will forgive me, too; |
but I thought you would prove to be |
quite-an old gentleman" blushed