The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1916-06-08
Dorothy's
Guardian
She Wanted Him All
to Herself.
By CLARISSA MACKIE

in the worlds battles. While he was
delivering his commencement Grafton
there was one person In the audience
who listened to his youthful effort
without thinking or caring for its mer-
IT. She was wrapped in the speaker
himself. sr- fetg,fr
From the moment he made his APP
pearance on the platform this young
woman appeared as though she were
under spell, fascinated by the very
presence Of the man, from whom her
eyes never wandered.
Linda Barton, an undergraduate of
the woman's college of the same uni
versity. had met him, and there was
something in that pair of gray eyes
through which he looked at her that
seemed to penetrate her very soul
she worshiped him.
On the evening Of commencement
day the president held his usual re-
ception for the graduating class. Lin
da, whose tastes ran to music, was in
vited to add to the eclat of the occa-
sion by the performance of a selection
on the piano. She chose her piece
from Beethoven's sonatas and while
playing received rapt attention. On
rising from her instrument she looked
into the face of Merwin.
The campus was Illuminated, and a
throng passed from the presidents resi-
dence out among the elms, some of
which had been planted a century be-
fore. There on a bench in a secluded
spot Merwin told his companion his
story, a story which she listened to
with delight,
But the course of true love did not
run smooth. Merwin went from the
university to the law school, and it
was year before Linda was gradual
ed. A misdirected letter is quite enough
between youthful lovers to change the
current of two lives. Whatever was
the cause, Linda never told, but there
came a break. Neither married Mer-
win became a prominent lawyers and
in time Linda, finding it necessary to
earn her own living. availed herself
of her taste for music to do so. A re-
firing disposition untitled her for a
public life, and she became a teacher
in young ladies' seminary.
But the betr0thal that occurred on
that commencement night, when they
were in the first freshness of youth,
lived in the hearts of both. Merwin
became one of the legislators Of the
nation; Linda subsidized into a quiet
maiden lady teaching the next genera
ton to play the piano.
Five eager, glowing faces were bent
over the large photograph in Dorothy
Blake's hands.
isn't he perfect dearT' cooed Dor
Othy ecstatically.
$50 distinguished with that touch of
gray at the templesr' sighed Maud
Benning.
'Such fine eyes! Are they gray, Dol
Jy?" asked Eva Temple.
"M-m-m-m-mT murmured Dorothy
reminiscently. But you must remem-
her, girls, that / haven't seen my
guardian since 1 was twelve, that is six
years ago, and at that time 1 wasn't
the least bit interested in the color Of
any ones eyes"
Sweet childi'' teased Susan Mari.
$50 you are interested now in this
guardian who looks like an actor2"
Dear, I'm in love with himp gushed
Dorothy.
$50 are we all of u.s." lamented Amy
Smith, with a rueful smile. How old
Is he, Dolly2"
"old as the hills. He must be nearly
afty; forty anyway"
"Methinks I've seen2 that face be-
fore" murmured Maud.
'Perhapsi Richard Merwin is a very
prominent man, United States sena-
tor"
"No, no." insisted Maud seriously.
''IAsten, girls; / believe have 1t. Do
you remember once when Miss Barton
was Ill she sent me to her trunk to get
q box of papers? Well, the box was
old. and as carried it to her bedside
the pasteboard cover slipped Off and
some letters and papers fell on the
floor.
II gathered them up, and among
them was a mans picture. l scarcely
glanced at it, yet 1t remained wildly in
my memory. Girls. it was Senator
Merwin's picture"
'Dolly's guardian?" they questioned
incredulously.
Maud nodded. II am positive. She
acted quite embarrassed and slipped it
under the pillow. Isn't it oddT'
Perhaps they were sweethearts once
upon time" suggested Amy.
"Poohl" said Dorothy coolly. I'm go
ing to marry him myself, 30 therep
Small chance for poor Miss Bar
toni"
when is he coming, Dolly?"
81 don't know. I'm expecting letter
every day. asked him to come to
our dance.Y
"0h, DOllyl Fancy a grave senator
dancing the onestepl"
"0h. he may dance the old fashioned
waltzes with Miss Barton" laughed
Dorothy over her shoulder as she placed
the picture on her dressing table and
blew a kiss toward the grave, hand.
some face.