Ellsworth American., 1917-09-26
My Guardian
BY RUTH GRAHAM

think had Just turned seventeen.
| During her last illness she worried a
great deal as to what was to become
~ me after being deprived Of her care.
Il wish you were a few years older"
she said TO me one day. Il would pick
out husband for you Then there
would be no need for me to be anxious
about your future"
Would you expect me to marry
man without love. mothery-
II should rely on his good qualities
TO win your confidence and respect.
which would be better than romantic
attachment Certainly II would be
more enduring
Mother had often told me that she
had been engaged before she married
my father. but gave me nothing more
than the bare fact I often wondered
why she had not married this person
instead Of father knew that he was
several years younger than she. and
since a woman prefers a man older
than herself fancied that this might
be the reason OF her breaking her first
engagement
When mother died and her will was
opened learned that her property had
been left to a certain Horace Ogilvie
In trust for me till should reach the
age Of twenty-on one. when 1t was to be
paid to me. My guardian was to have
the legal care OF me during my minori-
ty. to provide a home for me and d.
rect my education. I remember that
few days after the opening Of the
will very pleasant looking gentleman
about thirty-nve years old came to see
me and announced himself ~ my
guardian He told me that he lived
with his mother In smother city and I
was to so with htm and make my home
with them.
He seemed to take such a kindly in
terest ia me and WIS 70 sympathetic
with me In my bereaved condition that
felt greatly comforted- accompA-
MED him to his home, where l was rc-
ceived by his mother, an cid lady who
was as cordial as II were her own.
During this hrst day spent with
my guardian l constantly found him
looking at me with very singular ex-
prcssion. 1t was as though was con-
nected with something beyond myself.
fancied that there was tenderness In
his gaze. Could II be that he felt that
he was placed toward me in the posi-
tiou Of father? / certainly did not
have for him a corresponding FEELING
thought him a very interesting man.
Why my mother had appointed him
my guardian | did not know, and
was not informed. Somehow since nef-
ther he nor his mother said anything
about the matter rather shrank
from asking. Mrs. Ogilvic took entire
charge Of me. and soon came to look
upon her as my second mother. Mr
ogilvie from the day he assumed my
legal guardianship treated me with .
certain reserve, which did not relish
l wished that he would not kecp. q
barrier constantly between him and
me. At twenty l left school and was
certainly not the half child, half wan-
an. that ] had been when I came 70
i've IN my second nome
The difference between q man e
thirty eight and q woman OF twenty
is mot what 1t Ia between q man Of
thirty-6ve and . girl OF seventnen
When came home from school for
tho last time my relations with my
guardian had changed His treatment
OF me was more reserved than, ever.
| had NO acQuaintaDces among young
men near my own age. and this seemed
to trouble him He hunted up several
youngsters and brought them tn. the
house for my companionship- They
seemed very boyfsh to me.
One day one OF these youngsters h.
vited me to go to play with him hat
evening. Mr.. Ogilvie came home b
dinner tired and despondent about
something that had gone wrong during
the day. His mother suggested that
he go to.some place Of amusement 10
demurred on the ground TINT IL woxh
not benefit him to 90 alone
why not take meT i snggestsd
II thought that you haai an sngAee-
ment," was his reply.
@f1l break it."
He looked at me, SURPASSED, and said
he would not have me. do that On any
account
assured him that preferred to 60
with him, but could not make him un-
derstand that would choose to spend
an evening In company With an Old
fellow like himself 10 . yOng man
near my own age.
Hall an hour sftervard received
two tickets with . note from the donor
stating that he was unavoidably prs-
vented from escortine me to the thee
ter and hoped would find some oas
to take his place. ! went mefrily 10
Mr.. Ogilvie. waving the tickets srse