The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1884-09-12
NO TRESPASSING.

NO TRESPASSING.
1t was painted in very black letters
On very white board. He who ran
could read, and Ruth Bennett was only
walking very fast when She came on it.
But she knew it by heart already Fol-
che last month she had read it every
.dav, and every Gay meekly turned into
the dusty road and made the long de-
tour needed to get past Mr.. Hale's
grounds and into his next neighbours.
Five minutes walk through that beau.
fiful park would have brought her to
Mrs. Alexander's hedge, and saved a
modicum of strength and temper sorely
needed for her trials as day governess
10 the three little Alexanders. But she
had never ventured on the liberJs,
though she had wanted to every day,
and the impulse had grown greater
since she had asked Mrs. Alexander if
was cutie impossible.
There's never soul about. and it S
an eighth of mile certainly to the
house. Idon't believe any one would
ever see me, and if they did, l could
tell them was your governess. For
it seemed to the young girl sufficient
distinction to be that to Mrs Rufus
Alexander. leading lady of the pretty
town where her summer home was To-
Gated.
81 would not venture if [ were you,"
Mrs. Alexander answered, kindly. She
was always kind to her goyernesses,
despite her wealth and her May flower
blood, and she had a special liking for
for this bright-faced, eager girl. mir.
Hale is very particular. He is a new
conner here, and disposed to make every
one respect his rights" 1t had been
on the lady's lips to call him parvenu
) but she would not throw scorn at her
. neighbor before her governess.
'-Why, Miss Bennett" Harry Alex
ander had added, rs she turned away.
~tdo you know that last summer his
gardener ordered my mother off the
grounds? OF course Mr.. Hale excused
1t afterward said the man had his or
: ders to make no discrimination; but
fancy--nsy naothern' and Harry's &C
= cent was more than the words.
Little Miss Bennett bowed her head
before the rights of good democrat
who had made ali his money in the last
twenty years, and was therefore more
aristocratic and exclusive than an En-
glish nobleman would have been with
respect to his possessions. Half the
village would have been grateful had
Mr.. Hale allowed a foot-path to tray
4erse his splendid park; but of course an
American can not make concessions to
she lower classes, and he stood on his
rights and dignities. But to-day Ruth
paused. She was late for her lessons;
she had fingered to put the last touch
as TO the pretty new dress she wore,
and there was thunder storm coming
Should she run the risk of offending
Mrs Alexander and spelling her dress,
ar should she trespaSs? No one was in
sight as she looked about, and near
er roll of thunder helped her to de-
cision. She stepped through the little
gate which all these days had Knocked
her with its invitation to forbidden
ground, and hurried across the lawn.
In the distance she could see the state
ly house. the leaping fountains and
bright flowers. She kept her eye on
that, fearing some servant on the
watch. She never looked the other
rway, and so, when a step suddenly came
beside her, she started in conscience
asmittcn guilt.
-Are you aware, madam" clear-cut
voice caid, THAT you are on private
grounds"
She looked up. A stout. bald man
stood beside her, man whom her pro-
phetic soul assured her was Mr.. bale.
He had deigned to touch his hat, but
not out of respect for her, she was sure.
he saluted rather his own dignity and
sense OF the proprieties. He had a
pompous air, as of one who feared his
simple personality was not impressive
enough. and the neat perfection of his
costume made more prominent his COM
moHplace features.
les, sir. she answered, meekly:
shut |. m doing my best to get out Of
them"
"You came in by the lower gate.
You saw the sign. of course?' he went
On, IN the same magisterial tones.
Yes; but was in hurry, and II
was afraid it was going TO rain. I'm
Mrs. Alexander's governess. She
yentured a glance at him as she said
this, but it evidently made no impress
sion IL beg your pardon; and
can go back, suppose. Thought that
Tor once-and didn't want to spoil nv
DRESS, she finished. impetuously. as q
great drop of rain fell on her hand.
She looked up with eyes whose appeal
might have softened him. 1t seemed to
her very ample excuse, but there was
NO relenting in his face In his own
mind. indeed. be was making a conces-
sion AS she was his neig hbor's gov
erness, he would not carry the matter
farther. and SO he stiffiy SAID, as he
stood back to let her retrace her steps.
81 am sure I-or Mrs. Alexander
win be much obliged for your--your
unexpected consideration Mics Ben
nett answered, as she took up her skirts
.ad prepared to beat dignifed re-
treat
There was no use in hurrying; she
szzs sure to be caught in the storm now,
ssnd so she turned and swept Mr.. Hale