Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1884-08-15
ISLAND POND VERMONT, FRIDAY AUGUST 15 1884

"Oh, | shall not do it again, - Ruth
cried; "Pd sooner go through a wilder
nessn
But that is not the shortest way, " he
went on; cit is much nearer by the
coach house. Here-let me show you. u
"Oh, | couldn't think of troubling
you. Thank you, but you'll get wet
yourself.n
"Since I have undertaken It,"
answered Mr.. Hale, as if apologizing to
himself for his concession; and with the
words he spread his neat umbrella, and
walked with her. 1t was only two
minutes. The path he took was shorter,
and Miss Bennett hurried all she could.
She spoke no word till she reached the
Alexander hedge; then she said, as
hastily, vi am very much obliged-and
shall not trespass again.
GA pretty girl, " Mr.. Hale said to him.
self, as he watched her flying toward
the shelter of the porch. MRS. Alex.
der's governessl HUMP But what the
last word meant in his thought he could
hardly have told. Perhaps it only re.
minded him that his three motherlesi
children would soon be needing one.
Miss Bennett" Mrs. Alexander said
week later, "where did you meet Mr..
Halel He seems to know you; and last
night at the garden party he deigned to
say that if it would save you time and
fatigue, you might go through the park.
He has noticed you, perhaps, coming up
from the village" And when Ruth
had told her story, she lifted her eye.
brows little. cts a concession--G
great concession from him, she said.
'But l don't want it," cried Ruth.
I'd rather go miles around now. You
can't think how his manner humiliated
me. l felt as though I'd committed the
unpardonable sir" d"
Mrs. Alexander smiled at her vehem.
ence, but she had her own reasons fol-
not encouraging it. "Its quito on an
other footing now, since he permits it,
she said, land really l wish you would,
Since the hot weather came notice you
are sometimes very tired with the walk
Anything that will save your strength
for your work, you know" And to thai
Ruth yielded.
She need not have been so fierce about
it, she said to herself, after week. She
had the park all TO herself, and it was
certainly pleasanter than the dusty road
At first she hurried through as if drag
on haunted every bush but gradually she
moderated her pace and at last she made i
a gentle saunter, and even stopped on the
brink of the little stream which crossed
one end of the PARK to cool her hot heaC
in its breath of freshness, and soothe hel
eyes in the soft green depths of the wooC
beyond. Once or twice she saw Mr.
Hale's children with their French nurse
in the distance; once Mr.. Hale himsel
met her, touched his hat stiffly, and stood
aside to let her pass. She wondered af
terward if he expected her to thank hin
for his great concession. But the burder
of gratitude was not overwhelming t.
her proud little heart.
But few days later she met him again
and this time she repented enough t.
give him very frank smile and greet
ing. She felt like smiling on all tn
world that day, this poor little govern
ness who had youth and hope as her por
ton, and was content Herewith. Per
haps letter which she had thrust int,
her pocket at sight of him-a letteT sh
had herself taken from the Office anC
fingered under the trees to read-hat
something to do with her radiant fac
just then.
'rYou find this way much pleasante
than the road, Miss Bennett" Mr.. Hal
said, made affable by that smile.
Every much pleasanter, thank you,
Ruth answered, demurely.
81 might perhaps allow others to G
through" he went on, ''if l could b
sure they would not abuse the liberty
But it is always dangerous to give pee
pie an inch they take an ell instead"
"Oh, I've no doubt you are quite i
the right-from your side of the matter,
Ruth answered, and if there was tn
faintest touch of irony in her limitation
Mr. Hale did not see it.
Certainly am in the right" he dc
clared, in his most magisterial manner
but having thus, SO to speak, asserte
his dignity, he sought to unbend and b
properly gracious to so discreet perso
as she had proved herself. Ruth an
swered all his remarks with proper mod
esty, deepening the good impressio
she had already made, and forgot a
about him when she had crossed tn
hedge.
But the next day, as she sauntere
along the path, sudden sharp cry star
led her-a child's cry for help. 1t cam
from the river bank, and as she ran tC
ward it she understood its meaning. Th
youngest of the children, the little he
of the house, had slipped and fallen int
the stream. The nurse was running u
and down wringing her hands, and I'll
two children were screaming for hell
The water was not deep, but child ca
drown in very little, and when 81
reached the bank he had gone under fc
the second time.
"Run to the house for help" she erie
to the children; but even as she spoil
!, she had herself seized the readiest meal
of aid, and was climbing down the banl
1t would ruin her dress-even then 81
thought of that-but she wa led
braycly, half supporting herself by clin,
, ing to to vine that curtained the slop
1t might give way-it certainly would
the boy struggled and she lost her ba
ance; but it was the best she could d
{ She was not conscious of any special h
roism. Other people would doubtle
come to pull them both out later, but Il
3 moments were precious, and the child
| And here he came up again, just out
her reach. She dropped the vine, too
| the step needed to catch him, and fC
5 with him to the muddy bottom.
Ruth Bennett was chiefly conscious
D her ruined dress and mud -bespatter,
' face when, minute later, she climbed I
t the bank with her burden. The garde
e er and coachman were there; Mr.. Ha
G was there, too but he let the others he
hnr LIZ, n,d Lie 10 fnrnnl rn rnt11rna did n