Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1884-12-16
KATE'S ADVENTURE.
by BELLE MONTICELLO.


"Nell, do tell me who owns the adj
joining grounds. Amt they just love-
ly? asked Kate Ashton, as standing
near the hedge she peeped through the
interstices into the yard beyond.
"They belong to one Gerald Eyer
ton," replied Nell, "and are considered
superior to any in the neighborhood."
sis Mr.. Egerton married." was
Rates question.
"No; he was heartlessly Tilted years
ago, and has since withdrawn from So
ciety. He was engaged to handsome
young lady when he purchased that
place and had it furnished most ele-
gantly to receive his future bride, but
the day before the appointed wedding
day she eloped with worthless fellow,
an old lover, believe, leaving only a
cruel letter to remind him of her faith
lessness. Her father cast her off when
she returned, some few months later, to
seek reconciliation. She disappeared
from the nelghborhood and has not since
been heard from. Mr.. Egerton spends
most OF Ills time in the city, returning
every year on the anniversary of that
Hateful day, stays o few weeks, then
goes back to the city. While here, he
never appears among the people and
none venture near the premises. An
old couple live in one of the detached
buildings and take care of the place during
his absence, but, not being at all COM
municative, the villagers can only sur
mise his intentions"
"Then he judges the faithlessness Of
the entire sex by one woman, 1 suppose.
He does wrong and I should like to con-
vince him of luis error" said the daunt-
less Kate.
"WLat an ogre he must be" she con-
tinued az am really anxious to see
him. My imagination has already di-
vined him to be old and ugiy-a little,
weasened face, with skin resembling
parchment, eyes like boiled gooseber-
ries, nose like hawks bill, with a set
Of false teeth to complete his hideous-
ness. Ugh!" Struggling her shoulders,
81 almost fancy he is before me now"
81 don't know, Kate, I'm sure, for,
although we have been neighbors for
years, 1 have never met him. I have
heard that he is not old-about 80, /
think-and not bad-looking."
Indeed! Then how is it that some
designing female has not secured him
IRE this as matrimonial prize?" asked
Kate. 81 am more anxious than ever
to see him and form his acquaintance.
When will he return, or is the place now
hoDored by his august presence?"
"He is absent, but will, in all proba-
bility, return in few weeks. Then
you car see him and judge for yourself.
In regard to making his acquaintance,
you would have to beard the lion in his
den, for there is no one in the neighbor.
hood who would venture such familiarity
us introducing any one to him."
81 suppose L shall have to relinquish
my desire, but, if this monster does moi
object to having a good-looking young
lady like myself visit his grounds, will
avail myself of the chance during his
absence. and will fairly haunt the place
until his return. Where can l effect an
entrance?'
"There is small gate little further
on. 1t is almost concealed by weeds, as
it has not been in use for years"
81 will investigate Immediately. Such
agolden opportunity must not be lost, "
replied Kate, threading her way among
maze of tangled weeds which she u.s.
sured Nell must be at least of century's
growth
The gate was found, and, after many
vain endeavors to open it wide enough
to gain admittance, they Mt last succeed
ed. Kate passed through the opening,
bidding Nell follow her, but, being of a
rather tinid disposition, she refused.
Vending her way alone through the
serpentine walks, under huge elm trees,
past flower-beds in all the splendor Of
their summer bloom, toward the grand
old house, thanked on each side by grim
, and sturdy oaks. The smooth. shaven
lawn presented beautiful appearance
the whole place had an air of neatness,
and order reigned supreme. Not sign
OF life was visible.
After having leisurely admired the
building, she strolled to the farther
limits, where she found a miniature
giotto, formed in the side Of hill, and
covered with large stones. 1t looked
like the work of nature rather than art,
81 irregular was the construction.
"What picturesque little spot
here 1 shall spend the greater part Of my
tune until the ogre's return, she said,
Ter having explored the interior.
LARGE stones. rough and unhewn. formed