Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1884-08-29
NO TRESPASSING.
liarpcrS Bazaar.

Harpcrs Bazaar.
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. For thelast month she had
read 1t every day, and every day
mcekly turned INTO the dusty road
and made the long detour needed to
get past MIR. Halc's grounds and into
his next neighbours. Five minutes
walk through that beautiful park
would have brought her to Mrs. Alex
ander's hedge, and saved modlcum
Of strength and temper sorely needed
for her trials as day governess to the
three little AleXanders. But she had
never ventured on the liberty, though
she had wanted to every day, and the
impulse had grown greater since she
had asked Mrs. Alexander if it was
quite impossible.
There's never II soul about, and is
an eighth of a mile certainly to the
house, didn't believe any one
would ever see me- and if they did
could tell them ! was your Cover
ness. For it seemed to the young
girl II sufficient distinction TO be that
To Mrs. Rufus Alexander, leading
lady Of the pretty town where her
SumIacr home was located.
II would not venture it if | were
you" Mrs. Alexander answered
&indly. She was Away kind to her
governoSsrS, desplt" her wealth and
her Nav Slower blood, and she had a
special liking for this bright-fa
eager girl Mr. Hale Is very partlcu
lar. He is a new conner here, and
disposed To make every one respect
his rights. 1t had been on the lady S
lips 10 call him parvcnu, but she
would not throw Scorn at her neigh
Dor before her %ovcrness.
"Why, MISS Bcnnctt, " Harry Alex
amber had added as she turned away,
do You know that last summer his
gardener ordered my mother oil the
grounds Oicoursc Mr. Hale excused
IT attcrward SAID the man had orders
to make no discrimination but fancy
ny mDihcr' aud llarry's accent
was more than the words.
Little Miss Bcnrctt bowed her head
before the rights Of good democrat
who had made all his money in the
last twenty years, and therefore more
arstucratlC and exclusive than an En-
Glish noblcman would have been with
respect to his possession. Half the
village would have been grateful had
Mr. Hale allowed a oot-path TO ira
verse his splendid park, but of course
an American can not make conccS
sjons to the the lower classes, and he
stood on his rights and dignitics. But
To day, Ruth paused. She was late
for hen lessons; sho has fingered to
put the last touches to the pretty new
dress she wore. and there was a thun-
der storm coming. Should she rum
the risk Of offending Mrs. Alexander
and spelling her dress, or should she
treSpassl No one was IN sight, as she
looked about. and a nearer roll of
thunder helped her to a decision. 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 thc
distance she could see the stately
house, the leaplng fountains and
the bright flowers. She kept her eye
ON that, fearing some servant ON the
watch. She never looked the other
way, and So, when sep suddenly
came beside her, she started in con
science smltlen guilt.
Are you aware, madam, clear
cut voice said, that you are ON private
grounds
She looked up. A stout, bald man
stood beside her, Il mau whom her
prophetic soul assured her was Mr..
Hale. lie haA deigncd to touch his
hat. but not out of respect for her, she
was sure lie Saluted rather his own
dignity and sense of propricties. He
had pumpouS air, as Of one who
feared his simple personality was not
impressive enough, and the neat per
fccuou OF his costume made more
prominent his commonplace features
"NeS, sir she answered meekly
but I'm doing my best to get out of
them
"Nou came in by lower gate. You
saw the sign. of course hc went on
in the same magisterial tones.
YES; nut | was IN a hurry, and /
| was afraid ii was going to ram. I'm
Mrs AleNauder'S goverueSS. She
ventured q glance ut him as she said
this, bat II evidently made uo impress
sion. IL beg your pardnn; and /
can so back, / suppose. | thought
that for once and | dldu't want 10
spoil my dress, she finished, impetu-
ously, rs great drop of rain fell on
her hand
She looked up with eyes whose APP
peal might have Softened him. 1t
seemed to her very ample excuse,
but there was no relcuting in his face.
In his own mind, indeed, ne was max
ing 4 concession. As she was his
neighbor'S governess he would not
stiflly said. and he stood b&ck TO let
her retrace her steps.
Il am sure l-or Mrs. Alexander
will be much obliged for your-your
unexpected consideration, Miss Ben
nett answered, Us she took up her
skirts and prepared to beat a digni
fled retreat
There was no use in hurrying; she
was sure TO be caught in the storm
now, and so she turned and swept
Mr.. Hale Il profound reverence, whose
disdain he could not understand.
But there was dimness in her eyes
as she raised them to his.
After all, she was only a child, and
so far the world had smiled into her
pretty face and treated her indulgent-
ly. That was not Mr.. Hale's attitude;
but as she walked away something
perhaps the pride of self -assertion
over this lntruding govcrness, perhaps
the thought of those eyes-made him
relent. In five minutes it would be
pouring, and he was not quite brute.
He stepped forward and called, Ma
damm
Miss Beanett heard, hurried her
steps am instant, and then stepped.
She would like to be proud to the Bit