The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1884-09-12
NO T@RESPASSING.
BY Emily F. Wheeler.

- Amay =. VIloeitT. -.e 4|+T .E
1t was painted in very black letters
on a 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
the last month she had read it every
day, and every day meekly turned into
the dusty road and made the long de-
tour needed to get past Mr.. Hale's
grounds and into his next neigh
bors. Afvem inutes' walk through that
beautiful park would have brought her
to Mrs. Alexander's hedge, and saved q
modicum of strength and temper sorely
needed for her trials as day g~overness to
the three little Ale1anders. But she had
never ventured on the liberty. though
she wanted to every day, and the i'm
pulse had grown greater since she had
asked Mrs. Alexander if it was quite i'm
possible.
"There's never q soul about, and it's
an eighth of a mile certainly to the
house. Idon't believe any one would
ever see me, and if they did could tell
them 1 was your governess." For it
seemed to the young girl a sufficient
distinction to be that to Mrs. Rufus
Alexander, leading lady Of the pretty
town where her summer home was
located.
II wouldnot venture it i'll were you,'
Mrs. Alexander answered kindly. She
was always kind to her governess, de-
spite her7wealth and her Mayfower
blood, and she had a special liking
for this bright-faced eager girl. Mr..
Hale is very particular. He is o new
conner here and disposed to make every
n 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 as she turned away,
"do you know that last summer his
gardener ordered my mother off the
grounds? OF course Mr.. Hale excused
it afterward-said the man had his
orders to make no discrimination but
fancy-my mother!" And Harry's &C.
cent was more than the words.
Little Miss Bennett bowed her head
and before the rights of q good demo-
crat who had made all his money in the
last twenty years, and was therefore
more ~aristocratic and exclusive than al
English nobleman would have been
with respect to his possessions. Half
the village would have been grateful
had Mr.. Hale allowed a foot-path to
traverse his splendid park, but of course
an American can not make concessions
to the 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 touches
to the pretty new dress she wore, and
t11eIe WIS d UuulueI SIOI1u COlllnR.
Should she run the risk of offending Mrs
Alexander and spelling her dress, %,
should she trespass? No one was in
sight as she looked about, and a nearer
roll of thunder helped her to q decision.
She stepped through the little gate
which all these days had Knocked he,
with its invitation to forbidden ground,
and hurried across the lawn. In the
distance she could see the stately house,
the leaping fountains and bright flowers.
She kept her eye on that, fearing some
servant on the watch. Shenever looked
the other way, and SO, when step sud-
denly came beside her, she started in
conscience-smitten guilt.
"Are you aware, madam" q clear
cut voice said, "that you are on private
grounds?"
She looked up. A stout, bald man
stood beside her, a man whom her pro-
phetlc soul assured her was Mr.. Hale.
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 q
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 conf
monplace features.
eyes, sir" she answered meekly
''but I am doing my best to get out OF
them"
you came III by the lower gate.
You saw the sign, of conrse?" he went
on in the same magisterial tones.
Eyes; but l was in a hurry, and II
was afraid it was going to rain. Pm
Mrs. Alexander's governess." She ven.
tured a glance at him as she said this
but it evidently made no impression,
Ell beg your pardon; and I q &C
back, / suppose. / thought that fol-
once-and I didn't want to spoil my
Dress" she finished impetuously, as
great drop of rain fell on her hand.
She looked up with eyes whose ap-
pealmight have softened him. It seemed
to her a very ample excuse, utthere was
no r~elenting in his face. In his own
mind, indeed, he was making q conces-
sion. As she was his neighbours cover.
ness, he would not carry the matte,
further, and SO he stitily said, as he
stood back to let her retrace her steps.
IT am sure Tor Mrs. Alexander
will be much obliged for your-you,
unexpected consideration Miss Ben.
nett answered, rs she took up her skirts
and prepared 10 beat a dignified retreat
There was no use of hurrying; she
was sure to be caught in tho storm now,
and SO she turned and sweptMr. Hale a
profound reverence, whose disdain he
could not understand. But there was
dimness in her eyes as she raised then
to his.
After all, she was only o child, and
so far the world had smiled into hel