Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1884-08-15
NO TRESPASSING.


NO TRESPASSING.
II was painted in very black letters on
very white board. IIo who ran could read
and Ruth Bennett was only walking very fast
when sho came on it. Bat she knew II by
heart already. For ths last month she had read
1t every day, and every day meekly turned
into the dusty road and made the long detOur
needed to get past Mr. Hale's grounds and
into lis next neighbors. Five minutes
walk through that beautiful park would have
brought her to Mrs. AlexaLders hedge, and
saved modicdm Of strength aud temper
sorely needed for her trials as day governess
to the three little Alexauders. But she had
never ventured on the liberty, though she
had wanted to every day, and the i'm
pulse had grown greater since she had asked
Mrs. Alexander ii it was quite impossible.
There \ nevera soul about, and itsan eighth
OF mile certainly to the house. / don't be-
lieyo any one would ever see me, aud il they
did, could tell them was your governoss.
For it seemed to tho young girl sufficient
distinction to be that to Mrs. Rufus Alexan-
der, leading lady of the pretty town where
her summer home was located.
Il would not venture it If | were you, "
Mrs. Alexander answered kindly. She was
always kind TO her governesses, despite her
wealth and her MdyI0toer blood, and she had
a special liking for this bright-faced, eager
girl. 'Alr Hale is very particular lie is a
new conner here, aud disposed TO make every
one respect hs rights. 1t Lad been on the
lady lips to call him paTUenu, but she would
not throw scorn at her neighbor before her
gOverness.
why, Miss Bonnet" Harry Alexander
had added, as she turned away, do you
Eppyg Tint ~ lilo I'd 4
my mother OF the grounds? OF course Mr..
Hale excused it afterward-said the man had
his orders to make no discrimination but
fancy-my alotter !' and Harry's accent was
more than the words.
Little Miss Bennett bowed her head before
the rights OF q good democrat who had made
all his money in the last twenty years, and
was therefore moro aristocratic and exclusive
than an Engliah nobleman would have been
with respect to his possessions. Half the
village would have been grateful had Mr.. Halo
allowed 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. Shs was late for her los
sons she had fingered to put the last touch
es to the pretty new dress she wore, and there
was q thunderstorm coming. Should she
run the risk of offending Mrs Alexander and
spelling her dress, or should she trespass
No one was in sight as she looked about, and
a nearer roll OF thunder helped her to de
cision. She stepped through the little gate
which all those days had Knocked her with its
invitation to forbidden ground, and hurried
across the lawn In the distance she could
see the stately house, the loaping fountains
and bright flowers. She kept her eye on that,
fearing some servant on the watch. She
lnpka 81 fhn nNb.r h.,
stop suddenly came beside her, she started in
conscienco-smitten guilt.
"Aro you aware, madam, clear cut voice
said, that you are on private grounds 2"
She looked up. A stout, bald man stood
beside her, q man whom her prophetic 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
a pompous air, as of one who feared his sim
pie personality was not impressive enough
and tho neat perfection of his costume made
more prominent his commonplace features.
"Yes, sir" she answered meekly "but
I'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
msgisterial tones.
Yes; but was in hurry, and II was
afraid it was going to rain. I'm Mrs Alex
ander's governeBs. She ventured a glance
at him as she said this, but il evidently made
no impression. "I-I beg your pardon and
can 60 back, suppose. l thought that for
onoe-and l didn't want to spoil my dress, Z"
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 relent-
inn il, ia Faa tn, hfa min ind ha
was making a concession. As she was his
neghbors goyorness, he would not carry the
matter farther, and so he stiilly said, as he
stood back to lot her retrace her steps.
81 am sure I-Or Mrs. Alexander-will be
much obliged for Your-your unexpected
consideration, Miss Bennett answered. as
she took up her skirts and prepared to beat a
dignifed retreat.
There was no use in hurrying; she was
sure to be caught in the storm now, 80 she
turned and swept Mr. Hale profound rever-
ence, whose disdain he could not understand.
But there was a dimness in her eyes as sh @
raised them to his.
After all she was only child and 80 far
the world had smiled into her pretty face and
treated her indulgently. That was not MIR.
Hales attitude but as she walked away,
something perhaps the pride of self-asser-
tion over this intruding governess, perhaps
| the thought of those eyes-made him relent.
In five minutes it would be pouring, aud he
was not quite brute. He stepped forward
and called, Madam"
Miss Bennett heard, hurried her steps an
instant, aud then stopped. She would like
to be proud to the bitter end, and anyway
she could not go back till she was told.
Mr.. Hale had to tako q half-dOzen more
steps before he was near enough to say "As
| il is raining, miss, if it will shorten your
walk, l have no objection for this once"
"Oh, l shall not do it again" Ruth cried ;
"Td sooner go through wilderness"
"But that is not the shortest way" ne
went on sit is much nearer by the coach
| house. Here-let me show you"
"0h, / couldn't think of troubling you.
| Thank you, but you'll get wet yourself"
'Since | have undertaken it," answered
Mr.. Hale as il apologzing to himself for his
concession aud with tho words he spread
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 has
tily, II Rm very much obliged-and-I shall
not trospass again"
"a pretty girl, Mr.. Hale said TO himself,
as he watched her flying toward the shelter
of the porch "MrH. AlexRnder's gOverness
Hum !" But what the last word meant in his
thought he could hardly have told. Perhaps
il only reminded him that his three mother.
less children would soon be needing one.
miss Bennett" Mrs. Alexander said q