The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1884-08-15
NO TRESPASSING.

IL was painted IN very DlaCK letters on
very white board. He who ran could
read, and Ruth Bennett was only walk
ing very fast when she came to it. But
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 detour needed
to get past Mr.. lIale's grounds and into
his next neighbours Five minutes walk
through that beautiful park would have
brought her to Mrs. AlcXander's hedge,
and saved a modicum of strength and
temper sorely needed for her trials as
day governcss to the three little AleXan-
ders. 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. Alex
ander if it was quite impossible.
"There's never soul about, and it
an eighth of a mile certainly to the
house. | don't believe any one would
ever see me, and if they did, could tell
them | was your governess. For it
seemed to the young girl a sufficient dis
tinction to be that to Mrs. Rufus Alex
ander, leading lady of the pretty town
where her summer home was located.
81 would not venture if | were you, "
Mrs. Alexander answered, kindly. She
was always kind to her governesses,
despite her wealth and her Mayhower
blood, and she had special liking for
this bright faced, eager girl "NIr. Hale
Is very particular. He is new. conner
here, and disposed to make every one re-
spect his rights" J.. 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 Alexan-
der had added, as she turned away. edo
you know that last summer his gardener
had ordered my mother off the grounds 2
Of course Mr.. Hale excused it atterward
said the man had his orders to make
no discrimination; but fancy-my
mother" and Harry's accent was more
than the words.
Half the village would have been
grateful had Mr.. Hale allowed a foot
path to traverse his splendid park; but
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 there was a thunderstorm
coming. Should she run the risk of Of
Tending Mrs. Alexander and spelling her
dress, or should she trespass2 No one
was in sight as she looked about, ard q
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
the distance she could see the stately
house, the leaping fountains and bright
flowers. She kept her eye on that, fear
ing some servant on the watch She
never looked the other way, and so, when
a step suddenly came beside her, she
started in conscience-smitten guilt
care you aware, madam" clear
cut voice said, "that you are on private
grounds"
She looked up. A stout, bald man
stood beside her, man whom her pro-
phetic soul told 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 if one who feared his simple per
sonality was not impressive enough, and
the neat perfection of his costume made
more prominent his commonplace fea-
lures.
"Yes, SIR" she answered, meeklv:
"but | am 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 magisteria! tones.
"les; but was in a hurry, and Il
was afraid it was going to rain. I'm
Mrs AleXander's governess.n She ven
tured a glance at him as she said this,
but evidently made no impression. 81
back, / suppose. | thought that fol
once-and l 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 appea
might have softened him. 1t seemed t.
her a very ample excuse, but there wa
no re!enting in his face. In his own
mind, indeed he was making conces-
sion. AS she was his neighbours governess
he would not carry the matter further
and so he stifily said, as he stood back t,
let her rctrace her steps.
81 am sure I-or Mrs. Alexander-wil
be much obliged for your-your unex
pected consideration, Miss Bennett
answered, as she took up her skirts anC
prepared to beat dignified retreat.
There was no use in hurrying; she wa
sure to be caught in the storm now, anC
so she turned and swept Mr.. Hale pro
found reverence, whose di. Jain he coulC
not understand. But there was dimnes
in her eyes as she raised them tC his.
After all, she was only child, and s,
far the world had smiled into her prett
face and treated her indulgently. Tha
was not Mr.. Halc's attitude; but rs III
walked away, something perhaps tn
pride of self-assertion over this intrud
ing governess, perhaps the thought o
those eyes-madc him relcnt In tv
minutes it would be pouring, and he wa
not quite brute lie stepped forwar,
and called MADAM :"
Miss Bennett heard, hurried her step
an instant, and then stopped. She woul'
like to be proud to the bitter end, ant
anyway she could not go back till sh
was told,