Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-08-02
NO TRESPASSING.
BY EMILY F. WHEELER.

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 detOur needed to get
past Mr.. Hale's grounds and into his next neigh
boris. Five minutes walk through that beauti-
full park would have brought her to Mrs. Alex
ander's hedge, and saved modicum 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 soul about, and its 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 sufficient distinction
to DE that to Mrs. Rufus Alexander, 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 goyernesses, despite her
wealth and her Mayfiower blood. and she
had a special liking for this bright-faced,
eager girl, Mr.. Hale is very particular
He is a new conner here and disposed
to make every one respect his rights" 1t had
been on the lady's lips to call him paruenu. but
she would not throw scOrn at her neighbOr be-
fore her g0yerneSs.
why. Miss Bennett" Harry Alexander had
added rs she turned away. do you know that
last summer his gardener ordered nv mother
oil the grounds? or course Mr.. Hale excused it
altcrward-said the man had his orders to make
no discrimination; but fancy-nly nOtherf' And
llarry's accent was more than the words.
Little Miss Bennett bowed her head before the
rights OF good democrat who had made all his
money in the last twenty years. and was there
fore more aristOcfatic and exclusive than an
English nobieman would have been with respect
to his possessions. Half the village would have
to traverse his splendid park. but of course al
American not make concessions to the
lower classes. and he stood on his rights and
dignit!es- 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 thunder storm 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 q
nearer roll of thunder helped her to q 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, fearing some servant
on the watch. She never looked the other way
and so, when step suddenly came beside her
She started in cOnsCience-smitten guilt.
Are You aware, madam" clear-cut voice
said. THAT you are on private grounds"
She looked up. 4 stout bald man stood be-
sured 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 dig
nifty and sense of the proprieties. He had q
nOmpous air. as of one who feared his simple
personality was not impressive enough and the
neat perfection of his costume made more promi-
nent his commonplace features.
Yes sir" she answered meehly; ''but I'm do
ing my best to get out of them.''
You came in by the lower gate YOu saw the
N. q ma pjS
terial tones.
YES: but was in hurry and II was afraid
IT was @cing to rain. I'm Mrs. Aiexanders gov
erness." She ventured glance at him as she
said this, but it evidently made no impression.
II beg your pardon; and | can go back, |
suppose. | thought that for Once-and /
didn't want to spoil my dresss.' she finished.
impetuousiy. as great drop Of rain fell on
her hand.
She looked up with eyes whose appeal might
have sOitened him. 1t seemed to her very am
PIE excuse" but there was no relentin@ i'll his
face In his own mind. indeed. he was making
Il concession As she was his neighbours COVER
ness. he would not carry the matter further and
;" he stifiy said, as he stood back to let her re-
trace her steps.
Il am sure I-Or Mrs. Alexander-wlll be
much obliged foryOur-yOur unexpected consid-
Grafton, Miss Bennett answered as she took
UP her skirts ndprepared to beat dignified
retreat.
There was no use in hurrying; she was sure
To be caught in the storm now. and so she turned
and swept Dir. Hale profound reverence whose
disdaln 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 indulgently- That was not Mr.. Hale's atti-
tude; but "a she walked away somethinc-per-
haps the pride OF selt-aSsertiOn over this in
truding gOverneSs, perhaps ae 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. Madam"
Miss Bennett heard. hurried her steps an in
slant. and then stopped. She would like to he
proud to the bitter end, and anyway she could
not 90 back till she was told.
Mr.. Hale had to take half dozen more stems
before he was near enough to say. LAS it is rain
ing. miss. if it will shorten your walk. have no
objection for this once"
oh. shall not do it again." Ruth cried:
=" Id sooner go through a Wilderness"
''Bnt that is not the shortest way he went
on; - it is much nearer by the coach house
Here-let me show you"
"Oh. couldn't think of troubling YOU Thank
YOU but you'll get wet Yourself"
''Since have undertaken it." answered Mr.
Hale. as if apOligiZing to himself for his conces-
sion: and with the words he spread his neat UNI
brella and walked with her. 1t 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 hastily: II am very much Obliged
and! shall not trespass again."
"A pretty girl" Mr.. Hale said to himself as he
watched her flying toward the shelter OF the
porch. Mrs. AleXander's goverRess, Huml"
But what the last word meant in his thought he
could hardly have told. Perhaps it only re-
minded him that his three motherless children
would soon be needing one.
Miss Bennett" Mrs. Alexander said week
later, where did you meet Mr. Hale! He seems
to know you; and last night at the garden PARTY
he deigned to say that II it would save you time
and fatigue. you might 60 through the park
lie has noticed you, perhaps coming up from
the village" And when Ruth had told her
story. she lifted her eyebrows little. ITS
concession-a great concession from him." she
said.
But | don't want it," cried Ruth. ard
rather go miles around now. You can't think
how his manner Inundated me. | felt as
though I'd committed the objectionable sim
Mrs. Alexander smiled at her yehemence but
she had her own reasons for not encouraging it,
Its quite on another footing now since he
permits it." she said. land really | wish YOU
would Since the hot weather came | notice
You are sometimes very tired with the walk
Anything that vii! save your strength for YOUR
work. you know. And to that Ruth Welded
She need not have been so fierce about it, she
said to herself. after week. She had the mark
all II herself, and it was certainly pleasanter
than the dusty road. At first she hurried through
as if a dragon haunted every bush; but gradu-
ally she moderated her pace, and at last she
made X gentle saunter, and even stopped on
the brink of the little stream which crossed one
end of the park to cool her hot head in II breath