The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1884-09-11
NO TRESPASSING.

NO TRESPASSING.
IL 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 camo on it.
But she knew il by heart already. For
the last month she had read IL every
dav, and every day mcckly turned into
the dusty road and made the long de-
tour needed TO get past Mr.. Hale s
grounds and into his next neighbor s.
Five minutes walk through that beau
tiful park would have brought her to
Mrs. AleNauder's hedge. and saved a
modicum of strength and temper sOrely
needed for her trials rs day governess
10 tho 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
was ute impossible.
There's never a soul about, and it's
an eighth of n 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
il seemed TO the young girl sufficient
distinction to be that to Mrs. Rufus
Alexander, leading lady of the pretty
town where her summer home was To-
Gated.
81 would not venture if were You, "
Mrs. Alexander answered, kindly. She
was always kind to her governesses,
despite her wealth and her May iower
blood, and she had a special liking for
for this bright-faced, eager girl. 'Alr.
Hale is very particular. He is new
conner here, and disposed TO make every
one respect his rights. 1t had been
II 81 -. a..
but she would not throw scOrn at her
neighbor before her governess-
''Why, Miss Bennett" Harry Alex
ander had added, as she turned away,
edo You know that last summer his
gardener ordered my mother off the
grOundsP OF course Mr.. Hale excused
10 afterward said the man had his or
ders to make no q scrimination; but
fancy-rly mothcrP and Harry's &C
cent 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 more
aristOcratic and exclusive than an En-
glish nobleman would have been with
respect TO his possessions. Half the
village would have been grateful had
MIR. Hale allowed n foot-path to trav-
erse his splendid park; but of course an
American can not make concessions Ia
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 touch
-. 20 the pretty new dress she wore
and there was a thunderstorm coming
Should she run the risk of Offending
Mrs. Alexander and spelling her dress,
or should she trcspass? No one was in
a-trrIsf ut trsf,1-ns1 oh
er roll of thunder helped her to a de
cision. 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 sec the state
ly house. the leaping fountains ant
bright flowers. She kept her eve OIL
that, fearing some servant on tn,
watch. She never looked the othe
way, and SO, when n step suddenly cam
beside her, she started in conscience
Bmitten guilt.
care you aware, madam" a clear-cu
voice Gaid, ''that you are on privat
grounds9''
She looked up. A stout, bald maj
stood reside her, man whom her pro
phetic soul assured her was MIR. Hale
He had deigned to touch his hat, bu
not out of respect for her. she was sure
He saluted rather his own dignity ant
sense of the prophecies. He had
pompous air, rs of one who feared hi
simple personality was not impressive
enough, and the neat perfection of hi
costume made more prominent his com
monplace features.
Eyes, sir" she answered, meekly
''hut m doing my best TO get out o
them"
"YOu came in by the lower gate
You saw the sign, of courseP'' he wen
on, in the same magistcrial tones.
Yes; but I was in n hurry, aud I
was afraid it was going 10 rain. In
Mrs. Alexander's governcss Sh
ventured a glance nc him as she sait
this, but it evidently made no impres
sion. IL beg your pardon; and
can GO back, / suppose. / thought tina
for once -and didn't want to spoil m
dress" she finished, impetuously, rs
great drop of rain fell on her hand.
She looked up with eyes whose appca
might have softened him. IL seemed &
her very ample excuse, but there wa
no relenting in his face. In his Ow
mind, indead, he was making a cOnces
sion. As she was his neighbOr's GOV
erncss, ne would not carry the matte
farther, aud SO he stiilly said, as
stood back 20 let her retraCc her steps
al am sure I--or Mrs. Alexander
will be much obliged for your-you
unexpected consideration Miss Der
nett answered, rs she took up herskirt
and prepared to beat a dignihed n
treat
There was no use in hurryiugi sh
was sure to be caught i'm the storm now
and so she turned and swept Mr. Hal
profound reverence. whose disdain h
could not understand. But there wa
n dimness in her eyes rs she raise
them 20 his.
After all, she was only a child, an
40 far the world had smiled into he
pretty face and treated her indulgently
That was not Mr.. Hale's attitude; bU
as she walked away, something-pel
haps the pride of self-assertion owe
this intruding goveness, perhaps th
thought of those eyes-made him n
lent In five minutes IL would be poul
ing. and he was not quite brute II
stepped forward and called MADAM!
Miss Bennett heard, hurried her stel
% Instant and then stopped shewopl