The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1889-05-23
HIS OWN PROPERTY.

ana Singing, ana loving, all como back to
getherl
For green leaf and bios Ohr'
The "OhW was in quite differen
key, and did not seem to harmonic witt
the rest of the song. Ellie Fairfax wa
equally surprised and disguised to fine
that she had an unexpected auditor
young man, who stood in the middle o
the path, with an amused smile on hi
face that was quickly supplanted by de
corously grave expression as he saw tina
be had attracted her attention.
~ beg your pardon" he said, liftin.
his hat, "but have completely lost my
self in these woods. Can you tell me i
there is any possible way of getting on
OF them2 I begin to think that hav
been bewitched."
He was rather good looking youn,
man, dark and slight, with spruce nea
air that exasperated Ellie, who was in
stantly conscious of having come prim
rosing, with the boys, in her oldes
clothes.
Nevertheless, she was young person
of dignity and decision, as behoves tn,
only and elder sister of large family OF
boys, so, despite her perilous position
amid encumbering hazel boughs, she drew
herself up and answered severely:
81 suppose you are aware that these
woods are private property, and that yor
are trespassing"
Greatly, l am extremely sorry if l have
trespassed on your property" said the
stranger.
His air of extreme regret somewhat
Modified Ellie, who answered in less
forbidding manner:
"Oh, it is not ours, but we have leave
to come here while the owner is abroad ,
Herewith she emerged slowly from
the clinging bushes, and arrived on the
path a little disheveled, being more in.
tent on preserving her primroses than hel
raiment. In spite of her old winter
gown and her general untidiness, she was
a very pretty girl as she stood in the
broad green ride with the spring sun
shine falling on her through the leafess
trees, and bringing out the gold tints in
her abundant brown hair.
81 am afraid l can't direct you, fol
you would only lose your way" she said
looking up the stranger with her franz
gray eyes. "But we are Just going
home, and can take you as far as tn,
gate, if you like"
He accepted the offer with alacrity
and Ellie, turning from him, made tn,
woods ring with shouts of "Boys! Boys!
that brought her brothers scurrying on
of the underwood like rabbits in al
directions.
"This gentleman has lost himself il
the woods, and undertook to show hin
the way out, she said confidently to tn
eldest boy, Bob, as he came up exhibit
ing evident surprise at finding her will
a companion.
''The owner must be very good naturet
to let you plumber his woods like this,
the stranger remarked, with an amused
smile, as the party set forth, laden will
flowers and roots.
''Mr. Hayes has nothing to do with it,
returned Bob promptly ''When h
comes back I expect we shall be turned
out, so we are making new fernery ant
getting roots for the garden as fast as W,
can"
The young mans amused laugh at tn
ingenious explanation. made Ellie feel
little guilty.
II don't think we do any harm really,
she said. "And this is our first spring
in the country, so that we can't help go
ing mad over the flowers and accumulat
ing them wholesale"
The stranger assured her that he wa!
certain that they were doing no harm
and entered warmly into the plans for thu
new fernery. The boys clustered arount
him, telling him their plans and ad
ventures, won by his frank interest an,
amusement. Ellie walked on in front
enjoying the beauty of the woods in thei
spring dress and listening idly to cage
voices behind her. She could not hel
liking any one who got on so well wit
the boys, and by the time they reache,
the gate she felt quite friendly towar
the intruder.
''We part here, I suppose" she said
facing round as they entered the meado1
beyond the woods. "That path to tn
left leads to the village. But / shoul
recommend you not to trespass here agai
or you may get hopelessly lost"
~ will take care in the future; al
much obliged to you," said the youn
man, gravely.
But he stood watching, with loo
half amused, half admiring, as ELI
moved onward, tall, 1.-THE young figure
amid her body guard of boys.
"What jolly chap! wonder if /
lives near here?" said jim, as he slippe
a grubby paw into his sisters arm.
eyes, he does; so asked him to con
and help us with the fernery, and he sal
he would" said Bob.
'Oh, Bob! You didn'tr' cried Eli
eyes, 1 did expect he is one of IL
Taylors from High Cliff, and Mrs Mo
rison said they meant to call" said Boil
unabashed.
Ellie was completely overcome. Oh
of Lady Laura Taylor's sons, and she w
absolutely not fit to be seen,
1t was, perhaps, as REIMBURSEMENT
the balance that she arrayed herself
her new covert-coat and most becomir
hat to go down to the vicarage til
afternoon. AS she walked into d
drawing room, with head held very hig
Mrs. Morrison thought once more what
very distinguished looking girl Miss Fai
fax was.
They were very busy over Sunda
school reports when the maid opened t
door and announced, ''Mr Hayes
Ellie looked up. She was curious to S
the absentee owner of Woodleigh Coul
particularly as his arrival was so une
pected. What was her horror to see t
stranger of the morning calmly advar
ing, with the self-same amused smile
his facet The memory of her stern !
Duke of trespass flashed across her, a
she wished herself under the floor.
Bernard, my dear boy" cried M
Morrison, holding out both hands. "Tl
isa pleasant surprise"
al came earlier than | was expecte
after my usual habit, you see" he sal
returning her greeting with warmth.
III. e -.