Bradford County telegraph. (Starke, Fla.) 1888-current, 1895-11-22

one or two u4urned shrubs and a
STRAW hat.
''Did you want anything?" asked
the stranger.
"Yes, said Kate, boldly. 81 want
to come and see the grounds-and l
want to open that wicket gate for my
brother and sister to come in, too,
know your master has forbidden it,
but-but-"
The stranger smiled.
"Who told you it was forbidden?"
THE man at the depot and the
porter at the lodge"
eff you wait till 1 can resume my
coat and hat shall be happy to open
the gate for you," said the stranger.
"And if there is any part of the
grounds you wish to see viii show
you over it."
"Ob, that will bo splendidp ex-
claimed Kate, clapping her little
hands gleefully. "You are one of the
gardeners, I suppose?"
Her new acquaintance was stopping
to unfasten the gate and did not re-
ply.
evil you walk in?" he said cour-
teously to Westport, who, with his
wife, was anxiously watching the
course of events.
''Not, unless we are quite certain
that we shall not get you into trouble
with your MASTER" said Westpdrt.
"My sister is too impulsive some
times"
''There is no danger at ALL" re-
turned the man drily, as he held the
gate open.
The grounds we're exquisite. All
that wealth, aided by refined and Guilt
waited taste, could accomplish, had
been done. In reply to Kate's eager
questions she learned that Mr.. Ash
ley's own suggestions had been fol-
lowed out in everything.
''But has he no sister-no wife,
whose taste has aided him in the
adornment of this lovely spot?" she
asked.
Neither"
she must be a very dissgreeab BILE
person, observed Kate, musingly.
"Why?" asked their guide.
"To go of and live in Europe, like
hermit, and refuse chance travellers
the opportunity ofseeing his grounds"
said Kate.
"Would you like to look at the
house and the conservstories?" asked
the stranger, pausing of the foot of
the fight of marble steps that led up
to the door.
"Oh, yes, of all thingsl" said Kate;
and the guide, drawing small key
from his pocket, entered and admitted
the party to a magnificent entrance
hall, lighted by dome of cDlored
glass and hoored With mosaic wood.
Kate uttered a little shrek of adj
miration.
"KHtel" reproved her sister in.
law; but the little lady was in the
most buoyant spirits, and bounded
from window to window.
SCI think this was worth climbing
over the fence for !" she said, merrily,
"even though it was ut the risk of
hanging? And now, Mr.. Gardener,
show me the conservatories. By the
way, what sort of q man is Mr.. Ash
lev? Is he haudsome?"
"N-n-oW returned the person ad-
dressed, rather refectively. Gal
though 1 naturally admire him very
much, Icsn't call him handsome"
"Indeed?" said Kate. lis he good
naturedI"
"Passably so"
'I think" said Kate. che must be
a better sort of person than 1 gave
him credit for at first. Mary, do you
know I'm very much inclined to fall
In love with the man whose taste has
devised this place? / do wish 1 could
see him."
'Katel" said Mrs. Westport, with
warning glance toward their cicerone.
who was carelessIy balancing the con-
servatory key upon his finger.
Mr.. Westport glanced at his watch.
Twenty minutes to three-we
have but twenty minutes to reach tho
station" he said. "We shall have to
hasten our pace considerably, girls"
81 can show you a shorter path
through the park" observed their
companion, ''if you are in hurry to
catch the train"
The offer was accepted with much
relief, and the travellers found them
selves at the depot in good time.
"We are very much obliged to you,
sir, said Westport, hesitatingly prof
fering a coin as their guide bowed an
adieu at the platform steps. The
stranger flushed and tit his lip as if
snnoyed-the next instant he smiled
good humoredly.
SCI assure you it is quite unneces-
sary, "|he said, turning to the ladies,
as he waved the money carelessly
aside. 1.-The next time you visit Ash.
! ley Hall, ladies, I hope to make il
pleasanter to you"
And he disappeared among the
} bushes.
"Welli" calculated the agent, who
had surveyed the scene through
the round aperture in the ticket Office,
81 s'posed he was in Paris. WHY
didn't you say you knowed thu
squirrel"
81 know none of your squires, " sale
! Mr.. Westport, shortly, advancing for
his tickets, while Kate, whose eye had
followed the tall stranger, asked:
/ (Which of the Hall gardeners i,
that man"