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

the stranger.
Eyes" said Kate, boldly. ST want
to come and see the, grounds-and /
want to open that wicket gate for my
brother and sister to come In, too, l
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 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 will show
you over it."
ooh, that will DO splendidr" e1-
claimed Kate, clapping her little
hands gleefully. "You are one of the
gardeners, 1 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.
'tNot, unless We are quite certain
that We shall not get you into trouble
with your MASTER" said Westport.
"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 were exquisite. All
that wealth, aided by refined and culti-
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 disagreesble
person., observed Kate, musingly.
"Why?" asked their guide.
ITO go off and live in Europe, like
q hermit, and refuse chance travellers
the opportunity fseeing his grounds,
said Kate.
"Would you like to look at the
house and the conservatories asked
the stranger, pausing at the foot of
the flight of marble steps that led up
to the door.
ooh, yes, of all thinSsl" said Kate /;
and the guide, drawing small key
from his pocket, entered and admitted
the party to a magnificent entrance
hall, lighted by a dome of colored
glass and foored with mosaic wood.
Kate uttered q little shrek of ad-
miration.
"Kate!" reproved her sister-in-
law; but the little lady was in the
most buoyant spirits, and bounded
from window to window.
"I think this was worth climbing
over the fence for !" she said, merrly,
''even though it was at the risk of
hanging? And now, Mr.. Gardener,
show me the conservatories. By the
way, what sort of man is Mr.. Ash
ley? Is he handsome?"
"N-n-op returned the person adj
dressed, rather refectively- cal
though l naturally admire him very
much, 1 can't call him handsome"
"Indeed?" said Kate. lis he good
natured!"
| "Passablv So.
''I think" said Kate, che must be
q better sort of PERSON than l 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."
skate" said Mrs. Westport, with a
warning glance toward their cicerone.
vino was carelessly balancing the con-
servstory 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 a hurry tc
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 q coin as their guide bowed an
adieu at the platform steps. Tht
= stranger flushed and bit his lip as il
: snnoyed-the next instant he smiled
/ good humoredly.
al assure you it is quite unneces
: sAry," he said, turning to the ladies'
, as he waved the money carelessl,
3 aside. 1.-The next time you visit Ash
4 ley Hall, ladies, ] hope to make
plesssuter to you"
? And he disappeared among tn
bushes.
"Welll" calculated the agent, VIII
8 had surveyed the scene through
| the round aperture in the ticket Office
81 s'posed he was in Paris. VIII
didn't You say you knowed tn
. squire2"
81 know none Of your squires," aai
g Mr.. Westport, shortly, advancing TO
q his tickets, while Kate, whose eve ha
followed the tall stranger, asked:
n (which of the Hall gardeners j
l. that man?"
Mary one," said the agent; cit
|, Mr.. Ashley 7"