The Somerset reporter., 1898-11-17

"The-the''- She was at a loss
Il picked this clump of mountain
ash, " he suggested kindly.
"Ah. injuring the treesl You can be-
imprisoned for that. - she replied with
satisfaction.
"Surely fine''- he began.
"Our Bench is landed property, " said
she, land we Observation-Disclosures
"Ohl' r. be murmured, disconnected.
only the other day my father, who
is chairman, was most severe on one
who carved his name upon a tree, and
you have broken branch"
"A twig, he ventured to correct.
THE same thing, " said she defiantly.
Miss Smith he said in tones i'm
ploring.
Don't address me as Miss Smith,
sir, - and she spoke in tones most
naughty. "Suoh familiarity
well, Edith-if you command it, )"
he murmured abashed.
"How dare you p she cried.
II dared not-till you commanded )"
said he. And your name brooch sup
piled the 1nfOrmatl on.
There was moments silence.
"You must give me your name and
address, she commanded.
For you to issue q warrant for my
apprehension? No, the prisoner refused
to give his name and address, " he re-
piled
1t was an awkward position for girl
who only did her fathers duty.
ITS most ungenerous Of you" she
exclaimed Just because you re man
and happen to be stronger than | am,
you will evade Justice.
Never" be answered firmly.
You will run away, and l, impeded
by skirts, am helpless to catch you, "
she continued.
lyon could lift
why don't you make good your
esoape?" she interpolated with haste
Am | not your prisoner" he asked
Do you mean to say you will come
quietly to the lodge and face my IA
ther!" she inquired.
AS quiet as any lamb" he asserted.
well, it's this way, said she.
y
by the arm, ;" he suggested
She paid him no attention, and in 81
lenoe they strolled toward the lodge.
If you will excuse me for minute,
| will see if my father can attend to
you now" she said when, arriving at
their destination, she had led him to the
drawing room. please sit down.
Surely prisoner had never been treat.
ed with SO much consideration.
In a minute or two she returned
somewhat confused.
my father will return soon" sht
said.
Then l must wait, " he replied.
"Oh, don't you mind?" She seemed
relieved
mot in the least, :" said he
She rang bell.
"Do you care for tea or would you
prefer - she asked.
Tea, please, said the prisoner.
And tea was brought
Il think | saw a picture of this house
in this year 8 academy" said the pris-
oner, tea and toast in hand
Ibid you really notice it?" she said
with pleased surprise. II painted it,
and Mr.. Barry bought it. Mr. Barry
owns all this property.
Indeed He must account himself
most fortunate to have so jealous q
guardian as yourself Thank you-hali
a cup.
Then they talked of many things-ot
books, Of paintings, of poets songs, till
the sun lost some of its youthful vigor,
and they wandered into the garden and
there the conversation was of other
things perhaps more human than that of
books and paintings, but none the less
pleasant, and at last they happened on
mutual enthusiasm, and they enthused
until the sun just dropped behind lofty
Craigavar, and a sudden chill fell upon
the Jailer, and she cried
my father will be back in a few
minutes Hadn't you better-esoape?'
And we were getting on so well,
too, said the prisoner, with half sigh.
"Yes-I mean | think you have been
imprisoned long enough" she murmur-
ed.
"Oh, mol" replied the prisoner gal
lantly.
"You have-indeed you have Please,
please go. My father might adjourn. or
something terrible, and you, with no.
body to bail you out, would have to go
to pris- Oh / am sure Mrs. Jones, the
constable's wife would never make you
comfortable. Do gol Do go" she plead
ed, with hands that were clasped in
pity
"But how about your duty to Mr.
Barry" he asked
Bother Mr. Barry r. she exclaimed
Then, with gravel flying and the
sound of much orunching of small
stones. came Major Smith the agent of
the Barry estate, and he, seeing them,
pulled up his ponies with great sudden
ness and, leaping to the ground, ad-
vanced, crying: "Ah, my dear fellow
here you are Pm delighted 10 welcome
you to your own house after SO long an
absence | went to the station to meet
you and found your luggage only-if
we don't count a message to the effect
that you had got out at Aberavar and
were walking Should have been back
long ago if that COMPOUNDED rascal Ra-
ven hadn't stopped me to ask for re-
duction of rent-said his roof was fall
ing in. So | went to see it and found
as usual, it was all nonsense. Edith
fno .fntI1 OIL /