Ellsworth American., 1904-09-07
A GOLDEN
LINK
By A. NJ. Davies Ogden
COPYRIGHT, 1905. I,,t 7, q sfet7,r,
capmlaAl. iao.. I.n .. 9. Mec1nr.

:
win find the house, explained the
coaehman as he drew up before the
stately stone gates of Eilesmere Abbey.
Carriages are not permitted inside the
grounds but visitors ON foot can walk
through and view the lake and ter
races
The path, leaving the driveway. led
between sturdy oaks. through whose
branches the fiickering sunlight fell in
golden shadows oaks that had stood
for generations. the pride of the county
Mrs. Lincoln and her daughter walked
slowly forward, exclaiming in delight
/ Mt the grand old trees. until sudden
\ fork In the path caused them to halt
In some perpIexlty.
/ Although. as tie caterpillar said. if
| you don't care where you are going. it
cannot matter much which way you
go" laughed Ethel Lincoln. "And both
look attractive she added. AS they
hesitated young man. clad in knIelser-
/ hockers and carrying gun. came down
one Of the paths. Mrs. Lincoln looked
/ relieved
/ hANs' - u EsitAiNNFtl[Af VI HtttAhNA. VI
| something" she said. lie can prob
ably tell us which is the best way to
, GO"
| The man. who had stopped on seeing
( the two ladies. now came toward them.
lifting his battered cap.
| Can / be of any service?" he in
/ quired. His voice was prepossessing,
oUI Nfr1s A ,saa,taI
we are anxious to see the house and
/ the lake" she said. Gould you direct
/ us how to reach themT'
/ The right hand path will take you
I directly 10 the house" be answered
/ cIyIlly. And the lgke-the lake is
Bit out OF the way" He paused a mo
ment. then went on. Il belong here.
you about
Mrs. lincoln smiled kindly.
IF you would be so good"
Ethel Lincoln, wandering somewhat
behind the others. was enchanted with
the place. The lovely mere. laden with
heavy white lilies. the brilliant hued
parterres. the cool green terraces. all
tNthNtl tttD bIEAtEc VI
1T Is like page from a novel," she
declared. II never imagined anything
so romantic. It's-it's perfect" aban-
doning u vain search for suitable adjec-
tives. The gamekeeper looked pleased.
1T is Indeed fine place MISS he
said But Mrs. Lincoln glanced long
insly at the house.
ssIIarx I xynttlI ffksa tn sas. the info
rior." she said. lis II QIite inposs!ble?'
The man considered.
1T is not usually allowed" lie an
swered. "But viii ask this gardener"
The gardener, when appealed 10,
looked up in surprise.
"Why-I don't know" he declared
doubtfully. You
Don't you think they might make
| an exception this once?" interposed the
gamekeeper hastily. The gardener. n
faint twinkle creeping into his eye.
nodded.
Mrs. Lincoln turned away.
If 1t Is against the rules, OF course
we would prefer not TO enter" she said
quietly. Thank you just as much.
Only / happened TO know Lady Ellers-
lie well many years ago and should
have been glad to see her home"
Indeed" said the gameseeper re-
spectfully. "You might have chance
next week then Lady Ellerslie's son
is giving a garden party on Thursday,
and II you send card to Lord Ellers-
| lie have DO doubt that he would be
| glad to have AN invitation sent you
Thank you. perhaps we may do SO, >
said Mrs Lincoln. "Will you be good
enough to call my carriage now:"
AS he turned and beckoned the
coaehman Ethel Lincoln sighed.
How beautiful 1t all is" she ex-
claimed. Really. | could marry FL
lerslIe just to live here" The game
keeper, Ills faced unmoved, stepped
4 forward.
May / help you in. madam be
asked decorously.
Mrs. Lincoln, slipping her fingers in
to the tiny gold purse swinging at her
| wrist. pulled forth coin and. with
out looking at 1t, held il toward the
| man. To her surprise, he flushed and
/ AAEn bslAh= APGA az Mo AZ va NAA~ sNNF'N
of unconscious dismay on the girls
face his half uttered protest died and
be quietly accepted the money.
AS they drove homeward Mrs. Lin
coin laughed.
mo wonder that man stared" she
said. These English coins are so
much alike in size that instead of a
! shilling | gave him a sovereign. But
how abnormal for any foreigner to
hesitate at a tip. Shall we send Ell
lerslie card. Kitten? l suppose he
would hardly remember us, and it is
many years since his mother died. Do
you think 1t would be worth while?"
Il suppose not" agreed Ethel, not,
however, without secret twlnge of
! disappointment
But the next day. on returning from
their drive. the innkeeper met them.
] In his hand was a letter and card.