Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-07-14
A GOLDEN LINK.
The Tip That Was Transformed
Into a Wedding Ring.
sy A. M. DAVIES OGDEN.

Follow this path, ma'am, and YOU
will find the house." explained the
coachman as he drew up before the
stately stone gates of Ellesmere 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 Pickering sunlight fell in
golden shadows-oaks that had stood
| for generations. the pride of the coun-
| ty. Mrs Lincoln and her daughter
walked slowly forward. exclaiming in
delight at the grand old trees, until a
sudden fork in the path caused them
! to halt in some perplexity.
although, as the caterpillar said, II
you don't care where you are going, it
cannot matter much which way you
60" laughed Ethel Lincoln. ''And both
| look attractive" she added. AS they
hesitated young man. clad in knick-
erbockers and carrying a gun, came
down one of the paths. Mrs. Lincoln
| looked relieved.
Here is a gamekeeper or poacher
| or something" she said. He can
probably tell US which is the best way
to co.
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,
| and Mrs. Lincoln assented.
I'VE are anxious to see the house and
the lake." she said. Gould you direct
us how to reach them?"
''Tbe right hand path will take you
directly to the house." he answered
| civilly. And the lake-the lake Is a
| bit out of the way" He paused a mo-
ment. then went on, Il belong here,
and if you would care TO have me show
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
evoked deep breaths of admiration.
| cit is like page from a novel," she
| declared. 81 never imagined anything
so romantic. It's-its perfect" aban-
| TO hi "a
jectives. The gamekeeper looked
pleased.
"It is indeed a fine place. miss" he
said. But Mrs. Lincoln glanced long
| ingly at the house.
How l would like to see the int
rior," she said. "Is it quite impossi-
| ble?'
The man considered.
"It is not usually allowed he an
swered But l will ask the gardener"
The gardener, when appealed to,
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, q
faint twinkle creeping into his eye,
| nodded.
Mrs. Lincoln turned away.
eff it is against the rules. of course
we would prefer not to enter" she
said quietly. Thank you just as
much. Only l happened to know Lady
EIlerslie well many years ago and
should have been glad to see her
home"
Indeed" said the gamekeeper re-
specially. "You might have chance
next week then. Lady Ellerslie's son
is giving a garden party on Thursday
and if you send card to Lord Fllers-
lie 1 have no doubt that he will 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 nowT
AS he turned and beckoned the
coachman Ethel Lincoln sighed.
s'How beautiful it all ISL she ex-
claimed. Really I could marry Ell
lerslie just to live here" The game
keeper. his face unmoved, stepped
| forward
May l help you in, madam" he
asked decorously.
Mrs. Lincoln, slipping her fingers in
to the tiny gold purse swinging at her
wrist. pulled forth a coin and, with
out looking at it, held it toward the
man. To her surprise, he flushed and
| drew back But at sight Of the look
of unconscious dismay on the girls
face his half uttered protest died and
he 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 l gave him a sovereign. But
how abnormal for any foreigner to
hesitate at a tip. Shall we send FL
| Ierslie a card, Kitten? / suppose he
would hardly remember us. and ~ is
many years since his mother died. Do
you think it would be worth while?'
| 81 suppose not" agreed Ethel, not,
howe, er, without a secret twinge Of
disappointment.
| But the next day, on returning from
| their drive, the innkeeper met them.
In his hand were letter and card.
His lordship was here this after
noon," he said, land asked if you were
| the lady who had lost this locket,"
producing a small gold ornament eff
| you were, 1 was to give you this let
| ter"
why, ! must have dropped it yes
| terday," exclaimed Mrs Lincoln in sur
prise. tearing open the envelope. It
Davidson GIaciar