The Wenatchee daily world. [volume] (Wenatchee, Wash.) 1905-1971, 1910-07-11
A GOLDEN LINK.
The Tip That Was Transformed
Into a Wedding Ring.
BY A. M. DAVIES OGDEN.

BY 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. exciaiming 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. If
you don't care where you are going. 1t
cannot matter much which way you
Co." 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 l be Of any service?" he in
quired. His voice was progressing.
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"
'The 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 mo-
ment. then went on. Il belong here.
and If you would care to have me show
you about
Mrs. Lincoln smiled kindly.
eff 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.
ct Is like a page from a novel;" she
declared. II never imagined anything
so romantic. It's-it's perfect" aban-
doning a vain search for suitable adj
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 inte-
rior." she said. lis it quite impossi-
ble?
The man considered.
.Tt 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.
faint twinkle creeping into his eye.
nodded.
Mrs. Lincoln turned away.
.Tf it is against the rules. Of course
we would prefer not to enter" she
said quietly. THANK you just as
much. Only I happened to know Lady
Ellerslie 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 II you send card to Lord Ellers-
lie | 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.
How beautiful 1t all is" she ex-
claimed. Really could marry FL
lerslie Just to live here" The game
keeper. his face unmoved. stepped
forward.
May / 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 1t, 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
shilling l gave him a sovereign. But
how abnormal for any foreigner to
hesitate at a tip: Shall we send FL
lerslie a card. Kitten? | suppose he
would hardly remember us. and 1t Is
many years since his mother died. Do
you think it would be worth while?"
II suppose not" agreed Ethel. not,
however. 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