The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1910-07-19
A GOLDEN LINK.
The Tip That Was Transformed
Into a Wedding Ring.
sy A. "A. DAVIES OGDEN.

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, lee
between sturdy oaks. through whose
branches the pickering sunlight fell in
golden sbadows-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
sudden fork in the path caused them
to halt in some perplexitg.
Although. as the caterpillar said, II
you don't care where you are going. It
cannot matter much which way yon
CO." laughed Ethel lincoln. "And both
look attractive" she added As they
besitated young man. clad in knlck-
erbOckers and carrying 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 60"
The man, who had stopped on seeing
the two ladies, now came toward them.
lifting his battered cap.
"Can ] be Of any service?7 he in y
quired. His voice waa prepossessing.
and Mrs. Lincoln assented
I'VE are anxious 10 see the house aud
the lake." she said. Gould you direct
US how to reach themy
'erhe right hand path win take you
directly to the house." be 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 IL you would care to have mS 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 bued
parterres. the cool green terraces. all
evoked deep breaths Of admiration.
1T is like page from a novel" she
declared. II never imagined anything
SO romantic. Its-it's perfect" aban-
doning a vain search for suitable ad-
iectives. The gamekeeper looked
pleased.
1T is indeed fine place. miss" he
said But Mrs. Lincoln glanced long
ingiy at the house.
How / would like to see the inte
rior.' she said. rs it quite Impossi
bleY'
The man considered.
ut IS not usually allowed" he an
swered. "But / 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 onceg interposed the
gamekeeper hastily. The gardener. a
faint twinkle creeping into his eye.
nodded
Mrs. Lincoln turned away.
"If It 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
Ellerslie well many years ago and
should have been glad to see her
home"
Indeed" said the gamekeeper re-
spectfully. "You might have a chance
next week then Lady Ellerslie's son
is giving a garden party on Thursday
ana IL you send card to Lord Ellers
lie I have no doubt that he will be
glad to have an invitation sent you"
"Thank you; perhaps we may do so,
said Mrs. Lincoln. "WilI you be good
enough to call my carriage now"
AS he turned and beckoned the
coachman Ethel Lincoln sighed.
"How beautiful 1t all is.' she ex-
claimed. Really could marry FL
Ierslie just to live here" The game
keeper his face unmoved. stepped
forward
"May l help you in. madam?" he
asked decoroiisly.
Mrs. Lincoln slipping her fingers in
10 the tiny gold purse swinging at her
wrist. pulled forth coin and. with
out looking at IT, held 1t townrd the
man. 10 her surprise. he hushed and
brew back. Rut W sight of the look
II unconscious disnay on the girls
face bis half uttered protest died and
4e quietly accepted be money.
As they drove hotieward Mrs. Lin
DIN mughed
mo wonder That man stared. she
Hld. These English coins are so
much alike IN size That instead Of
shilling / gave him a sovereign. But
now abnormal for any foreigner TO
hesitate at a tip. Shall we send El-
icrslie card Klttens suppose he
would hardly remember US. aud it Is
many years since bis mother died. DO
you think it would be worth whlleg
Il suppose not" agreed Ethel. not
however. without secret twiuge Of
disappointment.