Democratic messenger., 1911-10-21
The Gate In
The Hedge
Why 1t Was Closed and
How Opened
BY CLARlSSA MAcKlE
Copyright by American Press Asso-
ciat;on. 1911.
BY CLARlSSA MACKlE

breath as she tied the ribbons of her
little white shoes and reached for her
tennis racket With swing Of snowy
linen skirts she tripped down tho stairs
and out into the golden California sun
shine.
Playing b,nnis by oneself Is never
an entertaining pastimc. but 1t Is
good exercise. and when one lives with
beautiful but melancholy maiden
aunt on n retired country estate even
daily gymnastics can border Oh the
widest excitement
Paulincs method consisted In scrv
ing one or more balls across the net
and then dashing around into the on.
posite court and returning the serv.
Ice with lightning rapidty and again
darting back TO return the stroke.
Pauline fitted back and forth with
pink cheeks and shining eyes Her loos.
ened hair fell in two long braids below
her slender waist. and under her
breath she hummcd the happy little
tune broken by painting breath.
VU'C FtlohR tOuuS SUM- ttN
ball sailing high over the tall hedge OF
Cherokee roses into the grounds of the
adjoining estate. and II was returned
TO her with such surprising swiftness
that involuntarily she sent II back
again with u cry Of triumph
Again II returned. and once more
Pauline sent II flying over the hedge
There was sharp exclamation. soft
steps on the turf. and then over the
dividing wall of roses appeared a
shock of sun bleached hair n pair of
good gray eyes and handsome tan.
ned countenance.
knocked me out there. little girl"
grinned the young man, holding out
the ball.
Pauline's hands flew 10 her long
braids and wound them In their accus
toned coronet. Even then she did not
look q day over fifteen. while she was
really twenty-five.
Il beg your pardon" said the
stranger, his grin fading away. II
thought you were little girl. don't
you know"
I'm not" explained Pauline with
dignity. Thank you for returning the
ball" holding out her hand why. its
not mine" she added. with puzzled
glance at him. although II has my
initials on it,
"P. G.?" laughed the man. Those
are mine too. I'm Paul Graham q
t,. l,n .,fn t,n
plair ed Your ball disappeared. and
substituted this one"
Il ksow." said Pauline with shy
smile 1--WE peepcd nj the house
through the trees II looks very lone
ly and mysterious with Us shattered
windows
They are ali wide open now. and II
YOU care for neicbbors- here we are."
He smiled ingratlstnGly rive heard
there used TO he gate in this Chero
kee hedge wonder where II is"
Pauline flushed dclicatcly and looked
away with embarrassed eyes Il bc
lieve the gate was down in the rose
garden. 1t Is nailed M now ana over
grown with roses
why was II nailed up? Ipo you
know" lie asked blunty.
She shook her head slightly Il have
often wondered once | asked m.
aunt. Miss Greye. but she never an
Swered my question \ gate heiwcen
two gardens always seems so friendly
Don't you think so:''
He nodded This used to be- on;
home. you know-thc stone house.
mean-but II Is many years since we
lived here. Since | was little boy
distinctly rccoleci that gate in thc
hedge. and have always retained II
vision OF u stately young woman with
jet black hair and u coldly beautiful
face. who walked In n wilderness Ui
roses on the other side OF the gate"
THAT must have been Aunt Ruth
said Pauline. only her hair Is like
snow. But she Is still beautiful AMI
so cold. ! wish she were not
I'm taking u holiday wish your
aunt would invite me over TO play ten
mis-. Perhaps she remembers me-" Sug
gestsd Graham.
I'm sure she would invite you IL she
knew you were here" said Pauline
politely. Il must run In now. She
would scold II she knew had talked
SO long with stranger. But it's
awfully dull here. That is my only
excuse She moved slowly away aud
nodded friendly farewell
The door Of the library was aiar. and
Pauline pushed 1t gently open and
peeped inside
Seated nj fiat desk was Ruth
Greye. In the snbdued light OF the
dimly lighted room she looked like
marble statue Her gown was white.
and above II her white throat arose IN
stately column TO support her beau.
tiful head Her face was lovely In
spite OF its pallor and crowned with
soft masses of prcmaturely whltened
hair. Her brows formed straight black
lines. and the dark lashcs and brown
eyes We're drooped over the desk. One
IA ~.