Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1915-03-23
The
LODGE
For = Time There Was q
Doubt a. to Its Occupancy

OOOOONNNNNCNNN
John Rickets, gardener on a country
place, entered upon his days duties
BY trimming the hedges. 1t was q
bright spring morning, and the sun
shone down upon John ut his work
The trees had leaved not long before
and still wore something Of tie pale
hue Of early spring. The birds were
building their nests and flying here
and there for material John was O
young man, and the principle Of nest
building was In him as well as the
birds. He was thinking Of making q
home for himself.
Twenty years before the owner Of
the place, q widow, Mrs. Alexander.
had a housekeeper who, dying, left a
little daughter, babe. The child was
without any one of her own kin to
care for her, and Mrs. Alexander as
sumed the responsibility. Anne Bur-
kett when she grew older was sent to
school and brought up as member Of
the Alexander family. She was will
full child, though not wayward.
Ordinary duties were burdensome to
her. She loved the country. In spring
she was never 30 happy as In watch
ing the opening Of the buds and other
signs Of the return Of summer. In au
tumn her delight was to walk through
the woods knee deep In dead leaves,
kicking them as she went and listening
to the sound they made in the other
wise silent forest
It was she whom the gardener was
thinking Of In connection with his
home building. But more than ordi-
nary lovers doubts possessed him.
Anne, though the daughter of an upper
servant, had been brought up, If not
as a lady, at least II fashion that 1t-
ted her to assume the station Of a
lady. John was the son Of q cultivator
Of flowers which were sold in the city.
The boy inherited taste for his IA
ther,s work and had taken course In
an agricultural institution. after fin
ishing which he accepted position as
gardener. II Anne was above the sta
ton In which she had been born John
was above the usual Interpretation OF
the term gardener. But he had never
known Anne's people and had always
regarded her as lady.
When Mrs. Alexander died, since she
left no children Of her own. the place
passed into the possession OF her neph-
ew, Edgar Alexander. He was living
abroad at the time Of his aunt's death,
but returned to America and settled
down on the place he had inherited.
he was q bachelor over forty years
Of age and had tired Of rowing. His
new possession was exactly suited to
bis taste. He made no change In any
thing on the place. leaving the admin
istration Of the household In the hands
of the woman who had managed 1t
for Mrs. Alexander. He had heard OF
Anne through his aunt but only as
the daughter of a former housekeeper
and a dependent on charity. When
he came to America and saw the young
woman he was surprised to find diff
ferent person from the one he had ex-
pected to meet He made no change
In her status In the household.
But he made change In his own
status. He had been a clubman,
man Of the world and had avoided en-
tanglements with women. He was
known to be well of. and bachelors OF
means are usually supposed to be
wealthier than they are. Women had
thrown themselves at him and had
been thrown ut him by their mothers.
But he would have none Of them.
Toward this orphan girl he was diff
ferent. He drove with her, he played
games with her. When he was not
with her he seemed not to know what
to do with himself. For the first time
In his life he melted under woman's
influence.
While John was thinking Of Anne
Mr.. Alexander came out on the porch
and stood looking down on the grounds
surrounding his home. Seeing his gar
dener clipping the hedge, he came
down to where he was and began to
chat with him. He was unaware that
John had received an education to at
him as an agriculturist, and John had
never said anything about possessing
a profession.
"John," said Mr.. Alexander, this
place should have a lodge at the gate
way. I'm thinking Of building one.
But a lodge should contain some one
10 admit visitors and keep out unde-
,irable persons. Now, II you were mar
he'd could put you in the lodge, and
while you were ut work about the
)lace your wife would be ready for any
luty at the gate, though such duties
would, Of course be nominal, for there
b really no need for lodge. I want
,ne az an addition to the place"
John ceased to snip the hedge, low
ered bis shears and looked thoughtful.
Had he been older he would probably
lave kept his thoughts to himself. BE.
Ing young, he wished for sympathy, ana
that makes one confidential
"The only woman want for a wife,
Nr. Alexander" he said. "xouldn't
Ne In a porter's lodge
"But this would be a gardeners
IOdge."
"The woman / refer to was brought
40 in too fine fashion to live In any
house except that Of gentleman"
"Is she a lady. JohnT asked Alex
lnder, with evident surprise.
sshe wasn't born lady. but she has
BEEN brought up as one."
well, John" Alexander replied,
moving on, II can't settle your love at.
fairs for you. 1 can only say that !
shall build the lodge and II you wish
to live in It you will be welcome to
do So"
Not long after this Alexander, aided
by John, was stalking out the lines Tor
the foundations Of the lodge. The
grounds near the gate were covered
with trees, and Anne, approaching,
paused In the shadow and watched
them for q moment and then, adyanc-
iug, asked what they were doing.
arm going to build lodge here
said Mr.. Alexander. "JOhn will live
a. S ..--oc<oH y,to <ok{n0 n