Chapter 16 WELCOME AND UNWELCOME GUESTS

The sun was just sinking when Mr. Stuart's weary cavalcade stopped in front of a great iron gate. The gate was covered with rust and hung loose on its hinges. It opened into a splendid avenue of cypress trees. As far as the eye could see on each side of the road, ran overgrown hedges of the Rose of Sharon. The bushes were in full bloom and the mass