The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1858-04-16

would have drawn the picture Of = friend.
And yet she could not draw portrait Of
herself that satisfied him. She always tur-
ned away with somo jest upon her stout
figure and heavy features, which displcascd
and annoyed him, for lie never could max.
her any thing but beautiful in his mind.
81 will ask her now.' thought Richard,
"hefore any one has claim upon her." and
with Quick impulse, lie preferred long
dulged, but unsicken request.
"If you will only le, me :ouch your hair
your face, one instant, Bessie, as do
when wish to know my friends and pupils
better, | shall be more contented when YOU
are Aliens wife. You have been such
dear. true friend to mcr'
She took up both his hands, and, stoop.
ing, laid them on her bowed head.
"As thought" he murmured rather
than spoke; and his hands shook and
trembled. though she was so quiet beneath
their touch. Soft, wavy hair it is brown,
and silkcn rs IA child's. The broad, open
forehead, that belongs to YOU, Bessie. I
know how your eyes look now, honest and
fearless and very truthful such long l:shes.
and your cheek SO round and smooth?-
How could YOU tell me that you were not
beautirul!"
because am not" she said, taking his
hands again. "And feel how hardened my
hands are, while yours are soft and white.
1t is an ugly contrast, and so and so are
our faces and characters and dispositions"
she added, presently.
81 knew-but Allen is manly and hardy
and cheerful. l was not always so gloomy.
Bessie; truly wns not. But grew so rest
less and dependent and homesick Il can
not describe it any other way-yet never
have had, and never shall have home
such as other men win for themselves, who
do not know how to prize it rs l should"
''It is almost time for the rehearsal" said
Bessie. as if to lead him from this hopeless
mood, "and mother has fallen asleep there
upon her pillows. Come, let us 60, Rich
ard"
She drew his arm within hers as they
rose, and they walked on toward the river,
for the chapel was scarcely s,onc's-,hrow.
lie longcd to say more, to tell her all that
the touch Of that bowed head had revealed
to him, how passionately lie loved her, how
doutly hateful his blindness and dependence
were TO him for her sake, how doublv soil.
tary his life would always be for having
known her and for her care over him but
he struggled With this stormy mood bravelv,
for he knew he had no right to lay the bur-
den OF his msfortunes at any woman's S feet, =
even If she were free to take it up and bear
it onward for him.
So they walked on in silence for little
time until they began to hear the soft plash
of the incoming tide against the wharves
and the sides ofthe vessels living at anchor.
II recalled the trim schooner Bess and her
captain to his mind.
"When arc you to be married 7" he ask
cd, abruptly. "Soon hope"
"Do you, Richard 7"
"l es, it is better to be soon: and again
the strong tide Of feeling rushed to his lips.
He pressed his teeth into them, so that le
should say no more.
"When, then" said Bessie, her voice
trembling little-hc had never known
this before-"I am going to make you a
strange proposal, not strange, for it is right
and best mother thinks as do. You arc
to be my husband, Richard, when do mar.
ry, for you love ME as Allen does not and
cannot, and need me more than he, as
told him when he asked me to be his wife"
81 Bessie Poor and blind! your hus.
band !" He reelcd as If sudden blow had
struck, but she upheld him steadily.
lfyou do not wish it, Richard, it ends
here. You know me well enough in these
three years to know that mean all say,
and that had only to assure myselfofyo
love before I allowed mine to be seen. You
would never have asked this Of me but
here / am. l offer myself, my love. and
care, and companionship to you, if you will
take it.ty Richard, let me be home, and
strength, and sightto you always
1t was well that they had reached the
chapel, for the courage with which she hid
nerved herself was fast forsakings her. BY
the dim light she saw their rector bcuding
over his books iu the vestry, as was his won't
when he expected them there. The bIiDd
heard the advancing stepoand- kindly vel.
come, as he came forward 10 the chanceI.
and the sound Of other voices in. tue, loft
above them. snake it really itS'is. all q
dream" he said, and they knelts dowh To-.
gether for.aheir pastors blessing. for be