The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1863-11-20

the Bessie" which did not belong to me
In the silence around me, in the lonely
hour, the face seemed sent TO comfort my
poor sore heart, and l sat gazing into the
depths of those earnest eyes till the ach.
ing pang of Jealousy that had torn ME
through the afternoon, was stilled and
soothed. There was magnetism in the
pictured face turned SO coAdingly to mine,
and l dropped asleep with it before me
slept to endow the still face with life,
to find in my dreams those wistful eyes
seeking mine, that sweet mouth finding
loving words for (; woke to realize that
I was miserrble old bachelor, whose
pet-sister was being won away, and was
falling in love with the Bessie Of some
more foyored man by the name Of
Smith.
Every day consulted the register, to
find the arrival Of my nsmesake but ev-
cry evening l could draw out my picture
and study anew the lovely face. Autumn
drew on, and we returned home, but the
letter l left for Mr.. Smith, at Saratoga,
never was answered. Nobody claimed
my Bessie.
Somebody, however, did claim Katie,
who, half laughing, half crying, admit
ted that Charlie held second place in
her heart to certain tall, handsome Her
man, whose frank, noble nature had won
her pure, girlish love. So there was
wedding, and l stood alone in the world.
first in no heart but my own selfish one.
Don't laugh at me, but think of my
heart suddenly bereft Of its love Of years,
and vaguely longing for an answering
love to meet its own yearning tenderness.
when l confess that l was loving an ideal
woman. Lavishing, in day-dreams and
night-visions, a world Of schemes and
tenderness on the Bessie whose sweet
face was becoming my load-stsr. I tried
to find her. The letter bore no date, no
post-mark so | could only wait to see
tho face that loved, hope to find the
nature as lovely as The picture.
Of course, found her, or l should not
write this. l was again at Saratoga, two
years later, Katie and Herman with me,
when | found her.
Charlie" Katie said, one evening. as
she stood, in her old, loving way, by my
chair, "who do you think is here p
Lizzie Leonard, my dear old playmate at
school. You remember her ?"
Slightly: pretty, quiet little girl"
"a tall, stately woman, with soft dark
eyes, and a voice of music. All she is
lovely, Charlie; guard your heart"
"Why should l ?" 1 said. dolefully.
'You didu't."
She colored, as she nestled down beside
me, whispering.
ut was too bad, Charlie, but I could
lot help it,"
"My dear brother Charlie-Lizzis !"
Katie's voice still in my sar,,I bowed
o Miss Leonard-my Bessie.
Nota whisper of the photograph escap.
d M, as paid my respects to Katie's
riend. How to win her to answer my
owe. was my constant thought, and days
we're one long struggle TO gain a smile ,
rom her.
I had forgotten my rival, forgotten ev.
rything but my passionate love for her.
5 day by day showed me her gentle, no.
lie nature, her warm heart, her fine mind, ,
er winning grace. One month Of court
ng, and l heard from her lips the an
wer to my suit. She loved me !
I held her in my arms, and as won :
,e coveted words from her lips, l cried
Ut in my joy, the name of my ideal
we, my true passion.
"Bessie, dear Bessie p
She drew back from me, with a white
zee, and quiuering lip.
"Who taught you that name ?" she >;
i'd, quickly. "Oh F! Charlie, Charlie p
And she threw herself on sofa, sob :,
ng passionately. :.
l stood confounded. All the bitter Il
alousy I had thought at rest forever
se in my mind, and, taking from my o.
east the picture and letter, laid them oI
,side her, explaining, in few words,
wv they came into my possession. and to
fl her,