The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1863-12-23

for her, she might have bean sorry that
she had net died, then and there, holding
fast to that firm faith in Harry I've $
fidelity.
james Grayliug, crafty patient man,
bided his time. 1t came at last when the
tender green of the hill sides shriveled
and grew brown under the starry silent
frosts of the bitter December nights, and
the keen winds rushed with thunderous
swell through the lonely pine forests in
these wild solitudes.
Daughter, it's the dearest wish of my
heart, said farmer Atterly, solemnly, as
he sat with Bessie in the old, silent room.
I'm gettin' we'll up in years; and if 1
could but see you married to some good
and true r.an before 1 am taken away,
should rest easier in my grave, James
Crawling has been almost a son to 'me
these months Of trial and trouble. He is
coming for his final answer tonight
Let it be Yes ~. 20 ao
Bessie shuddered. That year of sick,
wistful grief had changed her into pale,
fragile girl, with large fragile eyes, ever
rowing from side to side, as if vainly
seeking something that never came
'Wait, father she murmureS eagerly
as if pleading for sweet life itself: wait
a little longer, only little longerl' -,
Il hare waited, Bessie 1t is year and
over since Henry Ives has sent you either
word or message. He may be dead; bet
ter dead than scoundrel but James
Grayling has been as true as steel ME
all this time. He deserves you, Bessie;
and when you are once married you will
learn to love him. Shall we say thissday
month for your wedding, daughter?' .dl
That night Bessie laid her cold hand
in james Graylings eager palm, and said
Yes dreamily to whatever he proposed
What had life left for her? As well be
James Graylin's wife as anything else,
since God willed that she should liveand
suffer on, and the dreary path of years
lay spread out before her listless feet2 is
The old smoke stained walls We're
wreathed with feathery garlands of cedar
and pine, with the scarlet berries of the
mountain ash glowing here and there; the
great fire roared up the chimney with
festive sound, and ali the neighbors were
gathered round Farmer Atterly's hearth
stone; for the pretty Bessie was to be
married that night.
She don't look as a bride ought to,
some how whispered Mrs. Deacon Jen-
nings te her companion, Mahaly Bird.
She seems to me jest like one o them
white snow wreatLs lyin' down in the hol-
ler yonder. e
Maybe it's that white dress, said Ma
hala; but she does look like corpse
Land o Goshen what be a-sayin'? 1t
amt good luck to talk about corpses on
wedding night 55 hs sle.
For the pretty bridesmaids had just led
Bessie in, robed in pure shecny silk. with
snDwy gerraniums in her hair, and not a
vestige of color in her cheek At 81
There don't she look sweet?' said
Susy Jennings. rs it time to go into the
parlor yet = I'D
Massey, no child 7 said Mrs. Jennings;
mot for all hour. Why, Jim Grayling
hasn't come yet ! as s5taTg gt
So Bessie sat down in the midst of the
assembled maids and mstrons, and played
with the white flowers in her boquet,
thinking, who knows what? Perhaps a
lonely grave under the Southern stars;
perhaps the fair face of the women who
had wiled her lovers heart away. il
Somebody spoke to her; she looked up,
and all of sudden her frightened eyes
traced IA figure beyond the open door OPP
posite to which she sat, figure hurried
ly pressing through the crowd. 7s
Where is she? [ ,cW see Bessie, we'd
ding or no Wedding ! Who has better
right than p g @. hrd eE aa.i3 =
The next moment the pale, uhite-robe
bride lay like iair, still statue in Henry
Ives arms.
Stand off, say he cried, fiercely.-
woman love. | have earned her to be
my wife-earned her by long months
of pain and suffering = earned her by
wounds upoh the battle field of the coun-
try she loved {! Do you say she is to be
married to james Grayling? What has
James Grayling done with the letters
sept to his care with all the messages
entrusted to him? She had better be In
the grave than married to James Gayling.
MIR. Atterly, you are just and good man
Judge between me and the treacherous
fox fancied to be my friend.
Harry, Harry' fritered the old man,
I never dreamed o this. Tell us about
it my boy, for my old head swims.'
And Harry Ives, still holding Bessie
to his heart, revealed the story of his
own truth and James Graylings duplicity
When he had finished the recital Moses
Atterly clasped the brown, strong hand
between his own horny palms, and said
solemnly .surl.t
My boy, ask your pardon for every
doubt that ever crossed my mind, and I
thank the merciful Providence that has
spared Bessie from being Jim Grayling's s
wife. We were calculatin to have we'd
din here tonight, and it isn't too late
yet, if Harry hasn't no objections to bein'
married in his soldier clothes 7
'Father!' interposed Bessie, rosy as a
whole boquet of carnations blended into
one, but Harry took her hands into his,
Love! [ shall! not feel secure until l
can call you ,oite,' and the remonstrance
died away upon her lips.
sAre you ali ready, Elder Wilkins I
sa;d Moses cause | lieve the youno