The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1863-02-06

wore, and e,pieglerie indescribable in the dit
ting bows of ribbon that fastened it Righ
over the maptel an old looking-glass-Dca
con Marble would have started If you hat
called it a mirror-reaected every dimple anC
rose-tint on the peachy check, yet Bessy nev
er glanced at its aattering transcript. No
she looked gravely in the blazing heart o
the Ere with an unwonted dew before tn,
blue eyes and pensiyc shadow on her brow
al say Bessy!''
She had not heard the door open, yet she
did not start when in the looking-glass she
saw lmaged another form beside her own
that Of tall, stalwart young man. in blue
uniform, outlined with curves Of vivid scar
let. He was handsome fellow, too, dark
eyed and sun-embrowned, with brown hair
thrown carelessly back from his open FORE
head.
"Charlcs, are you here" she asked, hall
reproachtully.
"Now don't scold, Bessy: there's q dar
ling! l tried to keep away, upon my word
l did, but you might as well expect hun
cry bee to keep away from bunch Of honey.
suckles.
"Dont, Charles?" she said, possibly al
luding to kiss, which terminated his words
in manner most satisfactory to himself
"When you MoV that my father has forbid
den you to enter the house!"
"Know it? OF course | know it, and that's
the reason l waited in the hazel copse until
l saw the good deacon we'll on his way to
church before l walked in But, Bessy,'
he added. in graver tone, "you must own
yourself that IL is unjust for your father to
dislike me simply for being poor. Hc was a
poor boy himself when he married your
mother; I've heard him say SO dozen times!
And US for Mark Vernon"
"Hush, Charles!" coaxed Bessy, placing
her little hand over the young soldler'smouth.
.'You know that never would marry Mark
Vernon.
BLESSINGS on you for these words !" said
the young man earnestly; sand yet some
times fear"
"Hush !" exclaimed Bessy, lifting her fin
ger; 81 thought l heard the gate shut.
"only your fancy. And. as was saying
-"
Rat.tat-tat! rat-tat-tat! thundered pair
Of vigorous knuckles on the door-click
click sounded the irresponsve latch, which
Bessy had secured after the departure OF her
parents.
"Itismy father-fknow his knock !" gasp
ed Bessy. in breathless trepidation. "If he
should find you here, Charles! What can
bring him back' Conceal yourself some.
where-the pantry, quick!"
81 can't! it's full Of preserves and apple.
barrels, said the fugitive, hurriedly survey
ing the premises.
"The kitchen, then, Charles. Oh, do
make haste :"
"Eang it, | wont DO burglar :" exclaim-
ed the young soldier, half-de6ant. "What
have done to be ashamed of?"
"For my sake, Charles!' pleaded the girl
as fresh shower Of knocks descended on
the stout oakcn panels of the door, and the
deacons voice was heard clamoring for ad.
mittancc.-"Quick he is going round to
tho window !"
Charles Mellen looked around in sort OF
desperation; the clock.caso was to small to
get lnto-thc wood-box to narrow-the tea
kettle decidedly impracticable-and, sPurrcd
by the dire emergency, tho valiant son OF
Mars dropped on his knees, and scrambled
nimbly under the Old-fashioncd chintz-covcr-
cd lounge or settec, that occupied the vacant
place by the windows. There he lay, shak-
ing with suppressed laughter, behind the
ample balance of blue-and white chintz, a
sort Of e1tempOrc "masked battery" while
Bessy hastened to unbar'the door.
Thought you was asleep" growled the
deacon. ~ was just agoin to try the win
ders What on earth made you 50 long a.
comm ?"
al thought did not know" "ssam-
mercd Besy, turning white and red alter
nately. -.
"oh, you s'posed was a roboer!" said
the deacon, breaking out in genial laugh
seals does get the queercst notions in their
heads sometimes. I've come back arter my
speticlcs, for dom, rightly feel as IL l sens
ed what the parson said without could look
him full in the face, and besides, l like to
follow the psalm-singin.' Where do you
s'pose could ha' left 'em? Last remem-
Der havin' 'em | was settin' ON that lounge,
readin' that paper"
"No. no, they are not there" faltered
Bcssy, turning scarlet, as the deacon pcered
about tho chintx dapcries. perhaps you
left them on the clock shelf"