The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1864-03-17
NUMBER Al.


which he says Harry Ives was captured, |
with half dozen others, by skirnishing
party, a week before he wrote. Lt
Captured y 1921 "a
eyes, and that isn't all. He saws that
they didn't half believe Harry Ives cared
whether he was carried down south or not
for he he had taken a great notion to some
pretty girl down in Virginia. planters
darter, believe-and-" r.
| 81 don't believe it, James Grayling," said |
Bessie, springing to her feet with flashing
| eye and passion-crimsoned forehead l dont'l
believe word of You are repeating some
vile faIsehood."
81 knew you'd feel bad" said Graylng,
with provoking mildness; ''but 1 thought
that you ought to know how matters stood. |
| can show you my friend Sans letter, if
that will afford you any satisfaction. II
never had much faith in Harry Ives--a dash
ing, careless fellow, who "
''Hush! | will not listen to another SEN
tence!" calculated, Bessie, angrily, and with
a certain strange dignity in her girl-face and
slender form. ~
''Mr. Atterly," said g4rayling with aggra-
waiting moderation and calmness, chow long
is it since your daughter received letter
| We'll, it's considerable SPELL" said the
farmer; "but letters do take time to reach
U.s. you know"
eyes, particularly when they're never
sent" sneered Grayling.
Father don't listen to him." cried Bes-
sic, passionately. eff the whole world were
to tell me Harry Ives was untrue,I wouldn't |
believe them"
e, i l.
chestnut braids Of hair dropping over her
father knee.
Poor child Could she have foreseen the |
weary months Of waiting for the letter which
never came from the far off southern hills,
the hope deferred which ma1eth the heart
sick, that were in store for her. she might
have been sorry that she had not died then
and there, holding fast to that firm faith i'll
Harry Ives fidelity.
James Grayling-a 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
wind rushed with thunderous swell through
the lonely pine forests in these wild soil
tudes.
daughter, it's the dearest wish of my
heart" said Farmer Atterly, sole1nnly, as
he sat with Bessie i'll the old silent room
Pm gettin' well on in years, and if l could
but see you married TO some good and true
man before / am taken away, I should rest
much easier in my grave. James Grayling
has been almost son to me these months
Of trial and trouble lie is coming for his
final answer tonight. Let it be ''Yes!
Bessie shuddered. That year of sick,
Nistful grief had changed her into pale,
fragile girl, with large, frightened eyes, ev-
er rowing from side to side. rs if seeking for
something which never came.
''Wait, father" she murmured eagerly. as
If pleading for life itself; wait little Ion
ger-only little longer!"
81 hace waited Bessie. It's year and
over since Harry Ives has sent you either
word or message. He may be dead-better
dead than scoundrel-but James Grayling
has been as true as steel to me all this time
lie deserves you, Bessie, and, when your
once married, you'll be sure to learn to love
him. Shall we say this day month for your
wedding daughter"
That night Bessie laid her cold hand in
James Cravings eager palm, and said Yes
dreamily to whatever he proposed, What |
had life left for her? As well be James
Cravings wife as anything else, since God
willed that she should live and suffer on,
and the dreary path of years lay spread out (
before her listless feet
The old smoke-stained walls were wreath
ed with teathery garlands of cedar and pine, /
with the scarlet berries Of the mountain ash
glowing here and there: the great fire roar
cd up the chimney with festive sound, and
all the neighbors had gathered round Farm
er Atterlys Notwithstanding Bessie was to
be married that night
''She don't look as bride ought to, solne-I
how" whispered Mrs. Deacon Jennings to
her companions, Mahala Bird. E'She seems
to me jest like one O them snow-wreaths
down in the hollow yonder."
''Maybe It's that white Dress" said Ma
hala; but she does look like a CORPSE
Land O Goshen! what be / sayin'? 1t
amt considered good luck to talk about
corpses on weddin' night"
For the pretty bridesmaids had just led !
Bessie il, robed in pure sheeny silk, with
snowy geraniums in her hair and not yes
tige of color III her cheek.
There don't she look sweet?" said Su-
lsan Jennings. lis it time to go in the par-
lor yetF le
''AIassy no, my child !" said Mrs. ten-
nings; mot for an hour. Why, Jim Gray
ling hasn't come yeti"
So Bessie sat down in the midst of the as
sembled maids and matrons, and played gith |
the white flowers in her boquet, thinking |
who knows Of what Perhaps lonely grave
under the cruel southern stars; perhaps the |
fair face Of the woman who had wiled her
lovers heart away Somebody spoke to her
she looked up, and all of a sudden her fright
ened eyes traced a figure beyond the door
opposite to which she sat--a figure hurried-
Ily passing through the crowd
''Where is she? | will see my own Bessie,
wedding or no wedding! Who has better
right than / p
The next moment the pale, white-robed
bride lay, like fair still statue, in Harry
ives arms.
''Stand off ! say!" he cried Fl Greedy
! Set no one come between me and the wo
man love have earned her to be my
and suffering -earned her by wounds leeeiv-
ed upon the battle-felds Of the country she
loves! Do you say she is to be married toI
James Grayling? What has james Graylmgi
done with the letters | sent to his care P
with all the messages / entrusted to him P
she had better be in her grave than married
to James Grayling Mr.. AtterIy, you arc
a just and good man Judge between me
and the reasonable fox / fancied was my
friend !"
Harry, Hauy!" faltered the old man,
81 never dreamed O this Tell us all about
it, my boy, for my old head swims." b.
And Harry Ives, Still holding Bessie to his
heart revealed the story Of his own truth,
and James Graylings vilIainous dupicity
When he had finished the impassioned reci-
tai, Moses Atterly clasped the brown and
strong hand between bis own horny palms
and said, soIemly:
NY boy, / ask your pardon for every
doubt that ever crossed NV mind and / thank
the merciful PRECEDENCE that has spared