The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1869-09-17

there seemed to be perfect cloud of
them issuing from one Iof the hives and
lowering over it. Some of them flew so
near their wings almost brushed my cheek,
and I started. 4
"They're swarming," said Sarah, in
low, excited voice. "Don't move quick
or act frightened they won't hurt you.
Oh, 1 hope they will settle in our own yard
somewhere Last summer one swarm
went mile off"
There was q clatter of horses hoofs
down the road.
"There are Belle and Mr.. Brooks" ex-
claimed ..,.-,....,..-.
Sarah had risen and stood with one hand
resting on a low limb of the apple tree,
while she looked first at the bees and then
at Belle in her pretty blue habit springing
to the ground.
Belle saw us, and came running round the
house with her little whip in her hand,
while Mr.. Brooks fastened the horses.
"Oh, we had such splendid ride !" she
exclaimed. "But, mercy, how these bees
act Do come away; you'll be stung."
"Oh, no, Belle; they won't touch you
if you keep still," said Sarah. weren't
you pleased with the cliff? 1t is so fine in
summer, with the laurels and rhodOden-
drons all in bloom"
"Bees .swarming, eh?" asked Mr..
Brooks, joining us; "rll hive them for
you, if they settle soon, Sarah"
"Oh, thank you," she said /" was just
going to blow the horn for James; he is
down in the meadow-lot. But if you will
do it, Hugh, you had better ask mother
right away for the gloves"
The flying and buzzing grew so formid-
able that was alarmed; they seemed to
darken the very air before my eyes:
go away, you wretch p cried Belle,
striking with her whip; ooh, oh! I'm
stung! oh, they are killing mel"
"Sarah, Sarah" screamed Aunt En-
from the window; "don't you stir hand
nor foot; they're settling on your arm;
Belle, run in here as fast as you can, and
I'll put some saleratus water on those
stings."
Poor Belle had been stung twice on her
lip. She was crying, and did not know
which way to turn, till Mr.. Brooks led her
into the house.
was trembling all over, for the bees
were on every side of me, flying toward
Sarah, and there was already quite large
black bunch of them clinging to her
sleeve, as her arm rested on the apple
bough
"I'm sorry" she said, softly, "but you
had better not stir away yet, or it may dis
turb them and you will get stung; but as
long as you keep perfectly still they won't
harm you"
So stood, and thought of Joan of Arc,
and Pocahontas, and all the heroines l
could remember, to keep myself from
fainting on the spot. Mr. Brooks, with
his hands in great buckskin gloves, was
waiting a little way off with one of the
new bee-hives all ready.
at is fortunate l have on this loose
sacque," said Sarah, for can slip my
arm out of the sleeve so easily, when the
bees have done coming"
l looked at her in admiration, as she
stood there so motionless in her graceful
posture, resting on the bough, her eyes
bright with excitement, and her cheeks
the loveliest pink, her lips just little
parted, and she without an atom of terror,
almost tenderly watching her pretty brown
bees as they crowded to her.
1t seemed an age that we waited there,
but at last the swarm had all settled, and
Sarah confessed she was glad, for they
hung so heavy on her sleeve.
"I'll take care of them now," said Hugh
Brooks, and he looked at Sarah anxiOusly !;
"you must be all tired out, dear Sarah !;
but if you can manage to slip your arm
out of the sleeve as hold it, think you
can get away safely"
The words " dear Sarah struck me.
felt very much enlightened, and began to
move cautiously away, but 1 could not
help hearing him say, as he bent toward
her, releasing her arm from the sleeve,
something about her avoiding him for so
long, and he certainly asked her something
about love, and heard him say darling"
glanced back at her as reached the
house, and she looked radiantly happy. Ii
he was Corydon she was Phyliis-evident-
ly no one else.
In the kitchen sat poor Belle, her hps
swollen, and her eyes red with tears OF
vexation. But Aunt En- was bathing the
poor lips with her famous saleratus water,
and the pain was quite gone now, Belle
said. The swelling began to disappear
too. so her spirits revived, and we sat to-
gether by the window watching Hugh
Brooks nive the bees, with Sarah at his
side. .s-.-...s
1t seemed to take them long while,
and when all was done, instead of coming
into the house they wandered slowly away
down the lane.
"Oh, wait for me-" called out Belle; II
want to go to walk too"
"Hush, hush!" 1 whispered, vehement
ly; "you mustn't go. He has just pro-
posed to her, and she has accepted. Don't
you see?
Belle stared at me.
"What! Cousin Sarah?" she uttered,
in hauilderment "Mr Brooks and
Sarah? ?"
1 nodded, and there was silence for a
few moments.
"What little goose I have been!" ex-
claimed Belle, at last, with merry laugh.
"Very well, Phene Bennett, just as soon
as ever / get back to the city | am going
to accept Archie Russell, and love him
dearly!"
Which she did, and is happy. But OF
all the engaged girls know, l like best to
think about Sarah. She is such real lit
tie honey bee, gathering sweetness out OF
everything-Harper's Bazar.