Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1871-10-27
SELECTED STORY
BESSIE'S COUNTRY LOVER.
BY MAGGIE LYNN.

BY MAGGlE LYNN.
els it possible that ! have come to this
Who would have thought it-that I, Bessie
Smith, would accept the attention of Hor-
ace White, country greenhorn and farm
er. Oh, dear me, what will papa and ma H.
ma say ween they find out that I have &C.
cepted him as my partner through life, and
rejected DR.. Howe. But they must not
know it. It shall be my secret, and not
theirs to comment upon. Horace and
will keep our engagement quiet for awhile,
| and then, Jet me see; Fllthink Of plan
that will just suit the ears of my dotipg and
'affectionate parents. They love me, they
say, bus yet they want me to marry man
old enough to be my great grandfather
No, father and mother, love you, but I
must disobey you. But you will forgive
me after you become acquainted with my
love and beau ideal"
These were the words carelessly, but
earnestly spoken by Bessie Smith, who,
as she sat under a large spreading elm,
thougbtit an appropriate place to think out
loud. She knew she had no listeners but
the birds and flowers, SO why should she
not tell her secrets in words as we'll as in
thoughts. o
How beautiful she looked as she reclined
upon that bank, with her long curls droop-
ing carelessly about her oval face, and her
head resting upon one dainty hand, while
the other hand held carefully selected VOL
ume of poems which she had flung aside at
the commencement Of her dreaming. But
here We will leave her to idle away the time
while we take peep intp her home.
In an elegantly furnished room used as a
library, were seated Mr. and Mrs. Smith
engaged in an earnest conversation. The
persons of their discussion were Bessie and
| Dr.. Howe. 1t was Mr. Smith who was
now speaking. ~ 4@i aEa
"Of course Bessie will marry him, she
cannot help herself, for I say she mast, and
she must without any words about it. Any
girl would be an idiot to throw away such a
chance as becoming the wife Of Meredith
Howe, and the possessor Of a million. Yes,
Miss Bessie, you shall be his wife, Or not
my daughter, you may take your choice,
don't you say so Fannie, my wife,
Eyes, Harry, I agree with you exactly
Bessie shall marry Meredith Howe, or live
an old maid. Forif she does not receive
attentions from him, she shall receive atten.
tons from no gentleman, and shall therefore
remain at home. But, Harry, Bessie is our
only child aud I do not think she will 60
contrary to our wishes; we have chosen an
honest and upright man for our daughter,
and I hope she will live with him happily .
ella, ha," came from the red lips of Bes
sic, who, having exhausted her tram OF
thoughts of her lover, had returned to the
house, and, hidden by The creeping vines Of
jessamn, had been an unohseryed but at
tentive listener to the above conversation
"Ha, ba,' said she, $50 it is tie money
they az. after, they think more Of that tIan
of himself, but dear me, what dia all those
words amouot to, not that much she said.
with a long snap Of her dainty fingers. =
''You have planned it all out, but your
plans viii. vanish like 4apofn @
"WeIl, as theif conversation has ceased,
[ guess viii goin. / am not sorry that
I listened; by listening, I have heard their
opinion Of me. Well, now is the time for
me to make my plan. ! will first go tie
lunch, and then be excused on the plea Of
headache, SO as to retire to my dear old
room. Little do my parents think that their
only daughter is making plan to outWlt
them," sn4as! 5aasi s.a,t1aala 4t
Bessie went to the dining room, where
she found her father and mother. They
met her at the door when both kissed her,
and then led her to her place at the table.
Bessie did not linger long at the table, but
rising gave her excuse for net having an
appetite (Which was headache.
'sBessie, my dear,'' said Mrs Smith,
1'you must tai he care Of yourself, and NOT
be sick, for we are invited to spend the eve.
ming at DR.. Howe's tomorrow, and would
not have him disappointed by our not COM
ing. So, dear, go to your room and res
yourself so as to be we'll in the morning
eyes mamma, will do as you wish
Good night and please don't disturb me, al
I shall 60 right to sleep" ,1qa4S
''Well, my excuse answered well, did j
not, master kitty exclaimed Bessie, as sh'
entered her room, with white kitten in he
arms, which mewed as she talked 10 it, a
though to answer her questions.
Now for work. [ will sit down by thi
window and write my plans OF paper. 70
fear l shall forget. First, Horace Whit
shall change his name for Monsieur De l.
Grau, foreigner just arrived from Europe
Next he shall be dressed in an elegant an
very expensive suit Of broadeloth with whit
a beaver, kid gloves to match, and Ffenc
shoes buckled on the sides will max
t him necktie that shall quite conceal h
) ruffed lined shirt, buttoned with gold stud
z He shall wear eye glasses, and carry assel
t der cane, covered with notohes Of silver
: And to sum it all up he shall ava1k and
like gentleman. [ will learn him f1en'