Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1872-11-05

ia OiiNo say, WIOlc tLc eplStOla-
tory spinster, "that Eliza Hay is
going to marry the widower Sin.
clair, because he's rich. There was
deal of talk about her and that
young Van Brugh, but he went
away all of a sudden, folks thought
likely with flea in his ear. Eliza
knows pretty well which side hel
bread is buttered on, and Sinclair
can't live long with that cough CT
bis
1t was no wonder that when pref
ty Bessy Hay made an excuse to
come to Aunt Jemima's and ask her
wistfully and with q certain culver
in her voice if Paul's letter contain
ed no message for her the elderly
gossip monger answered:
"Dear me, no! You didn't ex-
pect to hear, did you"
Bessy went back home, her little
heart as cold as lead in her bosom.
She had refused Norton Van
Brugh she said "no" to Mr.. Sin
clair, in spite of Aunt Jemima's
knowing representations; and peo-
pie began to wonder if pretty Bes-
sy Hay were going to be an old
maid after all.
"Why doesn't he write to me, or
send me at least word to show
that he has utterly not forgotten
me :" thought Bessy.
"Why doesn't she answer my let
ter" thought Paul.
So the world wagged on, until
Mr.. Estcott came home from the
far off Howery land-not indeed
with the fortune Of which he had
dreamed in such sanguine fashion,
but with sufficient competence to
live well and comfortably in a place
as modest as his native village.
1t was stormy November even
ing, with threatenings of snow in
the chill air, and a low wind stir
ring the last withered leaves upon
the boughs, when he alighted at the
station, looking almost into the eyes
of Bessy Hay, who had gone to the
post office to ask once again for the
letter that never came.
How seldom are our visions re-
allied.
Bessy had dreamed thousand
times Of meeting Paul Estcott, but
never in such a way as this.
"Paul !" she quavered.
"Ah l hope you are well ~ said
Paul dofiiing his stylish fur travel
ing cap.
For lie did not exactly like to
call her Mrs. Sinclair yet.
TIL, re stains of sunset had al
most faded out of the sky when he
overlook her, about hundred
va ds from the station.
His heart smote him when he
saw the look of meek endurance in
her face.
"Are you a.one, Bessy 2"
Yes, Paul
81 suppose" he said, with an ef-
fort, "that | must call you by some
now name now :"
"Call me Bessy Hay" she answer
ed, quietly.
"You are not married p
"No, Paul"
He drew long breath that was
almost like sob.
"Aunt Jemima said-but, Bessy,
you did not answer my letter !"
"Why did you not write to me,
Paul q
Before they had reached the old
Hay farm, where the currant BUSH
es had long since lost their leaves,
and the garden wall was already
beginning to be whitcned with the
falling snow-hakes, the mist of
doubt and misunderstanding were
all cleared up, and Bessy Hay had
promised to forgive and forget all
her lovers seeming neglect.
"Van Brugh was scoundrel,'
Paul, "but without his aid
/ could have scarcely been in a po-
sition to marry you. 1t has been a
long time to wait, but it is all right,
Bessy, after ALL
'It's like story, Paul" said Bes-
sy, "where people go through all
sorts of trials and tribulations, but
are happy at the last. Oh, Paul, l
never thought / should live a sto-
ry."