The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1872-09-25
RE8gTN HAY,

The fragrant wild roses lifted
their pink chalices up toward the
sunshine Of tho July heavens; the
robbins sang uproarious glees in
the branches Of the old apple Or
chard, and neither rose nor robin
was fairer or sweeter voiced than
Bessie Hay as she stood among the
current bushes, culling the red ripe
fruit nnder the shade Of a huge
old pear tree, where the stone wall
Of the garden was draped with the
emerald festoons Of a wild grape
vine, while Paul Estcott stood lean
ing against the mossy trunk of the
pear tree, twisting a trunk of blue
bells in his hands. -.
81 know l am poor, Bessy," he
said, resuming conversation which
had apparently lapsed into silence
for a moment or SO; "but [ sup
pose poor people have right to
live and be happy as well as rich
ones"
,I suppose SO, too; Paul.
,"And I am sure I am willing to
work, y, if only I could find some
thing to do"
Bessy looked deprcclatingly at
him.
"Mr. Elton wants some one to
take the farm and work it -
"That is mere drudgery, and, be-
sides, the pay would not enable me
to marry and support aawife COM
fortably."
ave could wait, Paul"
"You are very willing said the
young man bitterly. 81 don't be-
lieve, Bessy, that you care for me
as I do for YOU srs,.....e
"Oh, Paul -
And a panied look came over the
fair young face.
"Well, then, what do you think
of being tutor to Mr.. Sinclair's lit
tie boys?'
"Thank you I don't fancy the
idea of being .toad-eater to pomp-
Gus aristocrat like Henry Sinclair. !"
"But Paul, we cant always do
and be what we please in this
world" pleaded Bessy, with a
troubled look shining in her ten
der, garnet-brown eyes.
"Easy philosophy for youH'-
And the young man threw down
his stem of blue-bells."
Il suppose you would like to
have me break stones upon the
road. I thought at least you could
sympathize with the feelings Of a
gentleman
$50 I do, Paul. but I believe in
the scripture doctrine of a mans
doing with all his might whatever
his hands find to do"
II see how it isl said Paul Est
colt haughtily; "you are weary Of
your engagement; you want to
break the worldly fetters that bind
you. Very well ; so lett be. You
are nice"
And he strobe away over the
high grass, muttering to himself
something about ''having suspect
ted how it would turn out, ever
since Morton Van Brugh had come
down from London to sketch the
scenery, and turn the heads of all
the girls
Bessy Hay made step or two to
overtallc him, but she checked her
self in an instant, with scarlet
stain on her check, and agathering
mist in her eyes.
"IIe ought to know BETTER" she
thought, "and he does. No will
not follow him. He will come
back to me when the momcntary
pique has worn itself away
''In the meanwhile, Paul, vault
ing over the low stone wall few
PAGES below, had very nearly STUN
bled over the PROSTATE form Of a
man lying among the red clover
blossoms, in the island of shade
cast by an outrageous tree, and
reading.
"Mr. Van Brugh.''
The young artist glanced up with
a sort Of lazy scorn showing under
his long, dark eyelashes. Paul bit
his lip.
Engaged in the noble. occupa-
ton OF cvesdropping, eh?' he NUT
tered.
"Come, now, Estcott, don't be
crusty; I did not mean to overhear
your conversation, but what was a
fo11o1, 4o 1oo This ia fbo ;o11;o.4