The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1873-03-18
Bcssy Hay.

currant bushes, culling the rcd ripe fruit
under the shade Of II huge pear tree,
where the stone wall Of the garden was
drapcd with the emerald 'cstoons Of
wild grapevine, while Paul Estcott stood
leaning against the messy trunk of pear
tree, twisting stem Of blue-bells in his
hand
Il know LIN poor, Bessy,' said he, re-
suming a conversation which had appar-
emily laspod into silence for moment Or
so; but [ suppose poor people have Il
right to live and he happy as rich ones
Il suppose 50 too, Paul.
And | am sure am willing to work
if only could find something to do
Bcssy glanced depreciatiugly at him
'Mr. Elton wants some one to take the
farm and work it
That is mere drudgery and besides the
pay would not enable me to marry and
support wife comfortably
we could wait, Paul
You are very willing said the young
man bitterly. Il don't believe, Bcssy,
that you care ior me as do for you
ooh, Paul !!
well, then, what do YOU think of be.
ing tutor to Mr. Snclair's little boys p
Thank you; don't fancy the idea of
being toad-eater to a pompous aristocrat
like Henry Sinclair
But, Paul, we cant always be and do
what we ike in this world pleaded Bes-
sy, with troubled look shining in her
tender, garnet-brown eyes.
Easy philosophy for you :!
Aud the young man flung down his
stem Of blue.bcls
Il suppose you would like to have me
break stones upon the road. I thought
you at least could sympathi2e with the
feelings Of Il gentleman
so do /, Paul but believe in the
scripture doctrine Of II mans doing with
all his might whatever his hand ind 70
do
Il see how it is said paul Eitcott
haughtly. you are weary Of our engage
mcnt; you want to break the worldly lct-
ters that bind you. Very well, so let it
be. You are free.
And he strobe away over the high grass
muttcring something about having suspect,
cd how it would turn out, ever since Nor
ton Van Burgh had come down from Lon
don to sketch the scenery and turn the
heads of all the girls.
}essy Hay made step or two to over
take him. but she checked herself in an
instant, with a scarlet stain on her cheek,
and n gathering mist in her eyc,
lie ought to know better; and he
does she thought. No, | will not fol-
low him. lie will come back to me when
the momcntary piquc has worn itself
away
In the meantime, paul, vaulting over
the stone wall few PAGES below, had
very nearly stumbled over the PROSTATE
form of 4 man lying among the red clover
blossoms in the island of shade east by an
outrageous tree, reading.
Mr.. Van Burgh.'
The young artist glanced up with a sort
Of scorn, showing his long, dark eye lash
es. Paul bit his lips.
Engaged in noble occupation OF
eaves.dropping eh p he uttered.
Come, now, Estcott dent be crusty ;
| didn't mean to ovcrhear your conversa-
tion-but what was fellow to do? This
is the jolliest place on the whole farm and
| wasn't to blame because Miss Hay came
out looking like Hebc's self, to gather red
currants, and you followed her shadow.
Come let's 60 down by the trout stream,
and talk over matters and things in gen.
eral. Are you really in want Of some
thing to do?'
'Of course am
Then suppose you just glance over this
letter that | received this morning from
my uncle. | have no idea Of expatrat-
ing myself among the pig-tailed cclcstials
for all the fortunes that were ever made.
But for an ambitious man-reaa the let
ter, that's all
Paul Estcott obeycd, almost dazzlcd
for the moment by the brilliant prospect
it seemed to open to him.
You really give me the privilege Of
accepting or refusing this situation - he
exclaimed.
i really do, and considering that /
don't want it myself, it is no great stretch
Of generosity on my part. Only, you
see, you have to decide at once, and be in
the city to report yourself at my unclc's
counting. house within four and twenty
hours
Paul sprang up flushed and eager,
III do it, I'll show Bessy Hay that
| am no do.nothing, after ali, and when q
motive really worth my while presents it.
self But glancing at his old-iashoncd
silver watch, contrastcd so markedly with
Mr.. Van Burgh's elegant inll jeweled
chronometcr, Il have no time 70 LOSE
Not a second
But my trunk p
You can get what you need in town
my uncle supplies the outfit
And Bessy
Write to her tonight my uncle viii
forward the letter under cover to mc,and
| will see that she gets it,
Paul Estcott wrung his companions
hand
You are very kind, he said huskily
Il had almost grown to regard sou with
distrust.
Never judge by appearances, he said
Take my word for it, Miss Hay will ex.
cuse all lack of ceremony when she learns
all.
Mr.. Van Burgh accompanied Paul ia
the railway station. and saw him off with
smilingy uttered profusion Of good
wishes.
The best friend a fellow ever had =
: thought Paul. as the train moved off.
But he could not see the sardonic grin
which the curves of the farewell smile al
tered when the little country station was