Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1873-03-06
Bessy Hay.


red ripe fruit under the shade of a huge
pear tree, where the stone wall OF the
garden was draped with the emerald
festoons of a wild grapevine, while Paul
Estcott stood leaning against the messy
trunk of pear tree, twisting stem OF
blue-bells in his hand
II know I'm poor, Bessy," said he, re-
Stunning a conversation which had appa-
rently lapsed into silence for moment
or so; "but I suppose poor people have
right to live and be happy as rich
ones.
81 suppose so too, Paul.
''And | am sure am willing to work,
if only / could find something to do.
Bessy glanced depreciatingly 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
eve could wait, Paul"
'sYou are very willing" said the young
man, bitterly. 81 don't believe, Bessy,
that you care for me as l do for you.
"Oh, Paul."
''Well, then, what do you think OF
being tutor to Mr. Sinclair's little boys?
Thank you; don't fancy the idea OF
being toad eater to pompous aristocrat
like Henry Sinclair"
''But, Paul, we can't always be and
do what we like in this world, pleaded
Bessy, with a troubled look shining in
her tender, garnet brown eyes.
easy philosophy for you!"
And the young man flung down his
stem of blue-bells.
II suppose you would like to have me
break stones upon the road. | thought
you at least could sympathize with the
feeling of a gentleman"
$50 do /, Paul; but | believe in the
scripture doctrines of mans doing
with all his might whatever his hands
find to do.
81 see how it is" said Paul Estcott
haughtily, ''you are weary OF our en-
gagement; you want to break the world
ly letters that bind you. Very well, 50
let it be. You are free"
And he strobe away over the high
grass muttering something about hav-
ing suspected how 1t would turn out,
ever since Norton Van Burgh had come
down from London to sketch the scene
ry and turn the heads of all the girls.
Bessy Hay made a step or two to
overtake him, but she checked herself
in an instant, with a scarlet stain on her
cheek, and a gathering mist in her eyes.
HE ought to know better; and he
does" she thought. 'NO, l will not fol-
low him. He will come back to me
when the momentary pique has worn it
self away"
In the meantime, Paul, Wanting over
the stone wall a few PAGES below,
had very nearly stumbled over the pros
trate form of a man ly NJ among the
red clover blossoms IN the island Of
shade cast by an outrageous tree, and
reading
''Mr. Van Burgh."
The young artist glanced up with a
sort of scorn, showing his long, dark
eye lashes. Paul bit his lips.
Engaged in a noble occupation Of
eavesdropping, eh?" he uttered
Come, now, Estcntt; don't be crus-
ty; | didn't mean to oYerhear your con-
versation-but what was a fellow to do ;
This is the jolliest place on the whole
farm, and / wasn't 10 blame because
Miss Hay came out looking like Hebes
self, to gather red currauts, and you fol-
lowed her shadow. Come, let's go down
by the trout stream, and talk over mat
tiers and things in general. Are you re-
ally in want of something to do:'
''Of course l am"
''Then suppose you just glance over
this letter that | received this morning
from my uncle. I've no idea Of eXpa-
triating myself among the pig-tailed cc-
lestials for all the fortunes that ever
were made But for an ambitious man
read the letter, that's all.
Paul Estcott Obeyed, almost dazzled
r.
it seemed to open to him.
You really give me the privilege of .
accepting or refusing this situation p he
exclaimed.
II really do, and. considering that | .
don't want it myself, it is no great .
stretch of generosity Onmy part. Only. .
you see, you have to decide at once, and (
be in the city to report yourself at my /
uncle's counting house within four and /
twenty hours.
Paul sprang up, flushed and eager.
III do it. I'll show Bessy Hay that |.
I am no do-nothing, after all. and when /
a motive really worth my while presents I
itself. But, glancing at his old fash (
toned silver watch, which contrasted SO .
markedly with Mr.. Van Burgh's elegant /
full jeweled chronometer II have no /
time to lose"
Not a second.
tBut my trunk p
'You can get what you need in town; .
my uncle supplies the outfit"
''And Bessy!
''Write to her to night; my uncle will .
forward the letter under cover to me. I
and will see that she gets it,"
Paul Estcott wrung his companions
hand.
You are very kind, he said luskily:
Il had almost grown to regard you with
distrust."
''Never judge by appearances" be
said. Take my word for it, Miss HAY
will excuse all lack of ceremony when
she learns all"
Mr. Van Burgh accompanied Paul to
the railway station, and saw him off with
a smilingly uttered pTofusion Of good
wishes.
1.-The best friend a fellow ever had"
thought Paul, as the train moved off
But he could not see the sardine grin
which the curves of the farewell smile
altered when the little country station
was left once more to silence aad lone
Illness.
'tNow," said Morton Van Burah. Il
shall have the field all 10 myself.
Strange how fascinated ! have allowed
my self to become with mere country
girl. But there certainly is something
very winning in her type of beauty.
Bessie Hay never answered Paul Est-
colts farewell letter; nor did the latter
once suspect that it was because Mr..
Van Burgh never had delivered it,
Paul firing up under the fevered inn
pulse of his old enemy, jealousy took
refuge in silence. Nor did long epistle
from his aunt Jennie, which contained
more Irresponsible and impossible
than any government bulletin, serve TO
cool the flames.
Folks say wrote the epistolary spin
ster, that Eliza Hay is going to marry
the widower, Sinclair, because he's rich.
There was deal of talk about her and
that young Van Burgh, but he went
away all of sudden, folks thought it