Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1875-05-27

Here Were the same little birds which daily flew
under her windows. the gentle dove the robin and
the wren here were the busy bees and household
flies aud the beetles TO whose drowsy drone she
had so often listed. Had she ever Thought of their
Penetralia and discovered the secrets of the very
world around her? A great longing arose within
her 70 study these children of Nature and under
stand so many sources of enjoyment.
Perhaps Bessie's impulsive nature would have
caused some such words TO have escaped her lips
had not Mrs. Compton declared 1t time to return TO
/ dinner.
Passing out into the hall their ears were greeted
1 with hoarse voice, calling:
: III you please" = III Won please"
The ladies started in surprise. but Marshall
pointed out an airy cage suspended from an arch in
the hail. which contained beautiful green-ringed
| parrakeet.
"Daariia wants to be noticed. too said Mar
| shall. and he spoke some pet words 10 the bird
Prof. Marshall, l feel as il had been in fairy
| land, :" said Bessie, n they drove homeward.
! How can we thank you enough.n
| lou are very kind l think the best way 10
thank me will be to consent to 90 again after get
nsnee Aunt Katy q scs 0 apon YOU Wa
| favor" he replied, lsughing.
i The invitation was accepted and the friends part
| ed at Ralph Campton's door.
| Day followed day and each one seemed shorter
! than the one before Almost every morning found
Gregory Marshall in the boudoir OF Mrs. Campton,
| and happy. golden moments flew by rs the ladies
| listened as he read them the tender story OF
| Lucille" or told them tales of foreign lands.
Ralph Campton was too thoroughly business man
/
hearted wife and sister found 20 much pleasure,
and he was only too glad to find escort for them
| in Gregory Marshall. Hence almost every evening
the fresh young girl and the lonely man We're
/ one morning, as Mr.. Campton and Bessie were
| wondering what new amusement 10 find, their con.
/ Gregory Marshall.
He came with an invitation for Bessie to accom-
pany him on ride to beautiful spot, beyond the
| city.
| II know" he added lit would be useless to
| ask Mrs. Campton's company:
Yes, it would and IN be delighted to have you
| take this troublesome child of my hands until
| dinner-so, there" and she saucily left the room
! It~as one OF those delightful, farewell days OF
Indian summer when the hills are half concealed
| in purple haze and the warm sunshine seems to
mournfglly, tenderly lnger over the frost painted
| falling leaves, The air seemed laden with rich
ness and fullness as II summer was hiiing the
| measure with sweetness 10 overhowing.
| The ride this beautiful morning was thoroughly
| enjoyed by both Marshall and Bessie. The richly
tinted foliage caused the somber, gray old mount
The spot to which they directed their course was
beautiful in the extreme.
springing lightly 10 the ground, Marshall led
/ Bessie to mossy rock, covered with auSumn
/ treasures, saying, Here, Miss Bessie, Is a
| carpet Of leaves
That frost fingers paint and the wild wind weayes'
| II il not a charming placer and the young man
| looked around with soul-lighted eyes.
! " II is glorious. certainly enjoy this time OF
| the year more than any other What exquisite
leaves. III make you crown OF them, Prof.
| Marshall. | am sure IL will be becoming"
| Bessie threw OF her velvet cap with its long
waving, white plume, and deity began to weave
the many -coored leaves together. The wind blew
| the long ringlets back from the fair, girsh brow,
and brought fresber glow 10 cheek and lip. Mar
shall enjoyed the childish abandon OF her manner,
and Joined in II with unusual zest.
| At length, with mock soemnity, she placed the
| bright wreath upon his forehead.
There, sir, you crowned, and the crown IL
| thornless too
True; but It will fade These leaves are en-
blems OF too many things in life. Like many Of
our joys, they are brightest just before we lose
| them
Bessie did not reply CHANGING up from the va
! riegated bouquet she was arranging, she met the
| longing gaze Of those deep, grave eyes. Obeylng
| some subtle instinct she extended her hand
| toward him, and in a moment he was beside her.
| Miss Cgmpton--Bessie-dO y0u-can you mean
| itY Do you know that love your" and her hand
was clasped, and she felt his warm, quick breath
| upon her cheek.
| The dinner hour had long since come and gone
ere the radiant, beaming face OF Bessie Campton
disappeared within Ralph Campton's doorway; but
her promised husband rode down the street with a
new light in his face, new JOY in his heart.
Bessie, quietly fitting mp the broad staircase, en-
tered her own room. Sinking into a chair she In
dulged In Of those delicious cries-those rest,
full joyful tearsl How new Il all seemed.could u
be trueY Yes there the antique diamond
up and down upon her nnger, dreaming. half
| smiling half weepng-she was awakened 10 the
outside world by the entrance OF her maid with
| letter.
Recognizing her fathers penmanship she quickly
broke the seal murmuring " Dear papa, how sur
prised he will be-" and read as follows:
beloved CHLD-I met with slight accident
last evening which may make me a prisoner IN my
room for some time to come. broken leg is no
slight matter 10 an old man. BE not alarmed. The
boys all gone, but Arthur Dora ne nils almost
| sons place. Am mistaken in believing that one
day he will be my son indcedr He IL the only one
TO whom can eyer Willingly give my treasure ~. a.,
| ono will tuV IL gnnsunH
"AfectioDately, your father,
"AzARtAH CANTON"
Poor papa. ] must go TO hlm--yes, must go. -"
and little flush Of anger at herself came her
az she felt how hard II would now be 10 return to
the quiet home aud leave the new love behind.
| Remembering Gregory had asked 10 spend a
quiet evening with her she arranged her toilet WIN
unusual care. The shining silken folds enwrapped
her little figure and aoftest lace shaded throat and
wrists. How the diamond ring flashed and
sparkled and how often foolish little Bessie pressed
Mrs. Campton had gone 10 some musical enter.
tainment before Bessies return so the young girl
| was alone with her new found happiness.
| Slowly pacing up and down the long pariors
| awaiting the well known step, she was met by a
| servant bearing a card with the name OF Arthur
| DorAine"
1.-THE gentleman is waiting in the reception
| room"
and the sudden fear made her alm0st fall. A.
| Arthur crossed the threshold she sprang FORWARD
My fathery'
- IL worse. Bessie. nave come TOT YOU iou
have not moment 10 spare, AZ the only train
leaves In fifteen Minutes"
Forgetting 10 thank Arthur forgetting her rich
dress yes Forgetting even her lover In the scken-
ing fear Of being too late beside the bedside OF her
diving parent rhe hastily wrapped herself, and In
a few minutes with white face, was beside Arthur
again.
~ have written few Zines for Ralph on tss
card said Arthur. :" i will leave II with the sery-
ant and we will hurry on"
Few words were spoken until they were safely
In the car and being rapidly whirled along Then
Bessie learned how her father had been thrown
from his carriage and had his leg broken; how at
first the physician had scarcely thought Ii really
dangerous. but how violent Inflammation had sci
in and the worst feared Ills constant
thought seemed Bessie and at length he had asked
Arthur 10 bring her
Overcome with fright and grief Bessie cried her
self 10 sleep on Arthur's shoulder from which she
was awakened by their arrival ~ SOuthgaie In the
dawn Of a cold dfizzly morning.
Soon she crossed the threshold OF her father =
house and sank exhausted and IA niing beside his
death bed
few moments after Bessie and Arthur had LETT
the Campton mansion Gregory Marshall ran iight-
ly up the steps and without questioning the ssrS'
ant with biz usual familiarity. entered the par
lorz expecting 10 find his betrothed wife awaiting
him Her handkerchief, with IT. faint violet per
fume, rested upon a chair; but ~ fair owner was
gone Questioning the servant, Marshall heard. 70
his extreme surprise that Miss Canpton had afew
moments before driven away with a gentleman