The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1875-08-04
WAS SHE SINNER Or SAINT

loving eyes On the petite creature she had
iust released from her arms. "You are
very welcome, child"
As for my gruif old father, he shook his
head and sighed. I think he felt disap-
pointed. Never before had there been a
Wentworth with ripping blonde hair and
eyes like wood-violets. The anomaly
seemed to give him an unpleasant sense
ton. It was utterly at variance with all
his preconcerted notions iof what every
scion Of the dear old family tree should be
like.
"You ought to- be brown as a berry,
with eyes, black. as sloes. and hair the
color of Marsaret's said he, shaking his
head still more dccisively. Il don't under
stand it."
The color died out of Bessie's blooming
cheeks for an instant, and then burned
brighter than ever.
"tam like n.y MOTHER" she said, in a
silvery, sweet voice.
"You are like nobody I ever knew, OF
saw" sharply. "Your mother was Hig-
ainsorl, and they were all dark, like the
Wentworths.'
She drew nearer. and dropped her pretty
slender hand on his arm.
"I'm 50 sorry don't look to please you,
Encle John" she murmured, with an up
ward glance of the liquid blue eyes, that
hight have disarmei harder-hearted man
than my father, even.
"What nonsense Who said you didn't
please me ? You 80. Dut you are not IN
the least like Ia; M""tAorths.'
He kissel he" with the air of q man
Determined 10 max. t.ie best Of the inevi-
table.
"We did not looh for you before next
week." said mamma, gently. "In glad
you saw fit to anticipate the time o little,
however"
n decided, quite suddenly, to come on
at once" Bessie answered, speaking hur-
riedly, l thous sht. q knew your welcome
would be just as war1p, though did take
you by storm"
elf you give US just 90 much more OF
your society, my DEAR
But the concluding part of her sentence
did not reach my ears | heard a step on the
gravel just then-we were all gathered on
the piazza at the time, as was our custom
during the hot August evenings-and look
ing down into the garden, caught a
glimpse of Jack Ynur2tlne's wide-awake
kat among the rhoiolendrons.
l rAn down to meet him.
"Who've you got up yonder, Margaret r.
he asked, abruptly, the moment reached
his side.
"My cousin, Bessie
"Humph Definite, upon my word"
Al suppose you would like me to re-
gale you with half an hours gossip about
her ?" said I, smiling. But, unfortunate
~, know very little to tell. She is Uucle
Tom 6 daughter, and has lived in Illinois
all her life, and l never saw her till this
evening""
Stop" said Jack, putting up his hand
and grimacing. 40 you mean to tell me
that girl has spent all her Life in the back
woods p
"E do, what then p
"You are laboring under delus.. ion, that's
all. know a New Yorker the instant !
hear one speak. If the young lady in ques.
tion has not spent several years of her life
in the modern Gotham, you may use my
head for football"
Enough. Out of your own mouth are
you convicted. Seriously, though, your
penetration is ut f:.ult ior once. Bessie is
Western born and brsd. Come up to the
house, and she will tell you so herself"
Later, after the purple dusk had driven
US into the parlors, watch were brilliant
with hight, realized what a charming
woman Bessie htI grown to be. So mod.
est, SO sweet, So ss.l-cunscious, so impul.
sive, could not wond"r that Jack was
quits enrtptured with her, She seemed
like new revelation Of womanhood
with her shy, artless ways and pretty
timidity.
What sweet little creature p sait
mam:.la, SOtto c0cc. = h@g" ,.",u. 90.
conventional or stu lied about her. l I'D
fnire her exceedingly
Ny father, who was near enough to
-, L. ~ IN, l.; at
voice:
"Appoayances are often deccitful, my
dear The girl is no fool. See what a
desperate Irritation she is getting up with
Jack already"
Jacks demeanor puzzled me. We were
the next thing 70 engaged, and now he
had deserted me- for fresher face with as
little warning as well could be.
The evening wore on, and 1t was nearly
timc for US to break up, when, finally,
Jack left his new divinity for a few mo-
nents. and sauntered up to me.
m "Your cousin is charming girl, Mar
~ et," said he, in low voice. ri don't
sember when have passed another such
2Fsightful evening""
"Did you come here to tell me so3"
asked sarcastically. "You needn't have
taken the trouble"
He caught his breath quickly, and,
bending down. whispered in my ear.
"Bear with me, Margaret. would
not ask it if it Were not right and best"
Whnt dia ha nnn.n +nrnnd lnnlrin q