Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-05-20
rConfinund from irsi naCe.

of nature, at the insight into splrltua
things which her young mind in this quie
moment showed, its sympathy with al
sweet and innocent influences, its ready
acceptance of the great truths 10 the state
ment of which his words were apt to teEG
AFTER MI this. he would be Just as likely
rs moi to catch his next glimpse of hel
down in the meadow, in company with
George Knight, making checses with her
skirts, as if she were ten years old, or lac,
ing like a madcap through the straight
line of the orchard. stopping only for
whirls and twirls and swift waltz steps as
she went along, like one af the old pic
lures of the sylphides; or else calling the
filly to the bars, and catching her by the
forelock, and galloping away down the
pasture without saddle or bride. hail
blowing in the wind, as wild as Madge
Wldfire herself. Mr.. Beckwith was not
sure that there was not something unre'
generate in his heart still, for as he ac-
knowledged the truth to himself, he loved
the little baggage at such times more than
ever.
1t actually seemed-to all the neighbor-
hood. at about that time. as though Bessie
Allen were beside herself with exuberance
and the mere delight Of youth and health
and sunshine. The sewing circles and the
prayer-meetings were only SO many places
Tor her wiles aud witchelies-possessed
with glee at the one, coquettish little Pu-
ritan at the other under all her glances-
always contriving to 60 home with some
other gallant than the minister. The BIZ
BILE class was the only place that tanned
her much, and there she grew more and
more silent: her.veil gradually lowered
and lowered till it shielded her face; and
as long as her unaccountable tears could
fall quietly, and only blister the leaves OF
her testament unperceived, she stayed, and
when an historical burst bust became in
evltable, without a word of warning she
would rush away as if in danger of her
life Nobody else dreamed what it meant
Mr.. Beckwith thought he knew. Poor lit
tie Bessie! If ever young falcon out of
the forest objected to the clipping of her
wings, she was one, for she felt the band
tightening around her. Evidently she was
in the mood of those who meant to have
their fling out because they know an end is
coming.
And yet if you could have seen Bessie's
face sometimes as she sat in the twilight,
there was such IA serene content III its
half hidden smile. you would have said TO
yourself that here, if anywhere, was there
supreme happiness. But the child did not
know herself, for close upon any such brief
experience of content, there would follow
such a FESTIVE rebellion against all chains
that even Mr.. Beckwiih was startled. ifhe
happened to be in the house or some par
ochial errand, and saw her dancing down
the stairs and through the halls, vouchsaf-
ing him neither word nor look, answering
neither father nor mother, finging down
her hat if anybody called her to put it on,
whistling to her dogs. and making off for
tramp that was to tire out with its IA
tigue some of the refractory spirit.
Most men would have hesitated while
after one or two such scenes, would have
foreseen the plucking of little termagant
from this nettle; would have anticipated
trouble in the flesh after the fight was won.
Not so Mr.. Beckwith. If so good man
could be piqued, he was perhaps pqued
into the resolve for conquest; he was de-
termined to teach the tantalizing thing
that it was happiness she was flying from,
and not torture, as she seemed to believe;
he was all the more fixed in his intention
TO win her--to win her and to tame her.
But not one chance for his winning and
tanning did he get. that is TO say. not one
chance after the abrupt end of the single
opportunity he had contrived to seize and
lose.
He had been called that day-almost
three months since he first saw Bessie-to
visit dying person across the hills; for
many of those who did not exactly belong
10 Mr.. Beckwith's parish used to beg for
bi, init tr aud in IN little m nf
his residence among them. more than one
soul had seemed TO wing away the easier
on their eternal path for tho rapt prayers
which his presence had upbuoyed their
flight.
The roads being roundabout, and the
bridlepath direct. he had borrowed sad
dle-horse-a valuable one, as it CHANGED
and was returning now in the twilight,
lost in thought, and coming slowly, his
horses feet falling so softly on the turly
way that one could hardly hear them, when
sudden scared cry, as he turned a curve
OF the winding lane, told him who was
wandering there before him, with her
light garments fiuitering in the wind, at
sight of which his horse had reared and
swerved aside; and he cast himself from
the saddle and caught Bessie Allan hand,
begging her not to be alarmed.
But have been!" cried Bessie.
II was thinking" said Mr.. Beckwith,
land had forgotten myself. And when
| saw your white dress, it seemed like Il
continuation of my thought"
Were you thinking OF my white dress,
then?'' asked Bessie, aptly.
mo, of another; a whittier dress" said
Mr.. Beckwith, gravely-" of white dress
that, saw a soul put on to-day, winging
its heavenly way"
A little overawed, Bessie was silent.
# have just come from a death-bed,
Bessie said Mr.. Beckwith, taking advan-
iage Of the mood. 80 peaceful and beau
tilnl it was that it makes the things of this
life seem TOO poor and small for thought
beside that everlasting one
as Miss Barton dead, then ?" she asked
though no one knows how she had learned
where the minister had been. "Yes, she
was saint. wouldn't like to be so
good"
.'Bessie!'
II mean it would be so stupid"
''But at the last p he queried, patient
ly.
.I-I don't like to hear about death, y