Wilmington daily commercial., 1875-06-19
MISCELLANEOUS.
BEssY HAY.

ther rose or robin was fairer or sweeter voiced |
than Bessy Hay, az she stood among the cur
rant bushes, culling the red ripe fruit under the
shade of a huge old pear tree, where the stone
wall Of the garden was draped with the emerald |
festoons of II wild grape vine, while Paul Es-
colt stood leaning against the mossy trunk Of
the pear tree, twisting stem of blue-bells in his
hand.
II know I'm poor. Bessy," he said, resumng
a conversation which lad apparently lapsed in
to silence for moment or 20; ''bnt l suppose
poor people have right to live and be M happy
as rich ones"
~ suppose w too. Paul"
"And am sure am willing to work, il only
could find something to do
Besny glanced deprecatingly at him.
"Alr. Elton wantn somebody to take the farm
and work it"
"That is mere drudgery, and, besides, the pay
would net enable me to marry and support a
wife comfortably"
''You are very willing" said the young man,
bitterly. 81 don't believe Bessy, that YOU care
for me as do for YOU.
"Oh Paul ~
And then painful look came over tho fair
young face.
Well, then, what do you think of being tutor
to Mr.. Sinclairs 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 do and be what
we like in this world" pleaded Bessy with a
troubled look shining in hor tender, garnet
brown eyes.
Z" Easy philosophy for you =
And tho young man threw down his stem OF
blue bells.
81 suppose you would like to have me break
stone upon tho roads. l thought you at least
could sympathize with the feelings OF gentle
man."
$50 do, Paul, but believe i'll the Scripture
doctrine of mans doing with all his might
whatever his hands find to do"
al see how 1t is said Paul Escott, haughtily;
"you are weary OF our engagement you want to
break the worldly fetters that bind you. Very
well 30 let it be. You arc FREQ ~
And he strobe away over the high grass, NUT
tering to himself something about having sus-
pected how it would turn out, ever since Norton
Van Brugh had como down from London to
sketch the scenery and turn the heads of all tho
girls"
Bessy Hay made step or two to oyertake
him, but she checked herself in an instant, with
a scarlet stain on her checks and gathering
mist in her eyes,
"He ought to know better" she thought,
a and he does. No l will not follow him. He
will come back to me when the momentary
pique has worn itself away"
In the meantime Paul, vauting over tho low
stone wall a few PAGES below, very nearly stum-
among tho red clover blossoms, in the island OF
shade cast by an outrageous tree, reading.
"Mr. Van Brugh,"
Tho young artist glanced up with a sort OF
lasles. Paul bit his lip.
Engaged in tile noble occupation OF caves
Dropping eh 2" he uttered.
"Come now, Escott don't be crlsty ; don't
mean to overhear your conversation but what
has fellow to do. This is the jolliest place on
| the whole farm, and wasn't to blame because
| Miss Hay came out looking like lIebe's self, to
| gather red curraiits and yon followed, like her
shadow. Come. let's 60 down by the trout
stream, and talk over matters and things IN gen
| oral. Are you really in earnest about wanting
nometbing to do?"
| "Of course am Y
| .Thon suppose you just glance over this let
| tor that received this morning from my uncle.
/ I'ya no idea of expatriating myself among the
pig tailed colestas for all the fortunes that ever
| were made. But for All ambitious maii-read
| the letter, that's all.
| Paul Escott obeyed almost dazzled for tho
moment by the brilliant prospect 1t seemed to
| open to him.
ssYou really give me the privilege OF refusing
| or accepting this situation ~ ho exclaimed.
~ really do and considering that | don't
| want it myself, it ia no very great stretch CT
generosity on my part. Only, you sec, you have
| 10 decide at once, and be in the city to report
| yourself at my uncles counting house in TWEEN
| ty-four hours.
Paul sprang up flushed and eager.
'I'I do it. I'll show Bessy Hay that ! am no
do-notling after ALL when motive really worth
nv while presents itself. But glancing at his
| old fashioned silver watch, which contrasted nc
markedly with MIR. Van Brugh's elegant full Jew
eled chronometer, 81 have no time to lose.
| mot second.
"Bnt my trunk"
"You can get what you need in town my nm
clio supplies the outit."
"And Besey."
"Write to her tonight, my unclo will forward
the letter under cover to me, and will see thai
Paul Escott wrung his companions hand.
"You are very kind, "he said huskily. had
almost grown to regard you with dstrust
Van Brugh laughed, showing his dainty pear
| white teeeh under brown mustache.
"Neyer Judge by appearances" he; said "takt
, my word for it, Miss Hay will excuse all lack OF
, ceremony when she learns all.
MIR. Van Brugh accompanied Paul to the rail
, way station, and saw him on with smiiingi!
, uttered profusion OF good wishes.
.Ihe best friend a fellow ever had " though
, Paul as the train moved oil.
Bnt he could not see the sardonic grin int
which tho curves of the farewell smile altered
5 when the little country station WAS left onc'
9 more in silence and loneliness.
, uNow." said Norton Van Brugh, 81 shall hay
: the field all to myself. Strange how fascinated
a have allowed myself to become with mer
o country girl Bnt there certainly is something
very WlnlnnB III hoI byPo u 'S'y.
o Bessy Hay had never answered Pau Escott
. farewell letter. nor did the latter once suspec
q that it was because Mr. Van Brugh had neye
d delivered it.
o Paul firing up under the fevered impulse Q
% bis old enemy, jealousy. took refuge in silence
% Nor did long epistle from his Aunt Jemlmi
y which contained more news-possible, probaDl
~ and impossible than any government bulletlr
q serve to cool the flames. -.-.-...
% HFolks say" wrote the epistolary spinstt
70 "that Eliza Hay is going to marry the widowe
0 Sinclair, because he is rich.
80 "There was great deal of talk about her an
~ that Young Van Brugh but he went away all {
W n sudden, folks thought likely with flea in h
ear Eliza knows which side her bread 10 bn
~. tered on, and Sinclair cannot live long with Til
Co Co cough of his"
w ID was no wonder. then that when pret
le Bessie Hay made an excuse to come TO Aui
IN Jemipa and asked wistfuy and with certa
ouiyer in her voice if Paul's letter contain'
any message The elderly gossip mong
answered 49,
"Dear me no! You didn't expect to hear,
you?" ,..,. ,..
cold as lead in her bosom.
She had refused Norton Van Brugh 81
said "No" to Mr.. Sinclair, in spite of Au
Jemima's knowing prognostications aud q
- people began to wonder If pretty Bessie Ii
was going to be an old maid after all.
nWhy dosen't he write to me, or send me