The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1876-02-18

am NO do-nothing after all, when motive
really worth my while presents ITSELF But,
glancing at his old fashioned silver watch,
which contrasted 80 markedly with Mr..
Van Brugh's elegant full ieweled chro-
nometer, 81 have no time to lose"
mot second.n
"But my trunk 2"
"You can get what yon need in town
my uncle supplies the outfit"
"And Bessy."
Write to her tonight, my uncle will
forward the letter under cover to me, and
l will see that she gets it."
Paul Escott wrung his companion's
hand.
"You are very kind" he said huskily.
had almost grown to regard you with dis.
trust.
Van Brugh laughed, showing his dainty
pearl white teeth under brown nous
tache.
"Never judge by appearances" he said
stake my word for it, Miss Hay will ex-
cuse all lack of ceremony when she learns
all.n
Mr.. Van Brugh accompanied Paul to the
railway station, and saw him off with a
smilingly uttered profusion of good wish
eS
"The best friend fellow ever had -
thought Paul as the train moved off.
But he could not see the sardonc grin
into which the curves of the farewell smile
altered when the little country station was
left once more in silence and loneliness.
"Now," said Norton Van Brugh, II shall
have the field all to myself. Strange how
fascinated have allowed myself to be-
come with a mere country girl But there
certainly is something very winning in her
type of beauty"
Bessy Hay had never answered Paul Es-
colts farewell letter; nor did the latter
once suspect that it was because Mr. Van
Brugh had never delivered it.
Paul firing up under the fevered impulse
Of his old enemy, jealousy, took refuge in
silence. Nor did long epistle from his
Aunt Jemima, which contained more news
possible, probable and impossible-th
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 lie is rich.
"There was great deal of talk about
her and that young Van Brugh, but he
went away all of a sudden, folks thought
likely with flea in his ear. Eliza knows
which side her bread is buttered on, and
Sinclair cannot live long with that cough
of his"
1t was no wonder, then, that when pref
ty Bessie Hay made an excuse to come to
Aunt Jemima and asked wistfully and
with certain culver in her voice if Paul's
letter contained any message. The elderly
gossip monger answered:
Dear me no You didn't expect to hear,
did you2'
Bessy went back home, her little heart
as cold as lead in her bosom.
She had refused Norton Van Brugh she
said mo" to Mr.. Sinclair, in spite Of Aunt
Terminals knowing representations and
the people began to wonder if pretty Bes-
sic Hay was going to be an old maid after
all.
"Why doesn't he write to me, or send
me at least word to show that he has not
utterly forgotten meG" thought Bessy.
"Why doesn't she answer my letter."
thought Paul.
So the world wagged on, until Mr. Es-
colt came home from the far off tlowery
land-not indeed, with the fortune of
which he had dreamed in such sanguine
fashion, but with sufficient competence
to live well and comfortably in such
place as his native village.
1t was stormy November evening with
threatening of snow in the chill air, and
low wind stirring the last withered leaves
upon the boughs, when he alighted at the
station, looking almost in the eyes of Bes-
sic Hay, who had come to the post office
to ask once again for the letter that never
came.
How seldom are visions realized
Bessy had dreamed thousand times of
meeting Paul Escott, but never in such
way as this.
Paul ~ she quivered.
"Ah ~ said Paul, dofflng his stylish fur
travelling cap, 81 hope you are we'll !"
For he did not exactly like to call her
Mrs. Sinclair, as yet.
The red stains of sunset had almost fad
ed out of the sky when lie overlook her
about hundred yards from the station.
His heart smote him when lie saw the
look of meek endurance in her face.
Are you alone, Bessy2"
Eyes Paul"
81 suppose" he said with an effort,
shat l must call you by some new name
now?"
Call me Bessy Hay" she answered
quietly.
you are not married 2"
mo, Paul.
He drew long breath that was almost
like sob.
"Aunt Jemima said-but, Bessy, why
did you not answer my letter."
"Why did you not write to me, Paul 2"
Before they had reached the old Hay
farm, where currant bushes had long since
lost their leaves, and the garden wall was
already beginning to be whitened with the
falling snow flakes, the mists of doubt and
misunderstanding were all cleared up, and
Bessy Hay promised to forgive and forget
all her lovers seeming neglect.
Ivan Brugh was scoundrel," uttered
Paul, "but without his aid could scarce
ly have been in IL position to marry you
1t has been long time since to wait but
it is all right, Bessy, after ALL"
TITS like story, Paul." said Bessy,
"where people go through all sorts oftrials
and tribulations, but are happy at last
Oh, Paul, never thought I should like
story"