The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1876-02-18
M is O eIlane GU g.
Bessy Hay.

The fragrant wild roses lifted their pinl
chalces up towards the sunshine and dew
of the July heavens; the robins sang up
roarious glees in the branches of the ole
apple orchard; and neither rose nor robin
was tairer or sweeter voiced than Bessy
Hay, as she stood among the currant bush
es, culling the red ripe fruit under til,
shade OF huge old pear tree, where the
stone wall of the garden was draped will
the emerald testoons OF wild grape vine
while Paul Escott stood leaning against
the messy trunk of the pear tree, twisting
n stem of blue-bells in his hand.
II know Pm poor, Bessy,n he said, re-
Stunning conversation which had appa.
rently lapsed into silence for moment OF
so; "but suppose poor people have a
right to live and be as happy as rich ones. ,
81 suppose so too, Paul"
"And l am sure am willing to work, il
only | could find something to do"
Bessy glanced deprecatingly at him.
MIR. Elton wants somebody to take the
farm and work it"
"That is mere drudgery, and, besides the
pay would not enable me to marry and
support a wife comfortably"
1--WE could wait, Paul"
"1ou are very willing" said the Young
man, bitterly. 81 don't believe, Bessy, that
you care for me as do for you"
ooh, Paul 2"
And then a painful look came over the
fair young face.
"Well, then, what do you think of being
tutor to Mr.. Sinclair's little boys?n
HThnnlS Won. 7 1nn't f,po,r tho ;lo, 81
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 Bes.
sy, with troubled look shining in hel
tender, garnet brown eyes.
Easy philosophy for you"
And the young man threw down his
stem of blue bells.
II suppose you would like to have me
break stone upon the roads | thought
you at least could sympathize with the
feelings of gentleman"
$50 | do, Paul, but | believe in the
Scripture doctrine of mans doing with
all his might whatever his hands find to
do"
II see how it is" said Paul Escott
haughtily; "you are weary of our engage.
ment, you want to break the worldly fet.
tiers that bind you. Very well SC let it be
You are free !"
And he strobe away over the high grass
muttering to himself something about
"having suspected how it would turn out
ever since Norton Van Brugh had come
down from London to sketch the scenery
and turn the heads of all the girls
Bessy Hay made step or two to over.
take him, but she checked herself in an
instant, with scarlet stain on her cheeks
and gathering mist in her eyes.
"He ought to know BETTER" she thought
land he does. No; l will not follow him
He will come back to me when the mo-
mentary pique has worn itself away"
In the meantime Paul, vaulting over the
low stone wall few PAGES below, very
nearly stumbled over the PROSTATE form oil
man lying among the red clover bios
SONS, in the island of shade cast by an
outrageous tree, reading.
"Mr. Van Brugh."
The young artist glanced up with sort
of lazy scorn showing under his long dark
eye lashes. Paul bit his lip
Engaged in the noble occupation OF
eavesdropping, ell 2" he uttered
"Come now, Escott, don't be crusty: ]
don't mean to overhear your conversation
but what has fellow to do? This is the
jolliest place on the whole farm, and j
wasn't to blame because Miss HAY came
out looking like Hebe's self, to gather red
currants, and you followed, like her shad
ow. Come, let's go down by the trout
stream, and talk over matters and things
in general. Ard you really in earnest
about wanting something to do9n
"Of course | ana"
Then suppose you just glance over thii
letter that received this morning from
my uncle. I've no idea of expatriatine
myself among the pig tailed ceestials fol
all the fortunes that ever were made. But
for an ambitious man-rcad the letter
that's ALL"
Paul Escott obeyed, almost dazzled fol
the moment by the brilliant prospect il
seemed to open to him.
"You really give me the privilege of re
fusing or accepting this situation ~ he ex
claimed
81 really do; and considering that
don't want it myself, it is no very grea
stretch of generosity on my part. Only
you see, you have to decide at once, ano
be in the city to report yourself at my un
cle's counting house in twenty -four hours.
Paul sprang up flushed and eager.
"I'll do it, I'll show Bessy HAY that