Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1876-10-21

to herself. IL wish l dared 90 out alone,
for Herbert never thinks OF me any more
than a statue set in niche"
Herbert was her brother, lodging In
some remote room of that same Dig mouse
and sometimes she would scarcely see
him for days together.
They were all alone in the wOrld-this
bright Young sister and her merry-heart-
ed brother. There had been little prop
erty left them when their parents died,
and as soon as Herbert was twenty-one
years of age he sold it, and, taking the
proceeds. hurried away to London, with
his sister i'm charge, only too eager to
make his fortune in the world.
He thought he could easily obtain some
pleasant ard lucrative situation; but sit
uations were not so easily found, and
prudent, practicle little Bessie knew that
their small fortune was wasting slowly
week by week.
She knew it was useless to talk of this
to Herbert, it only fretted and annoyed
him, and he told her often what paltry
speck it would all be, compared with the
wealth he was going to accumulate. 30
she drew further away from him. and on
ly answered his merry s'GoOd morning,
little pigeon" or careless ''GoOd night,
-.
nod. But this Sunday she was so tired
and lonely. she wondered if she could not
win Herbert's attention for little while.
They did not even sit at the same table
i'm the long dining room, for Herbert had
grown intimate with a party OF young
gentlemen who boarded there. and there
were no ladies at their table, but
thinking of the dear old home, and how
long it was since they had talked togeth-.
err. Bessie wrote her brother little note,
and stealing down to the dining room
Just before it Was time for the bell, she
laid it close beside his plate. As she took
her own place beside old Mrs. Vanders,
she failed to notice that some of the peo-
pie at the other table had changed places.
and a strange gentleman. with stern,
pale face, had taken her mole from under
the edge of his plate. He read the name
on the outside-"Herbert"- looking
very much puzzled. put into his vest
pocket. While waiting for dessert, he
took the little missive out again, and
screening it by an apparently careless ar
rangement of his napkin, read:
DEAR HERBERT: / would like to see
some of the churches. if you do not mind
taking me in my winter dress. Twill
wait for you i'm the parlOr. Please come
up Immediately after dinner, and will
have my hat Oh, and be all ready to start.
Yours, lovingly.
BESSIE"
st is evidently a mistake" the man
said TO himself. ..but how to rectify it [
do not know So he went up TO the
parlor with sort of guilty feeling. There
was the sweet-laced girl he had seen at
the table, just fastening on her hat. She
did not notice him. but presently group
of young gentlemen came i'll, and the
sweet face brightend visibly as the girl
stepped forward. saying:
''Are you going, Herbert? Did you
find my note %
'Note?' one of the young men said, II
have seen no note"
ALLOW me, please" suggested the
stranger, taking the note from his pOck-
et.
Mr. Herbert said one of the young
men, in IA respectful tone.
II found this letter beside my plate,
and, us my name is really Herbert, the
idea did not occur to me that any one
else could bear the same name at the
same table. Allow me. now. 10 deliver
the perplexing misSive to its rightful
owner"
'sAnd that is me; take it." said Her
bert Willis, laughing merrily. Here,
Bessie, you know my two friends, Wilson
and Walters, and this is Mr.. Herbert.
My sister, Miss Willis.n
Mr.. Herbert bowed, and Bessie said, as
Herbert twirled the note in his fingers:
.'Can you go with me, Bert"
I'm afraid not tonight, pigeon" was
the slightly hesitating answer.
well, never mind" she said, dropping
her wistful eyes, and lOOsening her
shawl.
After few more careless. polite words,
the young gentlemen Went out together,
but Mr. Herbert fingered. He spoke
some pleasant words to Bessie. and she
tried to answer him with steady voice,
but she was thinking how long and
lonely the evening would seem in her lit
tie room upstairs.
You are disappointed p he said, gent
ly. 80
s'Oh, / am foolish. know, but my
brother is always so busy and happy with
his friends, he does not think of me-"
{. There is church near here" he said,
referring to her note; ''only the next cor
ner; let's take peep at it."
She drew up her shawl again, and
smiled gladly, not thinking if there was
any lack of cOnventionality in his pro-
posal. They went out like two children,
and be offered her his arm.
The church was decorated, the sweet
breath of flowers filled the air, and the
deep tones of the organ seemed to invite
them TO enter. 1t was early yet, and
few people were there. They went in
quietly, and took seat in a vacant pew.
Something in the hushed and holy charm
seemed to touch Bessie's hOme-sick
heart, and dropping her face upon her
hands, she wept quietly. - n
1t was curious position for a grave
and dignified bachelor to find himself in,
sitting beside strange young lady, hear
ing her sob. and yet not knowing what
comfort to offer her.
Presently she raised her head and
smiled.
please let's go outs she said; 81 do
not want to stay here any longer"
So they went out again into the cool
spring air; and Bessie talked of her old
home-of her mother, who was one OF
the sweetest and kindest of women; of
her present lonliness, and by-and-by of
Herbert, her handsome, CHEEKY brother,
of who she was so proud.
He ought to be very happy fellow
to have sister devoted to him." said the
man.
Everybody loves him, was the enthu-
siastic reply. But. Oh-and her voice
failed again-he does not know anything
about money; he is paying out all we
have, and making no provisions for the
future; he pays now more than three
pounds every week for our board, and he
ought not to-"
but what can he do 20 asked Mr.. Her
bert.
II want him to take two or three
rooms unfinished, and let me keep
house; it would give me something to
flo and he ever SO much cheanar for ne -