Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-10-04
Bessie Willis.

Bessie willis.
1t was a warm, bright day, and pretty Bes-
sic Willis looked longingly out from her
window in the great hotel, with homesick
feeling at her heart.
al wish could go out" she said, softly,
to herself. al wish | dared go out alone,
for Herbert never thinks of me any more
than he would a statue set in a niche"
Herbert was her brother, lodging in some
remote room of that same big house, and
sometimes she would scarcely see him for
days together
They were all alone in the world, this
bright young sister, and her mery-hearted,
careless brother
There had been little property 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 10 London with his sister in charge,
only too eager to make his fortune in the
world.
lie thought he could easily obtain some
pleasant and lucrative situation. But stu
ations were not so easily obtained, and pru-
dent, practical little Bessie knew that their
small fortune was wasting slowly week by
week.
She knew it was useless to talk of this
to Herbert. 1t only fretted aud annoyed
him, and he told her often what a paltry
speck it all would be compared with the
wealth he was going to accumulate
So she drew further away from him, and
only answered his merry "Good morning,
little pigeon" or careless "Good night, sis, :"
with pleading smile or grateful 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
in the long dining-room, for Herbert had
grown intimate with party of Young gen
tIemen who boarded there, and there were
no ladies at their table.
But thinking of the dear old home, and
of how long it was since they had talked
together, 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 had
failed 10 notice that some of the people at
the other table had changed places, and a
strange gentleman with stern, pale face
had taken the note from under the edge OF
his plate.
lie read the name on the outside" Her.
bert and looking very much puzzled, put
it into his vest pocket. While waiting fol
desert, he took the little missive out again,
and screening it by an apparently careless
arrangement of his napkin, read;
+" Dear Herbert II would like to see some o
the churches, II you do not mind taking me on
in my winter dress. Please come up immedi
ately after dinner and will have my hat on, ant
be all ready TO start. Yours lovingly BESSIE.
at is evidently mistake" the man sale
to himself "but how TO rectify it do no
know" So he went up to the parlor with
sort of guilty feeling. There was the swee
faced girl he had seen at the table, Just fast
ening on her hat
She did notice him, but presently grou
of young gentlemen came in, and the swee
face frightened visibly, as the girl steppe'
forward, saying
"Are you going, Herbert 2 Did you fin
my note ?"
"Notel" one of the young men said. ."
have seen no note"
"Allow me, please" suggested the stran
ger taking the note from his pocket.
=" Mr.. Herbert" !" said one of the youn
men, in a respectful tone.
q found this letter beside my plate, an
as my name is really Herbert, the idea di
not occur TO me that any one else could bea
! the same name at the same table. Allo'
me to deliver the perplexing missive to il
: rightful owner"
And that is me, | take il" said llerbel
Willis, laughing merrily. " Here, BESSIE
= you know my two friends, Wilson and WI
ters, and this is Mr.. Herbert my sister, Mi
Willis"
Mr.. Herbert bowed, and Bessie said,
Herbert twirled the note in his fingers;
Cant you go with me, Bert p
I'm afraid not tonight, pigeon was Il
, slightly hesitating answer.
"Well, never mind" she said, droppir
her wistful eyes, and loosening her shawl.
After a few more careless, polite word
the young gentlemen went out together bl
Mr.. Herbert fingered. lie spoke some plea
ant words 10 Bessie, and she tried to answ
him with steady voice but she was thin
ing how lonely the evening would seem
her little room up stairs.
; You are disappointed" he said gently
, "Oh, ! am foolish, | know; but N
I brother is always so busy and happy vii
his friends that he does not think of me-"
"There is a church near here" he sal
referring to her note "only the next corne
Let's take peep at it,"
She drew up her shawl again and smil,
, gladly, not thinking if there was any lack
! conventionality in his proposal. They wei
out like two children, and he offered her h
/ arm.
, The church was decorated, the swe
breath of flowers filed the air, and the dee
tones of the organ seemed to invite them
enter, 1t was early yet, and few people We
there. They went in quietly, and took
seat in vacant pew. Something in Il
) hushed and holy charm touched Bessie
homesick heart and dropping her face upc
) her hands, she wept bitterly.
r 1t was a curious position for grave au
/ dignifed bachelor to find himself in. 81
ting beside a strange young lady, hearin
her sob, and yet not knowing what comfo
TO offer her,
, Presently she raised her head aud smile,
, Please let's go out" she said. "l do M
want to stay here any longer" SO they WEI
out again into the cool spring air; and BE
} sic talked of her old home OF her mothe
, who was one of the sweetest and kindest
women of her present loneliness, and b
and-bye of Herbert, her handsome, cheer
brother, of whom she was so proud.
lie ought to be very happy fellow
have sister SO devoted TO him." said III
man,
Everybody loves him." was the enthl
siastic reply. But, OH" and her voice ie
again, "he does not know anything abou
money. lie is paying out all we have, an
! making no provision for the future. II