The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1877-09-15
BESSIE'S LUCK.

r. was warm bright day, and pretty Bessie
Willis looked longingly out from her window
in the great hotel with Il hOmcsick feeling At
her heart =,
Il wish could go out" she said softly TO
herself, 81 wish dared 60 out alone, for Her
bert never thinks of me, any more than he
would of II statue set in niche"
Herbert was her brother lodging in some
remote room of that same big building, and
sometimes she would scarcely see him for days
together. They were all alone in the world,
This bright young sister and her merry-hoarted,
careless brother There had been Il little pro
pcr,y left them when their parents died, and
rs soon rs iIcrbcr, was twcnty-One years OF are
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. He
thought he could easily obtain some pleasant
and lucrative situation. But situations were
not SO easily found, and prudent, practical lit
tic Bessie knew that their small fortune was
wasting slowly week by week. She knew it
was useless to talk Of this to Herbert Ii only
frcttcd and annoyed him, and he told her often
what paltry spcck il would all be compared
with the wealth he was going to accumulate.
So she drew farther away from him, and only
answered his merry "GoOd,mOrning, little pig
con" or carelesss Goodnight sis" with II
pleading smile or grateful nod.
But this Sunday she was 50 tired and lonely,
she wondered if she could not win Herbert 5
attention for Il 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 gentlemen who boarded there, and
there were no ladies at their table But think
ing OF the dear old home, and of how long it
was since they had talked together. Bessie
wrote her brother Il little note, and stealing
down to the diningroom just before il WIS
time for the bell to ring, she laid it close be
side his plate
As She took her own place beside old Mrs.
Nandcrs, she failed To notice that some Of the
people at the other table had changed places,
and a stern gentleman, with stern, pale face,
had taken her note from under the edge of his
plate He read the name on the outside
Herbert and, looking very much puzzled,
put il into his vest pocket
While waiting for desert, he took the little
missivc out again, and screening il by an APP
parcntly careless movement Of his napkin,
read
"Dear HerJer:-I would like 10 see some of
The churches, if you do not mind taking me in
my winter dress. will wait for you in the
parlor Please come up Immediately after din.
ner. and | will have my hat on, and be all ready
10 start. Yours lovingly.
iDfSNlE.
1T is evidently mistake" the man said to
himself, but how 10 rectify il do not know
80 he wen, up TO the parlor with sort OF
guilty feeling. There was the sweetfaced girl
he had seen al the table just fastening her hat
She did not notice him, but presently group
Of yorng gentlemen came in. and the sweet
face frightened visibly, as the girl stepped for
ward, saying:
Are YOU going, Herbert: Did you find
my noie?'
"Notc.' said her brother. II have seen nc
note"
ALLOW me, please" suggested the stranger
taking the note from his pocket
Mr.. Herbert," said one Of the young men
in q respectful tone.
Il found this letter beside my plate. and q,
ayy name is really Herbert, the idea did mo-
occur 10 me that any one else could bear IN,
same name at the same table. Allow me now