The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-01-29
Bonnie Bessie.

highland hills, with the delicious woodland
edors, and 1tful CLEANS of sunshine, and
the tender beauty of bursting bud and OPEN
ing flower.
Though the day was drawing to close
Bonnie Bessie" still fingered by tho high
land spring. a brooding look of pain aud
regret, and half-formed resolve, in her
great dusky eyes. Every one called her
'Bonnie Bessie" from Lady Janet, of Dud-
dlestonc Castle, to Rob, the herds lad, of
Black Linn The minister himself, a good
brave man, had given her the title, when
she first appeared at Black Linn, slim,
slip of n lass, with wild clf-locks and checks
like carnations.
AS she grew up to womanhood the name
cung to her. "Bonnie Bessie" they all
called her, and rightly enough; for of all
the highland lassies who gathered at the
little kirk, Sabbath morning. not one was
half SO beautiful and winning as Bessie.
Her young form was rs slim and supple, and
graceful rs tall willow; her voice was the
sweetest when she sang, and the charm of
her soft, dark eyes, and the sweet smilo of
her red mouth, were irresistible.
Squire Renfrew, Of the Red Pass was
desperately in love with Bessie, and sought
to make her his wife, in spite of difference
in rank. The herds at the Red Pass were
the finest and largest in the neighborhood,
and the barns and storehouses were always
well filled. He was bachelor, something
over two score years, and he wanted "I}on-
mic Bessie" for his bride
If the lassle thinks she can like me, he
said, addressing Bessie's grandmother. as
he stood under the low brown rafters of the
little Black Linn cottage, hot flush
mounted to the shining crown of his bald
head; elf the lassie thinks she can fancy
me- the bargains made. Pm willing and
ready to 60 to the kirk tomorrow; and if a
good, true husband and some gold and sill
yer will make her happy, she'll be as happy
as queen at Red Pass"
Bessie listened with wid", startled eyes,
burning cheeks and quivering lips.
Her grandmother, "auld Mither Burns"
as the ne;ghbors called her, looked up, with
eager delight in every feature OF her hard.
time-wern old face. Such an offer was
more than she had ever dared to dream of
for Bessie.
"rhe lassio will find no trouble about
fancying the likes O you, Squire Renfrew,"
she answered, rubbing her hands together
and nodding her head up and down. "She
will jump at the chance OF making the Red
Pass her home, and be willing to walk to
word. I'll answer for that"
Bessie held her peace, standing, tall and
slim, in sort Of stunned silence, until her
passion was spent.
"Well, tits DER now, and Yell simmer
down, and keep quiet mebbc," she said,
Then, still chuckling glcefully, 'I'yo let we
have your say, and now IN have mine.
Wore poor folk, mo and you. found it
hard to get bread, when had but my own
mouth to feed; and, since, I've been bur
dened wi hunger. But Pvo borne it all,
an done my best, an always been willing
to give you share O. my last crust"
ooh! but don't ask me to do this"
pleaded Bessie.
But must. You've a chance now to
show yeur gratitude, and to pay me back.
When you're mistress at the Red Pass, I
shall have plenty Of good victuals, and q
warm seat in the inglcside corner to the
end OF my days, and no need to lift fin
ger"
Bessie"
''Now, lookee here, my lass, " interrupted
tho old woman, lifting her bony finger and
glowering flercely upon Bessie; 'sif We
arc fule enou to refuse this good fortin',
that ends it 'twixt us two You pack out
of my house, and ne'er cross tho threshhcld
again.
Bessie was silent Tho great world be-
yond the highland peaks, seemed so dim
and far away, and the old homo scenes
were so familiar.
The autumn days drifted on, and winter
set In. A wild, white, cruel, highland
winter. Leaden skies, and lonesome, wall
ing winds, and sudden snow storms, rush
Ing across the hills like white whirlwinds.
Auld Mlther Burns fell i'll with rheumatism,
and Bob, the herds lad, got his arm broken
and the mich cow sickened and died, and
Bessie went to bed supperless many
night. .aa
The constant drip Of water wears away
the solid stone, and the constant pressure
OF care, and want, and cntreaty, bends the
stoutest will. Bessie yielded at last, and
on one wild night. when Squire Renfrcw
came down to Black Linn, she suffered him
TO put ring on her finger.
The very next day the cottage was filed
with all sorts of comforts; and week
thereafter fine garments Of linen, and wool,
and even silk, were being made up for
"Bennls Bessie;" for In the spring-ttme she
was to 60 to the kirk with Squire Renfrcw
and be made his wife.
Aho oPllHB-tilflo n0u come, anu the Weu-
ding day was close at hand, when, one
evening, just before the cleaning, Bessie
went to fill her pitcher, as usual, at the
rocky spring near, Ly. She had accom-
plished her task, had lifted the pitcher to
her shoulder, and had started for tho cot
tage, her white, shapely feet twinkling
prettily below the short petticoat, as sho
stepped from stone to stone in crossing the
little brawling stream, when suddenly she
uttered a stided scream, and, staggering to
moss covered boulder, sat down and put
the pitcher on tho ground beside her, pres
sing her Hand on her heart, and trombied
all over. si& E@i3 !.aifGt. 6 !ss} .t
sits his ghaist, It's his ghaist," che
cried, "and oh, how sair he did look at
mel"
Whatever shs had seen or fancied shs
had sssn, there was nothing in sight when
che next locked up, however; nothing ex-