The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-10-23
Criminal Storg.
THE LAST BISCUIT
Written for tie Democratic Adcocaie,
BY A. EUGESIA PoLTz.

by A. EUGENIA fOLTZ.
Bessie Lynn sat alone in the wide,
shady kitchen, busily engaged 10 picking
over whortleberries. Without, the sun.
shine Of an August afternoon bathed the
green fields aud dusty road that wound to
the village, and touched with richer hue
the nasturtiums aud geraniums in the tiny
garden, aud the Virginia ereeper that
climbed aud blossomed above the door
Bessie made pretty picture as she sat on
low cricket with big calico apron spread
over her blue-spriggcd muslin dress to de-
fend it from the stains that had soiled her
little brown hands. She was a petite.
daintily-roundcd maiden Of about eiph.
teen, with great dark eyes and glossy
curls, shading fair brow and cheeks that
had touch Of wild rose bloom upon them.
The kitchen, too, such pretty picture
with its we'll secured floor aud dresser, its
asparagus topped clock, its shining stove
with punches Of herbs hung behind, aud
the great bouquet of vivid cardinal flowers
sat on the snowy table. The kitchen was
perfectly still, save the buzz Of the flies
and the click Of the clock; aud outside the
cricket and the insects alone disturbed the
peace. Bessie believed that every one in
the house was asleep but herself nnt
yawned somewhat YEARLY us she tossed
over the berries, finishing the yawn with
bit Of soliloquy uttered about half aloud
ooh dear; this having summer boarder
ism very pleasant Miss Bessie, said
voice in the doorway so suddenly thai
Bessie nearly upset her berries il hel
great surprise. "0hl Mr.. Vane, is Il
you?" she said bashfully, bending down L
pick up few berries that had rolled from
her apron. an pick EN- upl" exclaimed
a newcomer, a tall and rather aristoeratic
looking youth Of about twenty-one, with
merry blue eyes, short auburn hair curled
closely under straw hat, diving for the
missing berries with ungraceful dexterity.
"Yes, it is |, of course Have YOU for
gotten your promise to 90 for lilies with
me this afternoon 2"
"Ohl but didn't say this afternoon,
you know; only come afternoon this week y
ssivII1u ,iw'W DsI' ,s,, y, u.na :,
we?" was the persuasive rejoinder as the
straw hat was tossed on the chair. am
help you. Lend me half that apron and
W. w',l na,e mem P'cAeu over In uice'
pu' sum a, nave supper 10 get Mothers
a"ay 1uu .hele sul DC biscuits 10 DC
"aus, eu n.a nsssie, turning her iace
away 70 H1uc Snle '"a, would curve ner
Ps. e.e' w u'.nu 'ha'' responded
maur'ee ,,,r aug, oilngpg q chair 70 her
s,ue' ~ siA' y, ,sn ~, u ana lis now
vs, nan I'm as' W., ven DC oaek a, nse,
,.,i without ,.h' anu nave ',me 70 get haii the
l'''es ~ ,c, Tue r'tcri ahu ns began 70 assoH
u hahu'u' Oh oer'ies WIN much earnest
ness 81, ,,Y
IL, sssen'eu DsSsie' aIter pause
ior eons'uesaeos anu giance AZ the clock,
eau 80 'or ii'''e "nlie' perhaps Ohl
eon s'aln your coat, Mr' sanc. But
hr. 'ane was suolimely inuiherent to his
coat ana worked with sueh good will that
Tue berries were soon picked over, aud
bessie anu n'mseh GU 'heir way to the
river.
rave minutes iater' Bessie with her
drape1'es aaln,ly bestowed around her, was
seated ~ Tue stern OF the boat which was
propelled by Maurice vane's practical
hand, snot swiftly down the stream. Al
'nongh mr. 'ane said to Bessie hive times
within an hour that il was n lovely dav