Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1880-11-04

ideas. If ho were not dead he would never
return" Ha
"But I mnst never forget" she answered
tearfully. it
"Pshaw," returned the Colonel ;mpa !.
tiently. ''Bessie try and act sensibly. Save
| these tears for another time"
81 shall mover marry" sobted Bessie;
emo nevor."
"My ohild," said tho Colonel, aus.erely
"wo'll havo no moro of this, if you please.
| have waited until your grief had in somo
moasure subsidized. have borne with you
patiently, and hopo you will oboy me by
accepting Arthur Grey"
Bessie drew herself up proudly and
would have replied, but Colouei Orno
would hear of no explanation; and, with a
gesture of naughty isdain, strode out of
tho room. Poor Bessie, tho dcerees of
destiny are irrevocablc!
But there came perceptiblo change. Tho
angel Of death brooded, with shadowy
! wings of darkness, over the house. Colo
| ncl Orne, in a silent and darkencd chamber,
lay sick unto death. Day and night, Bes..
sic, at her post, by his bedside, fingered,
administering to his wants, Watching his
| slumbers.
"What if should lose him, too?" was
the question she continually asked herself,
with agonizing dread, and sho lifted her
heart in prayer that the coup might pass
from her lips"
Ono day her father callcd her to bis
| bedside.
"Bessic, want you to marry Arthur
Grey, and before 1 die. Will you?" he
asked earnestly.
She bowed her head in anguish, and
replied:
ooh, papa! 1t is cruel to forco mo to
snori6co myself; but for Jour sake, II
consent"
"Bcssic, it's for your sake that wish
you to do this" he said; shortly aud with
pain
"There, pray do not talk any more.
You only agitatc YOURSELF" said Bessie
soothingly.
Ho smiled approval.
Aud she sat by bis sido until ho snnk
into deep sleep, aud then she glided
away. Getting her hat, she strolled ou,
into the budding orchard to think--to re-
feet. Her mind was in confused state.
She seated herself. The wind 1uttcrcd
down some dry leaves that had withstood
tho storms of winter, and yet fingered in
the lap Of spring.
Gan emblem Of my future" she thought,
and sighed.
And here Arthur Grey found her,
aud repeated tho old, old story, SO often
told.
She accepted him passivcly, only saying,
ri can never love you. My heart was
buried with my first love- My hand
give freely"
And Arthur Grey obtained his reward
They were to be married quietly in few
days, Arthur and Bessie A few of Bcs-
| sizes most intimate friends were invited to
witness tho ceremony and assist Bessie in
tho trying ordeal that would hold her for.
ever to dreary life
The memorable morning dawncd, bright
and beautiful. Bessie, arraycd in the bri-
dal costume, repaired to tho drawing room,
where we'll known figure stood before her.
Did her eyes deceive her?
"Gracious heavens! Clifford, alive md
well"
And, for the first time in her life, Bessie
swooncd away
Intense excitement reigncd throughout
| the house. Bessie was now restored to
consciousness; and then an angry scene oc-
| ourred between her aud Arthur, which
ended in him leaving the house.
And then Clifford explained. Sicdpess
of mauy months duration prevented him
from sailing in the i'll fated steamer, and
doubtless saved his life. Letters wero sent
and never reached their destination. 1t
was an oft repeated story. And when he
finished. Bessie threw her arms around
his neck, exclamng:
"Dear Clifford, you camo just in time.
Another hour and you would have been too
latc!"
And Clifford thought 80, too.