The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1880-11-17

" What a curious old ring it isl" sal,
Mr.. Vane, without interest "May
look at it2 Don't trouble yourself t,
take it off, he asked, drawing his oar
and leaning toward his companion.
Bessie allowed her tiny brown hand {,
lie in his aristocratic white one
moment, then coquettishly withdrew it
' Isn't it prettyY she inquired, archly.
every pretty. Shall tell you how
to guard against losing it in the future?'
"Oh you, if you please"
"Well, wear this little ring of mine
to guard it, or better yet, exchange with
me. Give me yours and take this in.
stead" said the young man, daringly.
Bessie looked >at the heavy chased
gold ring he held out to her, then
looked back at the water with an limo
cent ooh, 1 don't think it would fiji"
"Try it," suggested her companion,
softly.
Bessie shook her head but finally
agreed, blushingly, that it would be no
harm to try, and slipped the ring on
her forefnger.
"It'sa perfect fit, ''cried Mr.. vane, de-
lightedly, "nothing can be better
Why, Miss Bessie, you surely don't
mean to give it back2"
"Of course I do, was the saucy re-
joinder. "Why not?'
Because" said Mr.. Vane, speaking
earnestly and disregarding his fears
altogether, while he tried to get q
glimpse of the face hidden by the flat
hat, "because L meant to ask you to
wear it for my sake. 1 meant to ask
"
"Oh Mr.. Vane," cried his listener
here, "do you see that lily on your left.
Won't you get it for me p
I'll get that and twenty others if
you'll listen to me first Do you care
for me? Will you marry me?"
Bessies face was turned away, and
her head bent lower. A crimson flush
stole over her ears, neck and chin.
"Bessie," no answer. Her companion
leaned over her head and took her hand,
venturously.
"Bessie, will you wear the ring ?"
he questioned, softly. But the hand
was hastily drawn away; pair of saucy
black eyes flashed into his own, and
Bessie's merry laughter rang over the
water.
"Td rather have grandma's, please.
[ ought to go home, Mr.. Vane, for /
know its almost tea time"
Mr.. Vane put the ring in his pocket
and took up the oars again energeti-
cally without a word He was fresh
from college and held the stroke oar in
many race, but never made better time
than he made that afternoon in rowing
up the river. The light boat shot along
with the rower's brow knitted and his
teeth set. Not once did he look at
Bessie who sat in half-puzzled, half
alarmed silence, now and then stealing
sidewise glances at the offended young
Hercules from under her hat. Mr.. Vane
drew a breath of relief when the boat at
last grated on the sand, and having as
sisted Bessie to land and curtly offered
to carry her lilies, he shouldered the
oars and marched firmly toward home
by her side. Bessie, somewhat be-
wildered and more angry, made no
effort to break the silence and studiously
endeavored to keep from crying. When
at last he left her at the door with
cold "Thank you, Miss Bessie" and
departed to carry the oars to the barn,
it was well he did not look back, for
Miss Bessie tossed the lilies aside with
a petulant gesture and had a fit of cry
ing with her head on the kitchen table.
When Mr.. Vane returned from the
barn half an hour later, he did see
picture that comforted him little
through the hop-wreathed pantry wiv-
dow. 1t was Bessie with her sleeesn
pinned up molding biscuits in a des-
perate haste, while the tears fell thickly
on the high calico apron. This picture
so amazed Mr.. Vane that he retreated
hastily behind lilac bush to observe it,
and fingered so long that he was late at
tea. This was a model supper. There
was the great dish of berries with snowy
cream beside, fanked by cheese and
raspberry jam. There were two noun
tains or plates of snowy biscuits, con-
trasting with sponge cake and the
richer gold of the butter. Mr.. Vane
who had supposed he shouldinever have
an appetite again, felt quite revived by
the sight of this table and the memory of
the picture.
The rest of the boarders seemed to
share the sensation, for the group of
muslin was very hilarious, and the eat
ables disappeared rapidly. Bessie, pre-
siding between the pots, seemed rather
out of spirits, but Farmer Lynn atoned
for her silence by unusual iollity. When
the biscuits passed a second time to Mr..
Vane he saw that only one was left, and
would have decofously refused, but the
hospitable farmer pressed it upon him.
Don't be afraid of it, there's plenty
more in the kitchen, amt there Bessie?''
Thus pressed, Mr.. Vane accepted the
biscuit and Bessie disappeared to re-
plenish the plate. Mr.. Vane divided
the biscuit, then dropped it suddenly
with an exclamation that brought every
eye upon him. There imbedded in the
light, t,white bread, lay Bessie's ruby ring.
Shouts of laughter arose that brought
Bessie back from the kitchen in haste
Just in time to see Mr.. Vane coolly re-
move the ring from the biscuit, amidst
the merry chorus, and drop it into his