Louisiana capitolian., 1880-01-17
BONNIE BESSIE.

9he highland hills, with delicious
woodland odors, and fitful CLEANS OF
sunshine, and the tender beauty Of
bursting bud and opening flower.
Though. the day was drawing to a
close, "Bonnie Bessie" still fingered
by the highland spring, brooding
look of pain and regret, and half
formed resolve, in her great, dusky
eyes. Every one called her "Bonnie
Bessie" from Lady Janet, Of Duddle-
stone Castle, to Rob, the herds lad,
of Black Linn. The minister himself,
a good, grave man, had given her the
title when she first appeared at Black
Linn, u slim slip of a lass, with wild
elf locks and cheeks like carnations.
As she grew up to womanhood the
name clung 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 beauti-
full and winning as Bessie. Her young
form was as slim and supple, and
graceful as tall willow; her voice
was the sweetest when she sang, and
the charm of her soft, dark eyes, and
| the sweet smile Of her red mouth was
irresistible.
'Sauire Renfrew, Of the Red Pass,
was desperately IN love with Bessie,
and sought to make her his wife, in
spite Of the difference in rank. The
herds at the Red Pass were the finest
and largest in the ncighhorhood, and
the barns and storellouses were al
ways well filled. He was q bachelor,
something over two score years, and
he wanted "Bonnie Bessie" for II
bride.
wfthe lassie thinks she caii like
me,n he said, addressing Bessie's
grandmother, as he stood under tho
low brown rafters of the little Black
Linn cottage, u hot flush mounted to
the shining crown of his bald head F.;
"if the lassie thinks she can fancy mt,
tho bargains made, I'm willing and
ready to 20 to the kirk Tomorrow 4;
and if good, true husband and some
gold and silver will make her happy,
she'll bc rs happy rs n queen at Red
Pass"
Bessie listened will, wide, startled
eyes, burning cheeks and quivcring
lips.
Her grandmother, "auld Mitlcr
Burns," rs the ncighbors called her,
looked up, with eager delight in every
feature of her hard, tlme-worn old
face. Such an offer was more than
she had ever dared to dream Of for
Bessie.
"I'he ,assic will find no trouble
about fancying the likes o you, Squire
Rcnfvcw,' she answered, rubbing her
hands together, and nodding her head
up and down. "She will jump ut the
chance of making the Red Pnss her
home, and bc willing to walk to the
kirk WI you you whenever you speak
the word. III answer for that"
Bessie held her peace, standing, tall
and slim, in u sort Of stunned silence,
until her passion was spent.
"Wcll, tits DER now, and yell sim
mer down and keep quiet, mcbbe,"
she said, Then, still chuckling glce-
fully, "I'll let sc have your say, and
now IN have mine. We're a poor
folk, me and you. found it hard to
get bread when l had but my own
mouth to feed, and, since, I've been
burdcned wi hunger. But Eve borne
it all, an done my best, an always
been willing to give you n share o
my last crust"
"Oh but don't ask me to do this,
pleaded Bessie.
"But l must. You've n chance now
to show your gratitude and topay me
back. When you're mistress of Red
Pass l shall have good victuals and a
warm scat in the inglcside corner to
the end of my days, and need to lift IL
finger"
"But, dearest grandma" began
"BOnnic Bessie
"Now lookce here, my lass inter
ruptcd the old woman, lifting her
bony finger and glowering ficrcely
upon Bessie, "if ye are fule enou' to
! refuse this good fortin', that ends it
'twixt us two. You pack out of my
house, and nc'er cross the threshold
AGAIN."
Bessie was silent. The great world
beyond the highland peaks seemed 50
dim and far away, and the old home
scenes were 80 familiar.
The autumn days drifted on, and
winter set in-a wild, white, cruel
highland winter. Leaden skies, and
lonesome, wailing winds, and sudden
snow storms, rushing across the bill,
like white whirlwinds. Aud MitIner
Burns fell i'll with rheumatism, and
Bob, the herds lad, got his arm bro.
ken, and the mich COW sickened and
died, and Bessie went to bed supper
less many n night.
The constant drip Of water wears
away the solid stone, and the con
stant pressure of care and want and
entreaty bends the stoutest will. Bes-
sic yielded at last, and on one wild
night, when Squire Renfrew came
down to Black Linn, she suffered him
to put a ring on her finger.
The very next day the cottage was
filed with all sorts of comforts; and
q week thereafter fine garments OF
linen and wool, and even silk, were
being made up for "Bonnie Bessie :
for in the spring-time she was to &c
to the kirk with Squire Renfrew and
be made his wife.
The spring time had come, and the
wedding day was close at hand, when
one evening, just before the cleaning
Bessie went to fill her pitcher, as usu'
al, at the rocky spring near by. She
had accomplished her task, had lifted
the pitcher to her shoulder, and had
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