The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-10-23

@0f course do" was the saucy rejoiu-
der. "Why not?"
because" said Mr.. Vane, speaking
earnestly and disregarding his fears alto
gether, while be tried to get a glimpse Of
the face hidden By the fat hat, "because | |
meant to ask you TO wear II for my sake.
/ meant to ask -"
"0hl Mr.. Yane," cried his listener here,
'do you see that lily on your left. Won't |
you get il for me 2"
III get that and twenty others IL you'll
listen TO me 6rst Do you care for me n
Will you marry met
Bessie's 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, yenturously.
Bessie, will you wear the ring7" he
questioned softly But the hand was
hastily drawn away; pair Of sauey black
eyes flashed into his own, and Bessie's
merry laughter rang over the water.
"Id rather have grandma's, please. l
ought TO go home, Mr., Yane, for | know
It's almost tea time"
Mr.. Vane put the ring in his pocket and
took up the oars again energetically with
out word. He was fresh from college
and held the stroke oar in many a race,
but never made better time than be 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 halfpuz-
zled, halfalarmed silence, now and then
stealing sidewise glances at the offended
young hercules from under her hat. Mr..
Vane drew breath Of relief when the
boat at last grated on the sand, and hav-
ing assisted Bessie to land aud curtly Of.
fered to carry her lilies, be shouldered the
oars and marched grimly toward home by
her side Bessie, somewhat bewildered
and more angry, made no effort to break
the silence aud 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 tC
the barn, it was we'll he did not look back
, for Miss Bessie tossed the lilies aside with
: a petulant gesture and had Ct Of crying
: with her head on the kitchen table.
= When Mr.. Vane returned from the barr
half an hour later, he did see pietur,
that comforted him little through tn
u hop-wreathed pantry window, 1t wa
y Bessie with her sleeves pinned up mould
! ing biscuits in desperate haste, while tn
y tears fell thickly on the high calico apron
~ This picture SO amazed Mr.. Vane that b
u retreated hastily behind lilac bush to oil
y serve it, aud fingered so long that he WI
y late at tea. This was model suppe
= = There was the great dish Of berries wit
~ snowy cream beside, hanked by eheei
~ aud raspberry jam. There were tv
- mountains or plates Of snowy biscuits, col
Il trasting with spunge cake and the rich
ae gold Of the butter. Mr.. VaBe who hi
ae supposed be should never have an appeti
a ~ again, felt quite revived by the site Of th
W W table aud the memory Of the picture.
% The rest Of the boarders seemed
~ share the sensation, for the group of musl
iu' was very hilarious, and the eatables disa
az 4. peared rapidly. Bessie, presiding betwe
- the pots, seemed rather out Of spirits, b
~ Farmer Lynn atoned for her silence
's' unusual jollity. When the biscuits pass
~ second time to MIR, Vane he saw th
" only one was left, and would have decc
~ y, ously refused, but the hospitablc farm
~ pressed it upon him. "Don't be afraid,
~ ~ 1t, there's plenty more in the kitchc
u u amt there Bessie 7"
~ Thus pressed, Mr. vane accepted IL
ae biscuit and Bessie disappeared to replsni.
y the plate, Mr.. Vane divided the biscui
4 \, then dropped it suddenly with au exclam
;" ton that brought every eye upon hin
There imbsdded in the light, white brea,
=, lay Bessic's ruby ring Shouts of laugl
ter arose that brought Bessie back frol
>. the kitchen in haste, just in time to SC
!, Mr.. Vane cody remove the ring from th
~ ~ biscuit, amidst the merry chorus, and dro
a It into his waistcoat pocket to "be keI
~ ill called for" he said with signifcan
;. look at her scarlet face. Poor Bessie
There was no peace for her after tha
An army Of jokes quite overwhelmed he
" !. protestatiObs and disclaiminss, and sh
= !, was thankful to beat hasty retreat to th
! kitchen when the meal was over. Bu
! even therO she was pursued by laughin
" trio Of ladies who harrassed with question
!, and wonderment, and merTiment, until th
= !, last dish was sent away, and she to th
!. village for letters. Instead Of going /
the villiage, however, she stole along tn
:. hedge, climbed the wall, ran to the furthe
! end Of the orchard, where she flung her
:, self on the ground and cried as If he
!, heart would break. She perhaps ha,
!. cried half an hour when step crushinj
!, the dry grass at her side reused her, ant
i the very voice she most dreaded TO hear
! said: "lvc come to return your ring
y Miss Bessie atC
!, Poor little Bessie sat up hastily an,
: took the unfortunate ring with fslterinl
! "Thank you, then Immediately hid he
I face again.
"You needn't thank me, | should hsv
!, brought il before, but couldn't find you
/, | hope you're not troubled about thos
Z ridiculous jokes p he added dignifedly
: "N-o," responded Bessie, miserably, be
tween her sobs. "I--I thought you',
! think l did il on purpose"
J. "How could | have thought so2
was a mere accident my getting that par
i tieular biscuit. I'm very sorry you "
> been so annoyed In this way. rm goinl
Z away tomorrow, Miss Bessie"
4 The sObs partially ceased and Miss Bes
/ sic said surprisingly; "Are your"
"Won't you bid me good bye ?" Z
7 EYES," Bessie said unsteadily, but dit
not raise her head. eiJ ff
& you'll shake hands, won't you, Mis-
Bessie ?" No answer. II cant 10 ava,
. while you are offended with me. Won
you at least tell me why you arc crying p
Because I'll lost my grandmas ring,
sObbed Bessie, making great effort fol
! eomposure. t' iHs
Mr.. Vaue laughed in spite Of himself
A "Why lis safe on your finger aud not
whit the worse for is baking. Is iherl
4 really no other reason n
nN--no.H
"But there Is ] shall never hav.
} another happy hour If I've offended you,
!, said Mr.. Vane, tragicnlly II was d brut.
TO treat you as did this afternoon; bu