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

shady kitchen, busily engaged in pick
lng over wortleberries. Without, the
sunshine of an August afternoon bathed
the green fields and dusty road that
wound to the village, and touched with
richer hue the nasturtiums and gera-
niums in the tiny garden, and the Vir-
ginia creeper that climbed and
blossomed above the door. Bessie made
pretty picture as she sat on low
Gficket with big calico apron spread
4yer her blue-sprigged muslin dress to
Hofend it from the stains that had soiled
her little brown hands. She was a pc
''Ite, and daintily-rounded maiden of
bout eighteen, with great dark eyes
tQd glossv urls, shading fair brow
nd chez hat had touch of wild rose
bloom upon them
HE kitchen, too, was such pretty
piclure with its well ll-scoured floor and
.fesser, its asparagus-topped clock, its
shining stove with punches of herbs
'iupg behind and the great bouquet of
tFld cardinal flowers sat on the snowy
+fple The kitchen was perfectly still,
EFe the buzz of the flies and the click
Hs the clock; and outside the cricket
tnd the insects alone disturbed the
sNfce. Bessie believed that every one
the house was asleep but herself, and
4wned somewhat wearily as she tossed
tver the berries, finishing the yawn
With bit of soliloquy uttered about
hah aloud. "Oh, dear; this having
5ummer boarders isn't very pleasant"
Miss Bessie" said voice in the
Doorway so suddenly that Bessie nearly
upset her berries in her great surprise.
Obi Mr.. Vane, is it you2" she said,
bashfully, bending down to pick up a
few berries that had rolled from her
apron.
I'll pick 'em upl" exclaimed the new
comer, tall and handsome-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 dex-
terity "Yes, it is /, of course. Have
you forgotten your promise to go for
liles with me this afternoon ?'
"Oh! but didn't say this afternoon,
you know; only some afternoon this
week, responded Bessie, demurely.
Well, we'll call it this afternoon,
won't WEI" was the persuasive rejoinder
as the straw hat was tossed on the chair
I'll help you. Lend me half that apron
and we will have them picked over in q
trice." "But shall have supper to get
Mothers away and there will be biscuits
to be made" insisted Bessie, turning
her face away to hide smile that would
curve her lips. "Never mind that, re-
sponded Maurice Vane, bringing chair
to her side. Teas at six, isn't it and
its now only half-past two. Well be
back at five, without fail, and have time
to get half the lilies. in the river, and he
began to asSort handful of berries with
much eanestness.
"W-ell," assented Bessie, after a
pause for consideration and glance at
the clock, {" / can go for little while,
perhaps. Oh! don't stain your coat, Mr..
Vane." But Mr.. Vane was sublimely in
different to his. coat and worked with
such goodwill that the Berries were
soon picked over, and Bessie and him
self on their way to the river.
Eve minutes later, Bessie with her
4ttta5eries dainty bestowed around her,
was seated in the stern of the boat
which, propelled by Maurice Vane's
practical hand, shot swiftly down the
stream. Although Mr.. Vane said tC
Bessie five times within an hour that il
was lovely day, and although Bessie
assented every time, I hardly think they
appreciated the beauty around them, fol
Bessie wassquite absorbed in the Lilies
and the reflection in the water, and Mr.
Vane looked more at his companion
than at the aspect of nature. They hat
enough lilies to satisfy them and Bessi,
was leaning backward and idly trailing
one hand in the water, when she sud
denly uttered a little scream and sa
erect with white cheeks, from which tn
color had been frightened.
"Ohl I almost lost it. = How careles
ami" she exclaimed, replacing an old
fashioned ring, set with tiny circle {
rubies, on her finger.
".Did the water sweep it off you
hand?"
81 suppose so. It's too large for ml
I'm always losingtit and finding it again
] wouldn't lose itsentirely for the worl,