Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1880-02-12


She drew a sllken cord that encir
cled her throat, from her bosom as sh
spoke, and kissed the slender hoop O
silver which was suspended from It
"Tll never ha' peace if l marry tn,
| squire, and | ought not to ha' it;
shall feel I'm traitor. And oh Jamie
after all l love no one but you anC
never cans And she broke down in
passionate weeping.
81 can't she sobbed; 'tI can't Keer
nay promise. / would sooner die first
[ am just like Aud Robin GRAY Oh
Jamie, forgive me that l ever though
gift"
The sunset hres died out, and the
wind began to chill, yet she sat there
still, unconscious of her neglected
pitcher and her pet dog, who watched
her SO wistfully. The twilight itsel
! failed; the crescent moon came ou
above; and the bubling of the Highland
spring filed all the silence.
Suddenly she rose with resolution
stamped on every feature.
II must give the squire his ring
again" she said, brushing the last tears
from her eyes.
"It is hard for him; but there is nc
way. Then, Jamie, then you will for.
give me-"
Leaving the pitcher there, she tossed
back her abundant locks, as she finished
this adjuration, and went speeding
away, through the falling darkness,
with the light foot of the channels.
When she reached the Red Pass, the
bright glow Of the ingleside lit the win
dows. She approached the nearest
one, and pressed her sad, tired, yet
resolute face against the glass.
The squire sat within, pretty. tasteful
things around him, happy musing ex-
preston on his plain fatherly face. Bes-
sic watched him for minute, choking
down fierce sob.
He'd be as good to me as 'Auld Rob
in Gray she said half aloud; but II
oh! heaven help me, l can't bear to
think of it."
A minute and she had tapped lightly
against the glass. The squire turned
quickly, stared and then started to his
feet.
"Well. now, well what's the meaning
Of this?" he cried rushing across the
room and throwing up the window.
Bessie what has happened?"
Something that never should ha'
happened" she answered looking at
him with sort Of desperate defiance,
and drawing the gold ring from her
finger, as she spoke, GIVE come to give
this back to you, Squire Renfrew, [ was
wrong ever to let you put it on"
"Why, child, what do you mean?"
Take your ring. You heard of'Auld
Robin Gray maybe, have you not?"
Yes L have but what then?"
"Well, had a Jamie once," she went
on, clutching at the little silver ring sus-
pended from her neck, great throb of
pain shaking her, and he gave me this
and l cannot wear any ot1er ring" He
went off to seek his fortune" with an
other suppressed sob, "and he was lost
at sea. [ tried to forget him, but [ can
not. can't keep my promise to you
Squire Renfrew-I-couldn't feel like
she did to Aud Robin Gray should
hate you'll should" And here she
broke down completely.
He took the ring she offered and
paused for moment. A look of I'M
pam and regret came into his
eyes.
$50 you have come to tell me this,
and ask for your freedom? And you
really think too you saw Jamie's ghost?"
Eyes. And | shall never return to
again. L dare not. So
an going away"
He laid his hand on her head.
81 am glad you came to tell me-" he
said; cit is better [ should know this
now than later. am sorry, Bessie. I
had set my whole heart on making you
happy. But a bird Gagged gainst his
wishes hates cage and keeper, You are
free"
God bless you, and good bye" she
sobbed.
"Nay, nay" he said tenderly, mot
good bye. Go back to the fold, my
poor, pretty lamb; 60 back to the auld
will make all right for
you. Never you fear"
Greatly wondering the girl retraced
Ter steps to Black Linn. The morrow
came, and with il appeared the squire. |
1 have come to beg your pardon" he
said, addressing Bessie, but taking care
o do 1t IN the presence of the grand |
mother, and to ask for my liberty back !
again. | have changed my mind about |
aking a wife, Mither Burns" and he
urned to the old lady: 81 am better as
am"
He took his leave after few more
words, and then the old woman, not for
one moment deceived by his generous
turned to Bessie savagely.
ut is all your silly capers. I see it
Ill. He loves you so that he takes the
blame, when it is wholly your fault. |
Oh, me! L thought to spend my old
lge in peace and plenty, and now am
cit to starve, and all because of you,
you ungrateful child"
All that night and all the next day
he reproaches went on. Towards the
cleaning Bessie took up her pitcher to
90 to the spring for water, glad to es-
cape, for even a quarter of an hour,
rom her grandmother rage.
She had half-filled her pitcher again,
md was tripping across the little brook,
ler dog following her when she was
startled once more; this time by Squire
Renfrew, however.
HE is coming to take back his
words" she said to herself; and she
.rembled so that she almost lost her
footing.
Don't look frightened" said the
squire kindly. Il come with good |
news--neTs you never expected to
near"
She looked at him breathless, palpi-