Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-01-30
NO. 26.
Gales ano Skettbes.
BONNIE BESSIE.
Continued from Yesterday

promise. l woulu sooner une nrSt. l am
Just like Auld Robin Grey. Oh! Jamie.
forgive that ever thought of it,"
The sunset fires died out, and the wind
began to chill. yet she sat there still, un-
conscious alike Of her neglected pitcher
and her pet dog. who watched her so wist-
fully. The twilight itself failed; the
crescent moon came out above, and the
bubbling OF the Highland spring filled all
in silence.
Suddenly she arose with resolution
stamped on every feature.
ii must give the Squire his ring again."
she said brushing the fast tears from her
ewes. 1T is hard on him but there Is no
other way. Then. Jamie, then you will
forgive me-"
| Leaving her pitcher there. she tossed
back her abundant locks as she finished
this adiuration. and went spinning away
through the falling darkness, with the
light foot of the chamois.
When she reached the Red Pass the
bright glow of the ingleside lit the win
dows. She approached the nearest one.
and placed her sad, tired. vet resolute face
against the glass.
The Squire sat within, pretty, tasteful
things I'll around him. happy. musing
expression on his plain, fatherly face.
BESSIE watched him Tor minute choking
down fierce sob.
He'd be rs good to me as 'Auld Robin
Grey" she said. half aloud; ''but Il
Oh. Heaven help me, l can't bear 10 think
of it!''
A minute and she tapped lightly against
the glass. The Squire turned quickly,
stared, and started to his feet.
"Well, now-well, now, what's the
meaning of thisr' he cried. running across
the room and throwing up the window.
"Bessie What has happened?"
"Somcthing that never should ha' hap
pened,n she answered. looking at him
with sort of desperate defiance. and
drawing the gold ring from her finger as
she spoke; 1--WE come to give it back to
Won, Squire Rcnfrew. was wrong ever
to let YOU put it on"
"Why. child. what do you mean?"
Take your ring. You have heard Of
'Auld Robin Grew maybe, have you
notp"
"Yes. have. But what thenp"
"Well, had n Jamie once" she went
on, clutching at the little silver ring sus-
pended from her neck. great throb OF
pain shaking her; ''hc gave me this,
and cannot wear any other ring. He
he-went off to seek his fortune" with
another suppressed sob. land he was lost
at sea- l tried to forget him. but cannot.
can't. can't keep my promise to you,
Squire Rcnfrew-I-I couldn't feel like
she did to 'Auld Robin Grey.'-I should
hate you'll should" And here she broke
down completely.
He took the ring she offered and paused
for moment. A look of unutterablc
! l.,
$50 you have come to tell me this. and
TO ask for your freedom. And you really
think too, you have seen James ghost -
"Yes. And l shall never return to
grandmother again. dare not. So am
going away
He laid his hand on her head.
81 am glad you came to tell me. 1t is
better that should know this now than
| latter. ! am sorry. Bessie. had set my
whole heart on making Won happy. But
bird, against its will, hates cage and keep
er. You are free.''
God bless you, and good-bye," she
sobbed.
NAV. nay, he SAYS tenderly, not good
bye. Go back to the fold. my poor, pref
ty lamb; go back to the .auld grandmoth-
er. will make il all right for you.
Never you fear"
Greatly wondering, the girl retraced
her steps to Black Linn. The morrow
came and with it the Squire.
81 have come 10 beg your pardon, he
said. addressing Bessie, but taking care
to.do it in the presence of the grandmoth-
he, "and to ask for my liberty back again.
/ have changed my mind about taking
wife, Mither Burns" and he turned to the
old lady, II 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 con-
duct. turned on Bessie savagely.
at is all your silly capers. ! see it all.
He loves you so that he takes the blame
when it is wholly your fault. "Oh, me
l thought to spend my old age in peace
and plenty, and now ! am left to starve,
and all because Of you, you ungrateful
child"
All that night and all the next day the
reproaches went on. Toward the gloam-
ing Bessie took up her pitcher to 90 to
the spring for water, glad to Escape, Tor
even a quarter of an hour, from her
grandmother's rage.
She had half filled her pitcher again,
and was again tripping across the little
brook, her dog followed 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 trembled 50
that she almost lost her footing.
"Don't look frightened said the
Squire, kindly. Il come with good news
news you never expected to hcar.''
She looked at him breathless, palpita-
ting and unable to speak. What could
he mean?
"The seaman has been heard from at
last,'' he said, with sad smile as tender
. as a caress.
Bennie uttered short passionate cry.
..Oh! Jamie is he alive? It was no
ghost then, that saw p
LET him answer for himself.'' said the
Squire, stepping aside to make way for q
tall figure that had been hidden behind
rock.
! Bessie, my darling" said the strar z
. er, as his strong arm clasped her.
2 ssBut why did YOU avoid me the other