The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1880-12-17

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,
venturously.
"Bessie, will you wear the ring ?'
he questioned, softly. But the hand
was hastily drawn away; pair of saucy
black eyes flashed into his own, and
Bessie's merry laughter rang over the
water.
"Pd rather have grandma's, please.
l ought to go home, Mr.. Vane, for
know its almost tea time"
Mr.. vane put the ring in his pocket
and took up the oars again enorgeti-
cally without word. He was fresh
from college and held the stroke oar in
many race, but never made better time
than he 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 balf-puzzled, half
alarmed 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 having as
sisted Bessie to land and curtly offered
to carry her lilies, he shouldered the
oars and marched firmly toward home
by her side. Bessie, somewhat be-
wildered and more angry, made no
effort to break the silence and studiously
endeavored to keep rom crying. When
at last he left her at the door with a
cold "Thank you Miss Bessie" and
departed to carry the oars to the barn,
it was well he did not look back, fol
Miss Bessie tossed the lilies aside with
q petulant gesture and had fit of cry.
ing with her head ON the kitchen table.
When Mr.. Vane returned from the
barn half an hour later, he did sec q
picture that comforted him little
through the hop-wreathed pantry win.
dow. 1t was Bessie with her sleeves
pinned up molding biscuits in des.
perate haste, while the tears fell thickly
on the high calico apron. This picture
80 amazed Mr.. Vane that he retreated
hastily behind lilac bush to observe it,
and fingered SO long that he was late at
tea. This was q model supper. There
was the great dish of berries with snowy
cream beside, fanked by cheese and
raspberry jam. There were two noun
tains or plates of snowy biscuits, con-
trasting with sponge cake and the
richer gold of the butter. Mr.. Vane
wi,o had supposed he should never have
an appetite again, felt quite revived by
the sight of this table and the memory OF
the picture.
Tho Af t1,o 81 -,
share the sensation, for the group Of
muslin was very hilarious, and the eat
ables disappeared rapidly. Bessie, pre-
siding between the pots, seemed rather
out of spirits, but Farmer Lynn atoned
for her silence by unusual jollity. When
the biscuits passed second time to Mr..
Vane he saw that only one was left, and
would have decorously refused, but the
hospitable farmer pressed it upon him.
"Don't be afraid of 1t, there's plenty
more in the kitchen, amt there Bessie?"
Thus pressed, Mr.. Vane accepted the
biscuit and Bessie disappeared to re.
plenish the plate. Mr.. Vane divided
the biscuit, then dropped it suddenly
with an exclamation that brought every
eye upon him. There imbedded in the
light, white bread, lay Bessie's ruby ring.
Shouts of laughter arose that brought
Bessie back from tho kitchen in haste,
just in time to see Mr.. Vane coolly re-
move the ring from the biscuit, amidst
the merry chorus, and drop it into his
waistcoat pocket to Z" be kept till called
for" he said, with significant look at
her scarlet face. Poor Bessie There
was no peace for her after that. An
army of jokes quite overwhelmed her
protestations and disclaimings, and she
was thankful to beat hasty retreat to
the kitchen when the meal was over.
But even there she was pursued by q
trio of ladies who harrassed
her with questions and wonderment,
and merriment, until the last dish was
set away, and she started to the village
Tor letters. Instead of going to the
village, however, she stole along the
hedge, climbed the wall, ran to the
other end of the orchard, where she
flung herself on the ground and cried as
if her heart would break. She perhaps
had cried half an hour when a step
crushing the dry grass at her side
reused her, and the very voice she most
dreaded to hear, said:
"I've come to return your ring, Miss
Bessie"
Poor little Bessie sat up hastily and
took the unfortunate ring with falter-
ing "Thank you," then Immediately
hid her face again.
"You needn't thank me, 1 should
have brought it before, but couldn't
find you. 1 hope you're not troubled
about those ridiculous jokesY he added.
"N-o," responded Bessie, miserably,
between her sobs. CT thought you'd
think l did it on purpose"
How could have thought so? It
was a mere accident my getting that
particular biscuit. I'm very sorry
you've been so annoyed in this way. Tn
going away tomorrow, Miss Bessie"
The sobs partially ceased and Miss
Bessie said, surprisingly, care your"
"Won't you bid me good-bye?''
"Yes," Bessie said, unsteadily, but did
not raise her head.
"Youu shake hands, won't you, Miss
Bessie?" No answer. al can't go away
while you are offended with me. Won't
you at least tell me why you are cry
ing?"
lSSSouoO - AOSb .
ring" sobbed Bessie, making O great
effort for composure.
Mr.. Vane laughed in spite of himself.
Why its safe on your finger and not o
whit the worse for its baking. Is there
really no other reason?"
"N-no."
"But there is. l shall never have
another happy hour if I've offended
you," said Mr.. Vane, tragically. at
was brute to treat you as 1 did this
afternoon; but I'm going away and I
shan't annoy you again. Won't You
forgive me now and shake handsY An
other long silence. Mr.. vane turned
away in despair but was detained by
faltering voice.
"I-Pll forgive you if"
"Welll" was the breathless inter-
position.
"You-won't-go-away?"
The more observant boarders noticed
at breakfast the next morning that
Maurice Vane wore the ring that he
found in the biscuit on the little finger
Of the left hand, and Bessie wore q
heavily chased gold circle in the place