River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1880-02-12

back her abundant locks, as she finished
this sdjuration, and went speeding
away, through the falling darkness,
with the light foot of the channels.
When bhe reached the Red Pass, the
b. sht glow of The ingleside lit the win
doHs. 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 a minute, choking
down a fierce sob.
He'd be as good to me as Aud Rob
in Gray she said half aloud; but Il
on heaven help me, can't bear to
think o. 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?7 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 a sort OF desperate defiance,
ana drawing the gold ring from her
finger, as she spoke, 1--WE come to give
this back to you, Squire Renirew, l was
wrong ever to let you put it on"
Why, child, what do you mean?'
Take your ring. You heard of Aud
Robin Gray maybe, have you not?"
Yes | have but what then?'
"Well, had Jamie once" she went
on, clutching at the little silver ring sus-
pended from her neck, q great throb of
pain shaking her, and he gave me this
AMI cannot wear any OF Ter ring" He
went off to seek bis fortune" with an
other suppressed sob, land he was lost
at sea. tried to forget him, but l 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.
lie took the ring she offered and
paused for moment. A look OF I'M
utterable pam and regret came into his
eyes.
80 you have come to tell me this,
and ask for your freedom? And you
really think too you saw Jamie's ghost?"
Yes. And l shall never return to
grandmother again. dare not. So |
am going away"
He laid his hand on her head.
II am glad you came to tell me-" he
said; Sit IS better | should know this
now than lister. am sorry, Bessie. |
had set my whole heart on making you
happy. But a bird Gagged against 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; go back 70 the auld
grandmother. l will make all right for
you. Never you fear"
Greatly wondering the girl retraced
her steps TO Black Linn. The morrow
came, and with it appeared the squire.
Il have come to beg your pardon" he
said, addressing Bessie. but taking care
TO do it IN the presence of the grand
again. | have changed my mind about
taking a wife, Mither Burns" and he
turned 10 the old lady: 81 am better as
am"
lie took his leave after few more
words, and then the old woman, not for
one moment deceived by his generous
conduct, turned to Bessie savagely.
1t is all your silly capers. l see it
all. He loves you so that ne takes the
blame, when it is wholly your fault.
Oh, me! thought to spend my old
age in peace and plenty, and now | am
left to starve, and al because of you,
you ungrateful child"
All that night and all the next day
the reproaches went on. Towards the
cleaning Bessie took up her pitcher to
go to the spring. for water, glad to es-
cape, for even quarter of an hour,
from her grandmother's rage.
She had half-filled her pitcher again,
and was tripping across the little brook,
her 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
trembled 50 that she almost lost her
footing.
Don't look frightened" said the
squire kindly. II come with good
news-neHs you never expected to
hear"
she looked at him breathless, palpi-
tating and unable t. speak. What
could he mean.
"Tne seaman has been heard from at
last" he said with a sad smile as tender
as q c1ress.
Bessie uttered short passionate cry.
"Oh! Jamiei Is he alive? 1t was no
ghaist then, that | saw?'
LET him answer for himself" said
the squire, stepping aside to make way
for tall figure that had been hidden
behind rock.
Bessie, my darling" cried the
stranger, as his strong arms clasped
her.
"But why did you avoid me the other
njght?' said Bessie after while. "Why
did you make me think you were
ghost?"
II had heard of your engagement
with Squire Renfrew and was mad
with jealousy and anger" he replied.
II was going to sea again when the
squire himself heard 1 was here, and he
came to me and you know the rest"
"Ohl he is the noblest of men," an
swered Bessie, glancing up from her
lovers shoulder, "and l shall always
love him as brother"
A few days aftelward there was
happy marriage at the kirk, Squire
Renfrew himself giving away the bride,
our "Bonnie Bessie"
Taselinc.