Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1881-11-02
mean to give it back?"

toSelher, "uiie ne trled 10 ger a Siimpse
of the face hidden by the fiat hat, ''be,
cause l meant to ask you to wear it fol
my sake. 1 meant to ask you"
"Oh. Mr.. Vane," cried the listener,
''so you see that lily on your left:
Won't you get it for me?"
'I'n get that and twenty Others if you
will listen to me first. Do you care fol
me? Will you marry me?"
Bessie's head was turned away, and
her head bend lower. A crimson husl
stole over her ears, neck and chin.
Bessie" no answer. Her companion
leaned over and took her hand. ventur.
ously.
Bessie, will you wear the riIg:' 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.
'Td rather have grandma's, please. ]
ought to go home, Mr.. yane, for know
it's almost tea time,
Mr. Vane put the ring in his pocket
and took up the oars again energetIcal-
ly, 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 half-puzzled, half-alarmed ST.
lence, now and then stealing sidewise
glance at the offended young Hercules
from under her hat Mr.. Eane drew a
breath of relief when the boat at last
grated on the sand, and having assisted
Bessie to land and curly offered to car
ry her lilies, he shouldered the oars and
marched firmly toward at home by hen
side. Bessie, somewhat bewlldered and
more angry, made no effort to break the
silence and studiously endeavored to
keep from 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, for Miss Bessie tossed theli-
lies aside with petulant gesture and
had a fit of crying with her head on the
kitchen table.
When Mr.. Nane returned from the
barn half an hour later, he did see a
picture which comforted him little
throagh the hop-wreathed pantry win
dow. 1t was Bessie with her sleeves
pinned up, molding biscuits in desper-
ate haste, while the tears fell thickly ON
the high calico apron. This picture
so amazed Mr.. Vane that he retreated
hastily behind a lilac bush to observe it;
and fingered So long that he was late at
tea. This was n model supper. There
was the great dish of berries with snowy
cream beside, fianked by cheese and rasp-
berry jam. There Were too mountains
or plates of snowy biscuits contrasting
with sponge cake and the richer gold of
the butter Mr.. Vane, who had sup
posed he should never have an appetite
again, felt quite revived by the sight
OF this table and the memCry of the pic
tlIre.
The rest OF the boarders seemed to
share the sensation, for the group was
very hilarious and the eatables disap-
peared rapidly. Bessie, presiding be-
tween the pots, seemed rather out of
spirits, but Farmer Lynn atoned for
her silence by unusual iolity. When
the biscuit passed second time, TO MIR.
Vane, he saw that only one was left, and
would have decorously refused, but the
hospitable farmer pressed it upon him.
Don't lie afraid of it, there's plenty
more in the kitchen, amt there Bes-
sie?"
Thus pressed, Mr.. yane accepted the
biscuits and Bessie disappeared to re-
plenish the plate Mr.. Vane divided
the biscuit, then dropped it suddenly
with an exclamation that brought every
eve upon lin. There imbedded in the
light, white bread, lay BessIe's ring.
Shouts of laughter arose that brought
Bessie back from the kitchen In haste,
Just in time to see Mr.. Vane coolly re-
move the ring from the biscuits, amidst
the merry chorus, and drop it into the
waistcoat pocket to ''be kept till called
for" ne said, with q 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
there even she was pursued by laugh
ing trio of ladies who harassed her with
questions and woRderment, and merri-
ment, until the last dish was set away,
and she started to the village for letters.
Instead of going to the village, she stole
along the hedge, climbed the wall, and
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 step crushing the dry grass at
her side reused her, and the very voice
she most dreaded to her, 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.
ssYou needn' thank.me; l should have
brought it before, but 1 couldn't find
YOU. / hope you are not troubled
about those ridiculous jokes 2 he add,
ed.
$40" responded Bessie, miserably,
between her sobs. IL thoughtyou'd
think did it on purpose.
"how could have thought SO? Ii
was mere accident my getting that
particular biscuit. Tn very sorry you've
been so annoyed in this way. I'm going
away tomorrow, Miss Bessie. "
The sobs partially ceased, and Miss
Bessie said, surprisedly, care you?'
"Won't you bid me good-by?'
''Yes, Bessie siad unsteadily, but do
not raised her head.
you'll shake hands, won't you, Miss
Bessie?. No answer. Il can't go ava,
while you are offended with me. Won
you at least tell me why you are cry
ing?"
, ring" sobbed Bessie, making a grea
effort for composure. Mr.. Vane laughe'
in spite of himself. s.Why, it's safe ol
vour finger, and not whit the wors
r a., boI;no Is there really no otlie