Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1881-05-06

rest
1.-The idea of such an excuse.' crieC
BESSIE Il am perfectly willing tC
give my time when ! have company
Zone. SIT down and tell me where YOU
have been al this time
ne beautiful young creature smiled
hut would not accept the invitation.
She looked toward the old gentle
n."n. who stood near by, taking of
b. ""t~iie coat, and her look was one
If caution. She was evidently on hel
guard, and determined to say nothing
of herself
Bessie noticed the sly look she gave
her father.
Father" sud emily cried Bessie. 81
wish ! could have some eggs for din.
ner. There are none in the house, and
I'm actually craving for them"
o. d farmer Boyd smiled, and put on
his hat Immediately.
lyon shall have some, my dear"
he said. Anything to please you,
How manv?'
A dozen. III were not tired I'd
go myself, but"
She was interrupted by hearty
smack on the lips, and then the two
fair Young girls were alone.
~" YOU Will Slt GOWN, L KNOW,
sad Bessie.
Yes, can stay a few minutes -
SAID Nellie, ''but only a few minutes -
Nv by only few minutes, dear?''
Mamma wants me home"
'Oh.' exclaimed Bessie. 81 am
ever so anxious to know what has kept
yoon away these last few days." she
added.
Family affairs" said Nellie
"mother needed me-"
There was a curious expression
upon her face as she said this-a look
which puzzled Bessie Boyd, and made
her more curious than ever.
Your mother is not sick, is she?"
mo not sick"
Nellle's face was somewhat flushed
am lmpertlnent, am not, DEAR"
said Bessie. But | don't mean to he.
only long to know why we can't he
friends without such distance beinS
placed between US | love you, dear
Nellie | love you as | would love "a
flesh and blood sister, and | long to
have you think enough Of me to act as
II | were real sister. Instead of that
you are shy. and consequently when
| hear anything about your life | can
not speak f r fear you will not like it.
Unlike the rest Of the girls, you keep
alooi from society, and would have
kept a|oof from me had I not boldly
spoken to you and asked you to call
ana see me-"
The girls eyes flashed and she Took ed
almost tiercely into Lessie's calm orbs
as she ked:
"Who has dved say anything of my
life! Who has dared speak i'll of me
or mine?"
Don't get angry, now, I beg"
pleaded Bessie. ~ did not say any
one had spoken disrespectfully. 9nt
reall y you are so reticent that it could
not be wondered at if such were the
case. 1t is because l think So much
of you that ! speak of it. Why don't
you mingle with the rest Of the girls,
dear; and why are you so afraid to
speak of your affairs!"
81 am not afraid" exclaimed the
" hat people in this place may say.
excitement is necessary, therefore they
made me and mine the work for COS
ZIP. l wish them a surfeit Of scan
"Why!" cried Bessie, "you are get
ing angry. can't see at what"
IS it not sufficient to make one an
TYP Busy, meddlIng gossips!"
Nellie's face had grown pale and
lushed by turns, and now tears
rickled down her cheeks, which she
hastily wiped away.
"There, there dear !" exclai ned Bes-
lie, "through my own folly | have
made. you cry. l am sorry, Nellie.
Forgive me-"
"That you do not need > said Nellie.
You have done nothing to call for the
But, if we are to be |
my family matters
must never be in any way referred to.
Only upon that basis can l promise to
,ome here and sit with you occasion
ally"
Demurely, Bessie Boyd promised to
ask no more questions.
Presently they were chatting pleas
antly on the storm of the previous
night. Bessie described the vivid
scene on the beach and the rescue of |
The two men.
'.Are they old or young men?" asked
Nellie.
zone is about forty-fve and the
other about twenty-six, and handsome,
very handsome"
Nellie laughed a silvery, pleasant
laugh.
BE careful, them" she said, cor
you'll be falling in love with this
handsome gentleman, who has been so
miracuously saved from watery
grave"
"No DANGER" cried Bessie. 81 have
one to look after and that is sufficient"
Does he love you?" asked Nellie,
bluntly.
Bessie blushed.
Yves, suppose So"
"What is his name?"
Bessie seemed surprised at the ques-
ton.
=, Why don't you knowp Mr..
Charles Bishop.'
"Know? OF course l don't know,
when l have only been in the place q
few months and made but one AGO uaint-
How should l? And
you say the rescued man is handsome.
All! some poor girl is likely mourning
0 lovers loss. 1t must be a fearful
thing, Bessie, to lose the man upon
W HON your heart is SET"
YES said Bessie, rather mechan.
lcally, as if in a quandary.
When Mr.. Boyd returned with the
coveted eggs. Nellie took her DEPART
ure, promising to return for q longer
visit the next day.
CTo BE Continued