Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1881-11-16
Called For.

VGAttOG
Bessie LYNN sat alone ia the wide,
shady kitchen, busily engaged in PICK"
ing over whortleberries. Without, The
sunshine of an August afternoon
bathed the green fields and dusty road
that wound to the village, and touched
with richer hue the nasturtiums and
reraniums in the tlnY garden, and the
Virginia creeper that climbed and
blossomed above the door. Bessie
made a pretty picture as she sal on a
low cricket with O big calico apron
spread over her blue, spring muslin
dress to defend it from The stains that
had soi!ed her little brown hands. She
| was a petite, and dainiily rounded
maiden ofabout eighteen, with great
eyes and glossy curls, shading lair
brown and cheeks that had touch OF
wild rose bloom upon them.
The kitchen, too, was such pretty
picturc with its well-scoured aoor and
dr.sers, its topped clock, its
shining stove with punches Of herbs
lung behind, and great bouquet of VIVID
cardinal flowers set on the snowy Ia
BILE. The kitchen was perfectly still,
sovs ,he huzz of the flies and the tick
ing of the clock; aud outside the cricket
and the insects alone disturbed the
| neace. Bessie believed that every one
in the house was asleep but herself, and
yawred somewhat wearlly as she tossed
over the berries, finishing the yawn With
bit of soliloquy uttered about hall
aloud. oh, dear, this having summer
boarders, isn'tvery pleasant!
Miss Bessie said voice in the
doorway so suddenly that Bessie near
" unset her berries in her great sur
prise.
oh? Mr.. Vane, is it youF she said
baehfully, bending down TO pick up a
few berrie, that had rolled from her
apron.
'I'll pick 'em upv exclaimed the new
conner. a tall, and handsome-looking
youth of about twenty-one, with merry
blue eyes, short auburn hair curled
closely under straw bat, diving for the
missing berries with ungraceiul dexter
ity. Yes, it is 1, OF course. Have
you forgotten your promise to 60 Tor
lilies with me this sfternoon:'
'Oh. hut didn't say this afternoon,
YOU know; only some afternoon, this
week. responded Bessie, demurely.
well, we'll call it this afternoon,
won't we" was the persuasive rejoinder
q. the straw hat was tossed on the
chair. III help you. Lend me hall
that apron AID We will have them
picked over in trice.'
But 1 shall have supper to GET
Mother is away, and there will be bis
emit 10 Make insisted Bessie, turning
her face away to hide smile that would
curve her lips.
Never mind that responded Maui
rice Yane, bringing chair to her side'
.1ea is at half.past six, isn't its and II
is now only half-past two. We'll be
back at FIVE, without fail, and have
time to get half the lilies in the rlyer'
and be began to assort handful ol
berries with much earnestness.
'W-e-l.l,' a.sented Bessie, after a
pause for consideration and glance al
| the clock. 4 can 90 for a little while,
perhaps. oh! don'i stain your coat
Mr.. Vane.' But Mr.. Vane was sub
Timely Indifferent to bis coat anC
worked with such good will that the
berries were soon picked over, an
Bsssie and himself on their way to the
river.
Five minutes later, Bessie with hel
draperies daintily bestowed around he
wa, seated in the stern Of the boat
which. propelled by Maurice Vane'
practical band, shot swiftly down th'
stream. Although Mr.. Vane said Il
Ressis five times within an hour, tha
Il lie was a lovely day, and although
Bessie asssuted every time, | hardl.
think they appreciated the beaut.
around them, for Bessie was quit
absorbed IN the lilies and their refisc
ton in water, and Mr.. Vaae looke'
Imore at his companion that at the as
meet of nature. They bad enough II
lies to satisfy them, and Bessie wa
leaning backward and idly trailing one
hand in the water, when she suddenl.
lrttored a little scresm and sat erec
with white cheeks, from which the colo
: had been frightened.
sOh! 1 almost lost it. How careles
I ami, she exclaimed, replacing an ole
fashioned ring, set with tiny circle {
rubies, on her finger.
Did tho water sweep it out OF you
l, handP
e L suppose so. IT'S too large Tor mi
s I'm always loosiug it and finding 1t as
ain. wouldn't lose 1t entirely Tor 10
world. because il used to be CRANE
, mothers. She gave 1t TO me-
what q curious old ring 1t ISL sal
Mr.. Vane, without interest. May
look at it9 Don't trouble yourself
take it off, he sald, drawing in his oai
,.-;,., foxeatd his cQmpaDiOn.