Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1881-11-16
guard against losing 1t in the future"
'Oh, yes, If you please

guard II, or petler YET, eACnauso WI"
me. Give me yours and take this In
stead, said the young man, darlngly.'
Bessie looked at the heavy chased
gold ring be held out 10 her, then look
ed back al the water, with an innocent
oh. 7 don't think 1t would ftp
TRY it, suggested her companion,
softly.
Bessie shook her head, but finally
agreed, blushingly, that it would be no
harm to try, and slipped the ring on her
fore6nger.
'Il's a perfect fit, cried Mr.. Vance.
delghtedlY ; nothing can be better.
Why, Miss Bessie, you surely don't
mean to give il back?'
'Of course l do,' was the saucy re-
joinder, why not?'
Because said Mr.. Vare, speaking
earnestly and disregarding his fears al
together, while he tried to get glimpse
of the face hidden by the fiat hat, be
cause meant 10 ask you to wear it for
my sake. l meant to ask you
oh, Mr.. Vane,' cried the listener,
do you see that lily on your left'
Won't you get it for me?
'I'll get that and twenty others II
you will listen to me first. Do you
care for me? Will you marry me?'
Bessie's head was turned away, and
her head bent lower. A crimson hush
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 rin9' be
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.
I'D rather have graDdma's, please. /
ought TO 20 home, Mr.. Vane, for
know it's almost tea time.'
Mr.. Vane put the ring in his pocket
and took up the oars again enercslical-
", without a word. He was fresh from
college and held the stroke oar in many
a race, but meyer 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 al
Bessie, who sat in half-pugzled, half
alarmed silence, now and then stealing
o sidewi.e glance at The offended young
Hercules from under her hat. Mr..
Vane drew O breath ofrelief when the
beat at last grated on the sand, and
having assisted Bessie to land and curt
ly offered to carry her lilies. he shoul-
dered the Oars and marched firmly to-
ward heme by her side. Bessie. some
what bewidered and more angry, made
no effort 10 break the silence and
studiously endeavored to keep from
crying. When at last be left her at the
door with a cold Thank you Miss
Bessie and departed 10 carry the oars
to the barn, it was well he did not look
back. for Miss Bessie tossed the lilies
aside with a petulant gesture and had a
fit Of crying with her head on the kitchen
table.
When Nr. Vane returned from the
barn halt an hour later, he did see q
picture which ccnforted him little
through the hop.wreathed pantry win
dow. 1t was Bessie with her sleeves
pinned up, molding biscuits in desper-
ate haste, willie the tears fell thickly OIL
the high calico apron. This picture &C
amazed Mr. Vane that he retreatec
hastily hehinl lilac bush 10 observe
ii; and fingered so long that he was late
at tea. This Was a model sdpper
There was the great dish OF berriei
with snowy cream beside, hanked BY
cheese and raspberry jam. There were
too mountains or plates OF snowy bis
cults contrasting with sponge cake anC
the richer gold Of the butter. Mr.. Vane
who had supposed be should nevel
have an appetite again, felt quite re
vlved by the sight Of this table and lh'
memory OF the picture.
The rest Of the boarders seemed tt
share the sensation, for the group wal
very hilarious and the eatablcs disap
peared rapidly. Bessie, presiding be
tween the pots. seemed rather out o
spirits, but Farmer Lyn atoued for he
silence by unusual jolity. When thu
biscuit passed a second time, 10 Ar
Vane, hs saw that only one was left
and would have decoreusly refused, bu
the hospitablc farmer pressed it upoI
him. Dent be afraid oft, there
plenty more in the kitchen, amt Their
Bessie?'
Thus pressed, Mr. Vane acccpte'
the biscuits and Bessie disappeared u
replenish the plate. Mr.. Vane divide'
the biscuit, then dropped it suddenl
! with an exclamation that brought ever.
eve upon him. There imbedded in lh
| light, white bread, lay Bessie's ring
Shouts of laughter arose that brough
| Bessie back from the kitchen in haste
lust in time to see Mr.. Vane csolly re
move the ring from the biscuits, amids
the merry chorus. and drop it into th
waistcoat pocket 10 be kept till calle
lfor,' he said, with 8 significant look a
her scarlet face. Poor Bessie +! Their
was no peace for her after that. A
army Of jokes quite oyerwhelmed he
protestations and disclaimings, and Oh
WAS thankful 10 beat hasty retreat
1 the kitchen when the meal was ovef.-
D ,h.ro sysn she WAS pursued by