Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1881-11-02
CALLED FOR.

Bessie Lynn sat alone in 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 gerani-
ums in the tiny garden, and the Virgi-
MIA creeper that climbed and blossomed
above the door, Bessie made a pretty
picture as she sat on a low cricket with
a big calico apron spread over her blue,
spring muslin dress to defend it from
the stains that had soiled her little
brown hands. She was petite, and
daintily rounded maiden of about eigh-
teen, with great eyes and glossy curls,
shading fair brow and cheeks that
had touch of wild rose bloom upon
them.
The kitchen, too, was such a pretty
picture with its well-scoured floor and
dresers, its asparagus-topped clock, its
shining stove with punches of herbs
hung behind, and great bouquet of Wv
ID cardinal flowers set on the snowy ia
bic. The kitchen was perfectly still,
save the buzz of the flies and the tick
ing of the clock; and outside the cricket
and the insects alone disturbed the
peace. Bessie believed that every one
in the house was asleep but herself, and
yawned somewhat wearily as she tossed
over the berries. finishing the yawn
with bit of soliloquy uttered about
half aloud. "Oh, dear, this having
summer boarders, isn't very pleas
ant ~
Miss Bessie, said "a voice in the
doorway so suddenly that Bessie near
ly upset her berries in her great sur
prise.
''Oh? Mr.. Vane, is it you?' she said
bashfully, bending down to pick up a
few berries that had rolled from her
apron.
'.Ill pick 'em upf'' exclaimed the
new conner, tall, and hardsome-ook-
ing youth of about twenty-one, with
merry blue eyes, short auburn hair
curled closely under straw hat, diving
for the missing berries with ungraceful
dextsritv. Yes, il is /, OF course.
Have you forgotten your promise to go
for lilies with me this afternoon?"
'.Oh, but L didn't say this afternoon,
YOU know; only some afternoon this
week" responded Bessie, demurely.
"Well, well call it this afternoon,
won't we?" was the persuasive reloinder
as the straw hat was tossed on the chair.
"I'll help you. Lend me half that ap-
ton and We will have them picked over
in a tree.
"But 1 shall have supper to get.
Mother is away, and there will be bis
emit to make" insisted Bessie, turning
her face away to hid smile that would
curve her lips,
"Never mind that, i" responded Maui
rice Vane, bringing chair to her side.
''Tea is at half-past six, isn't 1t? and 1t
is now only half-past two. Wen be
back at FIVE, without fail, and have time
to get half the lilies in the river, and
he began to assert handful of berries
with much earnestness.
.sWe-ll," assented Bessie, after a
pause for consideration and glance at
the clock. II can go for little while,
perhaps. Oh, don't stain your coat,
MIR. Vane." But Mr.. Vane was sub
timely Indifferent to his coat and worked
with such good will that the berries
were soon picked over, and Bessie and
himself ON their way to the Eyer.
Five minutes later, Bessie with her
draperies daintily bestowed around her.
WAS seated in the stern of the boat.
which. propelled by Maurice Vane's
practical hand, shot swiftly down the
stream, Although Mr.. Eane said to
Bessie five times within an hour, that 1t
was lovely day, and although Bessie
assented every time, Ih.rdly think they
apureciated the beauty around them,
for Bessie was quite absorbed In the IL
lies and their reflection in water, and
Mr.. Vane looked more at his compan-
ion than at the aspect of nature. They
had enough lilies 10 satisfy them, and
Bessie was leaning backward and idly
trailing one hand in the water, when
she suddenly uttered little scream and
sat erect with white cheeks, from which
the color had been frightened
"Ohl 1 almost lost it. How careless
/ ami she exclaimed, replacing an old
fashioned ring, set with Il tiny circle ol
rubies, on her finger.
..Did the water sweep it out OF your
hand?"
sI suppose so. It's too large for me.
I'm always loosing it and finding 1t ag-
ain. L wouldn't lose it entirely for the
world. because 1t used TO be grand
mothers. She gave it to me.
.sWhat a curious old ring 1t Is SAID
Mr.. Vane. without interest. May
look at it9 Don't trouble yourself to
take it off, he said, drawing in his oars
and leaning toward his companion:
Bessie allowed her tiny brown hand
TO lie in his aristocratic white one mo
ment. then as coquettishly withdrew
II sIsnt it pretty?" she inquired
archly.
to puard against losing it in the fu
ture? ;,
"Oh. yes, if you please" =.
.sWell. wear this little ring of mine u
,1,ard If. or better vet, exchange Wit
me Give me yours and take tins IN
stead" said the yoai5 man, daring
Ressie looked at the heavy cliaset
gold ring be held out toh her, then looke'
hack Mt the water with an innocent "Oh
I don't think it would tit?
"Try it." suggested her companion
softly. :. ell,
agreed, blushingly. that it would be NJ
harm to try, and slipped the rlng on NE
forefinger. . W..
deliohtediy; nothing can be better
WHY. Miss Bessie, You surely don