Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1882-09-21

led her to speak her mlnu whenever Sne
considered it her duty to do so.
Perhaps she might, advantageously to
herself. have cultivated n rather less alb
rupt manner, and so have found favor
in more eyes. But, nevertheless, 1t so
happened that Mr.. John Bayberry, who
was rather peculiar himself, never took
real offense at her words and OCCASION
ally profited by them. And this perhaps
was Mt least partly because she had n
way of popping out her little sermons
in concise, epigrammatic manner, and
never "harped" on one subject.
A week later found the large pa. lor
at Meadowlands graced by the presence
of two stylishIy- ladies', Just
from the city, and indulging in series
of rapturous ordinations over the
charm of rural scenes, to the astoniSh-
ment of Aunt julie. who saw nothing to
gush about in fields and vines, and was
secretly wondering if the grease spot in
the side breadth of her over-skirt was
very noticeable.
land here's Bess, your little country
COUSIN" said Mr.. Baytery, drawing
her forward from the shadow of the
window-curtains, from which she had
been admiring Miss Leonie.
"Dear me |" drawled the elegant
Mrs. Horton, as she gaZed down an
immeasurable distance at the girl, for
Mrs. Horuon was very tail, and of a
lofty carriage withal, this is Bess, is
it? We didn't dream of finding you
here"
why should we?" queried Miss
Leonie, languidly settling back against
the rich-colored sofa cushions. "She
isn'n any relation of yours, is she, Mr..
Bayberry? ."
"Not at all, ," returned Mr.. Bayberry,
trlfe stitfiy but she Is quite as well
come to Meadowlands as if she were I;
especially as her blood relations choose
to ignore her existence"
Mrs. Horton flushed little Miss Le
one bit her lip: and Bess shook her cur
ly head at Uncle John on the sly.
That same evening, Bess was sitting
on the back-door step, peeling velvety,
crimson, rare-ripe peaches for supper,
when Ashley Gray came along the clo-
ver-edged path leading from the stile
down in the orchard. which he, as a
very intimate friend of the family,
whose home adloined Meadowlands.
found it convenient now AMI then to
uIake use of,
"Go round to the parlor and see the
ladies" said Bes s. as she laid the last
peach, glowing and pink-hearted, in the
high cut-glass dish.
II don't want to see city folks" said
the young man.
'But You must go this time" an
swered Bess, ''for L must go il. l
promised to set the table for Aunt
Peg"
So he went. and it somehow happened
that the next night he went without
urging: and the next night. All, Bess,
little, ruff d white pillow soaked up two
or three, pearly tears!
The long summer days were waning
at last. 1t was late August, sultry but
sweet, softening with the vague premo-
nitions of the coming autumn, odorous
with the spicy scent of herbs, and bright
with dashes of intense color here and
there. Mist crowned the hills, and
languid loveliness was everywhere.
Bess stood, in the pinkish gray of the
cleaning. upon the broad balcony, her
head resting against a square, white
pillar, the sprays of the Madeira-vines
above Just sweeping her dusk-brown
curls.
And MIR. John Baybery stood and
watched her-watched her with his
black eyebrows drawn together in q
line and set grimness about his mouth
scarcely visible beneath his, shaggy
mustache.
"Bess." he said. at last, "you have
seen all this Irritation and tomfoolery
going on between young Gray and your
Cousin Leonie?"
"Yes," answered Bess.
"And-do You care? Excuse me
Bess, but want to know"
''No, Uncle John, don't care a
snap" replied Bess, lifting her head and
smiling straight in his eyes. 81 cared
a little at first, but don't now-.not a
bit r'
Mr.. Bayberrv came a little nearer
her.
"Bass-Bess," he said, lingering q
little over the name, II have found
cause lately to rejoice that you are
really no relation of mine. Can you
guess why, Bess? Are you glad,
too?"
She dropped her head again, answer
ing nothing.
"Tell me-" he said. "You can sure,
| ly guess my meaning?"
"I-what right have II"
"Never mind about the right. Just
tell me if you are glad. You shall not
regret it."
eyes, then," she mulmured, radiant.
| l. T. y