Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-08-12

undeServed disgrace. But then Gibbie owned
that often, when he had thought father mis-
taken. he had in time found him to be right
after all; so he would wait and think, only beg
ging father to think on his side and not without
long reflection condemn Bessie to SO much mis-
cry.
Father and mother were greatly pleased with
Gilbert's strength and patience and obedience,
and were very tender with him. Father prom
ised to reflect we'll on all that Gibbie had said,
and wrote kind little note of sympathy to Bes-
sic. VIII Gibbie forwarded.
That was sad summer to us; even Annals
happiness could not brighten it. Mother looked
dropping and sad and father and Gilbert went
ABOUT with grave thoughtful faces At midsum-
mer Anna was married and went away. and
though she was not far Off and Nab came home
from school ''for good" it was still a hard part
ing and pain to miss her.
do not believe that Gilbert and father ex-
| changed words about Bessie all that year. We
supposed. mother and /. that their opinions
were unaltered. and we knew that Gilbert would
be patient. But. when Christmas came round
again. he was evidently very much tried. Eva
Dennis came again, and her father aud brother;
John and Anna arrived to stay q month: Charlie
! Srurrier-to whom was by this time engaged
was also invited: Tom and the children were at
home; and We could not help laughin and being
happy.
One day in the first week in January was
| standing at the hall window. when saw tele-
graph-boy coming UP the drive. | opened the
door to him. rather frightened; for we do not
send kilograms in our family unless for serious
reasons. 1t was for father; and took it to his
Sanctum upstairs. He opened Ii. read it. and
then. looking pale and disturbed, handed it to
| me. 1t was in French. and said
Miss Bessie Bese beys Mr.. wynvard to allow his
or it Will be too late"
1t came from IA convent in Rouen
Find Gilbert and bring him here said
! father.
ran off and brought HIM Father said: "My
| poor boy" and handed him the telegram. As
| he read it, he turned pale; but he set his lips
and said
II must go. SIR
'Sure!y." said father, a little surprised: and
| then he procured atime-taOle and examined II.
IF Laura can fill a carpet bag for Us in ten
minutcs.we can catch the packet ut NeWhayen,'
| headded presently, and rang the bell
heard Gilberts exclamation of thanks 90 |
flew out of the room. In less than ten min
| uteS was In the hall with a carpet bag, and
| snatched a nasty kiss as they jumped into the
dog-cart. Then | ran upstairs to find mother
and tell her, and to give her fathers hurried
message of love.
| 1t was four days before we got letter Then
mother had long one from father He said
| they had found Bessie very ill-sO iii that her
! death was hourly expected. 1t appeared that
there had been outbreak Of scarlet fever in
the town; and Bessie, who had been boarding
at the convent and working with the sisters
had insisted upon doing her share as usual.
! though she was already dropping and Out of
health. Naturally she caught the fever. and
had 1t in its most severe form. She had got
over 1t. however, but. instead of getting We'll.
she began to sink with terrible rapidity; and,
when she knew that all hope was over she had
begged the sisters to send that telegram.
Father said that her lie was still trembling in
the balance. bat that she lad survived so long
was Slightly hopeful sign.
I've days later we heard from father again.
Bessie had turned the corner" and was. he
hoped, saved. But they could not leave her of
course. Mother must forgive him for STAYING
away so long. anC. must be prepared to receive
| Bessie. too. when lie ald Gilbert came home
They Coud not leave her weak alone and heart
broken in a strange country. The rest Of the
| letter was filled with reports of the sisters
praises Of Bessie. Father thought they might
perhaps begin their journey home three weeks
but it OF course depended or the progress of
BeSSIe'S cOnVaesceace.
Mother wrote at once TO father and enclosed n
little note for Bessie, saying that She was long
ing to have her back again, ana begging her to
get well enough to travel early; we should soon
make her strong at the Grange.
At last. at the beginning OF February, they
came home Gilbert sprang joyfully from the
hired close carriage which hal brought them
from the station Then father got out, carefully
supporting what looked like bundle Of shawls.
Was that white worn tace. with its great sad
brown eyes, Bessies? hardly knew her.
Mother had come down. and she had the poor
child carried into the sittng-room, where she
was put upon couch and petted, caressed and
fed till she was tit to walk up stairs. She
looked round the room with eager eyes, and her
face quivered. Then Gilbert who was standing
behind her couch. stopped over and kissed her
SOlemnly on the forehead; and we knew that all
was well. and that father had yielded.
Yes, he said: talking it over later. "Bessie
is as good as gold. and she has been tried like
gold. | still think my general principle the
right one; but this is an exceptional case. And,
as for the disgrace" he went on, with slight
painful CULVER of the lip-"why we are many
and so strong that we can well bear Bessie's
burden amongst us.'-and he ended with a
smile.
BY dint Of careful and continued nursing
Bessie got well. But she was long time about
it-so long that the wedding had to be put OH
Till the following Christmas. Then Gibbie and
Bessie and Charlie Spurrier and | were married
at the same time: and Bessie became deputy
mistress" at the Grange, as Gilbert is deputy
governor" And father and mother love her no
less dearly than they love their own daughters.