Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1883-09-21

least Dit OF a Irritation, he reckoned
without his host, for she was as sub
timely oblivious in his presence, ex-
cept when particularly addressed by
him, as if h. had been at the anti
podes.
And always her replies were sharp
and pointed, and sometimes SO sarcas-
tic that good Mrs. Napoleon wondered
what had come over her usually
amiable and pleasant daughter. Be
fore he was hardly aware of it, Edgar
Pierpont found his interest aroused.
Watching her from day to day as
she performed her homely duties, and
seeing how quiet and helpful and
womanly she was, how kind and
pleasant to her father and mother,
how gentle and affable to casual visi-
tors, he could not help wishing she
would be a little more sociable with
herself But, do what he might, she
met his advices with icy Indifference
The more he sought her side, the
more presistently she avoided him.
At length, much to his chagrin, he
found himself notwithstanding infat-
uated by the willful beauty And
when he attempted to break the
meshes of the net in which he had
been caught, he was powerless to do
SO. He had to acknowledge himself
irrevocably, hopelessly, desperatelyin
love.
He believed, too, that Miss Bessie
was not altogether unaware of his SEN
timents toward her, and he sometimes
fopo;n1 ba ,voCtpo+ ca obpovior,S IN bap
as he seemed to be. Watching her
closely, he had seen uptlashing of the
brown eyes, filled with soft and tender
light, followed by sudden waves of
crimson over neck and brow, as they
dropped quickly again under his
searching gaze.
And, indeed Bessie had found her
self in a predicament she had not an
ticipated, for one day there came to
her a moment of supreme revelation,
in which she saw into the depths of
her own heart, and she knew that she
loved Edgar Pierpont with all the
strength of her womanly nature. Bat,
with that spirit of perverSeness which
is inherent in some female characters,
she quickly decided to cover up all
traces of her love, and not by word or
sign to betray the fact that her heart
had gone out unasked to any man,
for never under velvet or satin robes
beat prouder heart than throbbed
under Bessie Mapleton's bingham
wrapper.
1t uanted a week yet to the close of
the school term.
81 believe that Edgar Pierpont loves
me, and that he would tell me so if !
gave him the least chance Bessie
said to herself over and over again.
And yet, strange as it may seem, she
placed every possible barrier between
herself and such declaration.
1t was at this juncture of affairs
that Mr.. Mapleton asked Bessie one
evening at the supper table, if she
could bring up the cows, saying that
he had to go some distance to see a
neighbor, and it would be quite late
before he should get back.
Edgar Pierpont heard with devout
thankfulness, and eagerly awaited the
answer.
"CertainIy, father" she said,
blushing furiously as she thought
Of her former experience. "Ill
try.
"I'll go with her and help her, Mr..
Mapleton.
Bessie opened her lips to decline
the prolfered assistance, but as she
met for an instant those calm blue eyes
acress the table, the masterful spirit
which shone out through them com
PEELED her to be silent.
He had not spoken word since they
started. Bessie would have chosen
to 90 down the lane directly to the
pasture, bat By some secret power he
had gained over her within the last
half hour he compelled obedience to
his unspoken wishes. Now he broke
the silence.
SIT down here, Bessie, I've got
| want to say to you.
She flashed up a little smile of
defiance, but she had met her mas
ter.
She sat down. He remained stand
ing.
Miss Mapleton," he began, ''for
more than Il week have been seeking
an opportunity to see you alone. But
YOU have purposely avoided me. | felt
that could not go away without tell
ing you what is IN my heart But be
fore | say more | want to ask you
a question and | want you to give me
truthful straightforward answer. VIII
YOU
"'Do you doubt my veraclty, Mr..
Pierpont." she asked witha sudden as
sumption of dignity. IF answer YOU
at all, | shall probably tell you the
truth.
Very well, then, quietly Ignoring
the reelection contained i'll her speech.
at is this; What have | ever done
to make you dislike me So much?'
a spasm of pain swept for one in
slant over her expressive features.
What makes you think [ dislike
YOU"
you have never given me any rca
sons to think otherwise, From our
first acquaintance you have seemed to
me rs entirely unworthy of
your notice. Perhaps it was this
which first attracted my attention,
and set me to watching you. Observ
ing from day to day your sweet help
full, womanly life, have learned to
love YOU, and-oh, Bessie. | would
ike to know what have done that is
wrong, that may, if possible, atone
for my fault and try to win your love
in return.
II want to ask you question, she
said, suddenly, looking up with an
arch smile.
"A dozen if you like.
One will do, | think; but | want
you to give me a truthful, straight
forward answer. VIII YOU
IN try to, - smiling in spite Of his
earucStness.
Weren't you very much disap-
pointed when you found out that Mr.
Mapleton's little girl was a full-grown
womau:'
"I-I-I-" he Stammered, redden-
ing painfully under hermocking scru-
tiny.
No prevarication, if you please
We'll, then, | may as well make a
clean breast of it, and admit that l
was disappointed. and, furthermore,
that had at that time very poor
opinion of girls in general. l consid-
cred them rs silly and selfish. and"
Entirely unworthy of your no
tee"
Perhaps that is not putting it too
strongly" he admitted, wincing lit
tie. but, Bessie, my love fer you has
taught me higher form OF faith, and