The Cecil Whig., 1883-03-24

Will pcluIanG SeSiulc aLG iidu d III VI
crying with her head on the kitchen
table.
When Mr.. Nane returned from the
! barn half an hour later, he did see a
! picture which comlorted him little
through the hop-wreathed pantry win
dow. 1t was Bessie with her sleeves
pinned up, molding biscuits in desper-
ate haste, while the tears fell thckly on
the high calico apron. This picture so
amazed Mr.. Nane that he retreated has.
! tily behind a lilac bush to observe it; and
fingered so long that he was late at tea.
This was model supper. There was
the great dish of berries with snowy
cream beside, tianked by cheese and rasp.
berry jam. There were two noun
tains OF plates of snowy biscuits con-
trasting with sponge cake and the richer
gold butter. Mr.. Nane, who had sup
posed he should never have an appetite
again, felt quite revived by the sight of
this table and the memory of the picture.
| The rest of the boarders seemed to
share the sensation, for the group were
very hilarious and the eatables disap-
peared rapidly. Bessie presiding be.
tween the pots, seemed rather out
of spirits, but Farmer Lynn atoned for
her silence by unusually jolity. When
the BISCUIT passed a second time. to Mr..
\ane, he saw that only one was left and
! would have decorously refusen, but the
hospltaOle farmer pressed it upon him.
." Don be afraid of it. there's plenty
more IN the kitchen, amt there Bessie -
Thus pressed Mr.. Nane accepted the
biscuit and Bessie disappeared to replen-
lsh the plate. Mr.. Nane divided the bis
cult, then dropped it suddenly with an
exclamation that brought every eye upon
him' There EMBEDDED in the light, white
| bread, lay Bessie 5 ring. Shonts of laugh,
ter arose that brought Bessie back from
| the kitchen i'll haste, just in time to see
Mr. Nane coolly remove the ring from
the biscuit, amidst the merry chorus.
and drop it into his waistcoat pocket, to
''be kept till called for" he said, with a
significant look at her scarlet face. Poor
Bessie, There was no peace foi her af-
ter that. I'm army of iokas quite over
Whelmed her protestations and disclaim-
lngs, and she was thankful to hastily
retreat to the kitchen when the meal
was over. Bat there even. was pursued
by laughing trio OF ladies' harrsssipp.
her with questions. and questions and
Wondermcnt, and merriment, until the
last dish was set away, and she started
to the village for letters. Instead of 60
ing to the village, she slid along the
hedge, climbed the wall and FAB to the
other end of the orchard where she flung
herself on the grass and cried as if her
heart would break. She perhaps had
cried half an hour, when a step crushing
the dry grass by her side reused her. and
the very voice she most dreaded to hear,
said:
"l've come to return you your ring.
Miss Bessie
Poor little Bessie sat up hastily, took
the unfortunate ring with a falterips
''Thank you," then Immediately hid her
face again.
"lou needn't thank me; should have
brought it before, but couldn't find you.
| hope you are not troubled about those
ridiculous .iokes?" he added.
NO" responded Bessie, miserably.
between her sobs. IL thought YOU. d
think | did it on purpose
'iIow could I have thought soo 1t
was mere accident my getting that par
ticular biscuit. I'm very sorry YOU re
been SO annoyed in this way I'm going
away tomorrow Miss Bessie.
The sohs partially ceased. and Miss
Bessie said surprisedIy, ''are yous"
Wont you bid me good-bv?"
''les,' Bessie said, unsteadily. but
did not raise her head.
You'll shake hands won't You, Miss
Bessie?' Nc answer. II cant go away
while you are offended with me. Won't
you at least tell me why you are crying?"
Because II lost my grandma's ring
sobhed Bessie, making Il great effort for
composure. Mr.. Nane laughed in spite
Of himself. why it's safe on your fin
ger, and not 4 whit the worse for its bak-
ing. Is there really no other reasou?"
"No-o.
'But there is. | shall never have
happy hour if I've offended YOU"
said Mr.. Nanc, tragically. Il was a
brute to treat you as did this afternoon:
but I'm going away and shan't annoy
you again. Won't you forgive lie now
and shake hands? Another long silence.
Mr.. Eane TUNED way in despair, but
was detained by a faltesing voice.
''1-Tll forgive you if"
'Well?,, was the breathcss interposi-
ton.
~ on Won t-gO--away?'
The more obseryant boarlers noticed
at breakfast the next morning that Maui
rice wore the ring he found in the biscuit
on the little finger of his left hand, and
Bessie wore heavily chased gold circle
in the place Of her last ornament.
To use the words OF one Of the before
named boarders: That tells the whole
story"