Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1883-06-30
BOBETTE.

building standing guard, apparently,
over the scattered houses of q fishing
hamlet which lies below, close in under
the shelter of the cliffs. At low tide
there is a long flat stretch of sand be-
fore it, and the broad ocean beyond.
Only the lover Of wild bleak pasture
lands, straight cliffs and q cold, restless
sea could find any attraction in the
view; yet there are those who love it's
very grayness and unbounded breadth.
The house is nor like fortress than
dwelling, with massive walls and mar
row slit-like windows; but there is one
grand outlook from the landing of the
staircase, and this was evidently APP
prrciated, as the dark polished cherry
OF the window-seat bore many scratches
from long buttoned aprons and small
lob-nailed shoes.
climbing the staircase toward her IA
sorite nook. The window was just
broad enough for her to sit with her
little feet straight out before her, and to
place her doll bolt upright with her
tack against the wall. They sat there
ACE to face, the large wax doll dressed
in baby clothes. and wrapped in a white
capuchin, or long cape, and peaked
hood, which stood up very erect on her
head; the child as morionless as her
companion, her hands clasped over her
white apron, and only the hem of her
short black dress showing below. Her
dark hair was drawn back with a round
comb and hung down her back in heavy
braids. Her eyes. too, were dark and
very clear, and We're resting thought
fully on the tossing sea. A stiff gale
was blowing from off shore, and as the
tide crept in the waves we're caught and
bntieted about and almost driven back
over the sands. There was a great
white ship in the otfing, its masts and
sails in strange foreshortened angles as
1t beat up against the wind. 1t seemed
more like some phantom than anything
earthly and filled with life.
The beach below was deserted; the
fshlng boats We're out in spite Of the
storm, the babies all safe at home with
their mothers, and the children at school
AND Bobette sat on alone and idle, and
Sazed at the white wing-like sails and
the sea.
Presently she sighed and turned her
mead. The hall below, too, looked dark
ana solitary; there vas not a sound in
inc house. She glanced at the doll sit
ing opposite her; the blue eyes gazed
'ack at her blankly; there was no SYM
palhy IN the waxen face.
bobettc's eyes wandered back to the
ocean, and she gave a long, deep sigh.
her eyelashes rose and fell more and
more slowly. and even rested for an
instant now and then on her cheek;
po' she reused herself presently, rear
ranged dolly's curls and peaked
cap then slid down from her seat and
slowly descended the stairs. She crept
Uh llptoe across the silent hall and into
'he dlnlng-room, and stood doubtful, for
al instant, before the great mahogany
sueboard. On it was a plate heaped
nlsh with square chunkso of gingerbread,
ano a silver basket of fruit; but Bobette
passed on through a parlor where the
shutters were closed and the curtains
u'a"h. Beyond was q sleeping-room,
ana INTO this Bobette looked from the
door.
on a sofa lay a woman asleep, her
- oiA ol1 OfCl Vl1C Clto
IONS to the floor. Her black dress was
very long and clung closely to her, and
vne blue-veined hand was pressed on
head.
bobctte did not fancy the heavy arc
a. nial1c orders which filled the room, and
cue peat a noiseless retreat. She was
lever at a loss for resources; but that
uley were at times somewhat questiona-
1 was evident when, ten minutes
,a.er' She cautiously opened the door OF
treat square room in the second story
w. ~ inc tower, and peeped down through
slt oak railing Of the staircase; a long
sAlrt OF brilliant ro]se-colored silk rustled
hhMlly over the waXed floor, an exquisite
VI Iue crepe shawl folded round the small
hlio1lders was tied in a hard knot be-
.n1 and fell gracefully over the train,
S.u o the bright mischievous face
Sas an elaborate Widows cap with long
noating end.
n way was still clear. Bobctte lost
ao ume in escaping from the house and
sung down the stone steps to the
aeaeh as fast as her small size and the
49,