St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-12-14
PASHA.
When Bessie died!
Vhitcomb Riley.

ne could keep Jessica from falling in love,
and other people from falling in love with
Jessica-she was altogether too pretty for
that. Just seventeen, with round, rose bud
face, wealth of dark brown hair, and the
sweetest temper in the world. 1t was sight
10 see her upon her weather-beaten, cholerie
old fathers arm on the way TO church
He looked like thunder cloud which had
captured sun beam; or, as the young men
irreverently saba pompous old turkey cock
escorting dove.
He glared about to the right and left,
Bnorting defiance at admirers, so that the
sunbeam glowed and the dove iuttered I'M
der very difficult circumstances. But there
she was, in spite Of the peculiar paternal OPP
preston, the brightest, sweetest creature you
can imagine; and with native bit of CO.
quetry about her, too, that made even the
lifting of those curling, dark lashes extreme
ly perilous to the masculine hearts so plenti-
lul about her. Calford was full Of young
men.
There were college, and a naval acade-
my, and piano mandatory there; then
Calford was headquarters for artists-the
scenery was 80 beautiful. And it CHANGED
that there were few young ladies in the
town.
Peter Peppers was a widower. He had
brow-beaten his little wife to death when she
was very young. She had left him two
aughters-Rebecca, who was made of the
same harsh material as her father, and Jes-
sica, who was exceedingly like what the
mother had been. There was no danger of
ell -, DBL
Becca, as she was called.
Her tart and puckery countenance carried
terror to the stoutest masculine heart, and
she was left whitening on the stem, in her
thirty-second summer. Her father found in
her spirit equal to his own, but they both
agreed in keeping strict watch upon Jessi-
ca. Yet in spite Of continual scolding and
fault-fnding, Jessica continued to be as
happy as a bird She had youth and hope on
her side, and she could hardly fail to go
abroad without getting hint of her power.
Jessica had been allowed the privilege Of an
intimate friend, very sweet girl afflicted
with lameness, named Olive Allys; but
Olives two brothers came home from sea and
this intimacy was interdicted by Mr.. Peppers.
Jessica was no more to visit her friend.
To do Mr.. Peppers justice, he was very
fond of Jessca and proud of her. He knew
she was charming and good, and, without
much forethought he determined to keep her
to himself.
But fate and Mr. D'Albert were too much
for Mr.. Peppers intentions.
Mr.. D'Albert was the principal OF the Naval
Academy. He saw Jessica, and then meeting
her again at church party, asked his land
lady for an introduction to her.
Mrs. Japonica hesitated, declaring:
Actually, daren't Mr.. Peppers wouldn't
like it."
''But should" laughed Mr.. D'Albert.
''Mr Peppers never allows gentlemen to
pay attention to Jessica. 1t it were Becea,
now, the case would be different"
''It's not Becca. wouldn't kiss Becca for
ESQ.,"
'Mercyl Well, when you get chance to
kiss Jessica, let me know"
81 will"
Mr.. D'Albert went away and found some
more daring soul to introduce him to pretty
Jessica.
He stood by her side some ten minutes,
saying the usual pleasant nothings of society,
admiring the smiling red mouth and dimpled
cheeks and guessing at the length of the curl
ing dark lashes, when Mr.. Peppers, discoV-
ering the situation, with portentous putting
up of his under lip, fastened upon the scene,
and frowning heavily into Mr.. D'Alberts
handsome face, drew Jessica away.
Mr.. D'Albert's quiet smile told that he
understood the situation and lookers-on
laughed, but no one guessed the end of this
beginning.
Mr.. D'Albert did not guess it himself I'M
iii weeks had flown, and he had somehow ac-
eumulated a vast deal of information con-
cerning the Peppers.
Then he became acquainted with Olive Al
iys, and the latter spoke of her friend with
enthusiasm.
''If were a young man, concluded
Olive exctedly, cpd fall in love with Jessica
and run away with her. She is so bright
and pretty, and she never gets taken out for
concert, or aride, or sail, as the other
girls do, They keep her as close as a nun,
and will until she's dried to parchment, like
Becca. l don't see how Jessica bears it,
don'tl''
Mr.. D'Albert had spells of deep thought
after this conversation, especially on learn
Ing that the only place where Jessica was al
lowed TO walk of Sunday evening was in
the cemetery. From his window it CHANGED,
too: that he could see the back garden where
Jessica sewed and read, and tended her
plants and canary, and daily his respect and
interest deepened. He had half-a-dozen
merry, joyous young sisters at home, and
nWelt on the contrast.
Now it happened that Jessica thought as
much of Mr.. D'Albert as Mr.. D'AIbert
thought of Jessiea.
She knew his window in Mrs. Japonica's
pretentious boarding house: knew his horse
when he galloped past her fathers door;
knew-at least, knewwell enough-where |
the lovely flowers came from which some
times reached her.
Olive AlIys had q beautiful pardan and |
Becca thought Olive sent them, but Jessica
knew well enough that the choice and costly |
selection came from an unexpected quarter. |
Mr.. D'Albert's glance said as much when
ever she CHANGED to get bow from him; and |
If she blushed wildly, who can wonder? She |
could not think of one objection against |
Mr.. D'Albert as a lover; nor, in reason, |
could Mr.. Peppers. He was every inch a |
gentleman.
1t was very accommodating of Becca to fall |
Ill She was not painfully i'll, only very SAL
low, and unable to drive all before her in
the household; so that she was exceedingly
cross, and Jessica had harder time tnan |
usual at home.
The doctor ordered change of scene.
''I'd send you down by the seaside, and
Jessica might go with you to take care of
you," said Mr.. Peppers. "There's too many |
young men here. 1 notice that naval fellow
lifting his hat to Jessica. But there's always
boarders at the seaside in summer, and a
great deal of foolishness going on.
'eWe could go to Mrs. Green's' said Bee.
ca. "Nobody ever goes there.'i
They could, and did--Mr. Peppers first
ascertaining that Mrs. Green had no lodg-
ers, and making her promise that she would
take none while his daughter remained with