The Bad Lands cow boy. [volume] (Little Missouri, Dakota [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-1886, 1886-04-15

g. I'D So
II The sun is low, and must go
Home to my own country. Is
q. ". KeRonan, IN The Current.
AN ODD MISTAKE.
Mr.. Gray was asman who had COM
mitted great blunder. He had retired!
And now time hung heavy on his
hands, and he knew not what to do
with himself. So, for the lack Of bet
ter occupation he took to calling on a
certain plump widow Of his acquain-
tance, who had remarkably pretty
daughter. 81 M 3
Bessie Peploe was q younger edition
of her mother. They had the same
black eyes, rosy cheeks and, truth COM
pels us to add, the same quick temper.
"I'n never marry old Gray" Bessie
told Mrs. Peploe, detiantly, after the
manner of the young lady who refused
a man before he .taxed her. for Mr..
Gray had not yet proposed, although
every evening he presented himself ut
the widows dwelling, and sat by the
freside in the most comfortable chair in
the room. =.
81 eve shall see,'' returned the elder
lady, and her bright eyes flashed, for
she had set her mind upon the mar
riage, and already regarded Bessie as
the mistress Of Mr.. Gray's comfortable
house in the high street of the little
town in which they resided.
"Yes, we shall see," muttered Bes-
sic, and putting on her hat slipped out
to have walk with her admirer, Jack
Wilkins, tos whom she confded her
trouble.
Jack was poor, and for that reason
had refrained from offering his hand to
pretty Bessie; but when she told him
that old Gray was after her he could no
longer disguise his feelings, and before
they parted the girl he loved had con-
sented to be his wife. e. .
@What will mother sayp'' thought
Bessie with a sigh, as they parted at the
gate Of Mrs. Peploe's cottage. "That
horrid man will be there.''
That horrid man was there, in an
armchair opposite Mrs. Peploe.
He smiled at Bessie as she entered;
but Bessie frowned on him in return,
and his face fell. That evening the girl
was absolutely sullen; she spoke in
monosyllables, and ill-temper deprived
her pretty face of half its beauty.
II am afraid her mind is set against
it." Mr.. Gray told himself with sigh,
land we might all be SO happy if she
could only look, ut the matter in a
proper light; but I suppose it's natur-
And he redoubled his efforts to be
agreeable-poor little man! for he had
m affeetionate heart, and his big house
was dull and lonely. ..s -.
But Bessie's face never relaxed its
set expression. She hated the man,
and meant to let him see it, in defiance
Of her mothers angry glances. What
business had man old enough to be
her father to come counting herp
You have behaved disgracefully,"
her mother said, when Mr.. Gray had
( taken his departure. sit is so wicked
to trifle with the love of any man."
II have never trifed with his love-
replied her daughter. "He must know
that I hate him. I have never at
! tempted to disguise it; now, have I,
motherp'' 8:.2 III. 4
"You, are q fool,'' replied her moth
er, bluntly. "Mr. Gray is the best
chance you have ever had, or will ever
have, and ] insist upon your saying yes
when he asks you to be his wife. =
.Mother,' y cried Bessie, impulsively,
throwing her arms around her moth
,.er's waist, hiding her face in her bos-
Vom. Mother, I have already said yes
to somebody else-somebody / love
dearly.'' & = n
'.What!n gasped Mrs. Peploe, free
ing herself from her daughters en-
] brace. sWhat!'' = . .:.:...
5. cit is true enough said Bessie, in q
! altering tone. sack has asked me to
marry him and Iihave said yes" !.
Without consulting NELL exclaimed
her mother an rily, looking at her with
D stern, reproachful face. & +!
II love him, y returned Bessie. .He
Is the only man in the world I could
ever; care for - 81. {.
is&5 .,.StuR and nonsense!' cried Mrs.
Peploe. s'Even if I liked the young
man-which Z don't-your marrying
would be out OF the question. He can't
\ afford to keep you. !" sg
t II am not afraid of poverty" said
Bessie, bravely besides, we are not
going to- marry in haste. We can
! wait. ' 2S5ss
" .'Poor fool!'' and Mrs Peploe's lips
4 cnrled. II know what this waiting
Y means for q woman. She goes on trust
1 ing and believing in his promises; and
\: then, when her beauty has faded, he
/ turns round and marries someone else. I"
Even Them said Bessie, "the wo-
man is better off than If she had tied
herself to somebody she could not
y loye.,,,'s Z. ;3{g
.tOh, YES, You are mad quite mad, !"
returned Mrs. Peploe; ''but, thank
goodness, you have q mother who
won't allow you to make an idiot OF
yourself. You will marry Mr.. Gray,
and forget all about that misguided
young man, who ought to be ashamed
b Of himself. y .555
.tWhat forp'' asked Bessie, with re-
sentiment 4; :55: s33 .
For proposing to q girl whom he
has no means Of keeping in comfort =
i returned Mrs. Peploe. You & are q
pair Of lunatics; but fortunately, I've
some sense left, and Z won't stand by
and see my daughter ruined for life. IN
And she flounced off to bed without
giving Bessie the usual ood-night kiss.
Poor girl, she missed ~ sorely, and
sobbed hersef to sleep; but she meant
4 to be true to Jack all the same. Not
even her mothers anger would induce
s hersto give him up and marry old Gray.
She treated the object Of his dislike