The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1888-09-01

AHAoNp NOAANSNs
They returned to the house to
find Bessie seated ON the porch
reading. She had either failed in
her attempt to look ugly Or forgot
ten her resolution, for she appeared
irresistible in her pale-blue lawn,
which suited 50 well her complexion.
She arose at their approach as if
to return to the parlor, but Ned cal
led to her to wait. She bowed very
haughtily as Ned said, with a -four
ish which he meant to be very ex-
pressive
"My friend Mr.. Hilton, Bessie !;
Miss Elton, Fred"
Il am pleased to make Miss Ell
tons acquaintance" said Fred, and
as if wishing to be friends whether
she desired it or not he extended
his hand.
AS Bessie laid her small hand in
his she glanced up into his face and
caught two jet black eyes looking
roguishly down upon her.
She thought if it were not for her
resolution of the morning she would
like him, but she would not break
her word for pair of black eyes
and II handsome mustache, and so
with a glance which she meant to be
very scornful, she begged the gentle
men to excuse her, saying she was
wanted in the house.
"And so that is little Bessie, is it?"
remarked Fred. "She certainly is a
little beauty. But 1 wonder what
was the cause of those annihilating
glances which she bestowed upon
me. have certainly not made
very favorable impression upon
Miss Bessie, judging from her man
ner."
Ned, producing a chair from the
other end of the porch for his chum,
and seating himself in comfortable
if not graceful position on the door
step, said
81 tell you, old fellow just what's
the matter The girls have heard
so much of you that they have
made up their minds not to become
victims TO your powers of fascina-
ton. / inferred as much from their
conversation this morning. The
other girls have failed to carry out
their resolutions, but Bessie remains
true to her colors."
"An act for which l admire" said
Fred.
That evening Fred was very at
tentive to stately Belle, who seemed
not a little proud of her conquest,
and who lavished upon him her
brightest smiles and wittiest speech.
When Bessie perceived this she
communicated to Clara her private
opinion that they were both affect
ed with the "heart disease" He
did not approach Bessie but once
during the evening.
She was seated at the piano play
ing snatches of different pieces, and
he requested her to sing "The Low
ers' Parting" which was a favorite
of his, whereupon she informed him
that she did not know it.
Strange r. said Fred, with mis-
chievous look in his eyes, "that
Ned should tell me that you and he
sang that song together the last time
he was home from college !"
"Bessie blushed, for she knew she
had told an untruth but she would
not confess it, for, as she said to her
self, that would make him feel very
smart, and his opinion of himself
was altogether to tiattering already.
"Things went on in about the
same way for six weeks, Fred ap-
pearing indifferent andsprovokingly
good-humored, and Bessie very
scornful, always declining any little
attentions he might offer her, until
he began to think that she veritably
hated the sight of him.
About this time Ned was called
away upon business, and committed
his friend to the care of the ladies,
he prepared to take his departure.
Fred suggested that Bessie, Belle,
Clara and himself accompany Ned
to the depot.
After taking leave of him, they be-
gan making preparations for the
return, Fred proposing that one of
the ladies sit on the front seat with
him. He looked straight at Bessie,
who Immediately suggested that
Belle should sit there, as she never
liked the front seat.
This arrangement evidently suit
ed Belle, but she found her compan-
ion rather dull, for he appeared
wholly occupied with the horses.
The rest of the week was rather