Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1888-06-29

I y
it. See here, little girl. Aunt
Helen expects company-Miss Stel-
la RAY, from the city, a perfectly
beautiful young woman, who is to
honor the Warner homestead with
her presence until certain auspi-
cious event takes place three weeks
from now. Bessie you are cry
ingw
~ am not. Good heavens ! for
what or whom should | cry 2"
81 do not knOw"-dubiously-
"for me, perhaps"
The brown head erected itself
haughtily, and the gray eyes fairly
scintillated.
"There is not a man in the
world" she was beginning angri'
ly, defiantly, when Garlic Stuart
cOOlly interrupted her.
"Bessie, Aunt Helen wants you
to make the weddlng-cake."
Bessie's eyes darkened ominous-
! ly, but she answered quietly.
every well ; l will do anything
to please Mrs. Warner"
And then, there was the rattle
of wheels on The drive, and mo-
ment later the village hack had
driven up to the door, and deposit
ed a fairy.like figure, in a pale gray
travelling dress and plumed hat,
and behind the gray tissue veil a
bewlldering vision. Strawberry
and cream complexion eyes the
color of wood Ylolets; hair like
golden sunshine; verltable blue
and gold princess.
It was soon known that Miss Ray
had come to Mrs. Warmers on
visit, aud that she was to be mar
ried on her return to her home in a
few weeks.
Bessie listened in silent SORROW,
but no one in the world dreamed
how dearly she loved merry, care
less, Charlie Stuart, whose wedding
cake she had promised to make.
She permitted Mrs. Warner no
opportunity to discuss the affair
with her. She was very cold and
dignified to Miss Ray; had she
been more cordial poor Bessie
would have discovered the delusion
under which she was labOring.-
Time passed.
They were all sitting upon the
vine.covered porch one evening,
when the gate opened, and tall
figure came hastily up the walk
Stella Ray saw the newcomer and
started to her feet with a glad cry
of welcome. Charlie darted for
ward.
"Brother Dick who ever was
looking for you tonight, old fel-
low And now l suppose we will
all be in the way. "Bessie" turn
ing to the girl who sat near), "let
me present my elder brother! Come
down to the lake for a walk, won't
you, Bessie p he added, swiftly.
1t appeared an odd proposal, but
Stella Ray did not seem to mind it,
being engrossed with Dick Stuart,
to the exclusion of every one else.
So Bessie arose and accompanied
Charlie without a word. Once at
the side of the lake a few rods
away, and Charlie flashed about
with merry smile:
dwell, Bessie, you may as well
begin that wedding cake,' he cried,
"after which | think you must
make one for me-"
She glanced up in surprise.
"Why, of COURSE" she faltered.
"Charlie, 1 hope that you and Miss
Stella will be very happy"
Charles eyes were upon her face
IN blank surprise. "My dear girl,
what do you mean ~ he exclaimed.
"You know that Dick is engaged to
marry Stella-the blue and gold
princess, as I Dubbed her-in three
weeks. And | thought, Bessie,
somehow | could not help believ-
ing and hoping that you cared for
me, and that yo u would consent to
marry me at thD same time.n
What cOuld hessyi What would
you have said, gentle girl reader, if
the man who IN you had loved all
your life had asked Won to be his
wife,
A happy hour followed, after
which they returned to the house,
to find that Stella's father had IN.
expectedly arrived. At sight Of
Bessie he's tarted with a cry: II"
"My bu slness here IS ended, | am
done p h 9 cried. "Mrs. Warner,
you tell Charlie the story-as far as
you know it-of this girl. ] have
worked hard since Charlie wrote
it to me-, and have collected proc
| - n RnQ