The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-02-04
BESSIE.

AeE hIhuOH III LILO BI6hb uutbl Will
homesiCk feeling 1T her heart.
II wish l could 90 out," she said softly
to herself. ~ wish I dared 90 cut alone,
for Herbert never thinks Of me any more
than he would of statue set in q niche"
Herbert was her brother, lodging in
some remote room Of that same big house,
and sometimes she would scarcely see
him for days together.
They were all alone in the world, this
brightyoungsis!er, and her merry.hearted,
careless brother.
There had been a littlo property left
them whom their parents died, and as
soon IS Herbert was q yeara OF age, he
sold it, and, taking the proceeds, hurried
away to London, with his sister in charge,
ouly 100 eager 10 make his fortune in this
world.
He thought he could easily obtain come
lucrative and pleasant situation. But cit
uations were not 60 easily found, and pru-
dent, practical little Bessie knew that
their small fortune was wasting slowly
week by week.
So she drew farther away from him and
only answered his merry "Good morning
little pigeon" or careless "Good night,
SIS" with a pleasing smile or q grateful
nod.
They did not even sit at the same table
In the long dining room, for Herbert had
0Fn NuTN Rkp IT
gentlemen who boarded there, and there
were no ladies at their table.
But thinking OF the dear old home, and
Of how long 1t was since they had talked
together, Bessie wrote her brother little
note, and, stealing down to the dining
room Just before It WAS time for the bell,
she laid 1t close beside his plate.
as she TOOK her own place beside old
Mrs. Vsndsrs, she failed to notice that
some Of the people at the other table had
changed places, and strange gentleman,
with stern, pale face, had taken her note
from under the edge Of his plate.
He read the name on the outside, "Her.
bert" and, looking very much puzzled,
put 1t into his vest pocket.
While waiting for the desert he took
the little missive out again, and, screen.
ing 1t by an apparently careless arrange.
ment Of his napkin, read:
DEAR HRRBERr: l would like to see
some Of the churches, II you do not mind
taking me in my winter dress. I will
wait for you in the parlor. Please come
up Immediately after dinner, and l will
have my hat on and be all ready to start.
Yours, lovingly, BESSIE.
st Is evidently mistake" the man
said TO himself, "but how to rectify 1t do
not know"
So he went up to the psrlor with sort
Of guilty feeling.
There was the sweet faced girl he had
seen at the table Just fastening on her
hat.
She did not notice him, but presently
group Of young gentlemen came in, and
the sweet face frightened vislbly, as the
girl stepped forward, eayins:
"Are You going, Herbert? Didyou find
my note ?"
"Notel" one OF the young men said, 81
have seen no note"
"Allow me, please" suggested the
stranger, taking the note from his pocket.
"Mr. Herbert" said one Of the young
men in respectful tone.
II found this letter beside my plate,
and ss my name is really Herbert, the
idea did not occur to me that anyone else
could bear the same name at the same Ia
BILE. Allow me now to deliver the per.
picking misaive to Its rightiul owner"
"And that Is me, take it," said Her
bert Willis, laughing merrily. "Here,
Bessie, you know my two friends, Wilson
and Waters, and this 10 Mr.. Herbert; my
sister, Miss Villa"
Mr.. Herbert bowed, and Bessie said, az
Herbert tWirled the note in his fingers:
"Can't you 20 with me, Beft2"
"I'm afraid not tonight, pigeon" was
the slightly heaitatinG answer.
swell, never mind" she said, dropping
her wistful eyes and loosing her shawl.
After few more careless, polite words,
the young gentlemen went out together,
but Mr.. Herbert fingered.
"You are disappointed" he said gently.
"0h, / am foolish 1 know, but my
brother isRlways so busy and happy with
bis friends he does not think Of me-"
"There is a church near here" he said
referring to her note; "only the next cor.
ner. Let's take peep at It,"
She drew up her shawl again and smil.
ed gladly, not thinking there was any lack
OF conyentionality in his proposal.
The church was decorated, the sweet
breath Of flowers filled the air and the
deep tones Of the organ seemed to invite
them to enter.
They went in quietly and took seat in
q vacant pew.
Something in the hushed and holy
charm touched Bessie's ;homesick heart,
and dropping her face upon her hands,
she Wept quietly. .ri,.Hm.....a
II was curious position for grave and
digniHed bachelor to find himself In.
Sitting beside q strange young lady,
bearing her sob, and yot not knowing
what comfort TO offer her. =
Presently she raised her head and
smiled.
"Please lers go out" she said. III do
not want to stay any longer"
So they went out again into the cool
spring air; and Bessie talked oil her old
home, OF her mother, who was one Of the
sweetest and kindeet OF women Of her
present loneliness, and by and by Of Her.
bert, her handsome, CHEEKY brother, OF
whom abe was proud.
HE ought 10 be q very happy fellow to
have Q Bister 60 devoted to him, " said the
Everybody loves him." was the en-.
thusiastic reply, "Bute h," and her voice
fell sgain, she does not know anything
about money. He Is paying out all We
have, and making no provision for the
future. He pays now more than $l6
every week for our board, and he ought
not tor
"But what can he dot" asked Mr.. Her.