The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1889-12-04

uUUlo ripping iouBh, ooAiOohAh6 AA
that he used to hear to make music in
that long-silent world Of his.
And Bessie waited and waited. Twice
see went down to the wicket and listened
for Johns coming, but only the cold
winds talked Of coming desolation in the
naked boughs overhead. HE always
comes before nine o'clock, she said, tear
fully; "but tonight, of all nights, he is
so late, poor brother!"
The old clock on the stairs struck ten
and, listening, Bessie heard footsteps
and voices. A great lump came into her
throat-''it couldn't be Ashley?"
"Bess, this is my wife, Muriel," OK.
claimed John a moment later, his face
shining with joy as he pushed the
blushing Muriel into her sister-in-law's
arms.
1t was all so sudden and unexpected
for poor, lonely-hearted Bessie. She
had been thinking of other and sadder
things, and the turning Of the tide as 1t
set toward SUMMER shores made her
heart dumb.
1t was not Ashley; not the wanderer
from over the sea, but then it was an
other lost love and John was happy!
A strange feeling crept over Bessie
Anderson. She put one arm around the
fair bride and held the other out i'm
ploringly toward her brother.
"John," she gasped, with white, quiv-
ering lips, "I'm glad for you and Muriel;
but it's all so sudden-so sudden. If you
will excuse me will go to my room fol-
awhile"
She turned away and went upstairs,
leaving the astonished two standing in
the middle Of the room.
In moment John tiptoed after her
he could not bear this. ''Forgive my
want of thought, Bessie" he pleaded
II didn't think you cared so much"
81 am glad for you,' she said, in a
voice that seemed any thing but glad
real glad, John, but
"Here are letters" interrupted hel
brother, thinking she intended to refer
to Muriel's seeming neglect Of him
''some thank-offerings, Bessie"
She took the mail from his hand with
trembling fingers and passed up the
staircase with face as pale as death.
80, DEAR" murmured John, as hi
joined his wife below. 81 didn't think
she'd feel that way about it."
Brother is happy and why not ~
questioned Bessie, as she lighted tapel
and turned the key in the door. Tears
} FLASHED down on the letter she opened
o, it was such glad yet such miser
able Thanksgiving Eve. She hoped
} there might be good news in the we'll
J filed sheet.
"Why! whose INADVERTENTLY, WHIT
p" Then, for quiet Bessie Anderson
she acted little strangely. She rose
walked across the room time or TIVE
before she read the missive. After thai
: she gathered up the other letters un
opened and put them away in an alb
stracted manner. With a far-away
happy light coming across the tear
stained face the overjoyed girl knel
down by the window in the moonligh
and whispered: 81 thank Thee, Father
Tomorrow will indeed be Thanksgiv
ing"
Going over to bureau presently sh
opened drawer and took up long
7 filmy white vail, shaking out its fold
and sending cloud of quaint perfume
: through the apartment. Then with
smile she lifted from its resting-place
beautiful silken gown, smothered in
marvel of starry lace, and laid it owe
} the chair nearest her.
AS if by programme, Bessie went fror
one loving care 70 another until sh
slipped the cleaning circlet on her fir
+. ger and went downstairs to welcom
. Muriel.
With such happy light in her eye
5 that John felt his heart bound in IT
8 sponse, she repeated: 81 am so glad fO
you, both of you, nodding to them.
81 hope you will forgive me for bein
I so strangely overcome. You did SUI
I prise me so.'
''Of course" said John.
e Certainly" said M7riel, little my
!. titled.
9 In the morning Bessie put her han
: on her brothers arm, saying: I'VE wi
!. have wedding to-day, too, if you don
Q mind"
"Why-who?"
d John looked down into the blushin
t face and received q revelation from Il