The Globe-republican. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1889-1910, 1889-11-27

W. Il B% @%I
"BEss, THIS IS ny WIFE, MUR1EL."
little ripping laugh, something like
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," ex-
shining with joy as he pushed the
blushing Muriel into her sister-in-law's
arms.
It 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 it
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 for
awhile"
She turned away and went upstairs,
leaving the astonished two standing in
the middle of the room.
In a moment John tiptoed after her;
he could not bear this. "Forgive my
want of thought, Bessie" he pleaded;
81 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 her
brother, thinking she intended to refer
to Muriels 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.
30, dear!" murmured John, as he
Joined his wife below. Il didn't think
she'd feel that way about it."
Brother is happy and why not II"
questioned Bessie, as she lighted taper
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
filed sheet.
''Why! whose handwrite-why, who
p" Then, for quiet Bessie Anderson,
she acted little strangely. She rose,
walked across the room a time or two
before she read the missive. After that
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 knelt
down by the window in the moonlight
and whispered: II thank Thee, Father.
Tomorrow will indeed be Thanksgiv-
ing"
Going over to bureau presently she
opened a drawer and took up a long,
flny white vail, shaking out its folds
and sending cloud of quaint perfume
through the apartment. Then with a
smile she lifted from its resting-place a
beautiful sill,en gown, smothered in
marvel Of starry lace, and laid it over
the chair nearest her.
As if by programme, Bessie went from
one loving care to another until SIZE
slipped the cleaning circlet on her fin
ger and went downstairs to welcome
Muriel.
With such happy light in her eyes
that John felt his heart bound in re-
Spouse, she repeated: 81 am so glad for
you. both of you" nodding to them.
81 hope you will forgive me for being
50 strangely overcome. You did sur
prise me So"
'Of course" said John.
Certainly" said Muriel, little mys-
titled.
In the morning Bessie put her hand
on her brothers arm, saying: I'VE will
have . wedding to-day, too, II you don't
mind"
''Why-who?"
John looked down into the blushing
faoe ard received . revelation from the