Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-03-14


mother had often asked her sharply what the
matter was and Bessy had answered, Moth
ing. WhyY" and the look had gone away.
Truth was tina. this poor little rose, who had
as from a strong wind and had gone sweetly all
her life at the beck of anothers will, having
had her gown and her husband-almost her
virtucs-selected for her, was beginning to per-
ceivc dimly tina: the great events of life have
single entrances. that not even love can enter
alongside, no matter how fondly crowding. and
the perception awoke in her, for the first time
acutely, the sense of individuality.
1t was only a gentle, tender little girlish
spirit which begun to BE aware that it had in
the world its own proper direction which was
distinct from another's, and there was pro-
duced, as vet, only mild unrest.
Pretty soon Bessy gave herself a peep at the
silk, then at her white satin bonnet ribbon, and
her face frightened. She pictured to herself
the effect of the rosebuds with the white satin
loops.
She was within q half mile Of home when .
young man came up behind her. When he
caught sight of her he slackened his pace and
kept quite distance between them. He was
OF youthful height. His face was pale, with
pleasant look about the mouth. He eyed the
young girls fluttering draperies and loops of
brown braids and would have looded stern had
the youthful sweetness of his face allowed it.
Suddenly he paused irresolutelv. He had
her arm. She kept straight on and did not
notice it. The young man quickened his pace,
then slackened it: he even opened mis- mouth
TO call out to her. But he finally walked slowly
along, picked up the bundle and stood looking
after her. He had a parcel of his own. He
took step forward; then he gave his fair head
a defiant shake, set his boyish mouth hard and
laid down one Of the bundles on the ground.
Then he kept on.
When Bessy reached her gate she looked
around and saw him in the distance. He in
clined ais head stifly. Lawrence Bell has
been behind me all the way" she thought, with
troubled reflection.
When she got into the sitting room her
mother was not there. She heard her clinking
dishes in the kitchen, where she was trying to
get tea. Bcssy laid her bundles on the table,
then paused aghast, looking at them-the silk
was not there. She could not believe it at first.
She counted them over and over. She pried
into them There was no doubt about 1.-THE
precious silk was not there. There was not q
minute for deliberation. She heard her mother
coming.
as that you, Bessy?" she called out.
yes" answered Eessy, in a weak voice.
you've got home in good season." said her
mother, limping painfully in "How did you
get along?"
Pretty well-I guess
undoing the bundles. why, where's the silk?'
asked she, turning to Bessy.
Haven't got it."
Haven't got it?'
''No.''
''why not I'd like to know"
Im-going again"
"GOin' again?"
ri getit-tomorrow," faltered Bessy, miser-
ably. She was quaking with terror at her own
wickedness.
Get it tomorrow! Why, here's the dress
maker comm tomorrow"
ri go up an tell her not to, after supper;
she d as soon change with somebody else"
why didn't you get it?'
I'D rather.go an get it-tomorrow. l.
got the other things today"
We'll, / mus say you're smart to take that
long walk over again. L did think you had a
little more sense. don't see what you mean
Mrs. Lang. full of angry perplexity, discussed
the matter at length. She suspected something
wrong, but she did not know what. Once she
came near it. ''You amt lost any of your
money, have your asked she.
mo. haven't lost a centT' Bessie replied
with alacrity. She feared lest her mother might
ask to see her purse, but she did not
Soon after supper Bessy started ostensibly to
notify the dressmaker, but in reality to search
for the silk. As soon as she should find il she
would hurry home and confess to her mother
1t was after 8 O'Clock when she returned She
had not found the silk She was quite pale
when she entered the sitting room. Her
mother and Jerome were there; her mother
iookeu Wonueringi!, Jerome susplcloGsly-
why, where have you been, Bessy?' asked
Mrs. Lang.
Where did 1 tell you 1 was going?" said
Bessy:., She tried to take off her hat uncon-
when 1 came past an hour ago."
said he, in a cold voice. Il stopped in there
on errand for my sister, and-f k7ao,o it,"
Bessy stood staring at him. clutching her hat
ribbons.
Where was YOU, Bessy?" asked her
mother.
The young girl said nothing. She kept draw
ing her under lip in between her teeth
''Bessy."
at wasn't any harm, it WASH truly. mother
l can't tell you-tonight. but it wasn't any
harm,"
jerome stood still with his black eyes fixed
upon her.
You might belieSa mel said Bessy. half
sobbing, looking at him in frightened way
Il haven't got anything to say, said Jerome,
slowly. when young woman goes off alone
in the eveping and stays till after O'Clock, and
says she s going to a certain place and doesn't
go there, and then. when she's found out and
won't tell her own mother, and tine one she 8
going to marry, where she's been. of course
folks can draw their own conclusions" Je-
rome's voice had a rasping sound, his SIS
sounded like whistles.
Il did go to the dressmakers." said Bessy.
gathering little resentment in the midst OF her
Distress
''You went somewhere else, afterward."
said jerome; ''you wasn't there when 1 was
there"
Bessy flushed pinker and pinker He looked
at her with the more icy disapprobation
Bessy very pinkness and rOundness. while it
had attracted him, had always filed him with
uneasiness and suspicion. The light, curly
locks OF hair which she had worn over ner fore
head Ike the other Young girls had made him
uncomfortable. One day he had pushed them
back with a hard hand. I'D wear them that
way if l were you,' said he, 1T looks neater"
So Bessy had obedieEtly brushed back her
hair, but exposing her round, blue-veined fore
head only gave her & more childishly sweet
look yet and Jerome's mind had not been sat
at peace
Il think you're real cruel said Bessy.
You'll see you are, some time" Then she be-
gan to cry.
But Jerome did not soften. He stalked out
into the entry and got his hat off the table,
wait a minute" whispered Mrs. Lang, fol-
lowing him. 1t amt anythin', know: she II
tell me when you've gone"
II know all care TO- now" said Jerome.
His face was very pale and had an expression
of repellant misery. He wen. out. shutting
the door witt solid decision.
II don't know what you've done Bessy"
said her mother. coming back; hos mad.
Bessy sat quite still, with her face hidden in
her handkerchief.
Where in the world was your" said her
mother.
Mother, I'll tell you tomorrow" sobbed
Bessy- IN make it all right when do
Mrs Lang coaxed and scolded with no avail