Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1891-08-21

you learn all that2'
"You had better not ask questions
about that, mamma," Regina answered; I;
"please accept it as fact, and tell me
how to prevent Roy King from seeing
Bessie next Thursday"
"My dear, Bessie shall rot see him
here next Thursday" said Mrs. Ramsen,
stepping back to get better view OF
the new frizette. 'I'll manage that.
That very evening she called Bessie
into her room and thus addressed her:
''My dear child, you have been here
for nearly six months, and l suppose
you are tired of being idle"
.Idle!" Bessie thought remembering
that she had played the part of seam
stress, chambermaid and errand-girl,
without thanks or wages.
But she said nothing.
"And of course I've been looking out
for YOU" Mrs Ramscn went on, sand
YOU have quite a talent for dressmaking,
and Madame Fleure wants young lady
some intelligent person who can speak
French, as you can-and she'll give
board and a couple of dollars week at
first, and you'd better go to her; in fact,
I've written that you would. I'll take
you myself tomorrow. OF course you
are only my half sisters orphan-not
close relatioa-and -you-
~ understand" said Bessie. 81
shan't claim relationship, and am very
glad to be independent"
There was some scorn in her tone, but
the hau ,hty lady who listened did not
perceive it; and meanwhile Bessie was
saying to herself
''Roy King has not written. If he
was not in earnest, and was only flirting
with the little poor relation Of The house,
shall be glad to get away"
As she packed her trunk a few tears
fell upon its slender contents. IL seemed
so hard to think that no one loved her,
that they were glad to get rid of her,
but she went away next morning cheer
fully.
81 sat up nearly all night to finish your
lace cape, Regina" she said, on parting
from her cousin. ~ hope you'll like it,
and if any letters come for me please
send them to Madame Fleure."
She noticed that neither of them asked
her to call.
"They are ashamed of their poor reIa-
tion," she sighed, never dreaming that
Regina could be jealous Of her-Re-
gina, whom she thought so stylish and
beautiful.
How Regina laughed to herself at the
request Bessie had made about letters,
and how charmingly Mrs. Ramsen re-
ceived Roy King on Thursday.
"Bessie had gone hOme,' she said,
s.to her native village, you know. l
fancy there is romantic attraction
there-somc nice young farmer, l be-
lieve."
And Roy King listened and believed.
He was very much in love with Bessie,
but as he walked away he strove to con-
ouer the feeling. Bessie had given him
to understand that she could not like
him, he thought, and had told her aunt
TO let him know why.
For few weeks he went nowhere,
looked at the moon and sighed. Then
he began to call at the Ramsens' again.
Meanwhile, Bessie worked hard, cried
little at night, and of course received
no letters.
"Who will be an angel and stay a
leetle late to ripe this robei" Madame
Fleurc asked, one evening; cit is to be
made over with velvet. All, how | de-
test to make over. But Mees Ramsen is
a good customer, and when she get mar
ried, as suppose to Meestaire King, zen
| have her work. 1t is polite to oblige
one who will be rich. You. Miss Bes-
sic, YOU will be so amiable to stayl'
"Oh, yes" replied Bessie. She sighed
as she took her cousins dress in her
hands.
So she was to be married to Roy.
Well, happiness was given to some peo-
ple. sorrow to Others. 1t was Gods
will.
How we'll she remembered that robe.
Regina had worn il, that happy day
when she-Bessie, ran to the box often,
hoping to find letter from Roy. What
a ream IL all seemed. She thought of
it as she sat alone in the work room,
shipping the stitches.
A letter never came, never would come
cow, and suddenly, as though fairy-tales
were true, there lay letter in her lap.
Tue dainty envelope she hal dreamed
Of, her name in Roy's hand, his seal
uoou it.
s'Am crazyl" she cried. Then she
rcco yaizel the fact that the envelope
hal + lien from the pocket of Regimas