The Bottineau pioneer. (Bottineau, N.D.) 1885-1895, 1894-04-28

Something that was not in the heat of
the fire, lent her cheeks a deeper rose
"NOnsense!!' returned Jasper, pleas
antty. why not? Dora is so well NOW
you can certainly give yourself a night
off,"
"Oh. it isn't that! declared Bessie, and
said no more.
Bessie Atwood was a city girl. When
oon after New Years day her brother
wired her that his wife was very i'll,
she came down at once to help nurse
her, and to take care Of the children.
She became a great favorite with the
young people around Briarley. Size was
so gay, and pretty, and winsome, and
accomplished, withal so unaffected, she
quite won the hearts of all whom she
met. No social gathering was consld-
cred complete without her, and 50, on
the receipt OF a more formal invitation
from Maple Hill, she wrote her regrets
and a personal visit Of protestation
from Stella Macarthur was the result.
"Now come, Bessie? And we are 60
ing to have such a lovely time, old-fash-
Toned games, and DANCES, and tableaux,
and afterwards charms, and pancakes
with a ring put in the batter, and
everything. Why will you persist in re-
susing Bessiey'
"Oh, I must 60 home very soon," re-
turned Bessie, evasively, land I like to
spend all the time I can with Jasper and
Dora these last few days."
Homer repeated Stella, quickly.
ITO the city," Edgar Merrill went up
| yesterday. He said he could not be
back in time for u party. We feel so
provoked about his absence. He is
such a delightful fellow"
"Oh, did he, asked Bessie. In a few
moments she said; I'll try and go to
your party, dear"
Miss Macarthur and Mrs. Jasper At
wood exchanged a significant glance,
which said:
You see how it is! She will go be-
cause Edgar Merrill is not to be there.
There is assuredly some trouble between
them"
Mrs. Atwood spoke to her husband
that night concerning her suspicious.
Merrill is a fine fellow" he declared.
LAS near worthy Bessie as any man can
thrown him over"
The night of the party arrived-dark,
warm, soft, misty. Bessie dressed ear
ly, and came down to the pretty purlCr,
| where she slowly revolved for the
inspection of Dora AMI the children.
You look lovely" cried Dora, frank
ly. And. then with a Quizzical glance:
1T is too bad MIR. Merrill will not be
there to sec you"
Bessie turned away hastily and began
pulling en- her gloves.
Good night, Dora. Don't stay up
too late. dear"
The handsome. Old-fashioned home of
the McArthurS was feStively lighted
from attic to basement. Bessie men
| tally decided that it was not at all like
a city supper, but very much Ulcer.
The chef d'oeuvre Of the cook was the
pancakes. In one of these a ring was
hidden. The finder, it was asserted,
would surely be married within the
year. Much gay ralllery went on as
to the happy finder.
Have you got it, Stellar"
mo. Willis Hill has it. See how
he is blushing"
Wrong you are. Bessie Atwood has
it!'
And Bessie, dimpling and laughing,
held up the golden circlet.
A storm of congratulation, inquiries
ard e%ntreatins rnS And Bessie was
protesting and disclaiming, when the
door Of the dining room opened and Ed
| 6AA VACiJ1IA "uANCA Ill.
He was a tall, muscular, blonde
young fellow with a handsome, beard
less face, keen, dark eys, and a face
resolute mouth.
His hostess went forward to welcome
him. The others called out to him
with the familiarity of god comrade-
ship:
almost too late for a pancake, Ed
gar"
Miss Atwood has the ring"
you've missed your chance for this
year"
Better late than never"
Bessie Atwood alone spoke no word
of welcome. A: scarlet tide passed
over her pretty, high-bred face, leaving
her very pale. When, later, she met
Edgar Merrill in the parlor she answer
! ed his glance of appeal with a slight
bow. After the tahleaux they had
games again, games which they had
not played since they were little lads
and lasses in knickerbocke::s and short
skirts.
With the final word they all broke
ranks and secured other partners, tie
one left out being obliged to stand in
the center of the ring. 1t was dur
ing one Of these merry raids that Bes-
sic felt her hand drawn through the
arm of Edgar Merrill. She was about
to refuse to continue the game with
him, when she recollected that doing
so would be very poor taste, indeed.
Bessie" he whispered, under W.
of the music and the singing, 1--WE
got a true love, and I know where to
find her. I have her with ME now.
! But she is cruel. I will not think her
a coquette, and yet she let me fancy
M that my suit would find favor in
her eyes,"
I Think Bessie replied, with q
touch of hauteur in her voice, "that we
have said all that is necessary on that
subject" v.
"No, we have not" contradicted
young Merrill, setting his stubborn lips
hard. "You are going to tell me the real
reason you refuse me. You know"
smiling Quizzically down on her, "that
you care a little bit for me, Bessiey"
T-began Bessie, in indignant refuta-
ton. But the laughter in the blue eyes
was too aggravating! She turned away
in silence.
When, at midnight, Jasper Atwood
called at Maple Hill for his sister, Mer-
rill, who had been on the alert for his
| ring, slipped out and met him at the
| door.
.sOh, / say. Atwood, just fasten old
Dolly and let me drive your. sister home.
That's = good fellow. You've been there
Atwood srinned, nodded and tramped
on home alone. When Be6sle came
down the steps into the darkness d the
chill epring ni03k EDGAR. wrapped to-