The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1896-09-16
Farnsworth's Revenge.

In all Singleton there was not n
prettier girl than Bessie Wells. With
the moderation of this statement her
many admirers would doubtless quar-
rel but, since the fact of their being
admirers exposes them to suspicion
of partiality, the first limited claim
shall suffice. Very pretty she was, then,
and endowed by nature with an mex
haustible fund of gayety, forever we'll
ing up from the light heart, to sparkle
in the sunny, hazel eyes, and dimple
about the ripe red lips.
But, beside all this-partly, per-
haps, in consequence of it-Miss Bes-
sic was firt. Unfortunately, there
can be no question upon the subject
Never city belle has been more
thoroughly versed in wiles and witch
cries than was this village beauty, who
counted her victims by the score, and
whose rustic coquetries were 80 many
meshes for the hearts of the unwary.
Yet the girl was not cruel, nor even
deliberate, in her mischief. 1t was
constitutional-ins instinctive-like the
sport of the kitten with her mouse.
This impulse of fascination seemed as
natural, and often as unconscious, rs
the drawing of her breath. II harm
came of it, she was ready to shed pitt
full tears, and be everlastingly sorry
for five minutes-after which the
smile came out once more, and she
began to weave fresh snares. SO it
was, and so it was likely to be, until
her own heart should be held in the
bonds of strong, real love; the only
lasting spell of such nature.
Among Bessie's suitors, Will Farms
worth undoubtedly had the advantage,
if resolute persistence could avail to
win the prize. Energetic and deter
mined, he had no thought of yielding
to despair until such are signation be-
came absolutely ecessary-which
certainly was not yet. For, if mega
tive hope be worth anything, Wills
case was far from hopeless, since his
sweetheart at least afforded little en-
couragement to his rivals. Wherefore
he kept stout heart, under the con-
viction that, as long as her liking
belonged to no other, there was n
chance of its some day becoming his
own.
Such was the young mans theory,
from which, hitherto, he had derived
good deal of comfort. But, in the
summer about to be recorded, he
seemed in danger OF witnessing its
inverse demonstration after fashion
not at all to his taste. That Bessie
Wells had at length found her match
the young men and maidens OF Single
ton agreed; so did the elder. village
gossips, whose time and tongues might
have been more usefully employed ;
and, last but not least, in view of its
vital importance to his own happi-
ness, so did poor Will himself. And
it certainly did look very much as
if the little coquette had surren-
dered to Alfred Gaines, the young
city gentleman who occupied the
"parlor chamber" in the widow
Wells pleasant, white cottage. Not
only had he become her constant
attendant at all the rustic merrymak.
ings, but, day after day, the two NIGH
be seen strolling throughout the sunny
dewy mornings, over meadow anC
woodland, with smiles on their lipl
and flowers in their hands. or passing
away the long and lovely twilights
among the woodbine and climbing
roses that twined around the pillars
and swung from the roof of the cosey
cottage-porch. And, all the while
people talked and speculated; tn,
} 1 g iris envied Miss Bessie; the boy
hated Mr.. Gaines Will Farms
! worth was miserable.
For time he kept away from tn
house, but finally absence grew to-
heavy burden for endurance. and, a