Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1896-01-09
CHAPTER VII.


Ted was very busy. He was wvIl1-
ing hard and industriously, for, Is he
told Bessie with happy smile, he had
to strain every effort to please his
friend Denman.
You know, love-" he would say ten
derby, there are two OF us to think of
now; and if get well in with him and
make myself invaluable to him, shall
be able to hasten the happy day when
you and | are to be made one"
For answer Bessie would give rapt-
urous smile and snuggle into his arms
with an ineffable sigh of content.
Il am so happy" the simple little
soul would murmur; so happy, dearest,
that feel as ii this earth was heaven"
I he Hargraves household, who had
been promptly informed of the engage
ment between the two penniless and
impecunious cousins, had been gra-
Ciously pleased to give their consent to
the engagement; opinions being rather
divided; Mrs. Hargraves publicly say
ing that she thought Bessie was fool
to engage herself to man like Ted;
while her husband and daughter priv
ately envied and admired her for the
strength OF her conviction and affec-
tons. And so on the third finger of
Bessie's plump little left hand was now
to be seen a gold ring set with pearls,
her badge Of seryitude, as she proudly
called it. What mattered it TO her that
the bauble had not cost anything like
IS In her eyes it was the most beauti-
full and precious possession in the
world.
when you marry, Ted Mr.. Har-
graves had SAID, when the engagement
had been announced Il intend to give
Bessie fl 900, so that will be little
nest egg for you young people
Ted had listened quietly. Thank
you very much for your generosity,
uncle" he said. THAT and with $1,000
| shall insure my life for, will anyhow
keep Bessie from want"
What do you think, sweetheart?'
said Ted, one evening. 'Denman wants
to buy an estate somewhere in the
country 50 it looks as if he means
settling down in England, doesn't it?'
1T does, indeed" replied Bessie.
Il suppose | shall have TO see after
something for him." continued Ted.
thoughtfully.
"Oh, he should buy the grange cried
Bessie 1T is my very beau ideal OF
a lovely house. The only thing is 1t
is so very large and it will require
i,,n IN loon IL
properly"
oh, that won't matter to Denman'
for don't think he quite knows how
wealthy he is himself You know you
ought to have been like Maud and not
engaged yourself to me till you had
seen him; for he might have taken
fancy to your sweet little face
The very idea, said Bessie, indig-
nantly. Il would not have had him
if he were worth millions. 1t is you
| love and you only and am prouder
of being engaged TO you than lt--Wel'
than if you were Cecil Rhodes hlm-
SELL.
He laughed at eager, flushed, excited
face.
Well" he continued, Il will tell you
what we might do. Tomorrow morning
we might go down to the grange ana
look over it. You could tell me what
the rooms were capable of; what would
want doing to them and what would be
required in the decorating line, etc
You know what l mean; the stuff that
women seem to understand better than
We poor men, and | can send a full
report, with estimates, to Denman."
SO the next day beheld our hero and
heroine walking briskly along the
country roads on their way to the
grange. 1t was a chilly morning in
early spring. for Ted had been several
months in England and winter was
now a thing Of the past.
Bessie wore one Of her sensible blue