The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1896-09-16

he resolved to see her. For once she
was not in tho porch, nor yet within,
where he sought her, unsuccessfully,
until directed by Mrs. Wells to the
garden. Turning his steps thither,
he presently came upon picture
which, however charming from an ar
tistic point of view, was anything but
pleasing to the unappreciative gaze at
that moment bent upon IL. Standing
beside Bessie, Alfred Gaines held her in
the swing with one arm, while the other
was stretched upward in the endeavor
to gain something which, with both
hands, she held away from him. Both
we're laughing, but not too heartily to
hear the rustic made by the intruder,
as, in turning quickly, his hand hit
and shook alow-drooping apple bough
that fell across the path. Recogniz-
ing him in the clear moonlight, Bessie
started so violently as to throw her
head against Mr.. Gaines shoulder,
but for which, and the encircling arm,
she would have fallen to the ground.
Immediately recovering herself, how
ever, she drew away from him into
patch of shadow near by, leaving Will
no choice but to advance, with very
hot and uncomfortable sense of false
position, indicated by his first words.
"Cood-evening, he began, doubt
fully, addressing no one in particular
81 hope I'm not intruding ?"
Beyond a corresponding salutation
Bessie made no reply, but her COM
panion was not so reticent.
"On the contrary" he said with n
mischievous laugh, glancing toward
the girl-"you are extremely welcome
to me, Mt least. 1 have quite worn
myself out with swinging Miss Bessie
whose weight is really something
surprising l-and shall be glad to find
so able substitute.
But, with saucy retort, Bessie de-
clared herself tired of the sport, and
the party sought the porch. Here,
however, it was no better. A spell of
mischief seemed to hold Bessie, who
could not or would not talk, but sat
silently weaving wreath OF rosebuds
with the ivy that entwined one of the
rustic pillars. Chilled with this cold
reception, Will very soon rose to go,
but, making one last effort, he said,
hurriedly:
"Bessie, won't you walk down to
the gate with me? I've q message for
you"
Slowly and reluctantly the girl COM
piled, stopping short at the gate, and
asking, coldly:
"Well, what's your message? l
shall be taking cold here.
Now Wills message was some un-
important tri1e which might as we'll
have been reserved for another tim e,
and, having heard it, she tossed her
head, saying:
ooh, is that all? I'll go back,
then. Good night" p"
"Well, go back!" said Will, fierce
ly, as she turned away-''go back to
|
him, if you want to, but l swear"
"What do you mean?" she cried,
half frightened by the savage whisper,
the abrupt stop, seeming to mask
some terrible meaning, and the des'
pernte, passionate face revealed by the
moonlight-"W "What were you saying
please, WHIP"
She took step toward him, jus
touching his arm with her hand, but
he shook it off, and muttering -"No
matter-I'll not keep you here, "
pulled open the gate, and walked dowr
the lane without q single backward
glance. Bessie, after watching hin
out of sight, returned with rather
troubled face.
Willis intention had been to solicit
Bessie's company for sail which wa'
to come off the next day, on Bran
pond, but the GOODNESS OF her recep
ton had checked his purposes. Never
theless she was there; all life and
gayety as usual, and as usual also nc
companied by Alfred Gaines. Will
was there, too, for, as the best sailor
his skillful management could not bt
spared from the boat. But, silent ant
busy, he had very little to do witt
Bessie, who in the other end OF tn
boat, laughing and chatting, amused
herself by unsuccessful suatches afte
floating water-lilier. Presently Mr.
Gaines volunteered his assistance