The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-05-16
written for The Sunday Virginian by
Kenneth)

1t was an ideal May morning: white
heecy clouds floated away in the blue
sky az the sun rose over the horizon
and assembled higher and higher in the
heavens. flooding the earth with golden
light and sparkling In tiny dewdrOp:
on grass and shrubs. Two bicycles were
propped against an old tree and the rid
er5 rested under its spreading branchc;
a. Ett.e sunbeam, peepiHg through the
thick foliage and fingered for Il tnomen t
on the upturned face Of Bessie Cameron,
kissed the brown curls which straved
from beneath the picturesque straw hat,
sparklcd In the bright brown eyes ard
kissed the rosebud mouth and flushed
Cheeks AT her side was a huge bunch,
or wild flowers, and in one hand she held
q field daisy.
will you tell me whom you have
named 1t. Mr.. Beresford?"
yes. If fortune is kind and the daisy
has the number Of petals l DESIRE" he
answered, with a look that caused Bes-
s.e's eyes to droop and her cheeks to
flush n brighter CRIMSON.
The sunlight falling upon Richard Be
sreSford'5 uncovered head revealed an
honest. manly face which only partly
revealed the chivalrous. noble nature
Of the man. Bessie held up the daisy
and the slender fingers pluckcd off the
petals one by one. and as they tloated
away on the breeze the sweet voice re-
ship. love. indifference. hatred: friend
shlp.-oh. Mr.. Reresford. it's friendship,
arn't you pleased?"
a shadow fell upon the manly face.
No: am not pleased with the de-
cislon Of the daisy. for / named !, Ges-
SIZE"
"Oh. I'm so sorry, Mr.. Beresford."
Sorry. Bessie. Why?"
Because" looking up at him with a
frank smile, because | liked you so
much. and hoped we Nigh, be friends
a real friendship means a great deal: /,
is lifelong trust"
True. Bessie. but compared with
what 7 feel for you it is cold and faint.
love you with all my heart and want
you for my wife, He took both her lit
lie hands in his. And nothing but your
true. pure love will satisfy me. Dear
est. think 1t over prayerfully one little
moment. and may God grant you know
yourself"
The brown head bent over In silence a
few minutes and then raising her eyes
to his She answered sadly. whl. sympa-
thetic tears gathered in the soft brown
eyes:
'Mr. Reresford. I am so sorry-it is
only frien dship.'
His face was turned away SO She Il ID
not see the sorrow her words caused
saying earneSily:
GOD bless and keep you always. Bes-
SIZE"
The ride home was made In silence
The next day while looking over The
Virginian Bessie was surprised Ia read
that Richard Beresford had started sud-
derby upon a foreign tour The paper
slipped from her hands and her eyes
filled with tears. She felt that she had
heen true to her own heart. yet his alb
sence cast a shadow over her life which
not al the excitement Of her gay life
could nlspel.
Two years have passed away since
that spring morning and again ii is May.
Spring. with that nameIess pathos in
the air,
Which dwells with all things FAR.
Spring. with her golden suns and silver
rain.
IL with us once again"
The bicycle club Of which BESSIE was
a member had arranged to have n run
down TO the Country Club. where q
game OF tennis was 10 he played, follow
ed by an imprompiu dance The wea tn
er was perfect. and the ride into the
country eNh:larating ard enjoyed by all.
Arriving a their destination the wheels
were stacked in the shade While the rid
era sauntered around a vii or gathered
in groups for conversation. A merry