Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1898-03-23
BESSIE.

had brought her two boys to the coun-
try for the summer. Il wouldn't let
Hal and Felix associate with her on
any account. If 1 were you. There's
no good in any of those Rsvens-a vile,
low set"
Mrs. Enfield looked pityingly at the
brown-faced, bare-legged little gypsy,
who had skunk around the back door,
a basket of late luscious blackbeTries
on her arm, and the deep flush that
betOkened how plainly she had over
heard Mrs. Llddington's careless
words, still dyeing her cheks.
Only Bessie Raven" How often
she had heard that phrase. How bit
ter a meaning did it convey to her ears.
There are no trout therel You
might throw a bait and wait year,
and you wouldn't get bite"'
II was a deep, solitary ravine, where
in attitudes Of intense eagerness, Hal
Enfield and his brother Felix were
holding their fishing rods, awaiting the
expected bite, while Bessie Ravens
brown face and big, black eyes looked
out at them from a atural oval frame
of bushes and vines, as she held her
basket IN one hand and her tattered
sun bonnet In the other.
Hal Enfield, q self-s sufficient little
aristocrat, by ature as well as by edu-
cation. drew himself haughtily up.
Il don't know that we asked any In
formation from you" said he, haugh-
tily. Have the goodness to be about
your business"
Il won't" retorted Bessie Raven,
with an ominous fash in her dark eyes.
s'1r's q free country, amt it? And I've
as much right here as you haver
VERY weH," said Hal, rising and
gathering together his tackle. IN go,
then. Come, Felix"
But Felix, the younger brother, had
no idea of leaving his cool, shady nook,
for whim Of HaPs.
Hal stalked away IN high dudgeon.
Felix remained behind to cultivate the
acquaintance of Bessie Raven.
If there are no trout here" said he,
comPosedly eyeing the brown gypsy
face among the leaves, where do they
hideY'
I'll show you," said Bessie, with
alacrity. Just piece further on.
There's lots of 'em-only everybody
don't know It. Come onr'
And the two children spent a long
summers morning together under the
green trees.
Until just as Felix Enfield was turn
ing 10 90 home, half apprehensive that
ne had missed the farmhouse dinner,
he did not perceive that the little gold
cross he wore attached to his watch
chain was gone.
OH cried he, where is my"
He stopped abruptly. For in the very
moment in which he spoke, he per-
ceived half hidden in the folds of the
bosom Of Bessie's tattered dress, the
CLEAN Of some golden ornament In
voluntarily he caught at tit was his
own.
You little thiefT' cried he, you must
have stolen itT'
Bessie stood sullen and silent, her
eyes cast down, her bare feet impa-
tiently pating the velvety grass below.
She could not deny it-she scorned any
attempt to Justify herself.
Bessie said the boy slowly, what
made you do it? Don't you know that
It is wrong to steaI|
wrong cried out Bessie, passion
ately. why Is It wrong? You are
rich and I'm poor! You've got every
thing. and I've got nothing! Why
shouldn't I help myself when I've got
the ChHnce?'
Felix Enfield looked at her. Verify
there was more in her creed than he
had realized.
'I'H tell you why. Bessie" said he.
AT least, III tell you what I think
about H."
So. In his bOylsh way, he unfolded
the philosophy Of meum and tuum.
Bessie Raven listened In surprise.
She had never been reasoned with be-
fore No one had ever taken the trou-
BILE 10 explain matters and things in
general to her.
"Oh. Felix she cried out, with a
great sob in her throat. Il see II all
now. But no one ever told me before.
And father-was lost at sea, and mother
had us little ones TO take care of. and
somehow everyone's hand was against
US. and we had TO fight our way along,
so / got somehow not TO care about
anything"
Don't rry. Bessie" soothed the lad
Don't fret. that's a good girl! Here
take the gold cross and keep 1t l don't
care much for it."
So they parted. At home Felix found
that his father had come to take them
Up into the mountains for few weeks
before they returned to their city home
and 50 he never got the chance to tel
Bessie Raven good-by.
Ten years afterward! Three and
twenty is q dangerous age for firta
tons. but Felix Enfield had never been
seriously smitten until that time when
he crossed the Atlantic in the steamer
VIII o the Wisp, and fell in love with
the captains Spanish-eyed daughter.
IF you don't marry me-" said Felix
with comicaI earnestness, 'IH throw
myself into the sea-"
There's not much danger of that,
said Miss Richheld, quietly.
But 1 am in earnestH protested te-
TX.
so am l." said the dsmsel with the
blue-b black eyes.
Don't you love me?' pleaded Feh1
u don't dislike you" demurely an
swered Miss Richfield.
Then l shall hope" declared Felix.
Hope is a commodity that is free t1
ALL" said the young lady.
But at the voyages end Mr.. Enhelt
was deeper in love than ever.
Look here, Miss Richtield,' said he
'if you don't say you'll have me won
leave the steamers deck! I'll go bacs
and forth perpetuslly between New
York and Southampton.
Il don't think papa would care 10
so permanent a passenger" said Mis-
aiehfield. with a mischievous twinkl'
in her pyG.