The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1898-01-22
CECIL 49, So WING.
SATURDAY, JANUARY %, 1898.
BOllIE BESSIE.

"Bonnie Bessie every one called her,
and rightly enough; for of all the high
land lassies who gathered at the little kirk
Sabbath mornings not one was half SC
pretty and winning as Bessie.
Squire Renfrew Of the Red pass was
desperately in love with Bessie and sought
to make her his wife in spite of Different G
in rank. The herds at the Red pass were the
finest and largest in the neighborhood.
The barn and storehouses we're always vel!
filled. He was bachelor, something over
twoscole years old, and he wanted Bonnie
Bessie for his wife.
''If the lassie thinks she can fancy me, "
he said, addressing Bessies grandmother,
as he stood under the low, brown rafters OF
the little Black Lynn cottage, hot flush
mounting to the shining crown of his bald
head-'if the lassie thinks she can fancy
me, the bargains made. Pm ready and
willing to lead her to the kirk tomorrow,
and if good, true husband and some gold
and silver will make her happy as queen
at the Red pass.
Bessie listened with wide, startled eyes,
burning cheeks and quivering lips She
held her peace, standing tall and slim in n
sort of stunned silence, until her gray
haired lover had taken his leave. Then
she burst forth into vehement, passionate
protest.
The old grandmother suffered her to
storm until her passion was spent.
Well, tits DER now, and yell simmer
down and keep quiet, mebbe. I've let we
have yer say, and now I'll have mine.
We're poor folk, me and ye. l found it
hard to get bread when l had my own
mouth to feed, and since I've been bur
dened wi we I've gone to bed mony night
fit to cry VII hunger. But I've borne it
all and done my best, and always been
willing to gi' We share O. my last crust. y
But, dearest grandma"--
Now, lookee here, my lass" interrupt,
and glowering fiercely upon Bessie, ''ii
ye're fule enou' to refuse this good fortin
that ends it twixst us two. Ye pack out
@ my house and neer cross the threshold
again."
The springtme came and the wedding
day was close at hand when one evening
just before the cleaning, Bessie went tc
| fill her pitcher as usual at the rocky spring
near by. She had accomplished her task
and lifted the pitcher to her shoulder and
had started for the cottage, her white
shapely feet twinkling prettily below tn,
short petticoat as she stepped from ston,
to stone in crossing the little biawlius
stream, when suddenly she uttered stitlet
cry, and, staggering to moss grown bowl
der, sat down and put the pitcher hasti,
on the ground pressing her hand on lie
heart and trembling all over.
''It's his ghaist; it's his Ghaist,' th
cried, "and, oh, how sair he looked at me
He has come from his grave. l dare ia
dare ma do it. Oh, forgive me, Jamie, tina
ever thought o. it.
She drew "a silken cord which encircle,
her throat from her bosom as she spoke ant
kissed the slender hoop of silver whicl
depended from it. "I'l never ha' peace i
| marry the squire" she said, land
ought ma to ha' it. | shall feel | am
traitor. And, oh, Jamie, after ALL l Low
no one but you, and never can"
Suddenly she rose, with resolution
stamped on every feature. Leaving he
pitcher there, she tossed back her abundan
locks as she finished this abiuratiol an
went speeding away through the fallin
darkness with the light foot of channels
When she reached the Red pass, tn
bright glow of the warm ingleside lit th
windows. She approached the nearest on
and pressed her sad, yet resolute fac
against the glass.
minute, and she tapped lightly again:
the glass. The squire turned quickly
stared, and then started to his feet.
"Well now, we'll now, what's the mcar
ing of this?" he cried, rushing across til
room aud throwing up the window
Bessie, my lasse what's happened ~
Something that never should ha' hal
pened," she answered, looking at him wit
sort of desperate defiance and drawing til
gold ring from her finger as she spoke
GIVE come to give this ring bac
back to you, Squire Renfrew. l wa
wrong ever to let you put it on"
"Why, child, what do you mean ?"
Take your ring" she said. "You's
heard of Aud Robin Grey, maybe, haven
you ~
Eyes, have. But what then 2"
"Well, l had a Jami. once" she wei
on, clutching at the little silver ring SUI
pended from her neck, a great throb Of pal
! shaking her "He rave me this and