The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-01-13
BONNIE BESSIE.

f"Bonnis 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 10
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 difference
In rank. The herds at the Red pass were
the finest and largest in the neighborhood.
The barn and storehouses were always well
filled He'was bachelor, something over
twoscore years old, and be wanted Bon
ME Bessie for his wife.
''If the lassie thinks she can fancy me, /"
he said, addressing Bessie's grandmother,
rs he stood under the low, brown rafters
of the little Black Lynn cottage, o hot
flush mounting TO the shining crown Of
his bald head-"if the lassie thinks she
can fancy me, the bargains made. I'm
ready and willing to lead her to tho kirk
tomorrow, and II good, true husband
and some gold and siller will make her
happy, she'll be as 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
a sort Of stunned silence, until her gray
haired lover had taken his leave Then
she burst forth into vehement, passionate
protest.
Tho old grandmother suffered her to
storm until her passion was spent.
'Well, It's DER now, and yell simmer
down and keep quiet, mebbe. I've let 70
have yer say, and now I'll have mino.
We're poor folk, me and ye. l found it
hard to get bread when I had but my own
mouth to feed and since I've been bur-
dened wi ye I've gone to bed mony
night fit to cry wi hungr. But I've
borne 1t all and dono my best, and always
been willing to gi' ye a share O. my last
crust"
But, dearest grandma
"Now, lookee here, my lass" interrupt
ed the old woman lifting her bony finger
and glowering fercely upon Bessie, If
yere fule enou' to refuse this good fortin,
that ends it 'twixt us two. Ye pack out
O. my house and ne er cross the threshold
again."
The springtime came and the wedding
day was close at hand when one evening,
just before the cleaning, Bessie went to
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 the
short pettcoat as she stepped from stone
to stone In crossing the little brawling
stream, when suddenly she uttered u stified
cry, and, staggering to a moss grown bowl
der, sat down and put the pitcher hastily
on the ground, pressing her hand on her
heart and trembling oil over.
Its his ghaist; it's his ghaist,' she
cried, land OH how sair no looked ut me!
He has come from his grave. I dare ma,
dare ma do it. Oh, forgive me, Jamie,
that ever thought O. it,
She drew a silken cord which encircled
her throat from her bosom as she spoke
and kissed the slender hoop Of silver which
depended from it. I'm never hn' peace if
l marry tho squire" she said, land l
ought ma to ha' it. shall feel am a
traitor. And, oh, Jamie, Jamie, aftor all,
lovo 10 ono but you, and never can"
Suddenly she rose, with resolution
stamped On every feature Leaving her
pitcher there, she tossed back her abundant
locks as she finished this abjuraton and
went speeding away through the falling
darkness with tho light foot of u chamois.
When she reached the Rcd pass, the
bright glow of the warm inglesde lit the
windows. She approached the nearest one
and pressed her sad, tired, yet resoluUe
face against the glass
A minute, and she tapped lightly
against the glass. The squire turned
quickly, stared, and then started to his
feet.
'Wel now, well now, what's the mean
ing of thisf" he cried, rushing across the
roum end throwing up the window.
"Besse, my lassie, what's happenedf"
Something that never should ha' hap
pened," she answered, looking ut him
with sort Of desperate defiance and
drawing the gold ring from her finger as
She spoke GIVE come to give this back
to you, Squire Renfrew. l was wrong
ever TO let you put 1t on"
"Why, child, what do you mean?"
"Take your ring" she said "You We
heard Of Aud Robin Grey, maybe, haven't
your"
"Yes, have. But what thenf"
well, I had Jamie once" sho went
on, clutching at the little silver ring sus-
pended from her neck, u great throb Of
pain shaking her. He gave me this and
can t ever wear any other ring. He-he
went off to seek his fortune, with an
other repressed sob, land he was lost at
Sea- tried to forget him, but cannot
can't keep my promise to you, Squire
Renfrew-I-I couldn't feel like she did
to Aud Robin Grey'--I should hate you
Il should And hore she broke down
completely.
He took the ring she offered and paused
| for moment. A look Of unutterable pain
| and regret came into bis eyes
80, he said slowly, you have come
to tell me this and to ask for your free.
domH And you really think, too, you have
seen Jamie's shaist2'
"Yes. And ! ShOll neycr return to
grandmother again dare Iot. SO am
going away
Bessie, NY darling" cried voice. rs
his strong Rrin c!aspeh her. The next
moment She Was oil tho breast of hor
| lover, who had curle back alive and Eafe
A few days uttGr there was happy
marriage at tho kirk, Squire Renlrew
hir-Cnif tiy tln Il,,,