The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1899-03-07
BEN'S DIPLOMACY.

BEN'S DIPLOMACY.
She stood on the back veranda max.
ing up the butter. The sleeves of her
blue print gown were rolled up past
her elbows, and her hands were YET
swollen and red from the scalding and
chilling process.
Suddenly there came a sharp knock.
ing at the hall door, and a tall, stern
featured woman thrust her head through
the bathroom window, which looked
out on the back veranda.
"There's some one at the door, Bes-
sie, she said, and her whisper could
have reached to the house front.
The girl hurried along the narrow
passage, unrolling her right sleeve as
she went, which was the one to be pre-
sented when the door should be opened.
GOOD morning, she said as serene
ly as could be expected from N whose
hopes had been raised by a shadow on a
frosted pane and shattered by the open
ing Of the door.
GOOD morning." said the man at
the doorstep, and his eyes smiled
crookedwise at the knocker, which was
the exact spot where her face was, 40
cording to his focus. Good morning.
IL thought maybe you'd like some
peas. They're quite young and fresh.
and I've just pulled Them"
"We've just got some, said the girl.
John always comes on a Saturday."
II thought maybe you'd have them, !"
said the young man to the knocker,
shut p'raps you'd rather have flowers. "
The door was jerked back, and anoth-
er face appeared above the girls shout
der. The young man moved his eyes to
a hole that had been made for a latch
key.
GOOD morning. Mrs. Stuart" he
said eagerly. IL just looked round
to see if Miss Bessie wouldn't like some
fresh young peas. / had a good crop of
'em this time"
"Why, of course Bessie will, said
Mrs. Stuart, land she's very much
obliged to you for 'em. Aren't you Bes-
sie?''
eyes, mother, she said, but the
words seemed to come from behind shut
teeth.
"What are you going to do with your
self on Sunday, Benz" asked Mrs. Stu
art.
II reckon I'm just going to stay at
home by myself" said the young man,
but an anxious shading stole into his
smile.
"You might as we'll drop in and take
a cup of tea with us. Bessie and l will
be alone, said Mrs. Stuart, her natural
grimness climbing over her blandness.
"Thanks, he said, with alacrity; 81
don't mind if I do.
When the hall door was closed, the
two women took their way to the back
veranda.
II don't want his peas" Bessie said.
II hate Them"
"No, you DON'T" said her stepmoth-
er in her clear cut voice. "You want
EN-, and you're going to take 'em, and
you're going to behave civil to him
when he comes on Sunday"
"I'm not, said the girl, but weak
ness streaked her voice.
Don't be a ninny," said her moth
er. you'll have him when your ask
ed. And young Macalister's gone to
Western Australia"
Sunday was ushered in with the sing
ing of locusts. A cloudless blue sky
dropped down from the heights to the
horizon, and a hillside of grim gums
stood stark, as if benumbed by the null
titude of voices filling the air.
Bessie put On a white muslin gown
and walked with her mother to church.
Her hat was broad brimmed and deep
down over her face, the lace touches Of
her gown and %headgear seeming to be-
long to her as the petals do to a rose.
Ben Stevens watched her through the
service. his eves hiding the secret Of
his truancy that his half turned head
would have revealed.
He walked down the road with them
afterward-that little cold girl separat-
ed from him by Mrs. Stuart and q
whole wide world of indifference.
He sat through a tea meal by her side
and talked to her mother about a weed
which spoiled the milk, and he had eat
en- of soda bread and ourrant buns.
And 10Y he was watching the moon
some up through the trees, while a sort
of uncouth bliss was surging in his
heart.
"Wouldn t you rather go to church,
asked Bessie.
mo" he answered and let his eyes
begin his story.
81 believe i left the canary on the
dairy wall, she said and stood up.
Never mind, " said Ben. rising to
tower above her.
but the mosquitoes, - she faltered.
Never mind, he said again, and
dropped his head to her level, hurting
out a passionate love word into her ear.
"No-no-nol' she said.
You re shy ~ he said. "Now, aren't
you? Oh, Bessie, | do love you SOP
A tall form emerged from the door
way.
"Shyness soon wears off, said Mrs.
Stuart. Il suppose, Ben Stevens. you
mean stealing my girl, hanging over
her like this?'
II love her," said the young man.
when did you think of getting mar
ried?' asked Mrs. Stuart.
"Soon's ever Bessie likes, said Ben.
1.-The end of the month nd be a good
time" said Mrs. Stuart. Wouldn't 1t,
Bessie?"
The girls face was in her hands. A
muttered word came from between the
fingers.
"Then the end of the month" said
Mrs. Stuart. "and now you'd better say
good night. The girls a bit overcome
with the heat. Good night, Ben. Come
again tomorrow"
Ben strobe beyond her.
Will you marry me, Bessie?'' he
asked sharply. Let's hear you say it.
Mrs. Stuart smiled triumphantly in
the darkness.
YES" faltered Bessie, with a roam
ing look.
And he snatched her in his arms and
kissed her.
In the morning Ben was at work
among his cabbages and peas, and the
remembrance of that kiss was on him
he worked.
That evening there was a glorious
dusk with a south wind Ben, saving
wood, paused with the crossout saw half
through a piece of timber and drew his
horny hand across his forehead.
He was SO far away that he quite
started to hear a light football close be-
side him. He looked around, and there
dawned an astounded expression and
then a rapturous glow on his face.
Bessie p he exclaimed. "Bessiei"
He put out his arms. What more per-
fectly natural than that she should slip
into them?
Rut she onlv smiled and shook her