Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1899-01-14
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 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-
sic. 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
" as could be expected from one whose
hopes had been raised by 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, ac
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,
"but p'raps you'd rather have flowers. 4"
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 latch
key.
Good morning, Mrs. Stuart" he
said eagerly II just looked round
To see if Miss Bessie wouldn't like some
fresh young peas. bad "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?"
"Yes, 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.
Il reckon I'm Just going TO stay at
home by myself, said the young man,
but an anxious shading stole into his
smile.
lyon iIight rs well drop in and take
cup of tea with us Bessie and will
be alone. said Mrs. Stuart, her natural
grimness climbing over her blandness.
Thanks. he said. with alacrity; II
don't mind if do
When the hall door was closed, the
two women took their way TO the back
veranda
Il don't want his peas. Bessie said
Il hate them.
"No, you don't, said her stepmoth-
er in her clear cut voice lyon want
en-, and you're going to take 'em, aud
you're going 10 behave civil to him
when he comes on sunday
I'm not " said the girl. but weak
ness streaked her voice.
Don't ne ninny. said her moth
er. You'll have him when you're ask
ed And young Macalisier's gone to
Western Australia
Sunday was ushered IN with the sing
ing of locusts 4 cloudless blue sky
dropped down from the heights to the
horizon, and hillside Of grim gums
stood stark, a. If henumbed by the mul
titude of voices filling the air
Bessie put on white muslin gown
and walked with her mother TO church
Her hat was broad hrimmed and deep
down over her face, the lace touches Of
her gown and hcadpear seeming to be
long To her a. the petals do To- "a rose.
Ben Stevens watched her through he
service. ms ewes hiding tine secret Of
his truanry that his half turned head
would have revealed
He walked down tine road with them
afterward-ihat little cold girl separat
ed from him 10y Mrs stuart and a
whole wide world of Indifference
He sat through a tea meal by her side
and talked to her mother about weed
which Spoiled tine milk. and he bad cat
en- of soda bread aud currant buns
And now he was watching the moon
come mp through the trees while sort
OF uncuuth hllss was ,urgmg M ms
heart
Nuuldu tyou rather 90 To church
....t....4 d.