The Lambertville record., 1899-03-08
: BONNIE BESSIE.

Bonnie Bessie" every one called her,
and rightly enough. for Of all the high.
land lassles who gathered at the little
kirk Sabbath mornings not one was
half so pretty and winning as Bessie.
Squire Renfrow, of the Red Pass, was
desperately in love with Bessie and
sought to make her his wife in spite
of difference in rank He was bach
elor. something over two-score years
old. and he wanted Bonnie Bessie for
his wife
IF the lassie thinks she can fancy
me, he said. addressing Bessie's
grandmother, I'm ready and willing
TO lead her TO the kirk tomorrow, and
if good true husband and some gold
and silver 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 sort of stunned silence
his leave. Then she burst forth into
vehement passionate protest
The old grandmother suffered her to
storm until her passion had spent.
Well 'tls DER now, and yen simmer
down and keep quiet. mebbe, Eve let
ye have yer say. and now I'll have
mine. We're poor folk, me and ye |
found 1t hard to get bread when had
but my own mouth to feed. and since
I've been burdened wi ye I've gone to
bed mony night fit to cry wi hunger.
But I've borne ii all and done my best
and always been willing to 81 We a
share o my last crust.
hut, dearest. grandma
Now, look here, my lass" interrupt
ed the old woman. lifting her bony fin
ger and glowerlng fiercely upon Bessie
If ye're fule enou' to refuse this good
fortin that ends 1t 'twlxt liz two. Ye
pack out o my house and ne'er cross
the threshold again
The Sprngtime came and the we'd
ding day was close at hand. when. one
evening, Just before the gloamlng, Bes-
sic went to illl her pitcher as usual al
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 pet
ticoats as she stepped from stone to
stone in crossing the little brawllng
stream. when suddenly she uttered a
stiiied cry, and. staggering to 1t moss
hAn1Har Ipmn md MI Ia
pitcher hastily on the ground. pressing
her hand ON her heart and trembling
all over.
It's his ghalst, It's hla ghaistl" she
cried, "and oh, how sair he looked ut
mel lie has come from his grave.
dare ma, dare ma do 1t. Oh, forgive me
Jamie, that ever thought o it,
She drew n silken cord which eneir-
cled her throat from her bosom as sh,
spoke and kissed the slender hoop o
silver which depended from It, IN
newer ha' peace II marry the squire,
she said. and ! ought ma TO ha' II.
shall feel am a traitor And oh
Jamie, Jamie, after all. love no on,
but you and never can
Suddenly she rose, with resolution
stamped on every feature. Leaving hel
pitcher there. she tossed back hei
abundant locks as she flushed this alb.
juration. and went speeding away
through the falling darkness with the
light foot of ehamols.
when she reached the Red Pass the
bright glow of the warm inglesIde lit
the windows, She approached the near
est one and pressed her sad, tired yet
resolute face against the glass.
A minute and she tapped lightly
against the glass. The squire turned
quickly, stared and then started to his
feet.
We'll now. wen now, what's the
meaning OF this?" he cried. rushing
across the room ard throwing up the
window. Bessie, my lass, what's hap
pened?'
Something that never should ha
happened" she answered, looking al
him with sort OF desperate defiance
and drawing the gold ring from hei
finger as she spoke. I've come to give
this back to you, Squire Itenfrow.
was wrong ever to let you put II on. d
why, child what do you mean"
Take your ring" she said You've
heard OF Aud Robin Gray. maybe
haven't you2'
yes. | have I}ut what them"
well, | had Jamie once. she went
on, clutching al the little silver ring
suspended from her neck, great
throb OF pain shaking her. "He gave
me this, and cant ever wear any 9TH
er ring Ile-he-went off to seek his
fortune" with another repressed sob
"and he was lost at sea. tried to for
get him. but cannot. cant keep my
promise to you. Squire Renfrow-I i
couldn't feel like she did to Aud Robin
Grey should hate you-I should
and here she broke down completely.
He took the ring she offered anC
paused for a moment. A look Of unut
terable pain and regret came into hi!
eyes.
80" she said slowly You hav,
come to tell me this and to- ask fol
your freedom? And you really think
too you have seen Jamie's ghaist2"
yes, and | shall never return to
grandmother again | dare not. SO
am going away.
BESSIE, my darllng. cried voice
as his strong arms clasped her. The
next moment she was on the brea5t OF
her lover, who had come back alive
and safe.
A few days after there was a happy
marriage at the kirk Squire Renfrow
himself giving away the bride. our
Bonnie Bessie.
Tho DuIckr.t Wink