Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1899-07-14
~-IONNIE BESSIE.

| bounle besSi0 every one caiieu ner,
and rightly enough. for of all the high
land lassies 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 a bach
elor, something over two-score years
old and he wanted Bonnie Bessie for
his wife.
III the lassie thinks she can fancy
me- he said, addressing Bessies
grandmother, I'm ready and willing
to lead her to the kirk tomorrow, and
II good, true husband and some gold
and silver will make her happy. she'll
BIO 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,
until her gray haired lover had taken
his leave. Then she burst forth into
vehement, passionate protest.
storm until her passion had spent.
well. it's DER now, and ven simmer
down and keep quiet, mebbe ~ let
We 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
iuht IL ,.,tr
But I've borne 1t all and done my best,
and always been willing to 81 ye a
share O. my last crust"
But. dearest, grandma"
Now. look here, my lass" interrupt
cd the old woman, lifting her bony I'm
ger and glowering flercely upon BESSIE.
III yere fule enou' to refuse this good
fortin' that ends 1t 'twlxt us two. YA
pack out O. my house and ne'er cross
the threshold again"
The Springtime came and the we'd
ding day was close at hand, when, one
evening, just before the cleaning. Bes-
sic went to fill her pitcher as usual at
the rocky spring near by. She had
accomplished her task and lifted the
for the cottage. her white, shapely feet
twlnkling prettily below the short pet
ticoats as she stepped from stone to
stone in crossing the little brawling
stream. when suddenly she uttered
stifed cry. and. staggering to moss
| grown boulder, sat down and put the
pitcher hastily on the ground, pressing
| nd Ina
all over.
ITS his ghalst; it's his ghalstl" she
cried, "and oh. how salr he looked at
me! He has come from his grave.
dare ma. dare ma do 1t. Oh, forgive me,
Jamie, that | ever thought o. IT,"
She drew a silken cord which encir-
cled her throat from her bosom as she
spoke and kissed the slender hoop Of
silver which depended from It, "I'll
never ha peace If marry the squire"
she said. "and | ought ma to ha' II.
shall feel | am traitor. And oh,
Jamie. jamie after all, | love no one
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 alb
juration, and went speeding away
through the falling darkness with the
light foot OF channels.
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
well now. well now, what's the
meaning OF this?" he cried, rushing
across the room and throwing up the
window. Bessie, my lass, what's hap
pened?"
Something that never should ha'
happened" she answered, looking at
him with a sort OF desperate defiance
and drawing the gold ring from her
finger as she spoke. I've come to give
this back to you, Squire Renfrow.
was wrong ever to let you put It on"
why, child what do you mean"
Take your ring" she said. You've
heard OF Aud Robin Gray, maybe,
haven't you?"
Yes, have. But what them"
well, had jamie once" she went
on. clutchlng at the little silver ring
suspended from her neck, great
throb OF pain shaking her "He gave
me this, and I cant ever wear any 9th
er ring. He-he-went OF to seek his
fortune" with another repressed sob,
"and he was lost at sea. tried to for
get him, but ! cannot. can't keep my
promise to you, Squire Renfrow-I--I
Grey should hate you'll should"
and here she broke down completely.
lie took the ring she offered and
paused for a moment. A look OF unut-
terable pain and regret came into his
eyes.
80" she said slowly. You have
come to tell me this and to ask for
your freedom? And You really think,
too. you have seen Jamle's gbaist?"
Eyes, and ! shall never return to
grandmother again. | dare not. So I
am going away"
Bessie. my darling" cried voice,
as his strong arms clasped her. The
next moment she was on the breast OF
her lover. who lad come back alive
and safe.
A few days after there was happy
marriage at the kirk. Squire Renfrow
himself giving away the bride, our
Bonnie Bessie.