Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1902-09-27

here next Thursday" said Mrs. Ram
sen, stepping back to get a better view
of the new frizette. "I'll manage
that"
That very evening she called Bessie
into her room and thus addressed her:
MY dear child, you have been here
for nearly six months, and 1 suppose
you are tired of being idle
''Idle!" Bessie thought, remember
ing that she had played the part of
seamstress, chambermaid and Grand
girl, without thanks or wages.
But she said nothing.
And Of course I've been looking
out for you," Mrs HANSEN went on,
'and you have quite a talent for
dressmaking, and Madame Fleure
wants a young lady-some intelligent
person WHO can speak French, as you
can-and she'll give board and a
couple of dollars a week at first, and
you'd better go to her; in fact, I've
written that you would. I'll take you
myself tomorrow. Of course you are
only my halfsister's orphan-not a
close relation-and-you
Il understand" said Bessie. 'I
shan't claim relationship, and | am
very glad to be independent"
There was some scorn in her tone,
but the naughty lady who listened did
not perceive it; and meanwhile Bes-
sic was saying to herself:
ROY King has not written. If he
was not in earnest, and was only flirt-
ing with the little poor relation of the
house, shall be glad to get away"
AS she packed her trunk a few tears
fell upon its slender contents 1t seem
so hard to think that no one loved
her, that they were glad to get rid
of her, but she went away next morn
ing cheerfully.
Il sat up nearly all night to finish
your lace cape, Regina" she said, on
parting from her cousin. Il hope
you'll like it, and if any letters come
for me please send them to Madame
FIeure.''
She noticed that neither of them
asked her to call.
They are ashamed of their poor
she sighed, never dreaming
that Regina could be jealous of her
Regina, whom she thought so stylish
and beautiful.
How Regina laughed to herself at
the request Bessie had made about
letters, and how charmingly Mrs.
Ramsen received Roy King on Thurs
day.
Bessie had gone nome" she said,
"tO her native village, you know. |
fancy there is a romantic attraction
there-sOme nice young farmer, l be-
lieve"
And Roy King listened and believed.
He was very much in love with Bessie,
but as he walked away he strove to
conquer the feeling. Bessie had given
him to understand that shS could not
like him, he thought, and had told her
aunt to let him know why.
For a few weeks he went nowhere,
looked at the moon and sighed. Then
he began to call at the Ramsen's
again.
Meanwhile, Bessie worked hard,
cried little at night, and of course
received no letters.
who will be an angel and stay
leetle late to ripe this robe?" Madame
Fleurs asked, one evening; sit is to
be made over with velvet. All, how
l detest to make over. But Miss Ram
sen is a good customer, and when she
get married, as I suppose to Meestaire
King, zen 1 have her work. 1t is poll
tic to oblge one who will be rich. You,
Miss Bessie, you will be SO amiable
to stay?"
ooh, yes" replied Bessie. She sigh
ed as she took her cousins dress in
her hands.
So she was to be married to Roy.
Well, happiness was given to some
people, sorrow to others. 1t was Gods
will.
How we'll she remembered that
robe. Regina had worn it that happy
day when she-Bessie, ran to the box
often, hoping to find a letter from
Roy. What a dream it all seemed.
She thought of it as she sat alone in
the work room, shipping the stitches.
A letter never came, never would
come now, and suddenly, as though
fairy-ta were true, there lay let
ter in her lap.
The dainty envelope she had dream
ed of, her name in Roy's hand, his
seal upon it.
Am 1 crazy?" she cried. Then she
recognized the fact that the envelope
had fallen from the pocket of Regina's
dress, and that it had been opened,
and trembling with excitement, she
read it through, kissed it and hid it
in her bosom.
How cruel of her." she sobbed.
'She had it in her pocket when pass
ed her on the stairs; know it now,
but Satan has deserted her, and she
has left it here for me to find. And
at last l can right myself with Roy.
1t was hard to sit still and rip Re-
gina's dress after that. But she did