The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1902-10-04

nef eyes grew uedfy. Ono Wouiu "o' S'J,
but she greatly desired to do SO.
"Ah, well, there are more mails today,
she said, and settled down to her sewing
work for her Cousin Regina-Regina was
always having new dresses made. Poor
little Bessie, the poor relation of the family,
was seldom without needle in her hand
in consequence. 1t was very rarely that
she had new dress of her own.
Happily she was so fresh and pretty,
that the simple little frocks that were now
and then given her, mushns bought by her
aunt at bargain counters, or cheap woolens
selling off out of season, were all becoming.
Regina, with her grand hair, had some-
times condescended to tell her so in the first
days of her presence in the Remsen resi-
dence, but of late, to the astonishment of
the stately cousin and the stout aunt, others
had observed the fact.
Roy King, who was not only the most
eligible match in the Remsen social circle,
but a very charming fellow beside, had
been altogether too attentive to poor little
Bessie of late.
They had fingered on the balcony to-
gether, and Regina had heard whisper,
which had set her to watching the letter
| box as we have seen.
Now behind her locked door, she held
in her hand the proof that she was not
mistaken. A letter on the paper Roy
always used and bearing his seal, addressed
to sMiss Bessie Benton
For moment Regina held it in her
hand and hesitated. One may go to State
prison for breaking the seal of a letter ad-
dressed to another But Regina argued
that no one would ever know. That was
all fair in love and war.
"Who knows what the little sly boots
may be up to, she said to herself; che
WAS ucfOtcu W INC UciotC ihdlhma aSASu
her here. And if she is casting her nets
for him | must know it. +" Then she cut
the edges of the letter very carefully with
tiny, pearl handled knife, and the letter
lay open before her. She read:
'sDear Bessie-May I call you so? |
have tried to tell you how | felt to you so
often, but there seems no opportunity for
me on your aunt's reception evenings
"On Thursday, unless you send me
word not to come, [ shall call on you par
ticularly. I cannot endure this suspense
much longer.
sYours devotedly, Roy King.
Regina read this letter twice, flashing
with wrath as she did So
Then thrusting it in her pocket again,
| she few across the hall to her mother s
room, and shutting the door, locked it
behind her, much to that lady's astonish
ment
sYou startle one so, said Mrs. RAM
sen, who was trying on a new frizette at
the mirror Really, you should cult
vate more digni6ed manner. Tall peo
pie should never fly about like whirlwinds
as you do, and am sure Roy King would
be disguised if he saw you like that.
''Oh, mamma r said Regina, testify,
"don't preach, I've come to you for ad-
vice. Somehow, no matter in what par
ticular way, I have discovered that Boy
King, who has seemed to every one to
come here for my sake, who certainly did
admire me, has been bewitched by that
little snake, Bessie Benton. He intends
to come here on Thursday to see her to
propose to her, mamma, and Il"
Here Regina threw herself on the sofa
and burst into tears.
ssI am SO fond of him and he is so rich,
and I'm SO bitterly disappointed.
'sPerhaps it is all your Imagination,
Regina. said Mrs. Ramsen Chow did
you learn all that 2
"You had better not ask questions about
that, mamma" Regina answered; 'please
accept it as fact, and tell me how to pre-
vent Roy King from seeing Bessie next
Thursday.
s'My dear, Bessie shall not see him
here next Thursday" said Mrs. Ramsen,
stepping back to get better view of the
new frizette. "Tll manage that.
That very evening she called Bessie into
her room and thus addressed her:
sMy dear child, you have been here for
nearly six months, and | suppose you are
tired of being idle.
Cider Bessie thought, remembering
that she had played the part of seamstress,
chambermaid and errand girl, without
, thanks or wages.
But she said nothing.
sAnd of course L We been looking out
. for you,'' Mrs. Hansen went on, ''and
you have quite talent for dressmaking,
, and Madame Fleure wants young lady
, some intelligent person who can speak
French, as you can-and she II give boare
: and couple of dollars week at first, and
, you'd d better go to her; in fact, I've writ
ten that you would. I'll take you my
self tomorrow. Ofcourse you are only my
half f-sister's orphan-not close relation
and you
, 81 understand. said Bessie. 81 shan
claim relationship, and | am very glad tc
be Independent.
There was some scorn in her tone, but
the naughty lady who listened did not per-
ceive it; and meanwhile Bessie was saying
to herself:
aRoy King has not written. If be was
, not in earnest, and was only flirting with
the little poor relation of the house, | shall
be glad to get away