The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1906-03-01

| nothing in all the world half * sweet
| to me, or that I court half SO ardently
as my little Bessie-so let there be no
further argument about it. These jolly
old coves down at the bank are going
to raise my salary fifty dollars at
Christmas, and so II you can get your
frock made we'll be married then. And
set Uncle Brande and the world at de-
fiance, eh?"
The first November snowstorm was
drifting it's white flashes through the
air when a visitor was shown into
Brande Bentley's snug parlor.
y "Eh," said he, "a stranger, Jones? !
never see strangers"
But you will see MEL said a soft
voice-and a slender, golden-haired
girl stood before him, neatly yet plain
ly dressed, her black cloak powdered
over with snow, and a specialized old
lady by her side. II am Bessie Bird
and this is my aunt, Miss Bolton, the
milliner."
Miss Bolton courtesied. Mr.. Bentley
stared.
Il suppose you have come here to
speak to me about my nephew"
Yes, sir" said Bessie.
1T will be of no use," said he, CURLY.
"My opinions on the subject of his
marriage remain unchanged"
But mine do not" said Bessie
please to hear me through, Mr.. Bent
ley. 1 have written him a letter to give
him up this morning. And I came to
tell of it now, so that you will feel
kindly towards him once more. I have
told him we never could be married"
You're a sensible girl" said Mr..
Bentley, shifting his hand on the table.
"And l have sent him back the little
garnet engagement ring that he gave
me-" added Bessie, with a sob in her
throat.
Better and better!" said Uncle
Brande, exultantly.
Not" bravely added Bessie, "be.
l don't love him as dearly and
truly as I ever did. But because I see
now how wrong it would be for me to
fetter his whole life. For" She
stopped an instant and a slight shud-
der ran through her frame. Il may as
well tell you all, Mr.. Bentley; / am
going blind!"
"Blind!" echoed the old man.
Blind" repeated Bessie, gently, but
firmly. Il have had such strange blurs
and d~arknesses come across my vision
Of late, and went to a doctor. And the
doctor told me, as kindly as he could,
that these are but the precursors of
total blindness. So, Of course, all is at
an end between Harry and me. Will
you please tell him this? 1 have re-
ferred him to you for all particulars"
Il WILL" said the old man, huskily.
Harry Wade came to his uncle that
very morning in great perturbation.
What does this mean, sir?" said he.
"Have o been endeavoring to per-
suade her to throw me over?"
"No, boy-no," said the old man., and
he told him all.
Il am bound to say that the girl has
behaved very WE'LL" said he. Shall you
give her up?"
mo! Never!" shouted Harry, with
pale face and tightly clenched hand.
Never! If she was dear to me before.
she shall be doubly treasured and sa-
cred now-my little smitten lamb-my
dropping, white lily-bud! I will never
give her up while we both live!"
The old mans eyes glittered, a faint
color had risen into his witherea
cheeks, as he rose and grasped both
his nephew's hands as in a wise.
You're a trump, Harry Wade!" said
he. Il respect you more at this min
ute than ever before. Give her up, in
deed! If you gave up that little jewel
OF a girl you would give up the beacon
star OF your existence. She is a pearl
OF price, Harry-a true and noble wom-
an, who wouldn't have hesitated to
sacrifice herself for your benefit. Marry
her tomorrow if you will and bring her
right here to Bentley Grange. It shall
be her home and yours henceforward.'
And in this strange and sudden way,
old Brande Bentley relented and took
his niece-in-law-elect into his heart,
Bessie in all the flush of her rosebud
beauty could never have melted his
heart, but Bessie stricken down by God
became sacred and precious in his
SIGHT