Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1907-08-24
WHEN BESSIE
MOVED. ~
BY MARIE WAIT.
Cop right, 1907, bv Marie Wat.

Bessie sat with her face against the
pane of the south window. Ever since
the gathering dusk Of the winter after
noon had settled down she had watch
cd the road for signs Of the team. Two
of the loads had core and gone. The
last should have started only an hour
or so after the others. yet it WAS nearly
o o'clock and the familiar form had not
put in appearance.
Then knock at the door startled
her. and she covered into the darkness,
hoping that the INTRUDER. whoever it
might he. would become tire and go
away. Instead. the knocking Continu-
ed, and presently there was Il gust of
cold air as the door WAS thrown open
1t could not be the FOLKS They were
coming from the south 1t must be n
tramp.
The furniture was still piled in the
center OF the room, and there was no
hiding plac" save the great cupboard
that had been Grandma Bailcy'S. Soft
ly she stole across the room. but was
just conccaling herself when man en-
tered carrying n lantern.
Trcmblingly she obeycd his com
mand to come out and stood facing
him. There was nothing very terribI.
about his appearance. He was muttlcd
up To his eyes in coats and scarf, but
the eyes We're frank and kindly, and
there was Il twinkle SuGg 'itive of fun
Give an account of YOURSELF" he de
manded. Trying to steal the house,"
I'VE are moving in she cried indig-
nautly. II came on with tn, first load,
and mother and father were To be here
with tn" last. They have not arrived
yet | don't know what cnn be keep
iue them | am BESSIE Lyford." she
r,iJ.' as uu aftcrthouGht
asa l'm Joel Ware" he introduced.
= IHsT got back from town and saw
the lights I did not know that the
new owners were moving in and came
over tp see IL trampS wrr" in the house
live across the way"
II have been here Sii H." she said.
We are moving over from Groton. |
was to show the men wh"r. to put the
things The last load wcut-oh. years
ago
And you've been sitting here since
then watching for your folks" he said,
locking nt the chair by the window
Had your supper?'
Il had n cold lunch." she said ndf-
ferently "rhe kitchen things are on
the last load"
"I'll bring something over" he de-
clared. Il haven't had my supper yet
He slipped out and Bessie sank into
the chair by tn" window to resume
her watch After awhile he returned
and she went out into the dining room,
where he was strengthening out the
chairs. The steam of til" hot co"ee
filled the room with its delicious odor,
and for the first time she realized that
she was hungry
II brought mine, too" he explained.
It'll save time"
lie drew up chair, and presently
she found herself chatting as she sip
ped the coffee and munchcd the bis
cult. Joel. she found kept bachelor
hall in the little farmhouse across the
way. In the summer he had several
hands helping him, but in the winter
he lived by himself and was glad
enough to have ncighborS again.
She almost forgot her troubles until
the tray was depleted and Joel rose.
"lll take these things over to the
house." he said. land then come back.
You won't be scared. will you?"
Bessie shook her head laughingly.
There was Il certainty of movement
about Joel that induced confidence, and
as she watched the light go up in his
kitchen while he moved about at his
work. the occasional silhouette against
the light brought comfort to her Then
the light Went ont again, and she could
see him striding through light snow
that had begun to fall.
She looked up with smile as he
entered
Il was tempted to run across and
help you with the diShwashng," she
said. Il never thought or | should
have offered to do 50 before you left"
guess CIu uo my DN IL tHOTtS,
he laughed back. Il was wondering
how it would do to hitch up and drive
back GrotCn way. I've got Il fresh
team, and If YOU don't mind being
alone can find out what's the matter.
| brought my revolver over SO you
would feel safer. | don't suppose
you'll need it, but it might be Il COM
fort to feel that you had it,
But it's such long. cold drive"
she protested.
Il guess little snow won't hurt
me or the team much,' he laughed.
You'll be worrying till you know
wood for the stoves and then get
along"
He built up roaring fire and then
turned to Bessie.
This is a sort of back roai,' he
explained. The tramps mostly hold
to the line of the railroad. so don't
worry. I'll be back as soon as can"
She watched him drive out OF the
yard presently, and as the we'll match.
ed team sped down the road Il sudden
sense Of loneliness came over her. 1t
was not quite the feelin" she had ex-
perienced before. That had been the
loneliness OF solitude. Now she was
lonely because Ware had gone, and
even while she cried softly to herself
her heart glOwed as she remembered