Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1907-04-28
WHEN BESSIE MOVED. -%
By MARIE WAIT.
Copyrigl,t, 1907, hy Nitric 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 ed the road for signs of the team. Two of the loads had come and gone The last should have started only an hour or so after the others, yet it was nearly 9o'clocl and the familiar form had net put In appearance.
 Then q knock at the door startled her, and she covered into the darkness. hoping that the intruder, whoever it might be, would become tired and go away. Instead, the knocking continu- ed, and presently there was gust of cold air as the door was thrown open. It could not be the folks. They were coming from the south. It must be tramp.
 The furniture was still piled ill the center of the room, and there was no hiding place save the great cupboard that had been Grandma Bailey's. Soft .ly she stole across the room, but was just concealing herself when a man ell- tered carrying a lantern.
 TImblngly she obeyed his com mas to come out and stood facil.s him. There vas nothing very terrible about his appearance. He was mufilet: up to his eyes in coats and scarf, but the eyes were frank and kindly, ala5i there was d twinkle suggestive of fun
 "Give an account of yourself,' he de handed. Trying to steal the hot'se:"
 eve are moving i'll, she cried ina- nantly. Il came oa witll the first load. and mother and father We're to bo !le"e with the last. Tiiey have not arrived yet. 1 don't know what can be ls,e5- ing them I am Bessie Lyfovt'," she added as an afterthought.
 And I'm Joel Ware," he introduced II just got back from town and saw the lights did not know that the new owners were moving in and came over to see if tramps Were ill the house I live across the way
 II have been here since IT. she said. ! was to show the men where to put the things The last load went-oll, years agov'
 And you've been sitting here since then watching for your follls,' he said. lookin.: at the chair by the window. "Had your supper?'
 'I had a cold lunch" she said indif r.; h; the last load.''
 Ylll bring something oyer,' he de ;.iMred. T haven't had ny supper yet
 lie slipped out. and Bessie sank into the chair by the 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 the hot coffee filled the room with it's delicious odor, and for the first time she realized that she was hungry.
 q brought mine too," he explained. "1t'll save time"
 He drew up q chair, and presently she found herself chatting as she sip ped the coffee and munched 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 neiSllbors again.
 She almost forgot her troubles until the tray was depleted and Joel rose. , "I'll take these things over to the 5 house," he said, "and then come back. 5 You won't be scared. will you?" Bessie shook her head laug,lingly, There was a 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 out again. and she could see him striding through light snow that had begun to fall. < @ She looked up with q smile as he entered.
 q was tempted to run across and help you with the dishwashing," she said. "I never thought or l should have offered to do so before you left"
 "I guess l can do my own chores" /"
 
 he laughed back. T was wondering how 1t would do to hitch up and drive back Groton way. I've got fresh team, and if you don't mind being alone can find out what's the natter. brought my revolver over so you would feel safer 1 don't suppose you'll need it, but it might be con- fort to feel that you had it.
 But it's such long, cold drive" she protested.
 "I guess little snow won't hurt me or the team much" he laughed. "Youll be worrying t:t! you kno" what the matter is. I'll bring in some wood for the stoves and then get along"
 He built up roaring fire and thei' n fo EncCio