Smyrna times., 1912-05-01
Bessie GordOn'S
~ ~ Visit


1t was an old, gentle woman who
was thinking of her own son who
went away from the little farm
house on the hill to make his fortune
in the faroff Western cline. She
thought: "Will l ever see my dear
Herbert again? Will l ever smooth
the golden hair l used to love to
gaze upon9 May it please God l
shall see him ere long,
While she stood thinking in the
sunlight young girl, who appeared
in age about 2l, came up from be-
hind, folded her dainty, little, white
hands over the elder lady's eyes
and said: "Who am II"
GAS if l could not tell who those
soft, loving hands belonged to. Why
it is Bessie Gordon Bessie was
Herbert's childhood sweetheart and
it was for her he went away. He
was to return after he had won
enough money to establish a luxuri-
Gus home for both mother and
bride. He knew Bessie would wait
so he did not tell her of his plans.
Thereupon the years passed; suitors
by the score sought the hand of
pretty Bessie. but she answered.
emo"
James Farley, the village Sheriff's s
son was the most persistent of all.
He pressed his suit again and again
still she said: "Jim l love you as
a sister loves a brother. How can
l marry you? What is marriage
without love? You would surely
regret it some day. Mayme Perry
loves you. She is a dear. sweet girl;
why not marry her?"
"Bessie," he said, 'you do not
understand. l do not love her. -
Then it dawned upon him. Bessie
did not love him. How could she
marry him? So he accepted her
promise of everlasting sisterly love
and went away contented.
Just then the dinner bell rang
and Bessie went to dinner. She
was very deep in thought therefore
she ate but little. Her father note
the pallor in her face and the tears
in her eyes.
"Bessie, my dear, you are sad
today, " ne said. "Whg do you
cry?"
But Bessie made no response.
She was thinking of Herbert Lee,
far away, and of his mothers grief
for a sight of him. Her father,
knowing her best, left her to her
thoughts as he beckoned to his wife
seated by the morning glory vines
and watching the beautiful blossoms.
They talked of Bessie's future.
Mrs. Gordon whispered:
perhaps tits best to send her to
Aunt Sarah's for time the change
may do her good" The father
thought for an instant, and said:
"Yes, mother, it is a good idea.
Tomorrow we shall tell her to make
preparations for a Journey" With
the morrow came a busy season.
Trunks, cases and dressmakers were
all secured and in fortnight Bessie
stood in the quaint, little station in
far-off Arizona. Her Aunt Sarah
came to meet her and the meeting
was happy one, they not having
seen each other since Bessie was
| LITTLE m0ra than habv
Four months passed and mamma
and papa Gordon were getting lone.
some for their darling Bessie, their
only child; so they wrote Aunt
Sarah to send Bessie home at once.
Before her departure, Aunt SaraI
planned little party for her nice,
and among the friends on the lis
was a young and able mining
broker. AS Bessie was about to b.
introduced the broker came forwar
and when the introduction wa
finished he held fast and long tn
little, unbejeweled hand she ha
held out to him. Their eyes me
and seemed riveted, so long wa
their gaze. But, oh, the great hap
piness which it bespoke meant muc
to both.
: From the brokers' lips came
"Bessie," and from Bessie's liz
came: Herbert. They the
I walked out into the garden.
"Bessie, come now tell me a
about the old folks; are they a
we'll and happy? How is mother
! poor, dear mother-how she Inu:
1 long to see me. But she shall soc
/ see me, for / am ready to go hon
! now," he said.
"When will you start Herbert
I "That is for you to decide.
! 'For me, Herbert, how can
I decide your affairs?"
! Oh, Bessie, you do not unde
stand. Did it never occur to VOL
{ my darling, that l loved you, that
{ came out here to make myse