Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1921-12-01
Bessie Changes
Her Mind
BY WESLEY j. HUNTER
tS, 1921. Western Newspaper Union J

NSS' Al huu Soihe ABOUT through a
rude disturbing influence in a clear
field for Rodney Thorne. He had fond.
iy considered Bessie his own until
Willis Gould appeared upon the scene
Gould was "a jackanapes." accord.
Ing to Rodney's prejudiced ideas. He
was the scion of wealthy family, and
never worked day in his life, and
was shortly to go abroad as secretary
of consulate. This gave Gould "high
diplomatic ideas" and the apparent
right to wear semi-milltary coat
with two gilt buttons on the neck
band, which some of his girl admirers
designated as too cute for anything y
IT'S got to come to an end" said
Rodney definitely one balmy evening.
sand now's my chance to end it," he
added, as he reached the Thurston
home to find Bessie alone In the gar
den.
He ridiculed and censured Bessie's
indulgence for "the spoiled society
pet" as he demonstrated Gould.
81 think we had better meet later,
when you are more RATIONAL" sug-
gested Bessie.
mo, you shall hear me now" de-
clared Rodney.
Rodney's brow darkened.
81 must have my answer-yes or
MOI" he perseyered.
Later in the evening"
At that moment Gould came saun.
tering up the walk
''No-noww
''Then-now
Rejected Rodney was positively
rude as he brushed by the newcomers.
After that he evaded Bessie, and
her friends as well. One evening he
made a wide detour to evade Gould
and Bessie, who were idly drifting in
q frail rowboat and Rodney fancied,
looking serene and happy
1t was a rapid, torturing fight Rod
ney finally seated himself on the banks
of the river three miles down the
stream
Perhaps an hour went by when a
cry caused him to look up, Suddenly
he saw a boat skim through the chan
mel separating two islands and bear
down directly to the spot where he
was.
He saw Bessie's shanely hands cling
ing TO either side of the craft. A way
ward streak in an eddy whired the
boat around II tipped, and with a
gurgling shrek Bessie disappeared be-
meath the waters 40 feet distant, but
near to the edge of the island.
The fierce, strong current banded
Rodney about as he made direct
plunge 1t was q wild, desperate fight
with the battling waves How he
made it he never knew, but he caught
at limp body swayed along by the
sat down beside her, brenthless, ex-
hausted.
At length Bessie stirred. There was
a faint moan, she sat up, shuddered
and met his gaze.
'You!" she voiced in hollow accents
and his clinging garments told her
intutively how she had been saved,
Miss Thurston," he said quietly,
''we must lose no time. Your mother
and your friends-you will not have
to stay here for long"
"Come back !" It was wild, plead
ing shrek, a call of anguish. Of love,
as she saw him plunge into the flood,
as life and death fought desperate
battle within her sight. But he
reached the shore, though nearly
stunned and his head bruised and
bleeding at contact with rock, and
staggered away out Of sight
She SAT- moaning, her head buried
In her hands, as a slow hour went by.
Then a shout from the shore from the
midst Of friends-a weighted rope cast
across the chasm strong boatman
clasped lr and carried her thus to
the mainland. Bessie in one swift
glance swept the group. Rodney was
not there.
"Mv dear Bessie for the first time
began Gould, fastening to her side.
Sh turned to him, her eyes blazing
contempt
81 despise you'll" she cried out oh,
If anything has happened to him l
shall hate YOU !"
When they reached home they
pointed to the library room, where
Rodney buy upon couch, his head
bandagod pale, weak, but not seriously
injured he knelt at his side, with
no Ito, % of her bedraggled attire
"La>, eek" she choked out, and
hurst iot, a sob-"I didn't know my
own p qa but, oh tonight"
"s-. mind the yesterdays, he
sai smile OF ineffable peace.
"F erything except the golden
toner"
at Flies on Ceilings.
Flies 4 take refuge on the ceiling,
AT n in cool weather, may be