The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1921-11-10
Bessie Changes
Her Mind
BY WESLEY J. HUNTER


Bessie Thurston had two lovers, and
therefore two rivals, practically enc
mics. 1t had one about through a
rude disturbing influence In a clear
field for Rodney Thorne. He had fond
ly 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 a wealthy family, and
never worked a day in his life, and
was shortly to go abroad as secretary
Of a consulate. This gave Gould high
diplomatic IDEAS" and Thea apparent
right to "a a semirmilitary coat
with two gilt buttons on the neck
band, which some of his girl admirers
designated as too cute for anything"
Its got to come to an end" said
Rodney definitely n balmy evening.
"And 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 denominated Gould.
II 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.
II must have my answer-yes or
MOI" he persevered.
Later in the evening""
At that moment Gould came saun.
tering up the walk.
"No-now!"
"Thcn-nO!"
Rejected! Rodney was positively
rude as he brushed by the newcomers.
After that he evaded Bessie, and
her friends as well. One evening T."
made r wide detour to cvade Gould
and Bessie, who were idly drifting in
a frail rowboat and, Rodney fancicA.
looking serene and happy.
1t was a rapid, torturing flight. Rod
ney finally seated himself OF the banks
Of the river three miles down the
stream.
Perhaps an hour vent 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 shapely hands cling
ing to either side OF the craft. A way
ward streak In an eddy whirled the
boat around. 1t tipped. and with a
,gurgling shrek Bessie disappe. RI be-
meath the waters 40 feet distant, but
near to the edge Of the island. q
The fierce, strong current banded
Rodney about as he made a direct
plunge. 1t was a wild, desperate fight
with the battling waves. How he
made it he never knew, but he caught
at a limp body swayed along by the
undertow, dragged Bessie ashore and
sat down beside her, breathless, ex-
hausted.
AT length Bessie stirred. There was
h lalnt uuoan, sue SAT UP, SHu'idtic'l
and met his gaze.
"You!" she voiced in hollow accents
-and his clinging garments told her
in%tuitively how she had been saved.
Miss ThurstOn," he said quietly.
tive must lose no time. Your mother
and your friends-you will not have
to stay here for long"
"Come backw 1t was a wild, plead
ing Shrek, q call Of anguish, Of love,
as she saw him plunge into the flood,
as life and death fought a desperate
battle within her sight. Bnt he
reached the shore, though nearly
stunned and his head bruised and
bleeding at contact with a 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 clasm. A strong boatman
clasped her and carried her thus to
the mainland. Bessie in one swift
glance swept the group. Rodney was
not there. Il
my dear Bessie for the first time
began Gould, Fastening to her side.
She turned to him, her eyes blazing
contempt.
Il despise you'll" she cried out. "Oh,
II anything has happened to him ]
shall hate you"
When they reached home they
pointed to the library room, where
Rodney lay upon a couch, his head
~bandaged, pale, weak, but not seriously
injured. She knelt at his side, with
no thought OF her b%edraggled attire.
Last week she choked out, ind
burst into q sob--"I didn't know my
own mind, but, obi tonight"
Never mind the yesterdays" he
said, with, a smile Of ineffable peace.
'.Forget everything except the s"'.'a.
tomorrow