Year: 1878


image, determined, if possible, to give
him no chance to make his declaration. -
But he was not to be thwarted, for, seat
ing himself on n bench near which they
we're standing. and gently drawing her
down beside him, he began -


"Miss Gray, have long waited for an
opportunity to speak to you alone, but it
seems rs it fortune had rot been inclined
to favor me. Excuse my presumption,
il such you deem it, but love you more
than words of mine can tell. May hope
Miss Gray Bessie, may | hope ?"


A painful blush overspread her face as
she slowly arose from her seat, but in
kindly manuer she answered -


/" am sorry, Mr.. Carlton, that mat.
ters have come TO such II crisis. but can
give you no hope. My affections have
long been given to another, and even
were they not, am sure could not love
you forgive me it l cause you pain, but
l do not think have given you any on
cOuragement."


No, Miss Gray, you have not en-
couraged me but knowing that your pa
rents regard mo with favor, l have dared
to hope. But your friends are seeking
you good night" and without waiting
for any further reply, he WAS gone.


Bessie was glad when the hour of de-
IA
ry, and her head had scarcely touched
the pillow when she fell asleep. Next
morning at breakfast, Mrs. Gray said -


Bessie, daughter, why did Harry
Carlton leave so suddenly last nightP A
short time before he went, was told that
he was with you in the conservatory. |
hope you did nothing To offend him ?"


~ told him that could not love him, Z"
Bessie replied.


What you rejected Harry Carlton :?
Bessie, | am astonishrd ! The best match
in the city Why did you refuse to be
his wife ?"


" He did not ask mo to be his wife. He
merely wanted to know if he might hope,
and | told him / could give him no
hope"


sense than you seem to possess" said
Mrs. Gray.


She deemed it prudent to let the sub
jet drop here, however, for if Bessie had
not refused point blank to become Mrs.
Carlton, there might still be u little room
for hope.


Four months passed rapidly away, and
Bessie had one more week to wait before
she would be eighteen years old. She
was sitting in her room, thinking of the
grand party which her mother said must
be given on that day, when servant en-
tered and laid II note upon the table
How her heart beat as she picked it up.
1t was from Guy and ran as follows =


MY DARIIsG BESSIE II have com
pleted all arrangements, and am ready
to clam my bride. Answer this, aud
let me know when and where shall meet
you. Yours until death, GUY"


After moments hesitation she wrote
the following reply =


my Precious Guy We are to have
II grand party on my birthday, which oc.
curs one week from tonight. | will meet
you the following evening. at o'clock
under the big elm, near the carriage
gate. Forever your own, BESSIE"


1t was busy week which followed
and amidst tho hustle and confusion, Bes
sic found little time to contemplate the
step she was about to take. But at last
the eventtul evening arrived, and was
hailed with joy by all except Bessie. She
seemed sad and melancholy A.; though she
strove to appear cheerful and happy. She
had some twinges of conscience, and she
could not Danish the thought that per.
hsps, after tonight, she might never
again entsr the home which had sheltered
her in childhood. Still she had no thought
of retractiqg her promise to Guy. The
party was grand success, and Mrs. Gray
was happy, for Harry Carlton was pres
eat, and she could perceive no change in
his manner toward Bessie. So she still
cherished the hope Of seeing him Bessie 5
husband. But within the next forty
eight hours she learned how vain was her
hope.


The next evening Mr.. and Mrs. Gray
went to take tea with a friend. Bessie
declined going, and as her parents sup
posed she was tired out with the previous
nights excitement, they did not urge her
to accompany them. As sson as the
door closed after lhem, Bessie repaired 10
her room TO prepare for her departure
She dressed herself very becomingly in a
gray popln suit, and wrapping a light
shawl around her shoulders, she passed
down the stairs and out OF the door, not
knowing when she should return. She
had scarcely reached the elm tree when a
pair OF strong arms we're thrown around
her, and well known voice whisper
ed:-


My own darling Bessie. At last you
will bs mine forever"


Then gently releasing her, he drew her
hand through his arm, and led her to the
carriage which was waiting short dis
tance away, Entering this, they were
driven TO the home of a magistrate where
they were soon pronounced man and wife.
They then took the train for New York,
whiting Newport and Saratoga, return
ing to settle down in the home which
Guy had prepared.


There was great confusion in the Gray
household when it was discovered that
Bessie was missing, and the anger and
modification OF Mr. and Mrs. Gray knew
no bounds when they learned, from note
found on her table, that she had become