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HOLMES, AU.HOK 0. ..FOKK..HO..,' "E;„h LV.V M.LU" ..,„,,,,, Hethekton/' Em, Etc. KosE publishi:ng company. 1884. COISTTENTS )3art 4mi CHAPTER I. The Jbrroldh, of Boston Grev Jbrrold Luoy CHAPTER II. CHAPTER III. CHAPTER IV. Thanksgiving Day at Grey's Park CH/iK^ER V. The Old Man and the Boy CHAPTER VI. Miss Betsey McPhbrson - - . . CHAPTER VII. The Dinner, at which Bessie is Introduced CHAPTER VIII. After the Dinner - - . . . CHAPTER IX. The Horror at the Farm-Hocse . . I'AOR 9 23 32 44 48 Ol 62 If IV CONTENTS. CHAPTER X The iNTicaviBw . . ' '^°* 68 CHAPTER XI. At the Old Majj's Bed-Sidk . • ■ - 73 CHAPTER XII. The Story '■••--. 75 CHAPTER XIII. Facing It . . . - 88 CHAPTER XIV. The Effect of the Story 89 CHAPTER XV. Grey and the Secret " " • • - 98 CHAPTER XVI. Expecting Bessie - - 109 Part §mnh, CHAPTER I. Stoneleioh ... • - • - 113 CHAPTER II. The McPhersons • • - 118 CHAPTER III. At Monte Carlo - 123 CHAPTER IV. Little Bessie ' " " " 129 CHAPTER V. At PENRHxif Park 134 113 118 123 129 134 CONTENTS. ^ CHAPTER VI p^o, NixK Ykars Later 147 CHAPTER VII, Thb Visit to London - - . . * " " " 161 CHAPTER VIII. Nbil's Discomfiture 160 CHAPTER IX. Jack and Bessie 165 CHAPTER X. The Holidays at Stoneleiqh . . 175 CHAPTER XI. Grey - . . • - • - 185 CHAPTER XII. Christmas Day 194 CHAPTER XIIL The Contract 202 CHAPTER XIV. " The New Grey " 207 CHAPTER XV. Miss MoPherson and the Letter .... gj^ CHAPTER XVL From January to March .... CHAPTER XVIL From March to June - 221 CHAPTER XVIII. Mas. Rossitbk-Browne ' * " • * '227 { VI CONTENTS. CHAPTER XIX Thk Bn.„, „H,oa S»o, ..„ „, s,,^„ „^^^^ ^^^^ CHAPTER XX. What Grey and Jack Did . CHAPTER XXI. What the McPhersons Did What Daisy Did In Rome Farewell Dead Poor Daisy Bessie's Decision In Liverpool On the Ship CHAPTER XXII. 9m i:inrb. CHAPTER I. CHAPTER II. CHAPTER III. CHAPTER IV. CHAPTER V. CHAPTER VI. CHAPTER VII. PAGE 234 243 250 254 - 267 274 278 282 292 294 301 Feli. CONTENTS. vil CHAPTER VIII. p^oE Grey and his Aunt ^^^ CHAPTER IX. Bessie is Promoted oj^j CHAPTER X. Bessie Meets her Aunt 32^ CHAPTER XI. Miss McPherson's House-Maid - - - - 321 CHAPTER XII. Bessie's Seocessor 33^ CHAPTER XIII. Besiie goes to Grey's Park 337 CHAPTER XIV. Telling Bessie 0^0 CHAPTER XV. Wedding Bblis . g^g CHAPTER XVI. Bessie's Fortune .,c^ CHAPTER XVII. Old Friends .... . „c„ CHAPTER XVIII. Home Again g^^ CHAPTER XIX. Joel Rogers' Monument - 373 CHAPTER XX. After Five Years - . gyg BESSIE'S FOETUNB. Part JirBt. CHAPTER I. THE JERROLDS, OF BOSTON. MRS. GERALDINE JERROLD, of Boston.had in her girlhood been Miss Geraldme Grey, of Allington, one of those quiet pretty little towns which so thickly dot the hills and valleys of New England. Her father, who had been a sea-captain, was a man of great wealth, and stood high in the place, where he was looked upon as a kind of aristocrat, whose opinion was almost a law and whose friend- ship was an honour. When a young lady, Miss Geraldine had chafed at the stupid town and the stupider people, as she designated the rather unpretentious citizens of Allington, and she had only been happy when the house at Grey's Park was full of guests aftar the manner of English houses, where hospitality is dispensed on a larger scale than is common in America. She had been abroad when a young girl, and^ had spent some weeks in Derbyshire, at the Pea- cock Inn, close to the park of Chats worth, in which she walked or drove almost every day, and which she admired so much that on her return to Allington she never rested until the five acres of land in the midst of which her father's house stood, were improved and fitted upas nearly as possible in imitation of the beautiful grounds across the sea. With good taste and plenty of money, she had suc- ceeded beyond her most sanguine hopes, and Grey's Park was the pride of the town and the wonder of the entire county. A kind of show place it became, and Miss Geraldine was never happier nor prouder than when strangers were going over the grounds or through the house which was filled with r.are pictures and choice statuary gathered from all parts of the world, for Captain Grey had brought something curious and costly from every port at which his vessel » i 10 Bessie's fortune. touched, so that the house was like a museum, or, as Miss Geraldina fancied, like the palaces and castles in Europe, which are shown to strangers in the absence of the family. She would have liked to conform to this custom also, but, unfor- tunately, they were not often away from home, and so she did the next best thing in her opinion— she kept herself from sight when the house was being inspected, and laughed at her sister Lucy for being simple enoui^h to turn guide, like the Mrs. Browns and Joneses abroad, and explain that "this was the Venus de Medici the original of which was at Florence," and " this a copy of the Cuma3*n Sibyl in the Naples gallery." Had Geraldine been the guide she would scarcely have used the word copy, or told where the oriiiinals were. She would rather that her auditors should be- lieve them all oritrinals, if they would. It was not her fault, she said, if people were stupid enough t.> suppose that she or any one conld biiy Guido's "Aurora" in Rome, or Leonardo da Vinci's liast Supper ' at Milan. Her creed was to make the most of everything, for by that means more would be credited to her than if she always told " the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, as her sister Lucy did. At the age of twenty-two Miss Geraldine had married Burton Jerrold, a young man from one of the leading banks iu Boston, and whose father, Peter Jerrold, had for years lived on a small farm a mile or more from the town of AUington. So far as Geraldine knew the original Jerrold blood was as good as the Greys', even if old Peter did live a kind of hermit life and wear a drab overcoat which must have dated back more yei.rs than she could remember. No one had ever breathed a word of censure against the silent, peculiar man, who, some said, was a little crazy, or at least cracked, as they termed it, and who was never known to smile, and who seldom spoke except he was spoken to, and who, with his long white hair falling around his thin face, looked like some old picture of a saint, when on Sunday he sat in his accustomed pew by the door, and like the publican, seemed almost to smite upon his breast as he confessed himself to be a miserable sinner. Hal Burton .Terrold remained at home, and been content to till the barren soil of his father's rocky farm, not his handsome face, or polished manners, or adoration of herself as the queen of queens could have won a second thought from Geraldine, for she hated farniers, who smelled of the barn and wore cowhide boots, and would sooner have died than been a farmer's wife. But Burton ^*d never tilled the soil, nor worn cowhide boots, nor smelled of the barn, for when his mother died he was a mere boy. An old aunt, who lived in Boston, had taken him for her own, and givon to him all the advantages of a city education, until he was old enough to enter one of the principal banks as a clerk; then she died tttE JtlR&OLDS, OF BOStON. 11 and left him her house and twenty thousand dollars besides, and a thousand dollars to his sister Hannah, who still lived at home upon the farm, and was almost as silent and peculiar as the father himself. •' Marry one of the Grey girls if you can," the aunt had said to her nephew upon her death-bed, " marry one of the Grey girls. It is a good family, and blood is worth more than money; it goes fur- ther towards securing you a good position in Boston society. The Jerrold blood is good for aught I know, though not quite equal to that of the Greys. Your father is greatly respected in Allit)gton, where he is known, but what would he be in Boston ? He is a codger of the strictest type, and clings to everything old-fashioned and outre. How he has resisted all my efforts to have him change the house into something more modern, even when, for the sake of your mother, my dead sister, I offered to do it at my own expense. Especially was I anxious to tear down that projection which he calls a lean-to, and which embraces his bed room and the old wood-shed. But when I urged that upon him, and said I would bring a carpen- ter at once, he flew into such a passion as fairly frightened me. 'The lean-to should not be touched for a million of dollars; he pre- ferred it as it was,' he said; so I let him alone. He is a strange man, and— and— Burton, I may be mistaken, but 1 have thought there was something on his mind— something he was hiding. Else why does he never smile, or talk, or look you straight in the face ? And why is he always brooding, brooding, with his head bent down and his hands clenched together ? Yes, there is something hidden, and Hannah knows it too, and this it is which turned her hair grey so early, and has made her almost as queer and reticent as your father. There is a secret between them, but do not try to discover it. There may be disgrace of some kind which would affect your whole life, so let it alone. Make good use of what I leave you, and marry one of the Greys. Lucy is the best, the sweetest, and most amiable, but Geraldine is more ambitious, and will help you to reach the top." ^ This was the last conversation Mrs. Wetherby ever held with her pephew, for in two days more she was dead, and Burton buried her m Mt. Auburn, and went back to the house which was now his, conscious of three distinct ideas which even during the funeral had recurred to him constantly. First, that he was the owner of a larc'e house and twenty thousand dollars; second, that he must marry one of the Greys, if possible, as that would help him to reach the top, a place his aunt had struggled for all her life, and had only felt sure of possessing when the governor's wife invited her to a reception; and third, that there was some secret between his father and his Bister Hannah— something which had made them what they were— Bomething which had given his father the name of the half-crazy 18 Bessie's fortune. hermit, and to his sister that of the rechise-something which he mnat never try to unearth, lest it bring disquiet and disgrace. 1 hat last word had an u-ly sound to Burton J errold, who was more ambitious, if possible, than his aunt, more anxi..U8 that peo- pie in higii positions should think well of liim; and he shivered as Ws bTin "^^^^' '^^'^'' ^" '""^ ""^ ^'"'"'^^ ^'"^^ *'"'°"g'^ "Nonsense ! " he exclaimed at last, as he arose, and walking to l« J.\l •""' ht ''"^ "P"" .*'."' common, where groups of children were p laying. There is nothing hidden. What should there bo 1 My father has never stolen, or forged, or embezzled, or set any one 8 house on fare. Why, tliey esteem him a saint in Allington; even if he has never joined the church. That's nothing. A marl SI^RrJ n'*!.^"?'^ ""^t!'^ \''' "'''"•^'' ^^ "»' •^"d i know he reads h s Bible all the time when he is not praying, and once he was on t« ,« rh'" '' ^^^T''' ■•" ^l'"^e h<^»r, for I tuned him, and thought oealed, and y:'!"" """"' '" ^"""^ ' "^"" ^'^'^ ^'^^^ ""^'^'"^^ <="»- Here Burton shivered a-ain, and ccmtinued: "And yet I always seem to be m a nightuiare when I am at the old hut, and once I told Hannah I believed the house was haunted, for I beard strange soundsatnight, soft footsteps, and moans, and whisperings; and the old dog, Rover, howled so d.su.ally that he kept me awak; and made me nervous and wretched. 1 don't remember what Hannah said except that she made light of my fears, and told me that she Zhtt ''jf'^P .^J"^^'" 'n her room at night on the floor by her bed, which she did ever after, when I was at home. No, there i, nol at o"nce " ""^^ *' ''*'" ^''""*^ Hannah a little, and will go to her hi«^i'l!i5'^^-1^''''y^^''^' ^'' ""P'^«^ ^^'^^1 sent a message to f, npra h" /!, /I: .^»".""»""g lier 'ie^th and the ti.ne of the to them, Come, I expect you." In fact, away down in his heait there was a hope that they would not come. His father was well enough in Allington, where he was known; but as his aunt had said, 3brril.^'"'u-^ruH ''"*''' ^"'*"»' "^ hi« old drab surtout and white hat which he had worn since Burton could remember. Han- nah was diflerent, and must have been pretty in her early girlhood. Indeed, she was pretty now, and no one could look into her pale, sad face and soft dark eyes, or listen to her low, sweet voice, with- out feeling attracted, and knowing instinctively that in spite of her plain Quakerish dress she was a lady in the true sense of the word. ho when she came alone to pay the last token of respect to the aunt r>.^? ui "^ • ""u ^rT ''f y J^'-aciois to her, Buiton felt relieved, though he wished that her bonnet was a little more fashionable rHE .TERROLDS, OF BOSTON. 13 and suggested her buying a new one , which he would pay for But Hannah said no very (juietly and Hrmly, and that was the end of It. Ihe old style boiniet was worn, as well as the old style cloak, and Burton felt keenly the diflerence between her personal appear- ance and his own. He, the Boston dandy, with every article of dress as faultless as the best tailor could make it, and she the plani countrywoman, with no attempt at style or fashion, with no- thinj^ but her own sterling worth to commend, and this was far more priceless than all the wealth of the Indies. Hannah Jerrold had been tried in the fire, and had come out purified and almost Christ- like m her sweet gentleness and purity of soul. She knew her brother was ashamed of her— whether designedly or not, he always made her feel it— but she felt it her duty to attend her a-:ut's fu- neral, even though it stirred anew all the bitterness of her joyless And now the funeral was over, and she was going home that very afternoon—going back to the gloomy house am-.ng the rocks, where her wlioI(! life had been spent, where she had grown old and her hair grey long before her time-going back to the burden which pressed so heavily upon her, and from which she shrank as she had never d-me before. Not that she wished to stay there in that grand house, where she was so sadly outnf place— no, not there,but some- where almost anywhere, so that she escaped from the one spot so horrible to her. She was thinking of all this, standing with her lace to the window, and her hands locked tightly together, when her brother entered the room, and began, abruptly : A "Ja.^'^', Hannah, I want to ask you something. Just before Aunt Wetherby died she had a long talk with me on various mat- ters, and among otner things she said she believed that there was something troubling you and father— some secret you were hidine ?do non""" ''°'^^' ^^ '* '° ^ ^" ^"^ ^"""^ anything which " Yes, many things." The voice which gave this reply was not like Hannah's voice, but was hard and sharp, and sounded as if a great way off ; and Burton could see how violently his sister was agitated, even thou-h she stood with her back to him. Suddenly he remembered that his aunt had always said: " If there is a secret, never seek to discover It, lest It should bring disgrace." And here he was trying to find it out almost before she was cold. A great fear took possession of Burton then, for he was the veriest moral coward iu the world, and betore Hannah could say another word, he continued: Yes, Aunt VVefherby was right. There is something-there has always been something, liut don't tell me, please; I'd rather I; F 1 \\\ 14 Bessie's fortune. He spoke very gently for him; for somehow, he knew not whv there had been awakened within him a great pity for his sister and by some sudden intuition he seemed to%ndLtand al £ loneU nesa and pain. If there had been a wrong-dofng wh ch mus? be hidden It was not her fault ; and as she still stood Jith her back to ..n!i' kT""^* *''*^^ ^"^^^ * question which has so agitated you nocent'"'"' ™'' '"" '°"^ ^"^ y°"' ^"^ ^^"*«^«^ '^ is you arS Then she turned toward him with a face as white as ashes and a look of terror in her large black eyes before ihic^ 1 q'uaSed Never in his life since he was a little child, had he seen C c^"- but now after .3garding him fixedly for a moment, she broke into such a wild fit of sobbing that he became alarmed, and passing his him ZTZV"""' ^'l.^lf i° * r^ *"^ ""^^^ ^«' ^'^"^ her head iVon i^v I i «H 'T^S'*^ ^''" ^"^y ^"^'' ^^'°^ ^'^ ^ore than Lf grey, and she only three years his senior. At last she grew calm, and rising up, said to him: ^.xcuse me, I am not often so upset-I have not cried in years -not since Rover died." Here her voice trembled again, but sS went on, quite steadily : "He was all the companion I had yo J know, and he was so faithful, so true. Oh. it almost broke m? heart when he died and left me there alone ' " ^ + J^J'"^'^*w*.J^'"''**,''^ pathos in her voice" as she uttered the last two words, "there alone," and it flashed upon Burton that there was more meaning in them than was at first indicated; that to hve there alone was something from which his sister recoiled. Stand n« S^e had nnV'^r'' ^'l^'"^ '"I' "P"" ^'' ^"^' ^' remembered that she had not always been as she was now-so quiet and impassive with no smile upon her face, no joy in her dark eyes. A^a yoS ?i;'J"*^'^.'^*r ^h«" h« too, lived at home, and sept under tSf rafters in the low-roofed house, she had been full of life and frolio and played with him all day long. She was pretty henranA t"it\Zl «%«°'°"^'f?' V'^ ''^ "' *^« damask rJses which grew by the kitchen door, while her wavy hair was brown, like the chest^ nuts they used to gather from the trees in the rock^ pasture land when the November frosts had opened the prickly burrs and sent bit T:lV''' ^""'^^•. 't "•*' "^^y «*"'' «"^ »°f* and 5uxurirnt but It was iron grey, and she wore it plain, in a knot at the back of her head, and only a few short hairs, which would curl aboTher forehead m spite of her, softened the severity of her face. JusTwhen W Sf TV" h'««^«t«r. Burton could not remember, for bZ serlVr in^"V^' TV^ '"'''■*' ^^•*"^^^^^'' "" ""^ "^^been a close ob- server, and had only been conscious of a desire to shorten his stay as much as possible and return to his aunt's house, which wimucj TBE JERROLES, OF BOSTON. 16 more to hia taste. He would die if he had to live in that lonely spot, he thought, and in his newly-awakened pity for and interest in his sister, he said to her, impulsively : " Don't go back there to stay. Live with me. I am all alone and must have some one to keep my house. You and I can get on nicely together. " He made no mention of his father, and he did not half mean what he said to his sister, and had she accepted his offer he would have regretted that it had ever been made. But she did not accept it, and she answered him at once: •* No, Burton, that cannot be ; so long as fathor lives I must stay with him, and you will be happier without than with me. We are not at all alike. But I thank you for asking me, all the same. And now it is time for me to go if I take the four o'clock train. Father will be expecting me." Burton went with her to the train and saw her into the car, and bought her harper's Afonthly, and bade her good-bye, and then in passing out met and lifted his hat to the Misses Grey, Lucy and Geraldine, who had been visiting in Boston and were now returninir to AUington. This encounter drove his sister from his mind, and made him think of his aunt's injunction to marry one of the Greys. Lucy was the prettier and gentler of the two, the one whom everybody loved, and would make him the sweetest wife. Probably, too, she would be more easily won than the haughty Geraldine, who had not many friends. And so, before he reached his house on Beacon street, he had planned a matrimonial campaign and carried it to a successful issue, and made sweet Lucy Groy the mistress of his house. It is not our purpose to enter into the details of Burton's wooing. SuflBce it to say that it was unsuccessful, for Lucy said " No," very promptly ; and theri he tried the proud Geraldine, who listened to his suit, and, after a little, accepted him, quite as much to his sur- prise as to that of her acqiiaintances, who knew her ambitious na- ture, "Anything to get away from stupid AUington," she said to her sister Lucy, whom she never suspected had been Burton's first choice. " I hate the country, and I like Boston, and like Mr. Jerrold well enough. He is good-looking and well-mannered, and has a house and twenty thousand dollars, a good position in the bank, and, so far as I know, no bad habits. To be sure, I would rather that his fathar and sister were not such oddities; but I ptn not marrying them, and shall take good care to keep them in their places, which places are not in Boston." And so the two were married, Burton Jerrold and Geraldine Grey, and there was a grand wedding, at 4 p.m. , at Grey's Park, and the Bupper was served on the lawn, where there was a dance, and music, 10 BESSIE'S FORTUNE. Jer^old farm, and broke Sis W and n^? "" * P^[" "^ ''''^' «» ^^e and Worcester, and Cingfield' S^d Ne£ YnT ^f" ^'""i ^^«*°»' ^Hington for the reas^on K ve^ few Lie tdSen """7 ^M ^^"^ have had her way the wholn Wn tT 7fl ''''^den. Could Lucy Geraldine overruled herrantmadeC^^^ iuvited ; bu^ people who had known her from pVv^mT V i "^ enemies of the at liome, just as Burl^on exnecH ti^^^'^A u ^'*"" '^^"^''^ "t^y^d was present, m a nergrTs Ik wffh ^^'^ he would, but Hannah Bcarlet ribbon at herTh?oaf and hJr hV '"' ^^^>'"' ^"'^ * ^i* "^ the fashion of the times TWs waff h« """^T"^ somewhat after who had more influence over wl^ ^ ? snggestion of Lucy Grey, the world, and whenTe TvLettrLw^S^^^rthTl^T '''' 'i tlie scarlet ribbon Hannah n.«««r,fo!f - jf ' *,", *he old lace, and and pretty, in s^e orher\rrl™;:1fc twt R "'''m^^ r ?^"^ who was a bachelor a»iH hn^^!^!: uj"' r?,. *"® ^®^- M*"- Sanford. meant her husbanf to occupy '^1^^ '"^'^ '^« P"«^*^«" ^^e being clerk in a bank soon ^^ame to L n.th^''''''"^. "J.*"' *"^ ^'^"^ and money and Wends poured in tmonhm'lnrp ^^t!?^^"^^"*' mg-rooms were filled with tb« liwl^ * *u !.*°*^ Geraldine's draw- the scholars, the t'sTsf^aS ^cians af^^^^ fashionables, degree famous, met with favour from V r.'^^'^®.^®'' was in any nothing better than to fill Wh ^u"' ^f^^dme, who liked fancy herself a 8eco"„] Madame D«T««r-'' r^ f«°P^«' '^'^^ t^en ess. All this was very ptiw to Burton" ^f '^'^^*^'^ ^ ^««*- from any sentimental feeling h? mii^f t' ^^""j i*^'"§ recovered blessed the good fortune which .^trt-^"^ entertained for Lucy, never asked himself if he loved hfrh ^"", ^f'^'^ine instead. He and revered, iXoihiVoed h«r - ^^ "^ *^** ^' ***'°''"^' that what she thought he^thonahf ?^ v,7T'' "^ ?«°^"« »'^d tact and what she di"d hfw^s L3o 1 ^^** «h« wished, he wished think 80, too. There had be?n l . ^a ''^ "S^*' ^'^'^ °^*ke other^ she marr'ied him-Peter Jer^oW't «o"n '"TT" ^" ^«^ P*^' ^^en it, while he, too, meiySoVTeVdltt^^^^^^^ owed her perfect allegiance, from whTch he Aevfr swerved aREY JERROLD. 17 CHAPTER II. OREV JERROLD. JT was just 8, year since the grand wedding at Grey's Park, when J. there was b<.rn to Burton and Geraldine a little boy, so snmll , " u^-aI^''"^ ^^""^u' *^"* '"""h sulicitnde would have be^,! felt fo; him had there not been a grerter anxiety for the young mother, who wen so far down toward the river of death that every Lther l' ngh? was lost in the great fear for her. Tlien the two sisters, 1 annah and Lucy, came, the latter giving all her time to Geraldine and the former devoting herself to the feeble little child, whose consta? wail disturbed the mother, who said to them one day • vm,« '- '* ''''"'^ "^^^""^ ^ ''*''"°* ^^^"^ ^^ ^'■y-it Jn^kes mo so ner- VOllS rr^^ih "^i'^^Au^'^ I"?* "1"^ children, and the thought of being a mother had brought no joy to her. A baby would be in the way and she seemed to care so little for it that Hannah, who had lov d It with her whole soul the moment she took it in her arms and felt its soft cheek against her own, said to her brother, one day I must go home to-morrow. I cannot leave father alone anv wTtri'"\?oT-'";f """*i?^ ^^"?l^' ^"^ ''' me take the baS? w :^i, 1, '^ V *''^ "^^y ^^^^- His crying disturbs your wife who hears him, however far he may be from her room He is a weak httle thing but I will take the best of care of hT and briiia him back a big healthy boy. Let me take him, brothe.'- t wilTbf iteuJh o,?t'''f r' ^"«^""«?"t' P^«vided his wife'ivas willing .nrt 5 i^ 2.t ""^ '^''?=^''' ^^raldine was still too sick and weak to care for her baby, and so it went with Hannah to the old house among the rocks, which it brightened wonderfully ^ shf would he n!:''''"'^ ^A '""!'* "r« '''^^ '^' but Hannah said no, sne would be nurse and mother both, and she was and the b«.hv prX aSltr; t^^'^'"' care, and grew roundT^and ptum^^tj fafw"'wV,'l . , *" '''''°,^'=^ "^ *'*'' ^'»"'i8 toward the old«' "r laid his timds upon it. Nor did Hannah aeem to care that he should, but 18 ! I S FORTUNE. in^ r„H K 5'? '^"«?Vng ty the cradle, wliere the ohUd was sleaD- mg, and heard him whisper, thronyh his tears: ^a»«leep. it ,•- ;?.• Tt"' ™y darling boy, and may you never know what witn my linger. Oh, God, forgive! and make me clean as this little andtt"^^ I'T^^^"" ™''"i*g« had she been to the farm-house fL h^ K !^^ ^^'^ ^'^^" *'^ ^'^^ 'ioo'- i" her handsome carriL with ,.i!«« l^?h'*'PPi!"? ^T' '^"'^ ^-^d held up her rich silk dJessl she gTn^Ta iS ite^rpiSo Jst ''' " ^^^ --"" -""' ^^^ ^^ triii^cj^ii^-ri^^-iKtrri^^^^^ arid dlit' ^"^^""^ «''"*"'8 ^'y *h« ««"*h doorfand a?e 1 fJw phims and drank some water, which «l,e said was so cold that if m^n' hepmk of the famous well of Carisbrook: SstTel'oa'l^lZo? " Your well must be very deep. Where is it ? " she asked nnf because she cared, but because she must say something ' ""** +«v 7'"8 told It was in the woodshed, she started for it and m,-« ro?. "h^ * k' ^r^^'T ^"^^'"-'S ^"*° » b«d;oom, when she was seSed iM^^^^^^^^ ^- - white as ashe:r:n1 ' Not m there, not in there; this is the way " ..m-faf *n 'n«tant Geraldine looked at him in surprise, he seemed so agitated; then thinking to herself that probabTy his room was in disorder, and he bed unmade, she dismissed it from her Tnd anJ hrTXl'cZZ''''' ''' ^^" whose water tasted like Mt":"o'„tS! Half an hour in all she remained at the farm-housr «t!^ LI-k ■.« the only t,me she had honoured it with her preaenc ' u a. he Uav when she came to take her boy away. u,-a, meuay Not yet fully recovered from her dangerous illness ali« «an^-.-i al he airs of an invalid, and kept her wr^psTound her and sS^ a httle when her husband put her boy in her lirand asked if he W %'}r^^' *"'|i;l"°* t^T'''^' *° HaiifAh'fcar aii' the Le- - r I, - V-u^ he had fed upon. And in truth he was a liS; o ■ ^^'C'J^V'^:'l^ '^^i^'. ^'"« *« *h« «kies of June, and ;i ;;:; ::. ;« aSaS'°^ l«|y^n thick cuns upon his head. B^t he ■- '*«'raia!u irjd she was strange to him. and after r« g^u-diag irr a moment .ith his great blue eyes, he tu'rned towards GREY JERROLD. 19 Hannah, and with a qmvennj? lip bepan to cry for her. And Han- i.uii took him in her arms, and hiii-Kini? him to her bosom, felt that her ^< ^rt was breaking. She loved him no much, he had been so much company f,,r her. and had holpod to drive away in part the horror with which her life was invested, and now he was Koing from her-al she had to love in the wide world, and, so far as she knew, the only living being that loved her with a pure, unselfish " Oh, brother! oh sister!" she cried, as she covered the babv's dimpled hands with kisses " don't take him from me ; let me have h^m ; let him stay a while longer. I shall die here alone, with babv But Mrs Geraldine said " No," very decidedly, for though as ye^ she cared but little for her child, she cared a great deal for the pro- prieties, and her friends were beyinninif to w(,nder at the protracted a..8ence of the boy ; so she must take him from poor Hannah, who herself tied on his scarlet cloak and cap of costly lacp, and carried hira tn the carriage and put him into the arms of the red-haired Crerman woman who was hereafter to be his nurse, and win the lov» which was now her own. .tli^" *^ carriage drove off, but, as long as it was in sight, Hannah stood just where it had left her, watching it with a feeling of such utter desolation as she had never felt before nZ?^' »*w^v: b,'*by!"iy baby ! come back to me! " she moaned, pite- ously. " What shall I do without you?" +l,ll^K°t ""'" *'?."!^''*,T^"'. "y daughter. He can be more to you than baby was," the old father said to her, and she replied- late " *' ^^'' ^"* ^""^ °°^ ' *'*""°* P''^^' ^ *™ "" ^^^°- The burden was pressing more heavily than ever, and Hannah's face grew whiter and her eyes larger, and sadder, and brighter, as the days went by, and there was nothing left of baby but a rattle- box with which he had played, and the cradle in which he had slept. Th s she carried to her room up stairs, and made it the shrine over which her prayers were said, not twice or thrice, but many times sma^f'/" r^rr^ ^"^ ^\^'y ^'^'""''^ *« t-^ke every careTgJeVtTnd St tarry l^ig""'"^ *^** P'^' ^^"^'^ ''°'"« ^* !»«*' though it Geraldine sent her a black silk dress and a white Paisley shawl m token of her gratitude for .-,11 she had done for the baby. She S IZ f /: \^'"r *'"*"^ ^^"^ «^ *h« g^*"d christening they had t^H „ "! *h" h*"dsome christening robe from Paris which baby naa worn at the ceremony. ^ P~„ »""i^l''^*r*^ ^"" name given to him, but Geraldine wrote that Grey would be the name by which they should call hi One Burton :oZT:&Zlrei!''''' *'^'" Grey Jer^o^hau .aristocratic 20 Bessie's fortune. 'li •'! i ^^ it wa?not unhTfL^ ^ ^^P/' ^^ ''"^ ^'"* ^"'^ ^g*^"." «h« «aW; but ol7+Lf hi !^ '^''""'^ summer, and when Grey was two years old that he wen once more to the farm-house, and stayed for sey! eral mo, . ths, while his parents were in Europe. ^ wertb1\'STh/^*/"' ^"' "r"^^' *"d h«^ «^iffc the days Wnf i^'f I ^® }""^^'' P''^«««'i «o lightly that sometimes she forgot It for hours at a time, and only remembered it whenX saw how persistently her father shrank from the advancenf ^he hHU boy, who, utterly ignoring his apparent indi^Jrellued h£ constanly, plying him with questions, and scanetfmrs reArdin^ him curiously, as if wondering at his silence. '^■'"^'''"«' regarding Une day when the old man was sitting in his arm-chair und«r the apple trees m the yard. Grey came up to him!™ ith Ms sJraw hat hanging down his back, his chestnut cSrls flow^nron h s neck his blue eyes shinmg like stars, and all over his face Jhat gwSf every nerve of the wretched man was strung to its utmost tension and quivering with pain. The searching blue eyes of the boy Zu Z':::\izi::izi''''''^y^^^^^^^^^ *^ thidepthrof^hLri Oh^^nw'fP"'^^,^'^'^ ** !*'*• " '^^^^ ™«' Peese ; I'se tired » ;' No, Grey no; I cannot take you. I am tired, too. " plilV' ^"^ ''"^' *^'" ^ " ^''^ continued, and the grandfather re- *' Yes, child, very, very sorry." There was the sound of a sob in the old man's voice and Or«v'- "Thon why duu't Auntie Hannah ant oo on in 'e bad'~>m )■> Gre, asked, „..h the ntmost grav'ty.for, in hia LSd.'n^SghTo", GREY JERROLD. 21 !^i f'^fl"^ ?"* "Pu^° ^" *""*'" bedroom-the only punishment ever inflicted upon him-were closely connected with each other WnTrl^^ r VS*^ ^^""^ '^"'^^ ^* *hi« ''«'"^rk, but Grandpa Jerrold did not. On the contrary, there came into his eyes a loik of horror as he exclaimed : ful" indeld'^' ''' ^^^ bcdroom-the bedroom ! That would be dread- r.JiTk?-"^^^T^"P' ?® ^.""'''^ *^*y ^"t« *he field and disap- peared behind a ledge of rocks, where, unseen by any eye save that uA ^^ Z^^i ™,?';® ^'"^'"'J' ^l'*" he had ever done before. t«,f,vl^' o^\ 5® l"^"^' " "*"'* *hi« innocent.baby's questions torture me so ? And why can I never take him in my arms or lay my hands upon him, lest they should leave a stain ? " t^ rilli k'^T^."^ ''iH^ ¥!? ^'^ ^^^^' toil-worn hands, he tried to recall what It was he had heard or read of another than himself who tried to nd himself of the foul spot and could not. Only the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all ein," he whispered to himself while his lips moved spasmodically with the foTve." ° them-four words only J^' Forgive me. Lord! It had always been a strong desire with Grey to be led around the JIZTf .T*?,,^'!i^''""!^^'^*\^''' ^'^^ ^'^^ «^«^dily resisted drad! laluZ\ "a ?k"?V""*'^ ^'}^ * '^^^^' 1'"^k intuition, (irey seemed notTouch grandfather's hands were something he must That afternoon, however, as Mr. Jerrold was walking on the fanTr'^ M" .'f''' *^°"^' ^^*^ hi« head bent down^ and his hands clasped bel .d him, Grey stole noiselessly up to him and grasping the right hand in both his own, heki it fast, wSle he jumped up and down as he called out to Hannah, who wa^ standing it hard tVdat'"' ^f '^^''t'^ ^^^'' "'^' ^ «^^ '^««P i*' *"«' '^"d ti«» Jlnd „S ^*- u , ^"'^ the baby's lips were pressed upon the rough ?ng it so tfgh^^ ^ *""* '"^'^"'^ '" '^^'^^ ^''^''^l P*l™« hold- felf hirf'h!« h*^^ ''*'*'",? °"* °^ *" «^^^ «^^"*' *"d Grandpa Jerrold felt half his burden roiling away beneath that caress. There was a thet^Lrrn^n It *"'l^ ?,^^"/'« ''^'' ^^ '^^ stain if tain tnere were, upon the wrinkled hand was kissed away and the nain and remorse were not so great after that ^' ^ the old man Th'^?'"^'*' *!?J* ^"'*« ^''^ *° ^^ ^^at he pleased with whejier uo thAV^'Tn ^a ^^''J: «1*^«. g"i»g wherever Grey liked, wnether up the steep hillside in the rear of th« hongp or doA ,ir,,>« Tlitfletoat tn 'i^^i\^^'.' *^17^^*" ^"^«^ g^«^' ^"^ where"there was Bether Gr«v h J.^ . a^^ °^n T" *»^ *he child spent hours to- gether, Grey being tied usually by way of precaution, as he had a 22 BESSIE*S F'ORTlJNE. h?8^ reach.^""^'"^ "^ *° *^' "'^' °^ *^" ^°** ^h«" * ^^^^ ^a« within In the large woodshed, opposite the well, and verv near tlin win tVl STf P*^'""l^'^ T^"^'"' * '»de bencKd beei plS Sed thi« ? ""/P^' u *^"d w^^h-basins; but Grey had e^rly apprS fn 1> J n'r^'^' ^"'^ P«"'«*«d i" keeping his playthin/s there W« Kt! ^^ ^'' ^'■*'i'^^*''^"^'« remonstrances to the coSry ?f nn^nTi, ^ u "^^y •j® brought them back, and arranging them fl«!^ u* ^^1?® ^^''V^^^ kick through the rotten boards ? What if the floor shonW cave m ? Such were the questions which tSred the IflT'f fir ^ ^'^ '^•P^^ *^« perspiration from his pale face and wondered at the perversity of the boy in selecting that spot of all «r,? K* fl-^"" ?^*l*y ,^^®" ^""^y succeeded in capturing his hands the nlav Z/«?* *'f r ' P'^^'^P* "^^""^^ ««-«^ *« int^erf re with the play-house, and the boy was left in peace upon the bench though his grandfather often sat near and watcEeS Mm anxiously' and always seemed relieved when the child tired of that partSar spot and wandered elsewhere in quest of amusement. P""^'""'" .«,, {fw ^^"^ ^°we^er, one place in the house which Grev never trn! h K P^"^*'-**^ »"d th^t was his grandfather's bedroom^ iHs true he had never been allowed to enter it, for one of Hannah" first lessons was that her father did not like children in Ss room Ordinarily his would have made no diffe.ence with Grey, who had too^:i!r:7J^"'t ^' ^^''''^\ ^'^^ *^« S^-"^y appearance of the IndhlinnU \ '^"'"'^''^^^ *'^*y« ^"^« did not attract him, and^he would only go as far as the door and look in, saying to his fr««ll J7*""vf *" ^®* ^'"^ ^^"®^« ^" *he bears, and breathed more X^e^rotrTeTf: ^"^^ '^^'" *^^ ^««^' ^^^^^ «h« ^-^-««y ^ J'^Some time Grey will know, for I must tell him, and he will help h Jw^/t""^ *^fV^''®y 7.^ *° ^^^* *^« cloud which overshadowed ble when aM '". f°" ^^ ^*""*^' ^^^ ^^^^P^^ *° ™«ke life endura- hl: htr fn k^^itJl^ PTf?i> .t?-^'^..'-- E"-Pe. -d he went to ■nmmo,. of 'fiT'* 1. '"f ' ^^■''>' ^P"^'^ so™6 portion of every S-?v™s Paik If")!"'^'"''' ^?r .^" '^'"^'^ ^*PP»«^ e^e'^ than at «rey s Park, which was more like his city home. He was very fond LtJCY. 23 1 was within of hts Aunt Lucy, and early learned to observe the difference between her personal appearance and his Aunt Hannah's, who always wore a cahco dress, or something equally as plain and inexpensive, and whose hands were rou^h and hard with toil, for she would never have any one to help her. She could not afford it. she said, and that was always her excuse for the self-denials she practised. And still there was money of hers in his father's bank, he knew, and as ho grevv older he asked her once why she did not use it for her wTrH^ }^^^ T*' * ^"""^ ''l^^^P P"" i" ^^•^ eyes, and her voice was sadder than its wont as she replied- «1»1' ^ \f^ ""/ *""°^ T^* T."f^- ^ '^'^^^ «a^«d it for some one else. I IS not mine. It would be stealing to take a penny of it." Grey knew by that time that his Aunt Hannah had some queer ^0.?^!^* '^^ '"''■^. "':^ q»i*«,like other kdies. and so he said no Zn ft T""^^ "' }^t- ^*"^' ^"^ *^«"8*»* b«^. ^hen he was a man, and had means of his own, he would improve and beautify t«r. itr r rt'-''^'"^' '^°"°^ scrupulously neat and clean, and very at ractive to him, was in its furnishing plain in the extreme. W hln'^l v.? '^'^'''^ except what had been sent from Boston had been bought since he could remember, and the carpet, and cburs, and curtams in the best room had been there ever Ee Ws ptr Jr ' l^^- ^l*^ '*'" ^'•^r ^•'^^^ *^« Pl^°« b«"«r than Grey's W,r«H ,?^^''"^^''''•l1* '^^^*'"'"« ^"^^l^' *nd where his Aunt Lucy petted him, if possible, more than did his Aunt Hannah. And sweet Lucy Grey, in her trailing dress of rich black silk mond?on'h"^ "f.^r "* ^'' '^T' -«d wrists, and the costfy dia- monds on her white fingers, made a picture perfectly harmonious with Grey's natural taste and ideas of a lady. She was lovelv as are the pictures of MuriUo's Madonnas, and Grey, who kniw he! CHAPTER IIL liUOY. 8 fhr?wnlh^ T^"'.?^'" *¥" her sister Geraldine, and between KJ the two there had been a brother-Robert, or Robin as he was familiarly called--a little blue-eyed, golden-haired boy with a fl" always wreathed in smiles, and a mouth which seemed made to£j 24 Bessie's fortune. and to be kissed m return. He was three years youngerthan Lucv who having been petted so long as the only child, looked some- what askance at the brother who had come to interfere with her and when, as he grew older and developed that wonderful beauty and vvinmiig sweetness for which he was so remarkable, the demon ot jealousy took possession of the little girl, who felt at times as if she hated her brother for the beauty she envied so much. 2 ^h, I wish he was blind ! " she once said, in anger," when his soft blue eyes had been extolled in her hearing and compared with her own, which were black as midnight and bright as the wintrv stars. •' And, as if in answer to her wish, an accident occurred not long after, which darkened forever the eyes which had caused her so much annoyance. Just how it happened no one knew. The two children had been playing in the diaing-room, when a great crash was heara, and a wild cry, and Robin was found upon the floor screaming with agony, while near him lay a broken cup, which had contained a quantity of red pepper, which the house-maid had left upon the sideboard until ready to replenish the caster. Lucy was crying, too with pain, for the fiery powder was in her eyes, also, iiut she had not received nearly as much as Robin, who from that hour never again saw the light of day. There were weeks of fearful suffering when the little dimpled hands were tied to keep them from the eyes which the poor baby who was only two years and a half old, said, '' Bite Robni so bad " and which, when at last the pain had ceased and the inflammation subsided, were found to be hopelessly blind. " Blind ! blind ! Oh, Robin, I wish I was dead ! " Lucy had ex- claimed, when they told her the sad news, and with a bitter cry she had thrown herself beside her brother on his liLtle bed and sobbed piteously. " Oh, Robbie, Robbie, you must not be blind ! Can t you see me just a little ? Try, Robbie, try aver so hard. You must see me ; you must." Slowly the lids unclosed, and the sightless eyes turned upward toward the white face above them, and then Lucy saw there was no hope ; the beautiful blue she had so envied in her wicked moods was burned out, leaving only a blood-shot, whitish mass which would never again in this world see her or any other objects " No, shister," the little boy said, " I tan't see 'oo now It marts some yet, but bime by I see 'oo. Don't ty ; " and the little hand was raised and groped to find the little bowed head of the girl weeping in such agony beside him. '' What for 'oo ty so ? I see 'oo bime by," he persisted, as Lucy made uo reply, but wept on until her strength was exhuusted and she was taken from the room in a state of unconsciousness, which resulted in a low nervous fever, from which she did not recover LUCF. 25 until Robbie was as well as he ever would be, and his voice wag heard ag*m through the house just as it used to be, for he had not yet learned what it was to be blind and helpless. Lucy had said, when questioned with regard to the accident that she had climbed up in a chair to get some sugar for herself and Robin from the bowl on the shelf of the sideboard, that she saw the cup of pepper and took it up to see what it was, and let it d'-op from het hand directly into the face of Robbie, who was looking up at her. Thus she was answerable for his blindness, and she e, and curnfort you when I am gone, darling, darling Lucy. 1 love you so much ; Lucy, Lucy, Lucy, where are you ? You must not leave me. Give me your hand till I reach the river- Lucr. 29 y said, and her El, and the soft bank where the angels are waiting for mo. I can seo them and the beautiful city over the dark river, though I can't see y(.ii ; but I shall 111 heaven, and I am ahnost there. Good-bye, j?ood-bye, It almost seemed as if he was calling to her from the other world, tor death came and froze her iiaino upon his lips, so that they never moved again, and Lucy's work was dune. Other hands than hers cared for the dead body, which was embalmed, and then sent to its northern home. There were crowds of people at the church where the funeral was held and where Robin had been baptized. The son of Captain Cxrey was worthy of respect, and tlie citizens turned out en masse so that there was scarcely 8tandint,'-room in the aisles for all who came to see the last of Robin. Very touchingly the rector spoke of the deceased, whose short life had been so pure and holy, and tlien he eulogized the sister who had devoted herself so unselfishly to the helpless brother, and who, he said, could have nothing to ro"ret, nothing to wish undone, so absolute and entire had been her sacri- hce. Hitherto Lucy had sat as rigid as a stone, bur, ps she lis- tened to her own praises she moved uneasily in her seat, and once put up her hand deprecatingly as if imph.riiig him to stop. When at last the services were over, and the curious ones had taken their last look at the dead, and the undertaker came forward to close the cottin-hd, her mind, which had been strained so Umg, gave way and not knowing what she did or meant to do, she arose suddenly and gliding swiftly past her father stepped to the side of the coffin throwu.g back her heavy crape veil, stooped and tenderly kissed the eyelids of her brother, saying as she did so : " Dear Robbie can your blind eyes see me now, I Wonder, and do you know what I am going to do ? what I must do or never Know peace again ? ' Therewasa gHtter in her eyes which told that she was half- crazed, and her father arose at once to lead her to her seat be- side him ; but she waved him back authoritatively, and in a clear, tT:^on]z:d ;!^e ""' "'^ ^ '''' *'^^°"^' *^^ ^^-^^h' «^^^ *^ trjlT'''*^^'."^^' ''^^®''« is something I must tell you. I havfe nf i K^" ^ *'^^^' ^'W "*""°*- My brain is on tire, and will never be cool again until I confess here by Robbie's coffin : then luuT^ ^"1^^ "''^ ? y^*" P^^'*'®- I* will make no difTerence, for 1 sliall have done my duty and ceased to live a lie, for my life has been Zl^l'^A^ '^"^' °^- '"yP"''"''^^^ '^nfl deceit. Our clergymen has de- hZtlt r """ ^r,"',"'"-**^ "^ ^ "^•"-'■^y'^' "'•''^•"' and s,.me of you fdt lvs5r+i '^'^ rr ^"'^^^ And I have let you think so, and . telt myself the veriest hypocrite that ever breathed. Don't you* 30 Bessie's fortune. p ,l]l i know that what I did was done ;n expiation of a crime, a horrid cruel deed, for I put out Robbie's eyes. J made him blind. I knew you would shudder and turn from me in loathing " she continued, m a louder, clearer tone, as she felt the thrill of sur- prise which ran through the assembly, and grew more and more axcited. "But it is the truth, I tell you. I put out those beau- tiful eyes of which 1 was so envious because people praised them 80 much and him. I could not bear it, and the demon ^f jeal- ousy had full possession of me, young as I was, and son.fetimes. when I saw him preferred to me, I wished him dead, dead, just as he is now. Oh, Robbie, my heart is breaking with agnny and shame, but I must go on. I must tell how I hated you and the pretty babv ways which made you so attractive, and when I climbed up in the chair after the lumps of sugar and saw the cup of Cayenne pepper, and you standing below me with wide-open eyes and out- stretched hands, asking me to give, the devil took possession of me and whispered that now is my chance to ruin those eyes looking up so eagerly at me. I had heard that red pepper would make one blind, and— and— oh, horror, how can I teH > ^u the rest ? " Lucy's voice was like a wailini? ory of agony, as, covering her white face with her hands she went en: ••I held the cup towards Robbie, and said: 'Is it this you want? and when in hia ignorance he answered : ' Yes, div me '"'"*' ,/.,a'0PPed it into his hands, saying to myself, ' it is not my fault if he gets it into his eyes. ' " You know the rest, how from that moment he never looked on me or any one again ; but you do not, cannot know the anguish and remorse which filled my soul when I had realized what I had done. From that day to the hour of Robbie's death there has never been a moment when I would not have given my si^ht— yes my life for his. And that is why I have been the devoted sister' M you have called me. I was trying to atone, and I did. I did a little. Robbie told me so, for I confessed it all to him before he died ; told him just how vile I was, and he forj^ave me, angel that he was, and loved me just the same and went to sleep with my name on his hps. I can see it there now, the formation of the word Lucy, and it will be the first he utters when he welcomes me to heaven, if I am permitted to enter there. ** I have made this confession because I thought I ought, that you might not think better of me than I deserve. [ know you will despise me forever, but it does not matter; Robbie did not • he forgave and loved me to the last, and that alone wUl keep me from going mad. * *^ She ceased speaking, and with a low, gasping sob fell forward mto the arms of her father, who had stepped to hor side in time to receive her. LUCV. n orime, a horrid n blind, loathing/' she } thrill of sur- nore and more >ut those beau- 9 praisttd them lemon ^i jeal- nd son.×, 'ad, dead, just ■ith agnny and id you and the Then I climbed lup of Cayenne eyes and out- )SBe8aion of me e eyes looking 9uld make one rest ? " I covering her Is it this you ' Yes, div me lelf, ' it is not never looked w the anguish 3d what I had lath there has ly si^ht — yes, levoted sister, did. I did a lim before he le, angel that ileep with my 1 of the word Icomes me to I ought, that I know you abie did not ; will keep me ' fell forward side in time It was a blustering March day when they buried Robert fJrey in the cemetery at Allington, while his sister, who had been taken directly from the church to her home, lay unconscious in her room, only moaning occasionally, and whispering of Robbie, whose eyes she had put out. "People will hate me always," she said, when after weeks of bram fever she was herself again. But ii this sha was mistaken, for the people who knew her best loved hi most, and as the years went on, and all felt the influence of her pure, stainless, unselfish life, they came to esteem her as almost a saint, and no house was complete which had not in it some likeness of the sad, but inex- pressively sweet face which had a smile for every one, and which was oftenest seen in the cheerless houses where hunger and sick- ness were. There Lucy Grey was a ministering angel, and the good she did could never be told in words, but was known and felt by t.^ose who never breathed a prayer which did not have in it a thought of her and a wish for her happiness. When Grey was first laid in her arms, and she saw in his great blue eyes a look like those other eyes hidden beneath the coffin lid, she felt as if Robbie had come back to her, and there awoke with- in her a love for the child greater even than his own mother felt for him. And yet so wholly unselfish was her nature that she never mourned or uttered a word of protest when, as the boy grew older, he evinced a preference for the farm-house in the pasture rather than for the grand old place at Grey's Park, where since her sister's marriage and her father's death, she had lived alone. Hannah needs him more than I do," she would say to herself, but her sweet face was always brighter, and in her great black eyes there was a softer light when she knew he was coming to break the monotony of her lonely life. After her marriage Geraldine did not often honour Allington with her presence, it was far too quiet there to suit her, and Lucy lived too much the life of a recluse. No little breakfasts, no Ruches, no evening parties at which she could display her elegant Pans costumes ; nothing except now and then a stupid dinner party, to which the rector and his wife were invited, and that detestable Miss McPherson, who said such rude things, and told her her com-** plexion was not what it used to be, and that she looked older than Lucy, who was five years her senior, and whose dark hair was plen- tifully sprinkled with gruy. Miss McPherson was an abomination, and going to the country was a bore, but still Geraldine felt obliged to visit Allington occasionally, and always on Thanksgiving Day, when it is expected that the sons and daughters of New En"l.and will return to the old home, and grow young again under the roof which sheltered their childhood. <■■(' ! 11 h 32 urssie's foktunk. teen, left thdr homo Wnn \ !^' *7«' T'^" '''^^ "^ f""r- CHAPTER IV. THANKSOIVINO DAV AT OKEY's PAHK. grass uporSuwI. 'orel'a Park"L°bJ'""^^'r"'^^^y "^« green aa in the May day ot snriiuT L .nl T ''^T'^ "? ^"'^ *"^ fallen nn..u it and flu \' L ^ i!"^' ."!'^^ ^''^ autnmnal nuns had always. But with tL ll^J ,f Th^''[" -^'^ ''^r** '* ^« «"'»'"«'' change, and the carrita S^ ^.'"'ks^iving Day, there was a Btation'to meet t^e Ss fron, Tf '."''" ^'""' ^^'^ ^^'^ *« ^he Mrs. Gerakline shSJand dr«w Ir ^^«"^«/«d vvith snow, and around her as she stenn^r 1/ .i^'/'"'"^'"^'^ '''"'^'^ "^"'■e '-'l-'^ely downatherhttS^F^r^^^^^^^^^ looking rnefullj der, rndVo;tf ir;;,l'7;om heTT ^/i"" ^^^Pl^^^f-n,, I won- tively ankle deep, ::^^iSZ::Z^^^:7^''' ' '' '' P^^' co.tntrranrsh:i"h"e Tar'Jfaf ,^,"- ''^'^'^^^^ ^id not like the seldom^visLTlllinLr whih 1^' T^'^l °" Thanksgiving Day, withherfashiltblegtTiire AnJ'on thjf '" '^"" 1" compariao^n reasc.s for beine out of !!"r^ And on this occasion she had special Duche's inviS to^^aiid S\i 7, 'll^^tf ^^^f "«? ^.s. up to Grev's Pirk «.),o..« umner p.irty, for the sake of going dfd on S wedJCX "ZlTf' "' ,!"r'*"^« ^^^"^^^ J"« '-« i* odious Miss McPhertn^nf L T"^ ^^"'■«' ^^^^ where that TIlANKSGlVINa DAY AT GREY's PARK. 33 wade through all that snow in thin buota and silk stuokings and not endanger hor life by the exposure. Only (Irey was happy ; Grey, grown from the blue-eyed baby boy, •who \iBed to dig his heels so vigorously into the rotten base-board under the bench in the wood-shed of the farm-house, into the tall, blue-eyed, sweet, open-faced lad of fourteen, of whom it could be truly said that never had his parents or his aunts been called upon to blush for a mean or vicious act conimitted by him. Faidty he was, of course, with a hot temper wlien roused, and a strong, in- domitable will, which, however, was seldom exercised on the wrong side. Honourable, generous, afl'octionate and pure in all his thoughts as a young t-irl, he was the idol of his aunts and the pride of his father and mother, the latter of whom ho treated with a teas- ing playfulness such as he would show toward a sister, if he had one. Mrs. Jerrold was very proud of her bright, handsome boy, and had a brilliant career marked out for him ; Andover tirst, where he was now a sttulont, then Harvard, and two years or more at Oxford, and then some high-born English wife, for Mrs. Jerrold was thor- oughly European in her tastes, and toadied to the English in a most disgusting manner. During her many trips across the water, she had been presented to the Queen, had attended by ipvitation a garden party and a ball at which the Prince and Princess of Wales were present, and had spent several weeks in the country houses of some of the wealthy English. Consequently she considered herself qaito nu fait with their style and customs, which she never failed to des- cant iipon, greatly to tlie amusement of her listeners and the mor- titication of Grey, who was now old enough to see how ridiculous it made his mother appear. Grey was delighted to go to AUington, and the grandest dinner party in the world, with all the peers of England as guests, would have been a small compensation for the good cheer he expected both at Grey's Park and at the farm-house. He was glad too for the snow, and as the express train sped swiftly on, and he watched it from the window as it fell in blinding sheets and covered all the hill-tops, he thought what fun it would be on the morrow to drive his Aunt Lucy's bays over to the farm-house after his Aunt Han- nah, whom he would take for a long drive across the country and frighten with the rapidity with which the bays would skim along. " Hurrah ! There's AUington, and there's Tom," he cried, springing up as the train shot under the bridge near the station. " Come on, mother, 1 have your traps, great box, little box, soap- stone and bag. Here we are ! And, my eyes, what a blizzard ! It's storming great guns, but here goes," and the eai;er boy bounded from the oar into the snow and shook hands with Tom, his Aunt 34 BESSIE'S FORTUNE. 'o her, hroo„to„ed°"^,r "■"!■. '" ""> "Sage - SJT' '^» 86^' J'^*^^«"«^'anditi8notcold f '"^ ''." *^« bo^ with aerer And don't vou smnll +kJ^ • •"'^"oa, mother Isn't irinii^ two nieofia I " a /., smell the mince Dina? t ""iit jolly s young, to be Mmed round like a lop.*" JL_ THANKSGIVING DAY AT GREY'S PAKK. 35 "Young or not she is as pretty as a girl, any day," Grey replied, releasing his aunt and hastening to his mother, who, he knew, was in one of her cranks, as he called her moods when nothing would suit her. Knowing her sister's dislike to the country. Miss Grey had spared no pains to make the house as attractive as possible. 1'here was no furnace, but there were fires in every grate, and in the wide fire- place in the large dining room, with the bay-window looking out upon the hills and the pretty little pond where in the summer Grey kept his boat when he was in AUington, Lucy's greenhouse, which was always full, had been stripped of its flowers, which, in bouquets and baskets, and bowls, were seen everywhere, while pots of azaleas and camellias, and rare lilies stood in every nook and corner, filling the rooms with a perfume like early June, when the air is full of sweetness. But Mrs. Geraldine found the atmosphere stiflins, and asked that a window might be opened somewhere, and that Grey would find her smelling-salts directly, as her head was beginning to ache. Grey knew it always ached when she was in a crank, and he brought her salts, and undid her cloak and bonnet, and kissed her once or twice, while his father, who was hot because she was, said it was like an August day all over the house, and opened a window, but shut it almost immediately, for a cloud of snow came drifting in, and Mrs. Geraldine knew she would get neuralgia in such a frightful draught. " Come to your room and lie down. You will feel better when you are rested," Lucy said, with a troubled look on her sweet face, and she led the way to a large, cheerful chamber which her sister always occupied when at Grey's Park. ** What time do you dine ? " Geraldine asked, as she caught the savoury smell of something cooking in the kitchen. •' I have fixed" the dinner-hour at half-past two," Lucy replied, and Geraldine rejoined : " Half-past two ! What a heathenish hour ! and I do so detest early dinners. " Yes, I know," Lucy said in an apologetic tone, "but Hannah cannot stay late. She cannot leave her father so long ; " then, turning to her brother-in-law, who had just come in, she added : ' You know, I suppose, that your father has not been as well as usual for several weeks. Hannah thinks he is failing very fast." '• Yes, she wrote me to that effect," Burton replied, " but she is easily alarmed, and so I did not attach much importance to it. Do you think him seriously ill ! " "1 don't know except from Hannah herself, as he sees no one. I was there yesterday, but he would not allow me to enter his room. I am told that he has taken a fancy that no one shall go into his !i 36 Bessie's fortune. That looks as if his mind ^■^ITu ''"* H^""ah and the doctor might be a little unsettled " -'' " ""> «»na saidThliTcJ^h^/d^lSA^^^^^ '"'"'^ what his aunt had but never t^^ to diac^Mt iest it «lZl7 ^<^'T* '^^^^^^'^ ^^em, may be disgrace in it." VraVrhad n S .''^^*^'=* y>". too- There words, and much good fortune had oZ . '\"'' ^"''*"" ^'^'''^ these Geraldine Grey, and hS Emfoie 1 V'f ' u "'^ ''^^ '"^"i^d creased in wealth and distincS EnH rf "^ '^ ^""'^ ' ^'« ^'''^ '"- social platform of Bosto. ha he' L 2.*^;^"^* ^"«'^«^ «" the lature twice and to Congress once an ?"». I ''1^ ''^^" *'^ *he Legis- respected by every onefaTd what to IT. * ' ^""^ ^■^'"•*"" ^^''^Sd, still, he was looked upon as an aristcLat , f'tVZ "'""^ ^^^« ^'^t'^'^ of his friends had eve?seen the aueeSlf "'^'''"'«^ tyP«- None or Hannah either for that mafLr for J^ ' '^'•;«^\'^fc the farm-honse, ton since Grey w«s a babv^nd '', L ''"^ '"'•'"'" ^^^"^ *« Bos- go she only pLsed the day and hSh'*''^, ^'?' ""^ ^''^^ «he did Mrs. Geraldine's room (InrTnr i ^"^ ^""'^' ^» *he privacy of Burton had gone to t'b. f . *"''''' ^ y*^^'"' as was convenie,.? always foundK^a?ne's lenT'brood'.^m"^ ''Z 'f*''-' ^^^^ h^ snow, and shoulders so Ct thatft was S ^u\ ''fV"« ^^^^^^ as had ever been upriglit. And so 'vldLu^'^'^K^'' ^f''''^ ^^'^^ he wonder at his father's peculiarities and h!l^ Burton had ceased to but now they returned to hi^Sn anrl h« K^^"''J ^'' suspicions ; suddenly over him one of those unS ^^'^'^^'^^ as there swept He is very anxious toIeGe/b Vd"ouJr-M^'"";F^^'^'^ ^^'-""• into the bedroom." ^ ' * ^ '^""^*^ ^^ he will even let him exSa :'" '^^ -«o" Grey had listened intently, and now he and sh'ow Vim rn^^Z^^^llS'll^Zl " ' ''' ^^^^P* ^^^ I mean to drive over after An^fLn k *" 'T'^^ ^^^n^d on it fun to surprise them both " "^^ ™^'«''"- ^^ *dl be such Jerrofe,2,S "''^ *' ^^'"'^ "^ 8'^'"^ -^ in this storm ? " Mrs , le-es, it lorn is willing."- i,.,^„ -n- ^ vi , sne stood somewhat in awe" of S TV' !Jl"^^^ doubtfully ; for oftener than was necessary "'' ""^^ ^''^ "^* ^^l^^ to harness THE OLD MAN AND THE BOY. 37 8 as if his mind " Pho ! I'll risk Tom," Grey said. "Tom knows me ; " and in less than ten minutes one of the bays was harnessed to the cutter, and Grey was driving along in the direction of the farm-house, which, for the first tiuie in his life, struck him as something weird- like and dreary, standing there alone among the rocks, with the snow piled upon the roof and clinging in masses to the small win- dow panes. " I don't wonder mother thinks it seems like some old haunted house we read about. It is just the spot for a lively ghost. I wish I could see one," he thought, as he drove into the side-yard, and, giving his horse to the care of the chore-boy, Sam, who was in the barn, he went stamping into the kitchen. CHAPTER V. THE OLD MAJS" AND THE HOY. A S Lucy had said to Burton, his father had failed rapidly within J\. a few weeks, but as long as possible he dressed himself every day and sat in his arm-chair in the kitchen, which, during the win- ter months, served also for sitting-room ; for Hannah did her own work, and saw no company save the few friends and neighbours who called occasionally to ask after her father and offer assistance, if ne- cessary. So the front room was rarely used, though at one time, when she saw how weak her father was growiuii, and knew that he must soon take to his bed, she suggested that he should occupy the south room, as it was so much more sunny and cheerful than his sleeping apartment, which opened from the kitchen to the north, and was always dark, and gloomy, and cheerless. But her father said no very decidedly. " It has been a part of my punishment to keep watch in that roonj all these dreadful years, and I shall stay there till I die. And, Hannah, when I have to stay there altogether, when I cannot get up any more, but must lie there in that corner all day and allnight long, don't let any one in, not even Miss Grey, for it seems to me there are mirrors everywhere, and that the walls and floor have tongues, and I am getting such a coward, Hannah — such a coward. I am too old, too old, to — to " He did not say what, but covering his wrinkled face with hU hands, he sobbed piteously : " Too old, Hannah, too old to confess it now. God has forgiven me ; I am sure of that, and the world need not know what we have 38 BESSIE'S FORTUNE. .pZ';l;rmC™fX'lol'"°"«""*'" ™ H™""*'- reply, you will .hine « . ,to in Jcro™ whiuV'S ?»• ""' •""f 4 eDtor the gate,, must have the loweit" eat " ' ° I«ra«tted to aaJ'tpi'tS^ttlrtt^lfi^f/rT"™ '""^ ?>-. Btaid in bed all tHat day and the n^?? -^ *^ ^ "^ *" """*''' ^"* to be understood betwinLwrndH^n ^^!'ul\ ""1'^ '* «»>»« get up again. ^®" ^""^ Hannah that he should never pli'ed?*" I send for Burton 1 '« Hannah asked hin. once, and he re- neZ:;y^' HeTnoVSe tTL''^ "^^. '^°!J^'« ^'^ ««-er than of his old father, bu he is Tv «nn JTt^ ^''^ ^'S^' *«d the touch of his fresh, warn Ups upon her own s^he Inu^A i^'^V^l'fy^ '^"^ ^^'^ <" f«w ™"'"ent« «"bbed as if her heart would break, while Urey, in great concern, knelt down before her and taking both her hands in his, tried to comfort her. ' 1^ J:a " i*' T"*'^ [ ^^ «*'<*• " Is i* because you are so lone- we wm '"'^^^T^ g'^'^»JP* r^l die ? I'll take care of you Jhen and croslt"? Mer d"/r?: ^^^^^er, and you shall ride ol a mule' and IhZl ^.5 ,i '"'• ^ ,"'^<* *" think about it when I was over ingfectzriid^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ " Bid you go to Wales ? " "Yes, wo went there first. Don't you remember ? " Wuhout answerinif that question, Hannah continued : ^ Did you go to Carnarvon ? " castle Tnd'wni /ll^"''' T' ^f- ^^^ 'P^»* ^ ^^^^^^ ^ay at the old of Wales tas born ° if • *' -f ^ '" J.° S^ "'^""^ ^^^''^ ^^e ^rst Prince teli?outZe'l"ruinVaTey2f.'^T/^^^^^^ -^ TcriS^^f'^^t *tt *°.^."^'^«' ^-3^ '--tt? LTorgtphi^ S3 • ^^''* ^^ ^''^ ^^'^n and done, repeating everythine ridiculousin order to make his Aunt Hannah laJgh. ^ ^^''y*hing J^ou ought to have heard father try to talk French " he said and ZldTufvt^mi" 7^ "^^' ^T^i""^" «« 'o^ « litS: Sot scrlminl at^hL ^Pi-'"*'^'- *"^ *^«" '^''^ ^^ ^^ ^t the waiters, derirnSlpft^r" V^ *"" ^"'°'' *« ^^ ^^^^ ^""'d make them un- derstand better : and once it was too funny. We were in a shoo hetTdTuot/''^'',^r!'^ *°'^"'^" theUe of something sS hair and sa^d P^ * k"^^ ^^^^u^' .™*" ^^*^^ ^lue eyes and yellow « c?m-bfon ' bnt r """Jt'u**^ *^.« ^^y ^« pronounced it- com Dion , but the man didn't com-bi-on worth a P«n* -"'^ orl- IgtSr^d'^elirn'' *^,' '5°"\^* ^''" * ^""**i«- '" TVentather'trLd •gain, and yelled as loud as he could yell, • Pree-pree ! how much- THE OLD MAN AND THE BOY. 41 s grandpa so very d, and command- ee, much-ee ? Then there was a glimmer of a smile on the man's face, and when father wholly out of patience, roared out, ' Damna- tion, are you a fool ? he replied, ' No, but I'm a Yankee like your. self, and the price of the carving is twenty-five francs : ' and. sure enough, he was a chap from Maine. After that father always asked them first if they parlez vons-ed English. Mother got on better, be- cause she knew more of the language, and always gave a twist to the words which made them sound Fronchy ; but she was afraid to talk much, for fear she'd make a mistake and Miss Grundy would laugh at her. She is awfully afraid of Miss Grundy, especially if the genus homo happens to be English. But I did not care I wanted to learn, and I studied in the railway car, and at the tab^ and in bed, and had a teacher when wo staid long enough in a place and then I plunged m, mistake or no mistake, and talked to every- body. I used to sit on the box with the driver when we drove «o as to talk to him and you have no idea what a lot you pick up that way, or how glad they are to help you ; and now, though I do not suppose I always use good grammar or get the right accent, I can ^arte with the best of them, and can speak German, too, a little 1 think 1 have improved some ; don't you, auntie " +1, l''°^?V''^'*''*' ^"^ «^® *°^<^ h™ «0' a°d 8«iiled fondly upon the bright, handsome boy, knowing that in what he said of himself wSTe UkSrr in Mm ^^"^*^' '"* ^ '^^''^^^^ ^' °P— I al'nteTromTnIT''''" '" ^"'^'^^^^^ '''''''^'^ ' "h«-" '^^ And before she could stop him he had entered the low, dark room where, on the bed, pushed close to the side-wall near the woodshed,' andjust where It had stood for thirty years, the old man lay' S rather sat, for he was bolstered upright, with a chair and piflows behind hnn, his long white hair parted in the middle and 00^ behind his ears, and his arms folded across his bosom. At Cxreys abrupt entrance he started, and his face flushed for a moment, but w^en he saw who it was the look of fear gave way to one of joy, and his pale face lighted up with gladness as he wTl Jom- ed the eager boy, who told him first how sorry he was to fiTd hSi 80 sick and then what a grand time he had in Eurol "^ nr,^ l^ V" ^^^ *PP ""^ ^^'^' ^»d old Pilatus, and Vesuvius and Flegere, and crossed the Mer-de-Glace and T6te Noire and the Simplon, and they are all here on my Alpenstock ; look see ' but no you cannot, it is so dark j I'll raise the curtain »' ' ouUn a?am ^'*'°'^ *"* **"' ''^"^"^' ^^^' ^' grandfather cried •'Stop, Grey, stop. here ! " I'll call your Aunt Hannah ! Hannah, come 42 Bessie's fortune. Bee notMnf 8ure^> '' *^' ""'""'^' ^°™« ^1»^*« *° *he floor ? Can he «' Nothing father, nothing," was the reply, and thus reassured Ind f ^ l^T *f 1 ^^"^ Alpenstock, which had done such good serZ " Grey Jerrold, Boston, Mass., 18— " thJZl '^^''^^^ ^'^^ *^^^'^ ''^^ ^'' ^'^^^^'' ^'^'^ *^« ^°"d«" beyond "But, after all America is best," he said, " and I am glad I am an American, and a Yankee at that. Boston'is the placTto be boS in. Don'tyou think so, grandpa?" "u uh uorn " Yes yes. Did you go to Wales ? To Carnarvon ? " the old blSkly ' "'' ^^'^"Ptly *h^t Grey stopped short and stared at him +l,S'* ^""* ^^""*? ^^'^ ,*'^^^ *b« «^™« question. Could it be Vesuvius / If so he would confine himself to Carnarvon and be- ^Hnr'"? w1''°"^.f.*^\"''^ ^'^«*'^' ^"d the birth-room o"'the first Pr nee of Wales. Then his grandfather interrupted him by asking Did you hear o any family there by the name of Rogers ?"^' Jr.fT'r^J'- n^^^ I>id you ever know any one by that JepTed'':^'' '° Carrmrvon ?" Grey u.ked, and his grandfather "Yes, a great many years ago, longer than you can remember "Father father you are talking too much ; you are getting ex- rept^: *''""' ^'""'^ ^"*"''^"«'^'^ ^" «°™« ^'^""^ but her father "No, no. I'm not afraiJ of Grey now that I see his face again • it s a face to be trusted. Grey would not harm his old grandfathTr' Would you boy ?" and the childish old man began o c^ ploX while Grey looked inquiringly at his aunt, and touched his fore ead meaningly, as much as to say : loreneaa "I know, I understand : a little out of his head " flow^^g tJr^^Gi'i^laicl'- '"' ^'^"^' '^^ '^"^ «" ^^^ grandfather's inalurewS."'"""''"^"'' "°* ^^^''^ y^' ^^^ best grandpa ^ "No, no, Grey ; the worst, the worst ; ard yet it doe« mp .mod tu know you love and respect me, and you always will when I am dead and gone, won t you ? even if you should .-.4 know the truX and know how bad 1 was, and you maysometime, forit iliSpresBed THE OLD MAN AND THE BOY. 43 wonders beyond on me this morning that in some way you will help Hannah out of it. You two, and no more. Poor Hannah. She has suffered so much for my sake. Be good to her, Grey, when I am gone ; be good to Hannah. Poor Hannah." ' ' Yes, grandpa, I will," Grey said, in a tearful voice, as he invol- untarily wound his arm around the woman he was to be good to. " I will always care for Aunt Hannah, and love her above all wo- men. Don't y«u worry about that. She shall live with me when I am a man, and we will go to Europe together." " Yes, to Wales ; to Carnarvon, perhaps," Mr. Jerrold interposed, and then said, suddenly : " Do you remember the day you caught and kissed my old hands, and did me so much good ? Would you mind kissing them again ? — this one ; it burns so and aches ! " and he raised his thin, right hand, which Grey took in his own, and kiss- ed reverently and lovingly, saying as he did so : " Poor, tired hand, which has done so much hard work, but never a bad act." "Oh, oh ! My boy, my boy, you hurt me ! " grandpa cried, as he snatched his hand from Grey, who looked at him wonderingly and said : " I am sorry. I did not mean to hurt you. Is your hand sore ? " " Sore ? Yes, sorer than you know or guess ; you would not touch it if you did j so sore that it aches clear down to my very heart." " Come, Grey, I think it is time we were off. Father is getting tired and excited. You will see him again to-morrow," Hannah said, and her father rejoined : "To-morrow? Who knows? To-day is all we can call our own, and I will bless my boy to-day. Kneel down. Grey, and let me put both hands on your head ; the soreness will not hurt you, and it may leave me a little." With a feeling of awe Grey knelt beside the bed, while his grand- father laid both hands on his head and said : " May God bless my boy Grey, and make him a good man — not like me, the chief of sinners, but Christ-like and pure, so that he may one day reach the eternal home where I hope to meet him, through the merits of the blood of Jesus, which cleanse th from all sin — all sin, even mine. God bless my boy ! " It seemed like a funeral, and Grey's eyes were full of tears as he rose from his knees and said : " Good-by, grandpa. We must go now, but I'll come again to- morrow early, and stay all day and all the next, for I do not go back to Andover till Monday, and next summer I'll spend all my vacation with you. Good-by ; " and stooping, he kissed the white forehead and quivering lips, around which a smile of peace was set- 44 BEbSIE's FORTUKE. tling Then, vith another good-by, he left the room, never dream- ing that it was good-by forever. Once in the open air, with his Aunt Hannah by his side and the fleet bay making rapid strides toward Grey's Park, the cloud wh-'oh m the sick room had settled upon him lifted, and he talked and laughed merrily as they drove swiftly on through the snow, which was falling m great flakes now, and which had almost entirely ceaoed by the time they reached the Park, where dinner was wait- ing for them. CHAPTER VJ. MISS BETSEY m'pHERSON. q-^HE table was laid in the large dining-room, which faced the J_ south, and whose large French wiiidows looked into the ter- raced flower-garden and the evergreens fashioned after those in the park at Versailles. When alone, Lucy took all her meals in the pleasant little breakfast-room, where only two pictures hung upon the wall, and both of the same person, viz., Robin-the one taken other at the age of fourteen, after the lovely blue eyes which smiled ■ so bri-htly upon you from the first canvas were darkened forever, ana the eyelids were closed over them. This was Lucy's favour' ito room for there Robin seemed nearer to her, and she ate there and sao there when alone, and received her morning calls there. Lit Geraldine did not like it. It was just like attending a funeral all the time, she siud ; and so, though it was (luite large enough to accommodate lier Thanksgiving guests, Lucy had ordered the din- ner to be served m the larger room, which looked very warm and Se onlh'e hearTh.""""'"" '''"''^"^' "' *^' ^^'^'^"'^ ^^ *^« '^"g^^* . n/ir^r^^ '''^*^','^ ^^''?^ ^'^*^ "■ gl^«« «f «herry, a biscuit, LFsTL \^^°A-^^ '''''^' ^"^ "^"^ fruit, Mrs. GeraldiAe had des' fn nl p? dining-room to see a new rug, of which Lucy had told her. Glancing at the table, which was glittering with china, and glass, and silver, and flowers, she began counting • ' pect Bu^Sfarr /''"' '^^' ^" P^'^^"' ^«" ^^^^^ ''^ -* - Lucy flushed a little, as she replied : ♦* Oh, no ; the sixth place is for Mias McPherson." ti )om, never drenm- Y his side and the :, the cloud whioli tid ho talked and the snow, which id almost entirely dinner waa wait- which faced the iked into the ter- after those in the her meals in the itures hung upon n — the one taken ars old, and the ayes which smiled ■ larkened forever, 3 Lucy's favour- id she ate there oing calls there, lending a funeral 3 lai'ge enough to ordered the din- very warm and r and the bright herry, a biscuit, sraldine had des- vhich Luoy had ring with china, ing: irely did not ex- MISS BFfSEY M'pHERSON. 48 X m " Miss McPherson ! What possessed you to invite her? I de- test her, with her sharp tongue and prying ways. Why, sho is pos- itively rude at times, and exasperates me so," Geraldine said, an- grily : and her sister rejoined : " Yes, I know she is peculiar and outspoken, but at heart sho is true as steel, and she has been so kind to me since Robbie died." " Yes, I know she regards you as a paragon of trut)' and excel- lence, because of that speech you made in church, and which I thought wholly uncalled for, especially as it could do no good ex- cept to make people talk," Geraldine said, sharply, adding in a sof- ter tone, as she saw how white her sister grew and how tightly she clasped hor hands together, " but I know you were conscienti- ous in the matter, and thought you were doing right." There was silence a moment between the sisters, and then Lucy saivl, referring to Miss McPherson : "I thought sLa would be very lonely taking her Thanksgiving dinner alone. You know she has no relatives in America. And then she will be glad to see you and inquire after her brother's family, whom she knows you met abroad. " " Yes, we spent a week with her brother, the Hon. John McPher- son, and his wife Lady Jane, at the house of Captain Smith in Mid- dlesex, and we were two days at their own place, Elm Park, in Derbyshire. Miss McPherson is, at least, well connected," Ger- aldine said, mollified at once as she recalled her intimacy with Lady Jane McPherson. To be acquainted with a titled lady was, in her opinion, some- thmg to be proud of, and since her return from Europe she had wearied and disgusted her friends with her frequent allusions to Lady Jane and her lovely country seat in Derbyshire. And Miss McPherson was her sister-in-law; and on that account she must be tolerated and treated, at least, \tith a show of friendship. So when she heard that she had arrived she went to meet her with a good deal of gush and demonstration, which, however, did not in the least mislead the lady with regard to her real sentiments, for she and Geraldine had always been at odds, and from the very nature of things there could be no real sympathy between the fashionable lady of society, whose life was all a deception, and the blunt, out- spoken woman, who called a spade a spade, and whose rule of ac- tion was, as she expressed it, the naked truth and nothing but the naked truth. Had she worn false teeth and supposed any one thought them natural, she would at once have them taken out to show that they were not ; and as to false hair, and frizzes, and powder, and all the many devioea used, as she said " to build a 7°'^*?' J "^® abominated "them, and preferred "to be just what the Lord had made her, without any attempt to improve upon His work. Unce Lucy Grey had asked her why she did not call herself Eliza- 46 Bessie's fortune. ( .!l beth, or Lizzie, instead of Tiotsoy, which waa so old-fashioned, and she had retorted, sharply, that thougli of all the names upon earth she thought Botsoy the worst, it was given to her by her sponsors in baijtisni, and Betsey she w(nikl remain to the day of her death. " To call myself Elizabeth, or Lizzie, or Bettie, or Bessie, would not make me so, and would bo a lie besides, and wouldn't a fancy name sit well on such a big, raw-boned thing as I am ; " and she smiled grimly at this allusion to her personal appearance, which was not very prepossessing. She was tall and angular, with largo features, sharp nose, and little bright, black, bead-like eyes, which seemed to look you through and read your most secret thoughts. As her name indicated, she was of Scotch descent ; indeed, her grandfather was Scotch by birth, but he had moved into England, where her father and mother, and herself were born, so that she called herself English, though she gloried in her Scotch blood, and her Scotch face, which was unmistakable. After her birth her father had bought a place in Bangor, Wales, which he called Stoneleigh, and here her two brothers, Hugh and John, were bom, and her parents had died. She had come alone to Allington when comparatively young, and bought a house and lot not very far from Grey's Park, and, settling down quietly, had for a time watched closely the habits of the people around her, and posted herself thoroughly with regard to the work- ings and institutions of a Republic, and then she adopted them heartily, and became an out -and-out American, and only lamented that she could not vote and take part in th« politics of the country. Of her past life she never spoke, and of her family seldom. Her father and mother were dead ; she had two brothers, both well enough in their way, but wholly unlike oach other, she once told Lucy Grey, whom she had always liked, and with whom she was more intimate than with any one else in Allington, unless it were Hannah Jerrold. Although very proud of her family name and family blood, she was no boaster, and no one in Allington would ever have known that one of her brothers had been in Parliament, and that his wife was the Lady Jane Trevellian, if chance had not thrown them in the way of Mrs. Geraldine. Once, and once only, had she returned to her native land, and that two or three years before our story opens. Then she had been absent three or four months, a!id when she returned to Allington she seemed grimmer and sterner than ever and more intolerant of everything which did not sa.our of the " naked truth." And yet, as Lucy Grey had said of hor to her sister, she was true as steel to lici. i^x-ix--:-, S.XIU. at iiviiix, WHS u;;;; ui ciiuKinaest ana Dest oi woiuoii, and, with the exception of Miss Lucy Grey, no one in Allington was found bo often in the houses of the poor as she, and though she pebnked sharply when it was necessary, and told them thev* were MISS BETSEY M PHERSON. 47 )I(l-fa8hioned, and nainua upon earth r by her sponsors day of hor death. , or Bessie, would . wouldn't a fancy I am ; " and she ppearance, which sharp nose, and I look you through me indicated, she 18 Scotch by birth, f and mother, and ?lish, though she face, which was n J3angor, Wales, )ther8, Hugh and tively young, and *ark, and, settling ibits of the people igard to the work- he adopted them nd only lainonted C8 of the country, ily seldom. Her thera, bofh well 3r, she once told th whom she was )n, unless it were Family name and Allington would en in Parliament, if chance had not native land, and 'hen she had been rned to AUington lore intolerant of puth." And yet, ,a true as steel to u Dest 01 WOlliuil, one in AUington ), and though she them thev were dirty and shiftless when thoy were, she made hor kindness fell in 80 many ways that she waH, if possible, more jjopular than Lucy her- self, for, while Lucy only gave them money and sympathy, she helped them with her hands, and, if necessary, swept their floors, and washed their faces, made their bods, and stayed with them night after night, even if the sickness was the small-pox, which was once epidemic in AUington. A little carving on her face would not make it much uglier than it was already, she said, when remonstrated with upon the risk she ran, and so she nursed the sick and the dying until she, too, was smitten with the varioloid, which,howover, slio had very lightly, and from which she recovered without a scar. Such was Miss Betsey McPherson, who, as she is to figure con- spicuously in this story, merits this introduction to the reader, and who, in her black silk of a dozen years old, at least, with a long, heavy gold chain around hor neck and a cap fashioned after the Englisii stylo upon her head, stood up very tall and stiff to receive Mrs. Geraldine, but did not bend her head when she saw it was that lady'a intention to kiss hor. " I know she would as soon kiss a piece of soleloather as mo, and I would rather kis8 a flour-barrel f]\.,i: that powdered face," was her thought ; and so she only wr \or h:uid to Mrs. Jerrold, who told her how glad she was to sou lier and how nnich she was pleased with her brother, the Hon. John McPherson, and his charming wife, the Lady Jane. " Why have you no\ er spoken of them to us ? I should be proud of such relatives," sho said ; and Miss McPheraon replied . " Umph ! Whai s the use i I'm no better, no worse for them." Just then the sound of bells was heard, and Hannah and Grey came in, and were received most cordially by Miss McPherson, who unbent toth- mas she had not done to the Boston Lady. Indeed, there was something even tender in her voice as she spoke to Han- nah and inquired after her father. Then, turning to Clroy, she laid one hand on his head, and taking his chin in the other, looked searchingly in his face as she said : " I wonder if you are the same boy I used to like so muc i, or has a year in Europe spoiled you, as it does 3o many Americans ?" " Not a bit of it," Grey answered merrily. " Europe is grand ; Europe is beautiful ; but she is very old, and I like young America better, with her freedom and her go-ahead, even if she is not as in- tensely respectable, and dignified, and old-fogyish as her mother across the water." The dinner-boll here put an end to the conversation, and Lucy preceded her yiitasta tu the dining-room, followed by her brother," who had been more than usually affectionate in his greeting to his sister, whom he took in to dinner, while Grey escorted his mother and Miss McPherson. :H ff y !i 48 BESSIE'S FOBTUNE. CHAPTER VII. THE DINNER, AT WHICH BESSIE IS INTRODUCED. THE Boup and fish had been served, and during the interval while Mr. Jerrold carved the big turkey which Hannah had contributed, and which she had fattened all the summer in antici- pation of Grey's return and this very dinner, Mrs, Geraldine took occasion to introduce her favourite subject of conversation, Europe, and its manners and customs, which she thought so infinitely super- ior to those this side the water. "Umph ! " ejaculated Miss McPherson, with an upward toss of the chin. Then, turning to Grey, she said: "And did you, too, adopt all the foreign habits ? " " No indeed," was Grey's reply. "Just think of having your coffee and roll brought to you in the morning while you are in bed, and you eating it in the smelling room, without washing your hands, and then going to sleep again. That is what I call very narsty. as the English say, though they do not use the word in that sense." " You forget that Miss McPherson is English," Mrs. Jerrold said and the lady in question at once rejoined : " Never mind that, I do not believe in spoiling a story for rela- tions' sake, or country's either. Jand I fully agree with -Grey that the Continental habit of breakfasting in bed, with unwashed face and hands, is a very nasty one, in the American sense of the word. I never did it, and never would." " You have been on the Continent, then ? " Mr Jerrold asked, and instantly there came upon Miss McPherson's face an expression of bitter pain, as if some sad memory had been stirred ; then, quickly recovering herself, she answered : " Yes, I was at school in Paris a year, and travelled another year all over Switzerland, Germany, and Italy. It may seem strange to Grey, who probably cannot realize that I was ever young, to know that I, too, have my Alpenstock as a voucher for the mountains I have climbed and the chasms I have crossed. Did you go to Monte Carlo ? " The question was addressed to Grey, who replied : " Yes : we were there four davg," " Did you play ? » " No ; I did not even see them play. They would not let me in ; I was too young ; and I should not have played anyway, for I pro- THE DINNER, AT WHICH BESSIE IS INTRODUCED. 49 raised Aunt Lucy I would not," Grey said, and Misa McPheraon replied with startling vehemence : " That's right, my boy ! that's right ! Never, never play for money so long as you live. You have no idea what perils lurk around the gaming-table, or what an accursed spot Monte Carlo is, beautiful as it is to look at. Those lovely grounds are haunted with the ghosts of the suicides who, ruined body and soul, have rushed unprepared into the presence of their Maker. " None of the guests had ever seen Miss McPherson so excited, and for a moment there was silence while they looked at her wondoring- ly as she sat with lips compressed and nostrils dilated, looking in- tently over their heads at something they could not see, but which evidently was very vivid to her. .•,,,- i Mrs. Geraldine was the first to speak, and she said, half laugh- ingly : " You are quite as much prejudiced against Bov,ge et Noir as your brother, the Hon. John McPherson ; for when I told him I tried mv luck at Monte Carlo and won twenty-five dollars, he seemed hor- rified, and I think it took him some hours to regard me with favour again." •'Yes, and he had reason. The McPhersons have all good cause to abhor the very name of gambling," Miss McPherson replied, hitching her chair a little further away from Geraldine as from some- thing poisonous ; then, in her characteristic way of suddenly change- ing the conversation, she said : " You saw my nephew, Neil Mc- Pherson?" , , , ^^. " Oh, yes," Mrs. Terrold replied. " We saw a good deal of mm, too ; he is very fine-looking, with such gentlemanly manners for a boy of sixteen. I should be glad if Grey would imitate him," and she glanced meaningly at her son on whose face a cloud instantly fell. , _, Miss McPherson saw it at once and turning to him she asked : " How did you like NeiU Boys are semetimes better judges of each other than older people. Did you think him very nice, and refined and gentlemanly V There was a lurking sascasm in her voice which Grey was quick to detect, and remembering her love for the naked truth, he spoke out, boldly : . v- i " No, Madam ; I am sorry to say that at first I did not think him a gentleman, and did not like him at all. We had a fight ! " " A fight ! " Miss McPherson repeated, in surprise, as did both Hannah and Lucy simultaneously, while Mrs. Jerrold interposed : «« T fhirsk Grey, T would not mention that, as it reflecta no credit upon you. " " But he insulted me first, " Grey replied, and Miss McPherson insisted : I ■'« so Bessie's fortunr " Tell it Grey, and do not omit anything, because I am his Aunt. Tell it exactly as it was, on both sides. I want the ^ruth. " " Thus encouraged, Grey began : "It was the Fourth of July and we were at Melrose stopping at the George Inn, while Mr. McPherson's family, whom we then had never seen, were at the Abbey Hotel close to the old ruin. There were several Americans in our house, and because of that the pro- prietor hung out our national flag. It was such a lovely morning, and when I went into the street and saw the Stars and Stripes wav- ing in the English wind I hurrahed with all my might and threw up my cap in the air. " May I ask why you are making so much noise ? " somebody drawled out close to me, and turning round I saw a lad about my own age, wearing a tall stove-pipe hat, for he was an Eton boy. *' His manner exasperated me quite as much as his words, it was BO lordly and overbearing, and picking up my cap, I said : " What am I making such a noise about ? Why, it's the Fourth of July, and that is the Star-spangled Banner ! ' "'Star-spangled fiddlestick!' he retorted, tapping the ground with the tip of his boot. ' And so you are a Yankee ? I heard there was a lot of them here.' " ' Yes, I'm a Yankee,' I replied ; * a genuine downeaster and proud of it too, and who, may I ask, are you ? ' " * I ? Why, I am Neil McPherson, an Eton boy, and my father is the Hon. John McPherson, of Elm Park, Middlesex, and iny mo- ther is a lady- born, Lady Jane McPherson,' he replied, in a tone intended to annihilate me wholly. "But I stood my ground, and said : " ' Oh, you are Neil McPherson, are you ? and your father is an honourable, and your mother a lady ? Well, I am Grey Jerrold, of Boston, and my father is an honourable, and my mother is a lady, too !' " * Now, reely, you make me larf,' he cried. • Your father may be an honourable — I believe you have such things — but your mo- ther is not a lady ; there are no ladies in America — born ladies, such as we have in the United Kingdom. And pray what have you Yankees done except to make money, that you should all be so in- fernally proud of your country and that rag ? ' pointing to the flag. '* By this time my blood was up, and I squared up to him say- ing : " ' What have we done ? I'll tell you wliat we have done, you young Britisher ! We have licked Johnny Bull just as I am going to lick you, under that very flag which you were pleased to desig- nate a rag. ' " He saw I meant business, and backed off saying : " ' Oh, but you carn't. I'm the son of Lady Jane McPhoraon, you know, and you carn't touch me.' le McPhersoD, THE DINNER, AT WHICH BESSIE IS INTRODUCED. 61 " ' We'll see if I cam't,' I answered, and then I pitched in and thrashed him till he cried for quarter, and I let him go, threatening all sorts of vengeance upon me, the worst of which was that he would tell his mother and have me arrested for assult and battery. " That was my introduction to Neil McPherson, and I am a little ashamed of it now, though he did aggravate me so. During the recital Miss McPherson had laughed until the tears ran down her cheeks, a thing very unusual to her, while neither Hannah nor Lucy could repress a smile at Grey's earnestness and the manner in which he took off the boy, who was the son of a born lady ; but Mr. Jerrold looked very grave, and his wife greatly an- noyed and displeased. ... " I am >^lad > hear you acknowledge that you are even a kittle ashamec^ ■^h•. Jerrold said ; " for I was very much ashamed that a son (- ''vbi:^ should so far forget himself as to fight a stranger whom ..v> i.dd never seen before. But, in justice to you, 1 must add what you have omitted, which is that you went auu apologized to the boy for the affront." , "Did you?" Miss McPherson said, turning to Grey, who re- ^ " Yes : mother made me. I did not want to one bit ; but I am glad I did, and I must say that he received my rather oungjipg apology better than I supposed he would, even though I told him mother sent me ; for I felt I should be a sneak if I let him thmk that I came of my own free will. " • All right,' he said, offering me his hand ; I dare say 1 /as a cad to say what I did of your flag, but you needn't have hit me quite BO hard. Where did you learn boxing 1 ' " ' I never learned it,' I told him. ' It was natural to all the Yankees, who were born with clenched fists, ready to go at it. " He believed, me, and said, * Reely, is that so 1 ' and then he ask^d me to play billiards with him, and we got to be good friends, and he asked all sorts of questions about America— said he meant to come here some day and hunt up a rich old relation who hved somewhere, he didn't know where." *' Umph," came meaningly from Miss McPherson, whose sharp nose took an upward turn as she said : " A rich old relation, hey ! Did he tell you her name 1" *' No— I beg your pardon ! " and Grey's cheeks were scarlet, for it had never occurred to him till this moment that Miss McPherson might be the individual meant. " No matter, no matter ; go on ; tell me more of this Neil, she said, and Grey roplied : . j j r "There is not much to tell. We became good friends, and he asked a good deal about the United States, and said that our girls were the prettiest in the world when they were young. All the 52 BESSIE'S POETUNE. English aay that, and Keii i,„^ x, ^ . ^ McPhersonsatherhomAi^i^T-i^, "^ *o spend a week wifwi: ' the circus, and the abbey and th« L ' ^ '^®"* *» t^e tower S I was sorry not to see Bessie who ''^W"** ^^^^y^hereTShCh was also at Captain SmitW?" '^^'' ^^*^ ^^"^ ^-'^^- and moff herself%Trs!te^^^^^^^ continued, addressing ^s'Le d'^if/^'^^ ^ ^ never ra^tSflr??" "1?^"^ ^sff was tne daughter of a r«,n,-v, , ' °"* I nave his wifo ci, from W»le., f„ thelfaiT/^fTaZ/rr"*''' "'K' i.n«? -Uon t be afraid to te]] me evrnfi! -P^^' ^**^ •' Idea he » a moalahS 5 ^/ J""" "''■'k °f AroWl I ^ ™^ Gera,:,&*,'iSf "^^""^ •>' ■»-». »<. thea waited to and ne one could possibly SK*f'^°!? «»«* ^^ countenance mher be fed San".; S'£ett ? '■°''°™ "■» «.id af ^X" ■ TflE DINNER, AT WHICH BESSIE IS INTRODUCED. 63 " Just so ; that is what I thought ; lazy as the root, and always hunting for a root," Miss Betsy said, emphatically. * ' Tliat is Archie. He takes it from his father rather than his mother. She, T believe, had some energy, and snap. She was a chorus-singer in some opera, and I did not like the match, though I now believe she was too good for Hugh. That was Archie's mother. And now for his wife, Daisy they call her. What of her ? " Mrs. Jerrold evidently had no scruples about freeing her mind with regard to Daisy McPherson, and she answered, promptly ; " I did not like her at all, neither did Lady Jane, and 1 tried my best to keep aloof from her, but could not ; she is so pushing and aggressive and so sweetly unconscious that she is not wanted. And yet she is exceedingly pretty, with that innocent kind of face and childish, appealing way which women detest, but which takes with the men," and Mrs. Geraldine glanced sharply at her husband, who was just then very busy with his pudding, and pretended not to hear her, while she went on : "She has some accomplishments, speaks French and German, I believe, perfectly, sings simple bal- lads tolerably well, but rolls lier eyes frightfully, and is so conscious of herself that she uisgusts you. She has very good manners, but after a little one readily sees that she was not born a lady, and that all her polish and style have been acquired by observation and from mingling with the society into which she crowds herself. With- out being vicious, i should call her a regular Beckv Sh" p, always managing to get the best of everything, and, as she'told me herself, always having on her list two or three invitations for as many weeks, to as many different places. " " But how does she do it ? " Miss Betsey asked ; and Mrs. Jer- rold replied : "I hardly know, nor do the ladies themselves. Sometimes, as m the case of Mrs. Smithers, the invitation is genuine and sincere, but oftenor it is a mere form at which Daifiy jumps at o:ice, thank- ing the lady so sweetly, and either asking her to fix a time cv more frequently fixing it herself to suit her own convenienoe , or, rather, necessities. She has a most wonderful talent, too, foi- getting pre- sents of clotiies and jewellery for herself and Biisaie, and that is the way they live, for they have no means, or, at least, very little, ex- cept what she manages to got from the men by philopoenas, or bets, or games at cards and chess, where they let her win, because she al- most begs them to let her do so. She even got five pounds from my hiisband on a wager which he did not at fir-t think in earnest." And again the black eyes flashed at Burton, who now looked up from the orange he was peeling and said laushlinf^W : " yes, Daisy McPherson did me out of twenty-five pounds in the neatest possible manner, and would have fleeced me out of twenty- ^ve more if I had not been on my guard against her. She got u i^ESSIE's FORTttNE. a;!rbuTh:ttras1f^^^^^^^^^^ -^--- « guest at the pretty a woman, and she is tht Zff ?'*'"''^ *° ^« «he**ed by so " Umph ! " Miss RflHtf the prettiest woman I evor saw." '• Yesf she is p^'ty w fh rlTand ^S ^^^*^f '« -"*-«ed •• and golden hairfwhiJh curls naf„r«^f "! complexion, blue eye. hanging down her back so aT to show I'to "/ 1^^'^^ '^'' ««" ^«»" a woman of thirty." '^ ^* *° ^ood advantage, and Bhe ". ^f ^orge^l'^sir^^^^^^^ J-oId said quickly, eight ; so, at the most DaSvTinn / ««^®«*een. and Bessie is only ,^ ;' 1 am glad you kn^ C^aSr^ell ^mJ^'r *7r*^-«^^-" I think twenty-six too nlH +Vrl ', , ™' G^eraldme retorted back. We were ^U Zaltt ^'^ °"' ' ^""^ streaming down th^ room was just acros thSl air'ecH.''^'"'?!^ u^^^^ J*°«' ^hose herself that she would n«v«ri,^ opposite hers. She told me tion had «hekn::fthr:SvtTur:rst:'t„^[^- f-^th-s'iS! she was very kind to little El t„ J ^° ^'^ *^ere. And yet that child and not love her aronce J.A ■f'u'' °"" «o"ld look at ence with which she was surrounded " ^^ ^ ^''' *""' ^'^^ ^^^^^A"" ward eayr^^tHrl'dCh:"^ ^^«« ^^^^-son leaned for- ^ttot/^^'^'^Jtat^^^^^^ ^- -• Then why ^^l^r^iLli^^^^^^^^ Hannah asked, joining for Betsf^'n^^^^S^orU^ct^^^ rtiSJJd-^ ^'-^ '-'" -^ ^^etrd lo^Vrs^-^ldt,^;- of he?L^^^^^^^^^ with all the refinement hke kissing her. Her eves ifl^f VT 5" ^^'^ ^^^^ *hat you feel and dark tliat at times tC^ I'r^ed "^^f^ butL clear there came, as there often^d ? a troubW 1 ^^""^ especially when Daisy was telling of some othtl J . ^"""^ '"*» them, when not be true. At such tTmes irwa^l!'"*"!'' ^^''^^ ^e knew could listened with her great S-ooenZ?' ^aV^ *^« ^^ild as she her breath came in shortlaspsTs if Z ^"^ ^"^^ed cheeks, while her mother, and this Bhe soTtimes dtd ^"'" ^''^^'^"^ *° ^''"*^-dict gottenT'CnHS tv?'' bSf Vt «^^- ' haven't you for- there would settle upon h^jCand'aW T"^^ '".'"'« ^«^' ^^ -~j n/r-^ T ^""^''r, was he fond of h^v'^" Mioa \t ni, oua orxrs. Jerrold replied : ' McPhersou asked, as a guest at the > be cheated by so [ ever saw. " ild: ;ie continued : plexion, bhie eyes ch she still wean ivantage, and the fold said quickly, md Bessie is only 1 twenty-six." sraldine retorted, earning down the idy Jane, whose rs. She told me Smithers' invita- there. And yet 'ne could look at ;oo, for the influ- Jraon leaned for- me. Then why ked, joining for were christened sssie ; but go on Geraldine, who [ the refinement ce that you feel ue, but so clear especially when ito them, when we knew could ;he child as she cheeks, while g to contradict aven't you for- ence her, and h that patient, Phcrson a«ked, TflE DINNER, AT WHICH BESSIE IS INTRODUCED. 65 " Yes, very, and she of him. She seemed to recognise the dif- ference between him and her mother, and kept by him most of the time. It was a very pretty sight to see her arms around his neck and her bright head leaning on his arm, while she looked up at him so lovmgly and 8ympathi7;ingly, too, as they watched the manoeu- vres of her mother. Once I heard her say to him, when Daisy was flirting more than usual and attracting all eyes to her, ' I shall never do like that ; but mam^iia is very pretty, isn't she ? ' '' • Yes, darling, very pretty,' he answered, and they kissed each other very quietly. I wish you could see Bessie." It was not often that Geraldine praised anything or anybody as she praised this little English girl who had made a strong impres- sion upon her, and of whom she might have said more if Miss Mc- Pherson had not rejoined : •' I did see her once, and her mother, too. I was home three years ago, you know, and I went to Aberystwyth in Wales, where I heard Archie was staying, but I did not make myself known to him, 1 was so disgusted wich what I heard of his wife's conduct, which he allowed a ithout a word of protest. But I was anxious to see the child, and one morning I sat on a bench on the Marine Ter- race watching a group of children playing near me. I was almost sure that the one with the blue eyes and bright hair was Archie's, and so I called aloud, • Betsey McPherson, are you there ?' " Instantly she came to me, and folding her fat hands in my lap, looked up at me with her wondering eyes and said : '" I am Bessie McPherson, not Betsey.' *| '^ Weren't you christened Betsey ? ' I asked, and she replied : Yes, but they never call me that. It's a horrid name mamma says.' ' ' ' Then why did she cive it to you ? ' I said, and she answered with the utmost gravity : '"For some old- auntie in America who has money:' but she never sent me a thing, nor answered papa's letter. I think ahe is mean, don't you ? ' " ' ^ did not tell her what I thought of the old "auntie, though I could not repress a smile at her frankneas, v/hich pleased me more than prevarication would have done. '/< '( "^^^^^ '^ yo"'" PaP'>' ^ ' I asked, and she replied : At the Queen's Hotel ; but it is awful expensive there, and papa says we can't afFord it much longer, even though we are away up on the top floor in a little bit of a room where I sleep on the lounge. But mamma says we must stay till she finds some place to visit. There's mamma now, and that is Lord Hardy with her • the" are going over to the old ruins,' and she pointed to a young woman "^•iv/t "^stance, bedizened out in white muslin and blue ribbons, ■with her yellow hair hanging down her back, and her big straw hat 56 Bessie's fortune. taller than Herself and lonl,-n\.f^u"'v^;^^8S^'^ ''^^P. not much tache like a S-Sog "^ ^'*^ ^^' ^'^^* ^^^^^ 1^^*^ *nd mous- anlwZdmll^'" '^^ ^' ^''' *^^* b^^^' I-B^ed, and the child ^'^'s^^'t^':i\?7C'^^^^^^ ^^^^^ "°^ ""^ -ry »-• tickets, and thenU is To crand 'H T'"?"^' "' ^" ^"^''''^^^ always^ but, you see,Vpa is ve'y pL?" * '^'^ ^'^ ^^ Becond-clasa asked a7d%ST^id'*;hS::!rado''' ''"P ^' ^'^P^"^'- h«t«l«?' I " * We -ouldn? if wi // u r"" "^"^^ o^^'' her face : floor, anVtSUetrgott^Sir^^^^^ roo. on the top eat whatever mamma can «lm in/A ' "^^ '^^^ '" ™y '""O"" and seeing her. SoSmes ?t s Sot^mucr fnttt'^i^"'* *^^. "*^*«^« but mamma will eet u«i an invLV- i and then I am so hungry ; then I can earall I want "' " '''''* somebody soon, and Jvt!"S: tly" w^o' Ef '^""^f ^*« *hi« ---'. -d none lil^and rr.isSj'e^:,^Stjg2^>-ard, with quivering didn^TouTiller' IT iTtn:\^'\'''^' "^^^ ^^-^ ^ Why her wicked mother? I would' "^ ' ^°'"' ^^*^ y«"' ^^^^ from anSetr&af ab^raS^^^^^^^^^ ^* --^ a far-off look, as if she wte sel^ thl^VM' ^'^ "^^^ ^"^^ ^" ^^^"^ the sands of Aberystwvth^nd 11 / P^/^d who came to her upon had never been Iwe to for"tt nnf 'l\^''^ ^''' ^^^^ «y«« «he plainly, though the little l^ H ^ .? ""^'"^ '^^ ''^^^^d now see so Sreani^ng of fl^Sstf ^T ex^^^^^^^^^^ »-- sh« was one day to be the herS of thKm I'/J ' ^''^' "' ^''^^ not leave her father any ?onte7anr[ T f' *" ^" ^i""^?' ''' ^^« ''""'^ sleigh to be brought to^the S ^ '^^cordmgly ordered the ^^Xrts^^::X:' ''-''''' *^ '-'^'''<' on th^e"aCro?a^^1\t^:l^r^ '^^'^ '""^Z ^^ ^-k *" «-*on " So soon ! " .nnah sa^d in n '^^^^T!,'^ *"" Saturday." hoped you would st^ lono:;'^.' father wSl "1^^'"^^"^"*™^"*^ = " ^ anticipated your visit so much." "'^'^^ ^^'^''^ 5 ^^ ^^^ kerp\wnSm^.i^^ ^«r S^t^rday, and mn.t tripled hisVumb naU but didTt t'T^^ leisurely" scraped and uiu nau, Dut did not explain that the appointment AFTER THE DINNER. 57 ed, and the child he must keep was with the members of his club, who gave a dinner on Saturday. * He knew very well he could remain in Allinrjton until Saturday afternoon and then reach home in time for dinner ; but the place was almost as distasteful to him as to his wife, and he jrladly seized upon any pretext to shorten his stay as much as possible. There was nothmg attractive to him at the farm-house, and as he never asked himself what his duty was to the old man lying there nigh unto death, he felt that if he gave him a few hours of his society in the mornmg, it was all that could be required of him. " Shall I tell father that you will come with Burton to-morrow ' " Hannah asked her sister, who instantly assumed that air of invalid- ism which she found so convenient when anything disagreeable was suggested for her to do. ^ o o Drawing her fleecy shawl more closely about her, and glancing with a httle shiver at the window, she replied : I'j^'"?' ^ ^*^*l^y think I shall go out to-morrow, it will bo so cold, and probably stormy ; but you may expect me for a little while on Saturday, if the day is fine. " , ." ^ut I shall come and stay till Monday, and I hope you have a lot of mince pies baked up. Last Thanksgiving we were in l^aris, and had pea soup, and brains, and eels, and stewed celery for din- ner, (jrey said, as he kissed his aunt and bade her good-bye CHAPTER VIII. A t: T E R THE DINNER. rnHE carriage which took Hannah home also took Miss McPher- fLh.'^I " ^T ""^ .^e'' dwelling, a large, old-fashioned New iingland house, with a wide hall through the centre, and a square room on either side ; one the drawing-room or parlour in which the massive furniture had not been changed during the twenty years and more that Miss Betsey had lived there ; the other thelivincr room where the lady sat, and ate, and received her friends' calls, and where now a bright fire was burning in the Franklin stove, and the kettle was singing upon the hob, while a little round Swiss table was standing on the Persian rug before the fire and on ^^ +b" d-i- cate cup and saucer, and sugar-bowl, and creamer, which Miss life she looked forward to was very different from what had actually w r I If I? i^ 58 Bessie's fortune. wares' aoflened "litUe C^L" i T'' f""* """Skt her oottiy innocent prattle had bvh.ri '^^^'^ ''^ Cardigan Bay, and whose her An§ aaX^le'LtThoThTf' ^"' '''''''''^'' ^^' ^^^^^^^ arms andShTgrrtl w^S" '''"'V ^^'^t*^^ ^^"^« *^-g- ^7 enough to eaf ? To t^nk of w' w''' ?' """^^^ "^^ ^«««t ^ave enough wastedinthisK l^'dayTfe'edTi;' "tS *^!,!? I so far forget mvself an fn tnit o/ t ^- j x , ,' ^^°^ ^^y did so silent with rZrd tS^^vaffl- . wl ^^'^^'^.TI' ^^'^ *»» "«»a»y Archie's wife 3a troTlL as ske If T''^ ^ ^""M^^'^ ^«^ '^^' still rankling in me fnr +»!« t l' ^,?»PPose the venom is Krout!'» andMiSfietsev/rnl?^ '*'" -^^^"^ '"«' ' ^^d Sour all the child upon tLt?S^^^ T '^' ^«™«™bered three years aga " She ?s tSr af ^M^"" *^^* '^^T"'" ""^^"^"g "and I like that, and wish 1 hafhe^here «s^«"*«'" f h« «°"tinued, to me, now that I'm old 7n^ ihch C ^^® ^^"^^ ^^ * comfort cept iy cats TWslhe b^^^^^^ "V?'^^ ^^^« i'^ i*. «^- from my room. She could h^ZTJ *^^ ^t°\°^ t^« ^*" °P«»ins know Sl;a"?;\h7resr'f i;:?'" ^T ^'^^^ ^ l!*^^ «««^ J^-- ^ou !!• t AFTER THE DINNER. 59 when she walked •ought her coBtiy ompromising na- il er usually severe I dreamingly into face of the child Bay, and whose ted, and engaged ittle thing in my lid at least have , when there is •. And why did who am usually ave told her that ise the venom is ne, 'Old Sour jhe remembered iimmer morning ' she continued, uld be a comfort Qg life in it, ex- the hall opening Id be so happy ive hangings at ition, and sum- esk." I the construc- she made the ey to her, or if ilace her under ;o America and ip, she did not ous was she to >en her. Fou race, and saw r for my own lation, so that, been too much >d. The idea ust not work p the streets, or scour knives and pare potatoes, than to sponge one's living out of strangers who despise you in their hearts even when inviting you to their houses ? We have men, and women too, in America who do not work and get their living from others, but we call them tramps, and have them arrested as vagrants. But that is neither hero nor there. I want you to give little Betsey to me to bring up and she, at least, will never regret it. But don't let the hope of a fortune influence you, for my will was made years ago, and not a McPherson is remembered in it. Still, if Betsey pleases me, I may add a codicil and give her a few thousand, but don't count upon it, or my death either. We are a long-lived race, and I am only sixty, and perfectly strong and well ; so, if you let me have her, do it because you think it will be better for her, morally and spiritually, to be removed from the poisonous atmosphere which surrounds her. I liked her face ; I liked her voice ; I liked her frankness. I shall like her ; if so send her if you feel that you can, and I will bear the expense ; or else write and say you can't, and that will close the book. "Your aunt. Miss Betsey McPherson. Allitigton, Mass. "P. S. I shall direct this to the old home in Wales, though I have no idea you are there, as I hear your wife prefers to be travel- ing." The letter finished and directed. Miss Betsey sat a long time gazing dreamily into the fire and thinking of the past and present and the possible future, when a bright-haired child might be sit- ting there by her side and making her life less lonely and aimless than it was now. Meanwhile the party at Grey's Park had gathered around the fire m the drawing-room, and Geraldine was repeating to her sister the particulars of her presentation to the Queen, shivering occasi- onally as she heard the sleet and snow beating against the window, for with the going down of the sun the storm had commenced again with redoubled fury, and the wind howled dismally as it swept past the corners of the house, bearing with it blinding sheets of snow and sleety rain, and sounding something like human sobbing as it died away in the distance. " Is there some one crying outside, or is it the wind ? " Mr, Jer- rold asked, as the sobbing seemed like a wail of anguish, while there crept over him one of those indefinable presentiments which we have all felt at times and could not explain ; a presentiment in his case of coming evil, whose shadow was already upon him. " It is the wind," Grey said, " What an awtul'storm for Thanks- giving night ! " and rising, he walked to the window, just as out- side there was a sound of a fast-coming vehicle, which stopped at the side piazza. eo ij I* BESSIE'S P^ORTUNE. He says your saying exfoct'd tht r Z SarrC^ . V TT^ *o hi.n he had likehiBfathe^'svoicocaTCn) n^^^ r^ ^'''^ '^""^^^^l *« him from the girl, ho t^e Uope'n ^nd "eaS !'' ''"™- '^''''''"^ the note mulh''rse'''?nXd= iSave'L^^l"™ 'T ^ ^" '"'^ «- ^"^ther S.d.rd, as he wishes-;irtic"A---- °cL?Kri "Hannah." Je^oKlc%?trde:\rbld^^^^^^^^ «,°^ ^-"^ B»'^on picion of some secret or wron^j'-^""*' Z^}""^^^*^ tinted her sus- father'8 life, and SchsheirddH^^i,-''^'''^ ^"^ shadowed his and nowit^ascorin^owf nnl^^'"^,^™^7'; ^^^ *" '''"««»ver, knew why Hannah'had .' Ser'Se a^n/ ' ' S" ^' ^ t"^ Grey must not go with him • fJrov'. , i-r ®- ^* "^®*n* that enedby the diLmce Kj 'i'^^'^y.^y'^^ng ^fe must not be dark- who had stood Be 'hLaX'!/?.''^ ^^'^ ^"^ ^^^^ t^e boy, " Grandpa is worsTjheTsirtol'Yf ''''^ ^^"^' exclaimed very decidedly • ^ "'^ ^'^ "^'^ ' ^«* »« go at once," he said, crease i.i violence ' "^^ ^^^'"^'^ «»ch moment to in- of thX'S, wt%u?r'"^^^'^«^«'"^" ^- J-old asked me in tMs Ik'eZ'on^Z ullmnir^ ""' "«"''* "«* «-» '«* door. And I heard him woTlfn . ^^ '^''.' g"''«- H« locked the bedasiftryingto oarimZtla^'^S'"'""^^^ «°«^ ^y his nah came home and fo md hfri i ~ ^^ *^''" ^¥" ^^'^^- ^^»- hero we are at the minister's i waf to ^'/f P^'fy crazy. But You will have to hold the hors« T I > u^u ^^i'' ^'"'' ^^^ know, up to the gate of the rectorv sIm nh, "> * ^ ^•'"°' ''^'^'l ^"ning ingtothelloor gave fTreren'do'Ss^tX"^^^^ ^^'■ "igion, was taking his evening tea with his AFTER THE DINNER. 61 Jerrold asked bet er-ha f, Mrs. Martha Sandford, a little pinrap, red-faced woman with hs^ht gray oyos and yellow hair, who ruled her husband with a rod of iron, and would have ruled his parish if thoy had not re- be led against her. With all her faultsf however, she took excel lent care of hor lord and master, and looked after his health as care- Si''^ ."^ ,""r ^^ '^""«?'^*>1'1 i"' -^-"' . «nd on thi3 particular mght.bocause ho hnd complained .■, a sii;,!-.! hoarseness to which he was subject, she had at once e', velopad ir' ; throat with folds of edv for ;!l ;r '"?r ""if' ""T- "i '"' ' '' '"'^'' V^' '> her favourite rem- tllZ '^!? ''^ 'y?"?'"? »»t^ ''^ And i 1 his warmly wadded dressing-gown and padded slippers, =o •v.rend man sat enjoy- fL^if" r ''"u f"«P ?licos of toast, •, lich Mrs. Martha prepared for him herself kneeling on the hearth before the firo, when the M r^v, . ! brass knocker startled them both, and made Mrs. JronnoV r «° «"?'*^"ly *l^<^t [he slice of bread she was toasting duced to aSs "^'°" *'°^^'' ""^^^ " ""*" '"°"^«- nub' y^'' T J^ pounding like that on such a night as this ? " she asked as she hastened to open the hall-door, which admitted such a gust of wind that she came near shutting it in Sam's face. on K 1 7 "'•'^"T-"''^ to crowd into the hall, and shaking a whole snow-bank of snow from his cap and coat, he began • M,-.« t/*"" Pl^^^^v^^a'am, old Mr. Jerrold is very bad indeed, and Miss Hannah wants the minister to come riglit off. Mr Burton huSy." '" *""* '" ^^^ ^'^'^^' '^^'*'"^ ^""^ ^'"'' *"^ «*y« he must Hri!^!^'off'*"'^("'''^ ^° '''t^''''\ ^ "^^ht as this ! It's impossible ! Ho 18 half sick now. What does old Mr. Jerrold want ? " Mrs. bandford said, sharply ; and Sam replied, as he shook down another mass of snow upon the carpet : ^,•1''?""^*.'^"^ ' *^'' S«<=r?ment, mebby, as I guess he's goin' to ™ """? .I""^ advanced a step or two into the warmly lighted "Stay back ; you have brought snow enough into the hall with- out spoiling the parlour carpet, too," Mrs. Martha said, angrily; then, going to her husband, whose purpose she divined, she con- storm ? '■' ^^*'^^'' ^^ y"" ^^^'^y* to think of going out -in this i« 'aS'r!l' "'y/??''''" *he rector began meekly, « if the poor old man I?^l^~^. ^*""*h would never have sent in such a storm unless she thought so-if he is dying and desires the comfort of the com- ^lt'\T',' ^AT*" ''*"* t','' " ^"^ him because of a little inconvenience to S^r J*!iu " ' ^^^""^ ,"''* ^° ^«^''"«d Christ. Please bring me my coat, Martha, and my boots, and the Uttle communion service." 62 Bessie's PORTirifa have exhorted and entreaieSmtrr*"'^' fi ^.''" ^^ y«*r« yo« sisted all your apneala wifh S ^® confirmed, and he has re- Lord s table wouU be a mor al «,?°"'^*^*' ^^^ ^^™ *° ^'^ *« *he such a storm, he sends for To, T ' *•!? "•°'^' J-""* ** *h« ^a^*' in tor a;.d to yot,; too " ^ ^ '°"''^^'' '* ^" ^"«"J* *« ^^^ Cwa- neve?^i[e"fia:,Jr/,erf^' Ts a?Hh '^^*! ^'^'^ ?^"S« ^ ^ -» that fukher opposit on^S use^.ss Mr« M^^fif '^'^' ^""-^ ^'^^^^"g the boots and oversWa^dl !!.of ' a ^*''*^* ^^»* ^^^ ^"^8* of cap and mittens aSeLvy shawl ^^ivT^* ^"^ "1"^^^' ^"^^ ^"^ band, lamenting SSwas not rS.'^ she enveloped her nus- feet, which were%ure to sufi-rr '^^^ * ^°* «oap-stone for his drove rapidly JStShefarLtTnlh^pt^tul^^^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^ I III H I III ■:! CHAPTER IX. THB HORROR 4T THE FARM-HOUSE. "W'^wfs already Sne'i^tTe ^f**^ ^^^^^^ ^^^-noon stJl darker by Srviolence^of the ?n.r''^ "•^'?*' ""^''^ ^*« «»*de Hannah's home seemed so desolate .nT^'"^ '*°'"' ^"^ "^^«^ ^^^ sleigh turned frortHighwatto thebv'S "' '* ^'^ ^'^^^ *h« led to it, and she saw thmS Ihl ^'fM^^^^or cross-road which covered 'roof and the^inT^J^ fttL^whi'ch n^ ^^T '^' ^T' «°°^- shining. It had been so hrLh^ „ a u """. T®^^^"'"^^ ^ig^t was •^awing^oom at Grey\ Park t A Se^^^ ^^^ ^f"'" ^'^ *^^ tTeYo^r^wSLX^-^^^^^^^^^^ 1 guess your father is michtv bad T ^iAr.'*- , • The horror'at? tae e*arm:-hotjsei. 63 spying on him, and he locked the door on me, and I heard him ag if he was under the bed trying to tear up the floor, and I ran out here, for I was afraid." " Under the bed ! " Hannah repeated, while a cold sweat oozed from every pore. " He must be crazy ! But do not come with me to his room ; it would make him worse. I can manage him lone ; but please make a fire in the summer kitchen and stay there this evening. Father seems to know when any one is in the next room, and it troubles him." " Yes-ni," the boy replied, thinking it a very strange freak that the old man would allow no one with him except his daughter. But Sam was neither quick nor suspicious, and glad of ny change from the cold woodshed, he started to kindle a fire in the room ad- joining, which in summer was used for a kitchen, while Hannah, lighting a candle, hastened to the door of her father's room, which she found locked, while from within she heard laboured breathing, and a sound like tugging at a board which evidently offered resist- ance. " Father," she cried, in terror, " let me in ! It is I, Hannah, and Sam is in the woodshed." After a moment the key was turned and Hannah stepped inside, locking the door after her. Ir the middle of the floor her father stood, with his long white hair falling around his corpse-like face and his eyes bright with the excitement of delirium. The bed was moved toward the centre of the room and in the farthest corner a board of the floor had been partially removed. "What are you doing?" Hannah asked, advancing quickly to her father. " I thought you were done with that : you promised me, you know." T J- J®*' Hannah, I know," the old man said, whimperingly ; " but I did so want to be sure once more that it was there. I dreamed It was gone, that it had never been there, and it was so real I want- ed to see. I thought I'd get done before you came, but it was so hard. You nailed the boards down very strong, Hannah, so strong I could not get them up. But you can do it ; go down on your knees and take the floor up again, just this once. I'll never ask it again. It was thirty-one years ago to-night, and when it is thirty- two I shall be dead. Go down, Hannah, I want to know if it is there still, the horror I have slept over every night for thirty-one long years." " No, father," Hannah answered firmly, " I can never do that wu'"' -*- ^~ *"y*^^"-S ^"^ *^-»t. Be satisfied that it is there. Who should take it away, when no one knows but ourselves ? Get into bed, father ; you are shivering with cold." Like a conquered child the old man obeyed her and crept into '■ I:' i|f> 64 Bessie's fobtune. shuddering as she d^T«oand Iw*^^- ^''''T%^ ^""^'^ *« it« Place, she had not fel before irvears^pf^^^^^^^^ 1''^'"? "J ^^^''^r «"«h as position, she sat down byS fathL IT/-^^ 'i'^ ''"'^'^ *^ ^^« "«»^1 was strangely restless aJd tllkfrf nf !v ^^^^^ ^o/l^ie* him, for he curdlein her veins. ^ ''^ ^^'''Ss which made the blood the'^ndow.' ^"Whatwas'thnt^ T* 1 ^f^ went shrieking past ciy ? " • "^^^^ ™« *l^a*. Hannah, that sound like a human thrh5i:rnth1['^sL:Sd\'sT^. ^ ^^^1.^*^^°^ ^« «^-P-^ over took his h^din he?8 as?f to 'S'.'^'T.^ ^*"« "^^^«^ *« ^ni and cied there was L t?e ^a/ll ^ S r/r ''^"u'T'^Se, for she, too, fan- forget. '^'^"'^ '^'''^ ^'^^ ««^o of a cry she never could hoJjhk^o'n^ye;^^^"^^^^^^^ a storm as shook the howl and the aS worf vlj 2o ^pS «f ^T ^^•'^"J.l^ear Rover's caught up and carriereverywheresolf",?'* and which the winds you remember it, Hannahf'' ''*' ^''''^'^'^ ^"^^ of it. Do woS'wfehTSetVto htVa?wSrntt ^^^^^^^^^* ^'^^ ^^^^ of the house, and on her forelTead whZ „n*Jl' ^^'^y,T^"« *°^ ^oors Ask her if she remembered l^n^l*" *^^ ^^^^^ "^^S^* «««it ! thirty-one years, she Wd so di«S!f^ I^" x^*^"^' *^*«'' *ho ^apse of as her father had said the win^Al J ^^ '^'"^ ^ ^''P''^' ^^ch, the hills a.,d far away,' wher^ it wa« Im "^^' "^ *"^ ^^''"^'i °^«^ over again, and would ^o on f orlver unti??.? *^"?- "'^^^ '^'' ^^^^ if that were possible no# reparation were made, clasped IierlongthirLeers con v^SJ^ T^^'l '*'^^^^* *^«°^ as she going mad. ^ ^ convulsively and wondered if she were sinty?nterTeTUsS:\r4^^^^^^^ falling away asleep, and piteously : *"® ^^'^^ *^® wretched woman moaned wh^St-^g^tres^^U'^^^^^^^^^^^ -ust I bear this burden weak and sad. ThZknnwZ/i ^^^^ "'^' ^^^P '"«' for I am so hardtodoright. If IW ladled ^^'"*v^"•^^^ *"«d so voiiiurs, and shout the word in mv Bara '0^7 u ^' i ?"\ '"" "ark THE HORHOR at the FARM-HOHSl!;. 65 tiio uatK the snow. If he were only here I should not be quite so desolate. I believe that for the first time in my life I aiu a coward," and shak- ing with cold or fear, or both, Hannah left her father's room und went into the kitchen, where Kam was stuffing the stove with wood. The moment she appejjred, however, he withdrew the stick he was crowdinf^ in, and began to close some ( the draughts. But she said to him : " Don't do that, Sam. Let it burn ; put en more. I am very cold. And light a candle, Sam ; three candles ! It is so dark here, and the wind howls so. Does it say any thing to you, Sam ? Any word, 1 mean ? " Sam had no idea what she meant, nor, indeed, did he th'nk if she m?ant any thing, for hia wits came slowly. People called him stupid, and this was his greatest recommendation to Hannah, who could not have had a bright, quick oceing boy in her household, Sam suited her, and his answer to her question was characteristic of him. "No, I don't hear nothin' it says, only it screams like a panther in a lit," and Sam deliberately lighted tlie three candles and placed them on the table, while Hannah drew a hard wooden chair to the stove, and putting her feet upon the hearth, clasped her hands around her knees, and, with her body bent forward, sat with closed eyes, as if thinking intently. She dirt not seem to herself to be asleep. She was only conscious that there was over her q. feeling of peace and content, and that she was sitting in the shadow of an old yew tree in a garden far away from the wind-shaken house among the rocks, where she had known so much sorrow, and that coming slowly toward her, down the wide gvavelled walk, were two young people, one like Grey, not the boy Grey, but Grey grown to noble manhood, with an honesty of purpose and singleness of soul stamped on every feature of his face ; and beside him, leaning on his arm, was a young girl wondrousiy fair and beautiful, with wavy hair of a rich golden brown, which glistened in the sunshine, and made a kind of halo around her uncovered head. Her eyes were cf that clear deep blue, seldom seen except in childh ^t,V?^ ^*'"' ^^^'^^ ^ Come to me " Did I call her Bea2 ? ""tt ^ ^^"""i ^'^^ ^^^^^^ »P- " tifulsirlshehadsetTnLr drrmtrnd'\ *ha beau- perplexed her sti.:, it was so lilf^ . f ' ^ ^^''^'' ^*«« haunted and "ot tell where ; but it fitled h r wft^TsZ" T'l""'''.' «'^« ««""d drove away the dark phantom? Zhii^ v® "^ ''®«* ^"^ quiet, and troubled her so much?^ ™' ""^^'^ ^^^''^ ^^ the evening S threr crdirbtnSruTC?h:nat^ f T -^"-•''^ one of the wick" as they spluttered and melted awavT T^'""^ "P ^^"g ^lack she went to her father's room^id found ^-.••^^^'"^•^"^ ""^ ^^' «*h«" ingly upon her,Tnd said '''"^^ ^'' '"""^^^^S by him, smiled lov- boy and make him a good man a^H T '*• J^^^ ^"^ bless the who have been so mucfto^ne 'th^ l«f'°'' '* *° ^.^"' ™J^ ^^Ud, ters. And something tells me you wHl t' Z" "°f ^«^. ""^ ^^^S^' i hope so, I pray so -and r^rZ w [ " "*t'Py ^^en I am cone not be here in the morn^U'^?*''"^^' '^''^ ^o'' ^"rton. iTaJl for Mr. Sandfofd C Jtu^t's'^fm blf^'" ?T '"°^«' ^^^ -^ the minister, no one else • ™ot even S« t °' n^ ^'^- ^"'•t«'» and ""Wh7t far^^.^^^™ ^«^^g """ ' " ' ' '' '^ "'"* "^* man It would on V crive him iin^ol .• ^^narord, or even Burtnn ? wh, not ,e. If^^TC^^:^2^^--„ "''"' *"- ^»P' " -o W kno» what you h.io bo'ne PerLn. L""" '"'^ "J *" "» ■»'«« with yon. Burton stand, well „1S™1 *',.'?¥'. •>« ktader, gentler haa made him an hononSbTefb't tTSo^^t"" ""» »»■■«. "W* -" ""src iott sacnfioe which nnnnKio. « ' "" * "■'•»!' aim lo know ou»of«.ew.„a.„di*;:^rrKioKkSs:w%t.j3i- THE HORROR AT THE FARM-HOUSE. 67 not go forward and satisfy my baptismal vows, as he has so often urged me tf> do, thinking me obstinate in my refusal ; and I wish to hear him say that he believes I am for^^iven ; that Christ will re- ceive me, even me, a Oh, Hannah, I cannot say that word. I cannot give myself that name. I never hav^, you know. It was BO sudden, so without forethought, and could I live my life oyer a»ain, I think I should tell at once, and not bury the secret as 1 did. But hurry. Ha .nah. Send Sam. I have but a few hours to live. Tell them to come quickly. Burton and the minister, not Grey." So Hannah wrote the note to her brother, and gave it to Sam, who, in a most unwilling frame of mind, harnessed the horse, and started in the storm for Grey's Park. Meanwhile, in anticipation of the coming of the guests, Hannah put her father's room a little more to rights, lighted another candle, pat more wood in the stove, and then sat down to wait the result, with a heart, which it seemed to her had ceased to beat, so pulseless and dead it lay in her bosom. She had no fear of anything person- ally adverse to herself or her father arising from the telling of the secret kept so many years. It would be safe with Mr. Sandford, safe as with herself, while Burton, her proud brother, would die a thousand deaths sooner than reveal it ; but, oh, how cruelly hu would be hurt, and how he would shrink from the story, and blama her that she allowed it to be told, especially to the clergyman— and she might perhaps prevent that yet. So she made another effort, but her father was determined. " I must ; I must ; I shall die easier ao ; and, Hannah, he will never tell, never. We have known him so long. Twenty-five years he has been here, and he took to us from the first. Do you remem- ber how often he used to come here and read to you on the bench under the apple tree 1 " ** Yes, father," Hannah answered, with a gasp, and he went on : " Seeing you two together so much, I used to think he had a liking for you, and you for him. Did you, Hannah? Were you and the minister ever engaged 1 " " No, father, never," Hannah replied, as she pressed her hands tightly together, while two great burning tears rolled down her cheeks. ** And yet you were a comely enough lass then," her father re- joined, as if bent an tormenting her. " You had lost you; ■■■'. Ight colour to be sure, and your hair was turning gray, but there wae Bomething very winsome in your face,, and eyes, and manner ; and ChArUe Sandford — I knew him as a boy, you know— he might better have married you than the sharp-oycd, sharptongued, fussy Martha Craig, who, like the Martha of old, is troubled about many things, and loads the minister a stirred-up and of life." 68 Bessie's fortune. ^^^^''^^Jt'^-'^^t^^^P Hannah aid Xn??' .'"'^ ^''^'^ ^-^d c.re of outsidfi. «V.r ™y.'^"'^ 'hen, as .ite heard Vi?. sound cf voices ouSe Z' '^'"^ ' ^"'^ '''en brother, and the'SS'^i,^ ^^^^ ^f ^ -^/^ went to meei W married her than th« »oi.„',."^_':.* '^^^.^ ^^d .., ], ;vould better "shai-D P^r- 1 ^ "■'''*' would bet snaip-ejea, aharp-tonyued Martha. iiaie ii IP! I !!! I'HK INTEKVIEW. T'So'Ss;,^;:;/!^ gs ^^^ -"^^"^ ^« j^« «t^ppod into father I should be very -orrv not'f o ' "^ any comfort to you or your Hannah did not anLThirn* "T'l How is he?" ^^""^ a? he was far from easy or comfor^il '1 ^'' ^^^"^"^ ^»d easef and Im manner, if „ot by his words '''^^ ^' """^^ ^'« «'«ter feel it by -^ftLEdrSC-1*^;^^ send for us in this JCes, he is very har^ tt« "-p^tiu . »t. He will not iTst the nSht'oS ^"'/T^ *^ ^^^^ ^^d I believe you, and he insisted that M? Sanfc.rd",^,°^. ''"""^ ^ "^»«* ««"! for ^, Yes, certainly ; I am tlk? ? ?j™,"^*, '^^"'^ too-" tostmg his ha J fnto h?s tl^ ekef ' ^'^ ^^^T^^ -Joined. siC LJ-r^' ' -^ he placed r^e.t^itly ufo^n^btt:^ TeS^ Hannah's face flushed ns she replied • He did not mention that T i!f \ receiveit. VVhathewishe iftoseevo?V??^r ^« t^nks he can She hesitated, her bro^hfir'. / "' ^°^^^^ to you, to— to--__'' added, quickly ; ''^"'^^^^ countenance was .o irbidding,^^ He wishes to tell ^m, „ .i ... He wishes io tell you something which he ha« 1. 77"' young girl " anrf l,r. • ,^ ^^P* for - at her bf other '^'^'"^ '^"^ *« » whip'. . .- "-"»«oo tu ten voi ever since I was a young girl" she glanced again at her bf other asTei-r"'^ "^'^^'^ *^ '-' -"d BurtonteSI,;; nd THE INTERVIEW. 69 "But surely Hannah, if there are family secrets to bo told. I am the one to hear them, and not a stranger. Mr, Sanford ain have no interest in our affairs." "I could not help it, brother," Hannah said, mildly. " I tried to dissuade him, but he would not listen, and Mr. Sanford is not like a stranger to us. ' She turned her dark eyes full of tears upon the clergyman, who gave her back an answering glance which her brother did not observe, and would not have comprehended if he had " Yes, Hannah," Mr. Sanford said, " you can trust me ; be the secret one of life or death, it is safe with me as with you." And he gave her his hand by way of affirmation. And Hannah took the offered hand and held fast to it as a drown. fafe'"*'* * ^*''^^' ^^^^^^ *^^ ^^^^^ ^*" ^^^® ^^^^ '^'^^" ^^^ P*^® " Hannah ! Burton ! Are you there, and the minister ? There saiT- ^"^^ ^^'"^ ^^""^^^ ^''"™ *^'® ^^^^ ^°°"'' ^"^ Hannah '' He is calling us ; go to him, please. I will join you in a mi- Then she hurried to the summer kitchen, where she found Sam. who^«)oughthis work done, removing his boots preparatory to going " Wait, Sam," she said. " I am sorry, for I know you are tired and sleepy, but you must sit up a while longer, and take Mr. Sanford nome. 1 will bring you an easy-chair in which you can sleep till I want you. -^ Thus speaking, she brought a large Boston rocker and a pillow for the tired boy who, she knew, would soon be fast asleep^with no suspicion of what was about lo transpire in the sick-room to u Au tt^T^"^''.* repaired, closing the door behind her. Her father had both Burtons hands in his, ^nd was crying like a little child. .^, ?r "jy ««»' ™y son," he said, "if I could undo the past, [ should not have to turn my eyes from ray own child in shame, and that 1 have done ever since you were a boy, and came from Boston to see us How old was he, Hannah ? How old was Burton when the terrible thing happened ? " ,:J'l'?^^*;»".^?"n^l^ans«;«red, and her father went wandering like one out of his mmd, talking of Burton when he was a boy- of his dead wife-of Hannah, who had suffered so long, and of the storm, which he said was like the one which swept the New Eng- land hills thirty-one years ago that very night, when the snow fell so deep that no one came near the plane till M^nda" "Three whole days," he said, "Friday, Saturday"; Sunday, and I h^^T K ^'^' '* --^yay-hide the dark deed so'^'securely that it naa never been suspected." ' ' n i^^ 70 Bessie's fortune. Burton started quickly, and glanced at his sister with a InnU «* amazed inquiry. He had thought of fo^gerv and tW? i^ * be.zlement, but never of what ],is father's wofdsmi.htlLw ^"^a of th« '?»;/' a ■' "^^f ^^"""^ ?^ '■^'"«''«® I '»»^e endured ! The tortures Thntnf I. ^^ "^.- """'^ V^*'^"^'' ^'^^^ ™y sufferings have been - so that there is rest for me in Paradis« s+ni r^ I ^ enow, must teU yo„, m, .„„, and ^'ou^'Sni* "^ buTno S'X' ' tim« ?«; fi, ^ ^* ^^"^^ ^*^® ««"^e to that had I told at the '^hl *^?ff ^^" extenuating circumstances. " ^^^ under m^ h 1 t' '^''" r"^^"^' ^^^ Juried him under ths floor thatKas d^u/ "^ ^'' '^""P^"^ P"^^*^°" "^«^ th« "tov. and felt hiB^t^h'::':^,':? an7'the^n ^' '^ ^' •"^^ ^/«^ ^^^^ ^^^ THE INTERVIEW. 71 Somothmg tella me I must go," he said ; "that it is needful for me to be there, and go I shall. I am not afraid of the snow It cannot be more than a foot on the level. I have waded throudi more banks than that, and it is only a mile from here across the lields and through the woods. I shall not tell any one, but I am gomg. * > " ^ And in a few moments Grey had descended the stairs, and un- locking the outer door locked it again, and putting the key in his pocket, started for the farm-house, striking into a cross-road which lea across the fields, and which in summer he used often to take in preference to the highway. It was a little nearer, and led through grassy lanes, and cool pine woods, and pleasant pasture lands across a stream where he had once built a dam, and had a little water-wheel which his grandfather made for him. The way, however, was anything but pleasant now, with the cold, dark sky, the tall, leafless trees, and the drifting snow, which he found was more than a foot deep on the level, except in the woods where it had not fallen so thickly. But Grey was young and fear- less, and he went on rapidly, until he reached the knoll from which the house was visible not far away. It had ceased snowing by this time, and the moon, which was nearly at its full, was struggling to show Itself through a rift in the gray clouds. The wind, however, was still blowing m wild gusts, and as it swept past him, he, too, fancied, it had in it a human sound, > > . .1. " \^\^^^^ Aunt Hannah's voice calling to me. I am glad I came, though I suppose father will scold," he said, as he paused a mo- ment to rest, and then rapidly descended the knoll to the house J!-ntering by the wood-shed dour, which was first reached, he went into the second kitchen, where a candle was burning dimly and where he stopped a moment by the warm stove. No one heard film, no one knew he was there ; but as he stood in the silence and darkness he heard distmctly his grand-father's voice, and this was wfiat he heard : " 1 must tell you, my son, and you, my minister ; but no one else, not Grey— no no, not the boy Grey, who loves me so much, ills lite must not be shadowed with disgrace. He must not hate me in my coffin. Oh Grey ! Grey ! May God bless the boy, and give him every needful happiness, and make him so good and noble tfiat his life will blot out the stain upon our name ; and, unless ab- solute y necessary, may he never know what I am about to tell you and what 1 ought, p'>rhap8 to have expiated with my life lonsj ac^o' tliough I hardly tli'. , it would have come to that had I told at fhe time, tor there w:v xtenuating circumstances." <( Sf^ ''^^y> ^'^*^ stood motionluss, heard his father say : ribl " ^^*^ * ^^^^ *^^^ "^^ ^^** ^°" ™®*" ' *^® suspense is ter- 72 Bessie's fortune. I If M And then came the awful response, which sounded throuch the peaSL of nld ^"^ """ *^' ''"^'' ^"*"'' happiness and " Thirty-one years ago to-night, i . the heat oi passion, I kiUed a man ii the kitchen yonder, and buried him under this floor un- der my bed, and I have slept on his gravo ever since ' " T.- »? ''Tl^'' SFI'^ .^t"^ ^^'^ ^^^*« ^ the face of a corpse, while his hoart, throbbed with unutterable pain as he whispered the words ms fat i.r had said aloud. His ,.;randfather, whom he had thought so good, and ioved so mu. h. a murderer ! He had killed a man in that very room petliips on the spot where the boy was standing, and Grey recoiled from the place, and looked down upon the floor, which gave no sign of th9 tragedy enacted there thirty-one years ago, and kept hidden over since. * ' ^ Like a flash of lightning Grey saw all the past, and understood now what had been singular in his grandfather's manner and in his aunt Hannah's too; for she hal been privy to the deed, anu had helped to keep if from the world, and to Grey this was the bitterest thought of all, the one which made him sick, and faint an.! dizzy as he „roped his way to the door, which he opened and closed cautiously, and then fell heavily upon his face in the snow wicli all consciousness for the moment blotted out ' The chill, however, and the damp revived him' almost immedi- ately, and struggling to his feet f-o started on his route back to Oreys Park along the same r .nd he had come, seeing nothimr hearing nothing but that one word, that mme his father had givSi to his grandfather, anr! whicli lif>, too, hn . echoed. Over and over S"to hlmsdf ' ""^^^^ ' ""^'' ^'^ """"' "''""®'^ ^"^^ ""^ '*' *"** ^® '' WiU it always be so ? Shall I never hear anything but that again so long as I live, m^ r am so young, only fourteen, and I meant to be a great ar„. honourable mru, and a good one, too- And I can still be that. God knows I am not to blame. Wn- Id He hear me, I wonder if I should ask Him k.w to take some of this pjiiu away which fills my heart to bur. ■ cr t " And there on the pure white sno > in the "shadow of the leaf- lets woods the heart-broken boy :. t chnvn, and, with , ' taped hands, and the great tears streamin or upturned face, ..seed G,.d to rorcrive him for Im grandi, .er's ,.a, and take tl. pain away, and help him to be a good m.u, if he could never be >,at eld distinguished. And God heard that prayer, made to Hi.u in the wintry night, from the depths of the boyish he^rt and a feeling ot quiet^came ov^er Grey as he resumed his walk. ;f +1^ ^'i" "^"^ *''i.-''f x^'" ^® ^^^^' " *"^ P^'^P^^ will not think e,. If they knov, which they never will, father will not tell, nor Mr AT THE OLD MAN's BED-SIDE. 73 tttl'tf^;4^rn'' ^'*" ^'"^y- "^"-'-^ life will never be crept noiselessly up to l^rbW lo^ "f-^uT^'i-.^^'^^y '"• »»« Ute the next morning when hi« A^t T ^^ ^^ ^'^^°^ ""« ""^^ him, and told hin. Ixif grandfattr tfde'ir ""^ '^"^" *^ «^" CHAPTER XI. AT THE OLD MAN's BED-SIDE by a n ': TVhich 7.eTh'i:'JT ^'^""^'^ ^« tC fir^tT'call me knowi ..all the time ShT has never spoken, and she ha. bury u. Poor Unnah f'' """^ ""'' ^"^ '^' ^''^ ' »^« helped m^ likeaTlock'ot MTln^JJ^r^^'T''}'^'^'''' ^^^ "'ooi ThenyouareanacceBsurvTo^d^ • *' colourless. " You helped. or you would never reprLh me "hu^ "°* ^"'•"' ^°^ ''*""°* «-"' inyseTft honouSfal'Zh^^^^ "l!"°^i !i'>'^ *h** I' ^J^° thought •on of ,.''"«"^»''^e and high, am branded with disgrace, am the the'hem of her garment X MrTl' *T, "^ ,?°' "'""■7 to touei the rector, who hXtood looL„ '^ "'""o'd," and he turned to "rfidt. : "™'"^ stood lookuif, on, uupefied with what h. h-ard • H."nn.h";eTer'dZ'w"r°oi,^ 'T. TV" '«?"" ■"" "" " ' -d «„in, .atop nearr t:Sio ^rCcoSfiuZXt?."; 74 Bessie's fortune. tween hi8 own, and held it thoro, while he continued : " Mr Jer- rold, yovi seem to reproach your sister for her silence of years but consider what her speaking would have doiiu for you ? If you feel It so keenly when only you and 1 know of it, what wo.dd you have telt had the whole world hoeu made cognizant of the fact ? I do not know the circumstances of your father's crime, but he says it was not premeditated, that it was done in the heat of passion. Pro- bably tlieie was {jreat provocation, possibly it was done in self- defence, and if so the gallows would not be his punishment, though a prison might, and do you tliink that as the son of a felon you could have stood where you do now in the world's estimation ? No • instead of reproaches, which I do not believe spring from a sense ot justice, rather thank your sister who has given all the bright- ness <.f her life to shield her father from punishment and you from xXiOilLcLCQ* The rector spoke more severely than was his wont, for he felt a kind of contempt for the man whose real character he now under- stood better than he had before ; but his words had a good eflfect, for Burton saw the truth there was in them, and turning to his Bister, who was sobbing piteously, he said ; '' Forgive me, Hannah, if I seemed unjust. I am so stunned and hurt that I am not myself, and do not know what I say I am glad you kept silent ; to have spoken would have been to ruin me • ^fe V^""^ ^''y^ ^^^ ^^"'■•^^ »" ^o"^' did you not keep it long- er? Why did not father take it with him to his grave ] Surely no good can come from wounding and humiliating me so cruelly " Perhaps not, my son," the old man answered, feebly "For you It might have been better if I had never spoken. Possibly it is a morbid fancy, but I felt that 1 must confess to ray minister Mv conscience said so, and that I must tell you in order that you may VVales, whore he said he had same nro- mmmi often sat into tCsmall ho,,r« If f^ ""\!"'"/'','''P' ^"^ *h« *^o marvellous tales ofZwi?Hwl*t ">'^*' J'^"'*' *^« >a"«r told other lanSs, and ?o whiS thi last ilTV'^' "^^^'^'^ '^^ ^''^^ ^^^^^ »" he s«id he ;as abourfo return "" ^' ''"' ''^" ^° ^"^'^g*«'»' ^:J::na;;\ssti^;^it^ debts were owin'hhn and wYei^hlh ^'^^TTM *"^"' ^^^^e afew his merchandise." ' ^^ ^^P'"^ *° ^''i^^«« ^^ t^^erest of Bessie's fortune. As he left the village the snow began to fall heavily, and this perhaps, was why he decided to stop at the farm-house, which was not upon the highway, but nearly half a mile from it, upon a cross- road which led through Peter Jerrold's farm to the town line, and which was seldom travelled by any one except by Peter Jerrold himself, and those who came to visit him. Thus the house stood in a most lonely secluded spot, with only the chimney and the top ot the roof here visible to the people of the neighbourhood And here Peter Jerrold lived, with his daughter Hannah, who was now btteen, and who had kept his house since her mother's death which occurred when she was twelve years old. ' Bright, unselfish, and very pretty, Hannah was a general favour- ite with the people of Allington, and many were the meiry-raakinga and frolics held at the old farm-house by her young friends But these were suddenly brought to an end by a fearful sickness' which came upon Hannah, and which transformed hdr from the lic^ht- hearted, joyous girl of fifteen, into a quiet, reserved, white-faced woman, who might have passed for twenty-five, and whose hair at eighteen was beginin; ; to turn gray. It was the fever, the people said, and Hannah suffered them to think so, though she knew that the cause lay behind the fever, and dated from the awful ni^ht when the Welchman, Joel Rogers, came into their kitchen and asked for shelter from the storm, which was readily granted him It was probably his last visit, ho said, as he was doubtful if he ever returned to America, for he meant to settle down and die in Carnarvon, his o; J home, where his only sister, Elizabeth, was liv- ing. Ihen he talked of his money, which, he said, was consider- able, and was mostly invested in some slate quarries in the vicinity of Carnarvon. ' For a long time the two men sat before a blazing fire, talking of Jingland and Wales, eating the apples which Hannah brought them trom the cedar, and drinking freely of some wine which Peter had made himself, and which he brought out in honour of his friend's last visit. This at la^st began to take effect, making them loud and noisy, and inclined to contradict each other, and quarrel generally and then, as the peddler was counting out his gold, of which he had several aundred dollars, ho turned suddenly to Mr. Jerrold and "By the way, you never paid me the five dollars T loaned vou when I was here last winter." Tae latter affirmed that he had paid it in the spring, and that Hannah saw him do it, which was the fact, but the peddler per- sisted in his ^demand, and grew louder and more vociferous in hia isngua^e, caiuiig both Peter Jerrold and Hannah liars, ani sayinc fie would b' ve his money if h<^. went to law to get it. ! Ij THE STOP.Y. 77 A violent quarrel then insued, and words ran so high that ealize"' h:? S™' '* ^'1 >" ^^«"«' ^"^^ ^^^^^ Hannaf could closed in wtf^^ Tf t'"^' ^''^^"P ^^^^^^'^ them, they had Closed m what proved to be a mortal combat. Which struck first redTTntTrXnH' *^!,t*^^l^*^^' ''^'''' ^^ swindler had been each o hpr ll^^^ ^""^ *^''" ^^''^ ^*« * simultaneous spring at each other the chairs were overturned and they were rolling upon lllT' ^.^f "^«f°h other fierce blows and tearing each^other^ ha r like wild beasts. At last, Peter, being the stronger of the two got his antagonist under him, and with a stick of wood which was lying upon the hearth struck him twice upon the head, i. flbtTn' Petirir":i'^'^'.T^^^''^ *^« bl°«d fl-^^d i" torrel, stlinf Peters hands and face too as he pushed back his hair and sober nf tfil^htd """* ^*7" M' '''''' ''' ^^- Hami'h, who d^ : evL withdr«wil""'''''^u' ^\^ ''"?^^' ^^*h her hands over her knew Vhl n?;, ^"^/T ''T ''.^;^'h h«^ f^tli^'- ^'-^s l>«nding. she room oSt i l^Z'/T"^' ''''^r^^ ^ ""'y °^ h^"^'' '^^ fro™ the Beside her in the snow crou.hed the house-dog, Rover, tremblins meVf mirl' "" Tt"l ^"^7k""^ ''^ ""' *«"°^ ^^^ ^^^^ ™-« "wf^l one 01 murder Ihe dog had been a witness of the frav kennina close by his mistress' side, and occasionally utterin 'a low ^owl of th!flZ S^ ^ "^"^ ^^y' ^hite and still, with his blood upon JZ ,1' ?7^'"-.IPt^t"^ ^^^^'''^^ his master with a loud, angry bark and then fled with Hannah out into the storm, where he minXd his cry with hers and added to the horror of the scene ^ be^fteXd P.T.r r^'^n-' l-"*^ t"^' ^°^ ^''''^'^ ^««t he should De detected Peter Jerrold's hrsi idea was of self-preservation from the law and the cries he had heard outside filled him with rL anS blow thS'l'"^ %^'' daughter's side he struck the dog a sava"e h?,r;K r l"^ ^r"""}" ^°"ghly by the arm and leadin-. her into the house he said to her fiercely : icumii^ ner v^nA? v" "'"'''llF^'h *^'** y"'' y*^" '^"t y"»r father's guilt to the K 1 f nT?i ''"'^ that brute of a dog whom I will kill and so have him out of the way ! Here, you. Rover, come hero ! " he said to the dog, wno was standing before Hannah, bristliug w th ange? and growling at intervals " Come hero while I finish you 'Td t' hS'": r ed*^'^;^."' *'" ^T"';-^^"'^ "^^^^'^ ^« always kep^t the gun """." vrttr^fcd HI tiiu war or Itil'Z. ' Divining his intention Hannah stepped between him and Rov«r on whose head she laid her hand proL'!)ti„glyrXle Jhe Said : ' 78 Bessie's fortune. ^Father you will not touch the dog, if you value your own satety, for if you do, every man in Allington shall know what vou have done before to-morrow dawns. Isn't it enough that you have killed him! and she pointed shudderingly to the inanimate form upon the noor, . For a moment Peter Jerrold regarded her with the face of a man- iac ; then us expression changed, and with a burst of tears and sobs he fell upon his knees at her feet, and clasping the hem of her dress abjectly in his hands, besought her to pity him, to have mer- cy, and save him from the law, from the gallows, for in the first frenzy of fear he felt it would be his life they would require if once ius guut were known, ,'' ^ cannot die a fellon's death. You do not want your poor father hung ! Think of yourself ; think of Burton ; both so yomig to carry such a dis-race all yoyr lives. I did not mean to kill him ; t^,anTT v-f'^^^h He provoked me so, and I strnck harde^ than I thought and he is dead. Oh, what shall I do ? What shall i-dol 1 cannot be liung, Hannah, you willjiot betray me. Prom- ise you will not ! " "^ -^ ^"^u .rS^^I'^^Af "^°"f^* °f betraying him, except as she had threat- ened it in defense of Rover, who now stood up erect, looking first at her, and then at her father, as if curious to see how it would "Father, I have no wish to see you hung," Hannah said, while her knees shook under her at t!ie thought. " I shall not witness against you, if I can help it. But what will you do ? How can hrn.if' PI*.^ Tf -^ People will know, when they see him, that He did not die by fair means." To her the thought of hiding the crime had not occurred, and a shudder of horror ran through her frame when her father said • thinlff"''! "*'''^'* "*'^? ^"""^-n ?^ ^^' ^'""^S *o ^«^ope. Let them think he has gone, and we will bury him, you and I, where he will lie V6r Do roiiiiQi fr,-!!l^"'^ ^"'li'^'"^i V,^'^!*^ • " ^"'^ Hannah's t.^th chattered with fright as she thought of living all her life in a ,e which held a buried secret in the shape of a murdered man iJ^7^^ ^'"^ "^'^''I *!)^ ,^""/ ""^ ™y ''°"'"' °^^r in the comer where the bed always stands," the father replied so calmly that Hannah looked at hnu w..nderingly to see if he were utterly void of feeliny that he could speak so quietly of what filled her with unspeakable But he was neither, callus nor unconcerned. He was merely stunned with the magnitude and suddenness of his crime, and the natural fear of its detection. The repentance, the remorse were Uiu^7, 1 ' ,, "'; l^^t^o. vat to him in such meaaure of bitternesfl as has seldom fallen to the lot of man. Regarding his THE STORY. 79 daughter fixedly for a moment he said, in a hard, reckless kind of way ; '' Hannah there is no use in whimpering now. The deed is done, and cannot be undone ; though God is my vatness, I would grve my life in a moment for the one I have taken, if I could, and I swear h,ri'? !fn^^ *£^t l^^^h I had been the one killed rather than the one to kill Bu it was not to be so. I have slain my friend. The world would call it murder, as you did, and hang me.^ T can! on th« te I T^''\f' 'S bury it and you must help, and swear on the Bible not to tell so long as I live. Will you do it ? An- swer, quick, and let us get to work, for I am a very coward, and here voices in the storm as of people coming to take me. Wil vou help me, and will you swear 1" ' '' Oh father, father," Hannah cried, in an agony of entreatv • "do not ask me to help ! Do not ask me to swear, though I pomise not to tell if T can avoid it. But if he is missed, ifTnquiry 8 made for hitn if he is traced here, and I am questioned, am put "P"" ^y 7/'^' { '=^""«* t^J a lie, and may be they would not hLg you when they knew the circumstances. He was very unreason? able and aggravatino, and called us both liars. I can testify to that Oh, father, consider a moment ! Would it not be better to go at once, this very night, and confess the truth to some one who has influence. Captain Grey is our friend. Tell hitn and ask his advice. Go father ; go now, and leave him where he lies. T shall "ather^"^ * ^**^ * ' knowing you are doing right. Go, She was on her knees before him now, clasping his feet, and pleading piteously. But she might as well have talked to a stone Give himself up to the hangman? Never !" he answered ^.t?^ ^}^ ""I'u"" daughter of his to desire his deatn, as she evil dently did. She could stay there in the corner with the doa as great a sneak as herself .- He did not wish her services ; he cJu'd manage alone," he said, angrily, as he turned from her and en- tered his room, where she heard him moving out his bed, and knew that he was taking up a portion of the floor ^.Srl*^1f'' ^^^^^^^"^ her a great blackness, and a buzzing in her head like the sound of many bees in the summer-time, and she fell upon her face, unconscious ot everything. How long she lay thus she did not know, but when she came to herself a.ain there was no light in the, room except that made by the dvin,^ iire uponvho hear h, and Rover was licking her cold face and hands. Tnd now and then uttering a low whme as if in token of sympathy. The body was still upon the floor near her, but from her fathex^^, room there came a sound, the import of which she understood perfectly, feluvenng as with a chill, she moaned : ^lu^^wj,. || 80 BESSIE'S FORTUNE. "Oh ! how can I bear it ? how can I bear it. ? My life will be Z„r,!'/v '"= t -^ft and I shall always want to shriek out the dreadful thing which father says I must keep ! Can I ? Ought I ? And could they hang my father ? I do not think so. They would call It manslaughter, and pardon him, for my sake-for Burton's » +l,i"it fi^ ! ^T ^''^ ^'"^"^'^ ^^^^^^^y- She had not before thought of Burton, her young brother, whom she loved so much, and of whom she was so proud, and for whom she was so glad that he could hve in Boston, amid all the fine sights of a city which suited him better than the homely life at the farm-house,' when after her mother's funeral, her aunt, Mrs. Wetherby, had'offered to take him horn, with her and bring him up as her own, Hannah ha^d felt for a tune as ,f she could not let him go and leave her there alone ; but when she thought of all the benefit it would be to him, and saw how much he wished it, she stifled every selfish feel- ing, for his sake and saw him leave her without a. sign of the pain at her heart, or the unutterable longing she had for his companion- +w i .i! /-^T^ ■^\^^^. thought of him, her bitterest ping came from the fact that if this deed were known he would suflFer all his life from the shame of it, and, to herself, she said : "For Burton's sake, I must bear it always, and alone. He must never know what I know. No one must ever know, and may God forgive me if I am doing wrong ! I cannot bear witness against my father J " And getting upo? her kneesrwrth he" head upon Rovers neck, the wretched girl prayed earnestly for grace to know what was right, and strength to do it. J » « '" +v,^"t^'^^*^^^*'"^ ^""^^y ^^"^^"^"^ <"^ *o Heaven for help, even ]!LZ^!l f f ""^y ^^^"^ *^^^^' ^"'^ *h« heavens brass, sending back the cry like an unmeaning sound, gave her the strength need- ful for the hour, and sent a feeling of calmness into her soul, mak- ing her quiet, and even fearless of the stiff'ened form lying so near her upon the floor. ° But when a few minutes later, her father appeared in the door, with a candle m his hand, and said to her. " I have done all I can do alone ; you must help me now," the old terror came back, and staggering to her feet, she asked : ' " What do you wish me to do ? " t 1 ^®'^ ^^y ^™ "^*^ *^® "®^t room, I cannot drag him." her father replied, and then forgetting Burton, forgetting everything she burst out again : « o .r s> Tu ?^i ft^^i^'"' ^"!^ '* "°* ^^ ^®"^'' *« *e" the truth now, at once ? Ifio tact that you do so will go a long way towards clearing you have heard of such things. The people all respect you so much and they know he was quai-relaome and insulting at times. Think! father, thmk ! " ' THE STORY. 81 u " I j»av« thought," he answered, " and I tell you I cannot be feln'l-*^'" going swiftly to his bed-room he came back w?th a Bible in his hand and standing before the white-faced girl, sai?to tn h;« J cannot trust you, unless you swear upon this book neve? it iJr. \m *y>:>^^nf( P^'-^"" what has been dune here ?o-nicfht at least, while I live. When 1 am dead do what you like, and brin^ disgrace upon my name if you choose. But swear now. as vou honS for heaven, never to ^ell ? " ■•""", as you nope tht''^ Hannah took the oath which he dictated to her, and kissed the sacrea book which seemed to burn her lips as she did so Sh« J±T"- . ^^l".Tv-"H ^''^ *^« ^°^ t« t^« en and her"fatler knew it, and with this fear lifted from his mind he became morl ev^c^trJt S J^;™ti:r^^2iS;e^^s s^^ ^" some boards which had lain there for years anfon ' hie sL 3 Burton had played many an hour in days gone by. She knew what he was going to do with them, and without a word hold hi Sht while he fashioned the rude coffin in which he Jairl +),. .iJ i ^ wash^ Tb*'' S^ 5^1 ^'''"^ '''' -n"lSf retie'n ly andl'ndTrli washea the blood from the ghastly face and bc.mid abonf Tl,{ It was her burial service for the doad, all she .:ould think of and what SeTu^"* ^hL t:? T"" ''T\^' ^'''^ - '' stupefied 'w'th b«ltL 1 V. ' ., ,^ features relaxed, and falling on his knees beside her he threw his arms across the coffin and cried out pfte- di: St Ltr tir d'^oT vt^t^rtivV mirt". 'tti i my great sin, and if a prayer.for the de^d ^not wrorl ^ tSa th.8 man, my friend, whom I sent into eternity with'mf tin e for SrboTannu'l^ ""hir ^l'\ = /"^''^^ thVSionldtLo; iiuu Doay and moul. Oh, help me ! help me ! the brand <>f Pair, ii upon me already my punishment seems greater I'an? car LaJ I cou d give my life for his I would do sS gladly but 1 <^no^ an" I must live on in torment forever and ever with thio if a * on my hands burning like coala of fire oT,' mthl^^ienit Fatter" have mercy ! 1 did not mean to do it " ^ '"avenly father, U.« Lead was lying on the rough coffin a^d he was sobbin.r in wUd abandonment of despair, while Hannah, loo kndt besSi^ 82 Bessie's fortune. 'If ^« The next thing which met Hannah's view was a Dict„r« ^a.-^f j which seemed to look at her so intently Th/rfnVK^ . ^^^^' the dece^ea. execS SV".^r Sef ^"^ -tl^^^i Wi 84) Bessie's fortune. everything he possessed to his beloved and only sister, Elizabeth her heirs and assigns forever. ' "Father ! " Hannah said, with a trembling voice, as she finished reading aloud this will, " I am sure now that this is hia sister's pic- ture, and we have a duty to do. We must find Elizabeth Rogers and put her in possession of her own, this gold in the box and whatever else he may have owned in Wales. He spoke of shares in some mines or quarries. These all belong to his sister, and we "^i^l. ""t .defraud her ; those blue eyes would haunt me forever. What shall we do ? She was looking earnestly at her father, over whose face there came a sudden pallor, and a hard, bitter expression, as he answered her : " Find her ! Of course ! A.dvertise ! go to Wales, if necessary, in search of her, or get a lawyer to do it ! Break your vow ; tell the whole truth, as you would have to, in order to establish his death ; brand me as a murderer, and get me hanged ! That would be tlie result of restitution." T* T ?h ^t^}^^^'" ^^""''"■h cried in terror. " Is there no other way ? It 1 find this woman and give her her own, must I tell her the whole truth ? ^ylll It not be enough if I say he is dead, that I saw him die, that 1 helped to lay him in his coffin ? I would not mention you or that J had a father. Surely she would be satisfied." '' Yes, ahe might, but not the law. I do not understand the ins and outs myself, there are so many questions necesaarv to make a thing legal, but this I am sure of ; the whole thing would be ripped up and I hanged, as I told you. No, Hannah, you cannot find this woman while I live, whicli, please God, may not be long. When I am gone, find her and give her her own, if you like, but you must shield me. Remember your vow, and— and— swear again, not to move in the matter while I live. Swear ! Hannah, swear • " He was growing so excited with this new fear that his daughter shrank from him in alarm, and at last yielding to his importunities took another oath of secrecy, wliich doomed the blue-eyed woman in VVales to a life of poverty, if such now were her portion. " But what shall we do with this money, this gold ? " Hannah And her father replied : ''Keep it ; hide it until you can restore it to its rightful owner without harm to me. Elizabeth may never get it, but her heirs some child yet unborn, may be inado rich "by you one day, who knows ? " "" Yes, some child then unborn might one day be richer for this crime, but that did not comfort Hai.uah now, and the future held no gieaai of hope or iiappiness for her, as she put the papers and the watch, and the gold, and the portrait, whose beautiful eyes I » FAcma IT. 85 each »ucceeJi„"dav tl» h„™^,V '"' '" ''""»«"■■, f»r with old man u„ti^a^Lt ht kI,1™""™ ''■•«>S'l>™»d »ith the knew what the jo.i„rirl ^nZ»,^ I" "'"T'"' ""'I ""'? «<«' •nd she here thltSefwithW a "/?*', "."''■.".^''''u'''' "■«"' ^y. ways pursuing her ' '°"^''" "'"' ">« h""'''"'- a'- sie'd" rtktT wirSf" » trst^-rw^i; some instinct to know w)3l"f • ^ *^« ?*'^We door, he seemed by to his postr/rom whilh iTtherfh*"' f "'''^' and hastened at once down wTtralL fe™7e3*^^\T ^'^^ ^^^cken which she aro^e";hrre%tX;^^^^^^^^^^^ Kk^^t^wo'm'an tf teX' fi^*^^' °^ f gi Wl 2 t^d' withnoco^urinhe^cEksl'ellTV"^'^^^^^^ «^« became, voice, no brightneranywhere^^^^^^^^^ '^F' "° J^^^ ^^^ ^^^ Bhcna with unusual briflkncy and harHn S ^1 '^^'^ T',' ^^''^ pu..led and fascinated her Sf, who HH?"'/^''^^'/^^^^^"^^ Btrangoly bright, beaut.ful^^Tst; Tott'^,^^^^^^^^^^^^^ *hose clammy hands which he 1 ad f/,T-^ ^""^ '^'^^•'l* ^^^ ^^^^^^ of the not go to school agat as she Ld doi"f " .^'b breast. She could mind to study was impossSle and s^^i?' 'f^'" ^"""^"^ '*^*^ °^ tr^ i"f'^„«^.t- ? th?l-!^' Mdd^ tt;t,ne'r '"'"' '"'^m tSi^fS^ ^itTr^^r:^^? r- ^« P-t and prinking fronT tii^f^ ^itT^'cSSS ^ Rover, who seemed so fully to underataKi iyr .' '(I ixcept that of ,hise with her. 86 BESSIES FORTUNE. Oftentimes when her work for the day was done, and she sat down listlessly upon a little seat beneath the apple-tree which grow in the yard, the dog would go to her, and putting his head in Iut lap, gaze into her face with such a human hjok of pity in his eyes that her tears would fall like rain, as she wound her arras around liis neck and sobbed : " Oh ! dear old Ro or, you know, and you are sorry for me. What should I do without you ! What shall I do when you are gone 1 " and the white lips would frame a prayer that Hover might be spared to her long, for without him life would be intolerable. An(l yet Hannah had no foolish fancies, tilled thouijh the liouao was with the image of the dead man. She did not believe in ghosts, and had no fear that the occupant of the hidden grave beneath the floor would come back to trouble her ; it was rather the horror of the crime, the sin, which so oppressed her, filling her with the wild- est fancies, and making her see always the dreadful word Murder written everywhere upon the walls, and the blood-stains on the floor, where no r i , .; vas visible to other eyes than hers. Some- times in the dar* lii ;tir., in her lonely bed beneath the roof, with the stars looki^ .-j upon her, she felt as if her bruin were on fire and that she ^■i\^ ■quins' mad with the load of anguish and guilt, for she accused herath' .iit equally guilty with her father, inasmuch as she had witnessed iLu deed, and was helping him to conceal it. " But God knows I cannot help it. I am bound with bonds I cannot break," she would cry, as she stretched her hands toward heaven in dumb supplication for pardon and peace, which came at last to the troubled spirit. And though she never knew again the joy of youth, which had left her forever, there came to her long intervals of rest and quiet and comparative peace, if not happiness ; and v/hen three years after the tragedy which had blighted her young life, she, with others of her companions, ratified her baptismal vows and openly confessed Christ, He, who sees and knows the secrets of all hearts, knew, that among those who knelt to receive the rite of confirma- tion, there was not one purer or more sincere than she who thought herself the vilest of the vile. Naturally, as time rolled on, and the peddler Rogers came no more to Allington, inquiries were made for him, the people wonder- ing if he intended remaining in Wales the remainder of his life, or would he appear in their midst again some day, with his Bal- briggans and Irish linens, which he sold so cheap, and which it had more than once been hinted, he smuggled through the custon house. But as he had never been more to the citizens than a ped- dler of dry goods, he was soon forgotten, and Peter .Terrold's secret, was safe under the floor, and the tin box, with the gold and the will was safe in the niche of the hugh chimney, where Hannah had FACING IT. 87 for me. when, or by what ag.ncy, she could not teU but son ef'...??n'''*r &he had calculated the interest on the money and i f^e^"- to lay by that amount for the beneh- of th« pV„ i. -hI yearly find ill. pl^e'Lnd giv„ .l^Th. , I'^'S S 'Z'^S' '''" T'l the p„t », vja, „ece,«..,y't„ tell, bj ""„""■ °" " ■"""'' °' and she was weepin^Kerseirboldn^'J. f ^"^ Jt^'* ^^« ^^^'^^^t' a»d fesrel ?"r,he m „*" hrw.^l''''"'''^^^ of uuutteraL l„ve him there and put a blankS nnJ t ™''^^' .^"'^ «« «h« ^eft nah'X';LlrbJ.t7L™ :,°S\'d° r'"™ "" '=•'"'"' <" Han. IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET {MT-3) 1.0 I.I Ui |28 1 2.5 £ Ui Hill 2.0 IL25 III 1.4 1.6 nl--x Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 V ■1>^ \\ LV ■0 & 88 hessie's fortune. At first he was continually hannted with a fear of detection, and frequently in the night he would steal noiselessly to Hannah's room, and awakening her with a whisper, tell her there were men about the house, come to arrest him, and charge her with having broken her oath and betrayed him into the hands of the law. Every possible precaution against a surprise was taken. Iron bolts were put on tlie doors, the windows were nailed down, and the house was never for an hour left alone. The people said the man was deranged, and pitied the young girl who, from daily associa- tion with him, was becoming almost as peculiar as himself. After a few years the aged pastor, who had so long officiated in the stone church on the common, died, and the Rev. Charles Sand- ford, fresh from the Theological Seminary, was called to take his place. Full of energy and zeal in his work, the young rector soon made himself acquainted with all his parishioners, and, strangely enough, seemed to find a peculiar attraction in the inmates of the farm-house, where he spent a great deal of time, arguing with the father on the nature of the unpardonable sin, and answering the matiy questions his host propounded to him upon the bibject of genuine repentance and its fruits, how far confession to man was necessary that one might be saved. To these discourses Hannah was always an attentive listener, and there came gradually a new light into her dark eyes, and a faint colour to her white cheeks, when she saw the rector coming up the walk, and met his winning smile. But all this was ended at last ; for, after a night in June, when she walked with the young clergyman through the pasture land under the row of chest- nut trees which grew upon the hill-side, he came but seldoi;.! to the farm-house, and when he did come his discourse was mostly with her father, whom he was labouring to convince that it was his duty to be confirmed . But Peter always answered him : " No, no ; you don't know what you ask. I am too vile, too great a sinner for that. The very stones would cry out against me." The clergyman thought him a little crazy, and after a time aban- doned the effort, and went but seldom to the farm-house, where Hannah had again entered the dark cloud in which his coming had made a rift, and which now seemed darker than ever, because of the momentary brightness which had been thrown upon it. She, too, had laboured with her father as Mr. Sandford had done, tell- ing him of the peace which was sure to follow a duty performed, but he answered her : " Never, child, never : for, don't you see, I must first confess, and that is to put the halter around my own neck. They would huiig iiio now, sure, lOr the concealment, ii lor nothing more. It might have been better if I had told at first, as you advised. I etection, and to Hannah's re were men ir with having of the law. X. Iron bolts wn, and the said the man laily associa- nself. J officiated in Jharles Sand- 1 to take his g rector soon tid, strangely mates of the aing with the nswering the le bibject of to man was tive listener, eyes, and a :or coming up is was ended ed with the row of chest- iit seldoiJ to 9 was mostly hat it was his im : too vile, too out against ■ a time aban- hiouse, where is coming had r, because of )on it. She, lad done, tell- y performed, first confess, They would ng more. It I advised. I THE EFFECT OP THE STOBT. gg mj. .m,l." ' ""' "<"«' )""■ b,B church with thi, crime on fancies which had taken possession ^ v ''^ '"''''^^ half-crazy in some mysterious manner the Idvirth^"' t^^''' ^««*h-^ spirited away from its reating-nracnmlL,?-^^*^'^'' ^^^ been assisted him to remove his bed^ iS orderT'''^ ^T' ^'' '^"^ght^r cret was safe. Then, for fear th^b^p K **\ ^^^'^''tam that his se- house next to the grave would rot anT ^ "^' '''J *^« «de of the With new lumber, Ind buT n ?ront of S'tLT' ^t «*i:«"^*honed i? Grey persisted in making his nW l, the be„ch which the bov and to the horror of ff g aiSSheT'kioF*^"^ '^''' ^^ '^^ ^ou^ boards which separated him by on^^^^^ vigorously at the grave. ' ""^J" a toot or more from the hidden And so the wretched ven.™ «•*.«+ numberedmorethantlC or?ytrranJtn ^«^ /-^old had to atone many times for crimes fa^mmi^ • ' *"^ '"^^''^d enough But nature at last could endure noT'!'„^^'"?"« **[*" ^*« had been, night thirty-one years after the evl^v' ul^ ?" *^« Thanksgiving felt that he was dying and as a W ^l'^.^^^ ^"^^t'^d his life, hf confessmghissinLt'onTy^X l^l^i'^i^^^^^^ .'?«-«t«d upon who had been his friend and sStia^iwf" ^'^ ^" 'clergyman " I shall die so much easier ''hnlid7nH °'' 1° ™*"y y^a^s. them both, and then with her' arm around h'""f A ^^« «««* ^^^ against her bosom, while he toK substan. ' ^^1^^'' ^^'^ him pauses for breath, the story we haJe narrated ^^ ""'^^ ^''1"«°^ CPAPTER XIV. THE EFFECT OF THE STORY. ly and unreasonably, Burton Jerr^Sn yT"". ^'^ '"*«'' «« harsh- a gloomy, unsympathetictce r.^t^^tle'''?/"^ ^^^ a stone, and listened to the taleas" renearpd K J"" T '! ^« ^«'« when the tragic part was reached?andTe law^L^' ^f^''' ^"^ ^ u, auu ne saw the dead man on the 90 BEJSSIES FORTUNE. Then stag- Sandford had not You aro The dis- floor, his sister, crouching in the corner of the room, with Rover at her side, the rude coffin, the open grave, and the secret midnight burial, his breath came in long, shuddering gasps, and the perspira- tion stood in great drops upon his forehead and about his pallid lips. And when his father said, " I buried him here in this room, under this bed, where I have slept ever since, and he is there now," ho started backwards as suddenly as if the ghost of the peddler had risen from the floor and confronted him. gering forward, he would have fallen if Mr. Sandf caught him by the arm and supported him a moment. Bringing a chair, the clergyman said to him pityingly : " Sit down, Mr Jerrold, and try to compose yourself. not in fault ; no one can blame you." ** No, no, I know it, but it hurts me just the same, grace ! I can never be happy again. Oh, Hannah, why did you let him tell me 1 I cannot bear it, I cannot ! " the wretched Bur- ton moaned, and his father replied : " Your sister has borne it for thirty-one years. Are you less brave than she ? " " 1 don't know. Yes, I believe I am. I have more at stake than she. Our positions are not the same. There is Geraldine, and Grey^, I can never look them in the face again, knowing what I know," Burton cried, impetuously, and covering his face with his hands, he sobbed as strong men never sob, save when some terr torm, which they feel themselves inadequate to meet, is beat'.' ilessly upon them. " Oh, brother," Haunah said, in her soft, entreating.voice, " This is worse than all the rest. Don't, don't take it so hard. It is not so bad as you think. You will not be disgraced. Ger- aldine will never know ; the world will never knoAv. Char — Mr. Sandf ord is just as safe as I. He will never tell," and the dark eyes looked for one moment at the man whom , in her excitement and forgetfulness, she had almost called by his Christian name, and who, in response to the call and the look, went swiftly to her side, and laying hia hand upon her head, said, solemnly : " As Heaven is my witness, what I have heard to-night shall never pass my lips. " Pressing his hand for an instant upon Hannah's bowed head, he withdrew it, but staid at ' ^r side until the recital was ended, and the old man, who was sir ■\g fast, said to him, in a faint whisper : " You know all now, auu why I could not join the church. It was too late to tell the world of my guilt. God knew it. I believe He has baptized me with His Holy Spirit. Do you think that as His minister you can grant me absolution, can pray for my depart- ing sou i?' jht shall never THE EFFECT OF THE STORY. gj thing else,' VVhere are you Ha^SSt?.'^, 7 •""'•? *^^"^ "^ "«' as if he had lost her. ^" It is TowiL 1 t ''?'/" * *°"« ^^ ala'"™. must not leave .e now. WeC'^pttttthVrrrn:-^ "'"^ I an/£inr;o :ta; fL?'' H^^' 7 -f --dVouTneek, and him. shecom^L I he ™;revT^^^^ and then bending'over when no other words would come ^ ^ '" '^^^"'^ '"^'^ *°g«*her lent while hilfathepX^lTat strtttris^^^^' '"^ «^* - it. ! 3; It ''Vi' *'^ ^"^^^ ^^^^•'^' -'^ I '- forgiven. I feel sLl/w' ilTnd wJotftTou^ SafX fc^ ^d ^ ^? f ^'^ ^ a man ever had. Oh, gS" Ws C Trinl f *"? ^'"^«* daughter ■""'"r??, ""y. """"n 1 1"" 80 much » ■ ° °°""'' ''""" rue, the murderer ! - '" ^"" ^"'^•^■^^ ^^^ ««d ^ess him from Js're hoSs'l iTs iTatind TVP^'^^'/- though he lingered not ronse him " ^ ^'"*^ °^ ^^^P"'"' ^^^^^ ^vhich they Sould car'efWartta :tTolL' who"\"T ""''=^' ^"^ —"bering the armed with reproach^rf'or the latenes^Tf ,^1 «'**^"g »P f-^ him, dicines as preventiverfor theVnlH v. '^ hour and various me- Sandford signified his inLntil to t/'"' l"'^ ^"^ ^^^^ **''*^"' Mr. the boy Sam f ^oulJ^^rbrarkeneTrdrt'^m^^^^^^^^^^^ '^^' were curious thon^ e^o^CAn tV ^' '"^'^ ^"'^^ '^^^P' ^here man, tumultuous thoughts; Ss^anneT. ''' *"" r'^' ^"^^^ brought w.th them keen joy Is'^nTS^iii:^:''^: ZZS Ill 92 BESSIE'S FORTUNE. ing before the kitchen fire.with Hannah near him,holding the warm muffler he was to tie around his neck. Regarding her fixedly for a moment, he said, addressing her by the old pet name which had once been so familiar to him : " Hanny, that is why you said ' no' to me that summer night when we walked together under the chestnut trees, and I felt that you had broken my heart V Any one who saw Hannah Jerrold at that moment would have called her beautiful, with the sudden light which shone in her dark eyes, the bright colour which came to her cheeks, and the softness which spread itself all over her upturned face, as she answered, promptly, and still very modestly : " Yes, Charlie, that was the reason." For an instant these two, whom a cruel fate had 8eparated,looked into each other's eyes with a look in which the love of twenty years was embodied ; then involuntarily the hands clasped, and the man and the woman who had walked together under the chestnut trees twenty years ago, kissed each other for the first time in their lives, she feeling that on her part there was nothing unwomanly, nothing wrong in the act, and he feeling that on his part there was not the shadow of infidelity to the woman who bore his name and looked BO carefully after his welfare. The one was his wife, whom he re- spected greatly, and to whose wishes he sacrificed every wish of his own, when he could conscientiously do so ; the other was the wo- man he had loved in the long ago, and whose " no," spoken so de- cidedly, and with no explanation except that it must be, had sent him from her with a heart-ache from which he now knew he had never fully recovered. Twelve years after that memorable summer, the memory of which was still half joy, half pain, he had married Miss Martha Adams, of Cambridge, because a mutual friend had told him he ought to do so, that a bachelor clergyman was never as useful as a married one, and that Miss Martha, a maiden lady of thirty-five, was eminently fitted to fulfil the duties of a rector's wife, for she came from a long line of clergy and for years had run the Sunday- school, and the sewing society, and the church generally, in the parish to which she belonged. Added to this, she had some money and excellent health, too good things in a minister's wife, as every- body knew. Mr. Sandford promised his friend to think about it, and then,one afternoon, walked across the fields to the house among the rocks and looked again at Hannah, who was twelve years older and graver and quieter than when she won the love of his young manhood ; but there was something inexpressibly sweet in the pale, sad face, and the large, dark eyes thrilled him as they did of old, so that he found his longing for her greater, if possible, than ever, But when he TEE EFFECT OF THE STORY. 93 across the ^fields to hU "rhome w ™t'e toT' .""^' ^"'^'^•"^ ^ack Bignifying his readiness to bp/^f; T ^ x ^i'/- ^"""^ '» Walpole, who had1,ow been CVrfe for .fejr ^''' ^^^'^* A'^^'"» him with a rod of iron which shr'hnL^ ^^*"' *"^ ^^^ »""Jed cotton wool, so that h^ S not f^'^t'^r '•';• ''''""^''^'^ '^^^^''^d ^ith otherwise have done But ^tnr^.!i ?"'*^''' '""'^'^ *« he might cold night he walked slowly Cne1h;o^^*r^"' "' *''« «>«^r, snow, which he scarcely minded r,, 1°^ ^^% ^^"P' ""trodden the past and what mfght have bLen "'' ''''' ^"^ ^^^'^"S^^^^ »P«« back^^r/Tain rlSet"lTwt['5iXt^ ^^ ^^''^^^ ^"'^ -"ding been, but what can never be An f ^"f ^''^ ^''"' ^'>^t«hould havl wrungcriesoutwith agreatcry for har''"""' *\^ ^^"^^^ ^^-'^^ there disloyalty to hinf or tl i ! happmesa it has missed, is have stood ? G%,d on^klws and'Hr'^r^''' """*'^'^'' «ho"ld ready to forgive His efrinrchilHln f,^^ 11 ^^"^ '""'"« "lerciful and other. And HeZst h "ve ui fpH^l, '^" ^^'^\^'^ *« ^^'^ive each of Hannah thrilling everrZrnfV^^ '^^"' "^'^^ » thought where Martha was iS.fnLtntwZ^^^ *^ '^' home smooth brow, and words of Si^lf^/^'^i"'?''"'*^ * ^''^^n on her her lips. ' '^^ ''^ ""^'^'"S for his tardiness in coming upon -IT'^liL::^^^^^^^^ f "P for him until of herb tea and a hot font wt' •/ ] 1** *"*" probability bowls ful of his heaUh, and 8omSe7o;.*''* ^•"'' ^^f^Martha was care! he sighed as he dreTnen To Je^^'T^"" ^I^J"^' attentions, " Oh, if she would only go o bed and I J^"" ^ ^'^^*' ^^^ ^h«"«ht not make me talk " ^ "^ ^®*^® ™® ^^^ne awhile, ani ing^goVn,\?;^;;^^S'„:t1^^^^^^^^ :;?P-P'« Aanneldreas. frown on her face whfch Sened tn^-™ ^ complexion, and a she saw the condition of his boots In^.i,* f'"^^ "' ^'^ '^"^^ i» and " Charles Sandford,'' she be"ai ^Mo ^''''^' P*'"* ^^ ^'' ?*»*«• and do you know what time it"is ) " ^*'" '"'^" *^ '^^ ^^^^ ^^■'ked, corid^'ro'ttTpit^'L'd iTnSAor'Y.'- ^ '^ ^^^^ i^*«. ^uti tired, sleepinjboy come out in theSJ t'"^' ^f her than have the am not cold.'' """e out in the cold. I needed the exercise. I thrwatr'rlirf^r^ffSttJh l7 "^^'"J* *«" -«' -^ I've got '^ ^^^ *° ^^^'^"g^ ^ills into gold lor me, she said. Paper might depreciate in value, or the banks go down, and that is why I kept it here ; gold is goW everywhere S? 1^^""%^'''^ '", J^T'^ t V^™ ^°d '^^' the inter^est, denS my' men and^^efSf/fort ^ 'ul? ^^'^ ^"J"^^^ ^« ^«» ^ ^ wo- SiZ« wtvh^T^-r^'f'i*^^''^P."*^*'°" «* closeness and even Btinginess, which I did not deserve, for God knows there is nothing of that m my nature I had to be economical with mvse f to meet BO large that sometimes I have not been able to p, t the whole in 5n?lL?lf*. T^ ^"*^ ""^ ^^^ y^*'' *"^ I *™ behind some two hundred fam alone!'' ^P '" '""'* '""'""*' ""^ «^^" ^^'^^ ^' "P »"^ tS "But, Hannah, I used to give you money willinelv and woulc* have given you more if you had asked for it.^I had nSdeaof S" Burton said, and she replied : ' wnnllT^^^"'"'' y?" ^''''^^^ b"* ^ ^i'^ "ot like to doit, for fear vou would think me extravagant, and wonder ..hat I did w th so much S ttr^ notVours'-'I^r '"V^"* *" P^^ *^« ^«^*- That wTsmy mailer, not yours and sometimes it was hard to dn if f^r fo+i,<>i was not able to look after the farm, which Self "s poor and ba^! oni;wn-''''f''.l-^"\^^^"« ^''^ h« should be detected, he was only willing to hire a boy, and I have done a man's work myselH? . " fo"'. Hannah— you ? " Burton said, gazin^^ at the nale-faopd isk motv'oirr'wf °^^^'°"^ ^^^^^'^^ of^-amanrLtrfi thL^^TI-A- ^ ^^^ sometimes spent more on one lar.'e party than she did m a whole year, and who said to him, with a sad fiel7baU li^Z^hFuti *''^ ^*'*^'"' r/ P^*'^*^'! tl^« ««rn in the rnV7ha7i^rid!^'^""«^^^^^^^ ^^^ '"-^'^^ r:n.'tL'je 9G Bessie's fortune. Poor Hannah ! No wonder that her hands, once so small and shapely, were broad now, and hard and rough, and not much like Mrs. Geraldine's, on which there were diamonds enough to more than liquidate the debt due to Elizabeth Rogers and her heirs ; and no wonder that her dress, which so often offended her brother's ar- tistic and critical eye, was coarse, and plain, and selected with a view to durability rather than comeliness. She had done what she could, and what few women would have done, and Burton knew it, and was conscious of a great feeling of respect and pity, if not af- fection, for her as she stood before him in a stooping position, with her toil-worn hands clasped together as if asking his pardon for having intruded her own joyless life upon his notice. But above every other feeling in his heart was the horrible fear of exposure if she attempted restitution, and he said to her at last : '* I am sorry for you, Hannah, and I can understand how, with your extreme conscientiousness, you believed it your duty to do as you have done. But this must go no further. To discover Eliza- beth Rogers is to confess ourselves the children of a murderer, and this 1 cannot allow. You have no right to visit father's sins upon Grey, who would be sure to find it out if you stirred in the matter. He is sensitive, very, and proud of his name. It would kill him to know what we do." •'No brother, it would hurt him, but not kill him," Hannah said, with energy ; * ' and ever since he was a little child I have depended upon him to comfort me, to help me, as I knew he would when he was older ; and something told me he would find the heirs. I did not mean to tell him until he was a man, able to understand." " Hannah ! " and there was fierce anger in the voice. " You are not my sister if you ever dare tell Grey this thing, or hint it to him in any way. He must never know it, both for his own sake and mine. 1 could not even look at him without shame if he knew what my father was. You shall no b tell him. You have kept it thirty-one years ; keep it thirty -one longer, and, as you vowed se- crecy to my father, so swear to me solemnly, as you hope for Hea- ven, never to tell Grey or any one." He had seized her wrist, and held it so tightly that she winced with pain as she cried out : " Oh, Burton, I cannot ; I must restore the money and the will." " Stuff and nonsense ! " he repeated, growing more and more ex- cited. " That woman is dead before this, and her heirs, if she had any, scattered to the winds. People never miss what they never had, and they will not miss this paltry sum. Swear to me, as you did to father, that you will drop this insane idea of restitution, and never reveal what you know, even after Geraldine and I are dead, should you outlive us both. Think of the disgrace to the Greys." THE EFFECT OF THE STORY. 97 And BO, worned, and worn, and half crazed with fatigne and exci einent, Hannah bound herself again, and, had not ofev already known the secret, Elizabeth Rogers' heir's would never have heard of the little tin box in the chimney, from which pllce Hannah brought it at last to show the contents to her brother Vho perfec y sure that she would keep her word, could calmly examine the will and scan the features of the young girl upon the^ivory. T^nruf T 1 / ^*'t '''^ ^*^ ""'^ ^"^ ^* P"'''^'^^ »»d perplexed Burton Jerrold, as he wondered where or when he had seen it before or one marvellously like it. Sometimes it was a woman's tZ HfSu\f v/r t^™ ^ir ^^^^'"^ P'^^*' '^"'^ sometime^ the face of a little child whose blue wide-open eyes looked at him just as these eyes looked and whose name he could almost speak. *>,„ t V^ ""^7 ^"'^^'^; l'*' '"'^ " *^^«"g'^ evidently she belongs to the working class in England ; her dress indicates as much. But whoever she is or was, she is not like this now ; she is old and coarse-looking, as so many of the English women grow. Put it back il .u *' • *.""r' *"^,^^ ®^«'' y^» accidentally tind to a certainty W frorJ VT'"^ "^ °' V ' .^'"\ «*^"^ *^« ^"1 «"d the money tl her from Boston or New York, and she will thus get her own with- out knowing where it came from." n. T!*'f ^-^^ '^**^®'' * ^^""^ ^*y *° '"^^^ restitution, and Burton knew hi JL h"o^°,f "science pricked him a little on the subject, and ?nn,l^ •''^ that as a possible way out of the difficulty without compromising the name of Jerrold. And Hannah, who did not understand the impracticability of the plan, seized upon it as some- thing feasible and felt in a measure comforted. She would herself go to Europe sometime, and hunt up the Rogers heirs so cautiously that no suspicion could attach to her, and then, having found them she would send them the will and tL > money khe wa? hoardinS them, and would continue to hoai I .ntil they were found. This 1"^ tif*^ i ^""PtT'^ *^« darkness -the straw to which she clung- Sni! i\ K '^'^ °^* '^T *1"^*« «" cheerless, even when, a few JSw *r' w A-^f ^t*^ ^^' ^'^^^^' by *h; side of he^ dead mSnl;"^ if ^^'■^ '!''*\°"* * ^^'''^^^^ o"^ «igh, just as the chill morning was breaking in the east and giving promise of a fairer day than the previous one had been. ^ as you 98 BESSIE S FORTUNE. CHAPTER XV, OREY AND THE SECRKT. BREAKFAST was waiting in tho pleasant dining-room at CIrey's Park, where Burton Jorrold sat before the tire, with his head bent down and his face so white and ghastly that his wife, when she came in and saw him, was moved with great pity for him, though she wondered much that his sorrow shouUl be so acute for the father he had never seemed very fond of in life. Stooping over him she kissed him softly, and saitl : " 1 am sorry you feel so baidly, Hurton. Yonr father was old, and ((uite ready to die ; surely that should comfort you a little." " Yes, yes, 1 know ; but please don't talk to me now," bj re- plied, with a gesture of the hand as if to silence her. He knew he was not sorry for his father's death. That did not weigh with him at all, but he was willing, nay glad, that she should think so, for he could not tell her of the load of shame from which he could never be free. " What would she say if she knew ? " he asked himself as he re- membered all her pride of blood, and birth, and family. And Grey, his only boy, of whom he was so proud, and who, he fully expected, \vould some day fill one of the highest posts in the land, he could not even free him from tho disgrace, for he was a Jerrold. Nothing could wash that blood from hia veins. And he was proud and sen- sitive, too, and held his honour as dear as his life. What would he say if he knew that his father was the son of a murderer ? Bur- ton would not soften the crime even in thought, though he knew that had his father been arrested at the time, he could only have been convicted of manslaughter. But he called it by the hard name murder, and shuddered as he thought of Grey. " But he never will know," he said to himself, " Hannah will keep her vow, and I do not fear Mr. Sandford, though I'd give half my fortune — yes, all — if he had not been told. Grey will never know. It is not that ; it is the fact that 7 know, and must meet his innocent eyes, and hear him talk of his grandfather as of a saint." It was at this point in his soliloquy that Grey came slowly in, hia face whiter than his father's, and dark rings around his eyes, which were heavy and swollen with the tears he had shed. Grey had not Bjfept at ail, for tho dreadful words, " 1 killed a man, and buried him under my bed," were continually ringing in his ears, while the QREY AND THE SECRET. 99 , which ghost of tho mimlered man soomod pregont with him xnama him to vongoance for the wron^, until at li«t. when his hrZ^nTJZ'n tt dSntra crLV; "^ ''"'''' '^ '''^'^'^' '- ^-"- -* -to ''What ifl it you want with me ? I am not to blame, but if there ^anything I can do to make it right, I'll do it, when I am a man Now, go away and do not torment me so " (.rey knew there was noth:.,g there, knew that the spirits of tho departed do not come back again, but was not in a frame of mnd warSttr ffteJ'hi "'^'''"«\ "r"'y '^""^ ^'"- wr'etlS he was, an.l that after his promise to redress tlio dead man's wroncs ho grew calmer and more r,uiet, though there was stiUtle terrible pain and disappointment in liis heart, especially whe he thoSt lei "heZ Jed" u'r'""" 'l '""^ ''f Bo^ighfallrwhSmtlw lelt he had 1, ved ai.d revered more than any other person Remembering all the past, which at times had puLled him and which he now under8t..od, he was certain that sh^knew a d had known from tlie lirst, and had helped to hide it, and o was an ac complice to the crune. Possibly the law would n t ouch her h^ WnS/wn o'tt'i'h/"'? :\'' ™'^'^'* '''^-« beenhad this thiSg been known to the public ; but he remembered havinu heard of a case which happened in an adjoining town many ya^ars before i^tTll'^owSVen'^'' rr 1 '" "i^*^' ^ ™'^" ^- k»"-' «"' thr-n accomnlicr bn . J ' ""'^V''' ^'""^ in Worcester with her three frl f^ K . * ""•'"'*" ""'>'' ^'^^ >" t^ie house at the time wont free, though she was ever after known as "Old 'Scape G™Uow8 " and shunned accordingly. Was his aunt Hannah like her^ W^ld people thus call her, if they knew ? Pirafe'''G"o'd' fLTi} ^ ""''^ in agony " She is not like that ! riease, God grant that my aunt Hannah is a good woman still I cannot lose faith in her, and I love her so much " And thus the dreadful night wore to an end, and the momini? found Grey burning with fever, while a sharp pain, like TS cul^through his temples every time ho moved.^Vwas not sur: prised when Lucy came and told him his i;randfather was dead Ha ex^ped It, but with a moan he buried his face h^ hrpHfow.- and jy^A ^^^^P^' ,\'f >■« ^^^ yo" now, I wonder ; and I thondit vou BO good so sure of Heaven. Please, God, have mercy on hSi Oh I cannot boar it I cannot bear to think that he is lost i And he loved me so, and blessed me on his deathbed " sidir'^iri'L*''" ^"''J'" "^ ^''y'' ^"'f' f"^ he did not stop to con - within him as he slowly ciressel hims:i'anVt:nt X JlTe mut :: TtTsttTet ; '''''-' ^^« '^^^ -^^* ^« '^'^ -^ -^o 100 Bessie's fortune. Grey's first impulse was to fall upon his neck and cry out : "I know it. I heard it. I was there. We will bear it to- gether,' but when he remembered that his grandfather had said • Grey must never know," and reflected that probably his father felt so, too, and that to know that he knew would only add to his sorrow, he restrained himself, and said very quietly : " Grandpa is dead. Aunt Lucy told me. When is the funeral ! " The voice was not like Grey's, and Mr. Jerrold looked up quickly to meet the eyes which fell at once as did his own. Neither could look in the other's face with that secret which each knew and was hiding from the other. But both were outwardly calm, and the breakfast passed quietly, with no reference to the recent event oc- cupying the minds of all. Mrs. Jerrold and her sister had expected that Grey would feel his loss keenly, and yossibly be noisy in his boyish demonstrations of grief, bat they were not prepared for the torpor which seemed to have settled upon him, and which kept him indoors all day sitting by the fire over which he shivered as if in a chill, though his cheeks were crimson, and he sometimes wiped the drops of sweat from his lips and forehead. His head was still aching terribly, and he was cold and faint, and this was a sufficient reason for his declining to accompany his Aunt Lucy, when, after breakfast was over, she went with his father to the farm-house, where she spent nearly the entire day, seeing to the many little things necessary for the funeral, and which Han- nah could not attend to. Geraldine did not go. Her nerves were not equal to it and she should only be in the way, she said. So she sent her love to Han- nah ana remained at home with Grey, who seldom spoke to her, and scarcely stirred, though occasionally his mother saw his lips move and great tears roll down his cheeks. "I supposed he would care, but not somuch as this," she thought, as she watched him anxiously, wondering at the strongth of his love for an old man in whom she had never even felt interested. _ Once moved with pity for him, she put her hand on his head, just as in the morning she had put it on her husband's, and stoop- ing, kissed him tenderly, saying : " I am sorry for you, Grey. It is really making you sick. Try and not feel so badly. Your grandfather was old and ready to die. You would not have him back, he is so happy now." Just as his father had done when she tried to comfort him, so Grey did. He made a gesture for her to stop and said, piteously • ' Please don't talk to me now, I cannot bear it ; " so she sat down again beside him, while he continued to nurse the bitter thoughts cnwding so fast upon him : Was his grandfather happy now ? Was it well with him in the •world to which he had gone 1 he kept asking himself over and over GREY AND THE SECRET. 101 out: )ear it to- : had said : his father add to his funeral ! " up quickly ither could !w and was m, and the b event oc- d expected loisy in his ed for the ivhich kept vered as if sometimes His head this was a int Lucy, ther to the ing to the hich Han- it and she ^e to Han- ike to her, w his lips B thought, jth of his rested, his head, nd stoop- ick. Try ready to rt him, so ►iteously : so she sat the bitter im in the ' and over again all that dreary day and the drearier night which followed and which left him whiter, sadder, if possible, than ever. ' nonn /nH « T" ^PP^i"*^^ ^^"^ half-past two on Saturday after- go with him.'' "' ""'"* ^^'' ^" *^' ™"^"^"^'' ^'^'^ ^r«y" _ "Your Aunt Hannah will expect you. She was disaoDointed in not seeing you yesterday," he said, looking curiously She boy whose grief he could not understand, for he knew that if there had father's°Zfr^'''.'^ ^n ^"",'^ ^'"''^ been quite reconciled to is father 8 death : and as Grey knew nothing of the crime he was '' No, I'll wait and go with mother " So Mr. Jerrold went alone with Lucy, leaving his wife and Grey to join him about half-past one and just before the neighbours S draned'S'i,"^''- ^^'" ^T ^'^'^" ^"' ^-nah, who 5as already draped m her mourning robe which Lucy had provided for her went swiftly up to him, and putting her arms around him said' very low and gently, but with no sadness in the tone • ' ' Oh, Grey, I am so glad you have come, and sorry you are suf- W f '? ^"T ^'^^r^'' ''"* I ^"°^ i»«t how you lov^d hTm and how he loved you-better than anything else in the world. Will you come with me and see him now ? He looks so calm and peace f ul^ and happy, just as you never saw him look. " ^ Oh, no no ! " Grey cried, wrenching himself from her "I cannot see him ; don't ask me, please " TlI?I*'^^^°"''?^"•'!^u^^f' '^^'^ ^^^^•J y«" «« ™"ch ? Oh, Grey • " Hannah exclaimed, with both wonder and reproach in her ;oice I he waHn {g.^T'^'"^^^ ^^"^ ^« ^« l^^ks now, so different from what r But I cannot, " Grey said. " I never saw anyone dead • I can- not bearit, ; and going from her he took a seat in the kitchen as far^as possible from the bedroom which held so much horror foJ He knew his grandfather was not there, for he was lying in his cofhn m the front room, where Lucy G^ey had put the flowers wrtfer Tnd r^rr^^^'^r 'K^^'h f'^'^- ^'t the o^S^oTe was there, under the floor where he had lam for thirty-one vears and Grey was tlunkiug of him, wondering who he was and "f no Tn! quiries had ever been made f or.him. Thi room was a haunted place for him and he was glad the door was closed, and oncerwhen Lucv went into it for something, he started as if to keep her back The J rtT^tTetr' ' a"- ' "'^'^'^ T^^"«^^ *° '^^ th'e secr^etTf -nat ronra, ne sann. again mro his chair in the corner where he, ?her i^?oi*« %P-P-' ^'^*" to assemble, and he went ^'th his mo! ther mto the adjoining room where the coffin was and where he sat 102 Bessie's foktune. inmovable as a stone through theservice, which was not very long. The hymn which had been selected by Hannah was the one com r.f"i''f^ "Asleep in Jesus, that blest sleep, from which none ever wake to weep, "and as the mournful music filled the rooms! rltwZft^rsSrSd*^ ""-''' -> '- ^*-^«^- ^^--^ PooV grandpa .- " "^''"^ ^ ^^ ^ ^^^^ ^"'^ ' ^"" "*^ '^"^ *«" «^« ^ Then he was quiet again, and listened intently to what Mr. Sand- tor « 11' "^n ^V^', '^'''^'?^' ^^"^'^^^y *° his usual custom he rec- tor spoke of the dead man lying before them, who had gone down dom ofTe^ven " '^"' "^ ^""" *""^ "^^ "^"^ '"^^^ ^^ *h« ^"^g-. " There can be no mistake, " ho said. " I was with him a few hours before he died. I heard his words of contrition for si™s coL^ mitted and his assurance that all was peace and joy and brightness beyond the tomb. His sins, of which he repented as few ever have were all washed away in Jesus' blood, and whil^ to-d^y we stand in h^^fil!"^ ^"^ ^^^ J^''7. ^i^ "^* ^"°^' fo'' *he sudden reaction Hp Lh h ^'A .^^^^^'!?/r^ ^^« ^^^h hi« grandfather at the last. He, had heard the dreadful words "I killed a man ! " and yet he n^y'de^^T^^^^^ '''''■ ^^ "^^«* ^--' ^« ^^^ ^^^ ^^^^^^ - +>,llJ^^'i^^ 'f asleep in Jesus, " Grey whispered, while over him ever do,?M.^/f, "^ 1 ""'"P f^J "'^"='"'^ ^^'^ ^««^°^«« that he had ever doubted the goodness of his grandfather, who had prayed for and blessed him on the Thanksgiving Day which seemed so long ago. his father rlir^ l^Z ^-"r"'^' ^"^ ^^en his Aunt Hannah and his father rose to take their leave of the corpse, he went with them lingering by the coffin after they had returned to their seats, ad bending over the white still face, where death had left a smiler o peaceful, so inexpressibly sweet that it touched the boy keenly, and ^Z,T^.?''"A"-''?'''^ many times the stifTened lijs, and mur- mured, thr >ugh his tears : J'?^^T r*"*^P*' forgive ™e for doubting you. I know you were good. 1 know you are in heaven. " He spoke in a whisper and no one heard what he said, though all noted the pallor of his face and the heavy rings about his eyes^ and when the next day it was rumoured in town that he was very sick no one was much surprised. It was brain fever, induced by the stram upon his mental powers, and the cold he had taken that night when unknown to any one, he had gone to the farm-house 'through the storm and returned again. )t very long. e one cora- which none the rooms, I as if struck ne tell me ? t Mr. Sand- itoni the rec- goiie down )r the king- him a few ar sins com- 1 brightness V ever have, i.y we stand and trusted len reaction at the last, and yet he stood by so le over him ;hat he had prayed for 80 long ago. launah and with them, ' seats, and a smile, so keenly, and , and mur- r you were though all s eyes, and i very sick, iced by the I that night lae'through GREY AND THE SECRET. 103 nJilt f l^ ''V-''^ ** *^® ^^'■y g**«s *^f death, watched and cared for as few boys have ever been cared for and watched, for he was the idol of hearts which would break if he were to die The farm-house was shut up, and Hannah took her post as chief nurse to the boy she loved so much, and whose condition puzzled her a httle Once, ,n the hrst days of his illness, when, after an absence of an hour or so, she re-entered the room, where his father was anSked ^"°^*' fever-stricken eyes to her face' " Who was the man ? " "What man ?" Hannah and her brother asked, simultaneously a great fear m the heart of each lest the other had betrayed w£t Grey was not to know. ^ Bwerfd*^^ ^''^ ^""^^ ^"" ^" "'^"''*'''' whispered to his sister, who an- 1 v^"" ^T"" V'*""®. ,"*"*•" '^^^'^ t»''"in? to Grey, who was still looking at her, she said to him again : ' ' What man ? " *or a moment the wild, bright eyes regarded her fixedly • then there seemed to come over the boy a gleam ofreason, and he replied"' After that he never mentioned the man again, or in any wav al- luded to the secret weighing so heavily upon the two who^wIKd him so constantly-Hanuah and his father.^ Not a word ever nassed WeTfTh^^r; "?'' T ^he, subject, so anxious we" they fSSe Euron« Ld f'h'^V'" ^^^/^^^"""^ talked constantly of the past, of Jl-urope, and the ship, and the mountains he had cliuibed and whose oveTthroT/" n' ^IPT'^f • ^»^^" ^« ''■-' -' Cfrntvon, going fnfoi fh« f £^' .*V ^''* ^.^l^^"" '■''^^ *»d '^g^in at Melrose tight! mg on the fourth of July with Neil McPhers°.n, who had said his SrkedTa^arto'li tl\ '^^'^" *!?.-« --« quieter moods, when he ta Red ot and to little Bessie xMcPherson, whom he had never seen but who came to him m his delirium, and, with her sunny blue eyes ?he fflToii^r^-^"''' • 'TV'''?'''' ^hil« he questioned her'^of dinner i T ^,^-,"P, "' .^^^ h^*^^' ^^'^^^ «he Went without her " W f l" ' ^htu'^'" H^''^^'' ™""^^'* dined luxuriously, eat Ww".^ ^'f """"^ bring her here, where she can have enough to eat. Wliy don't you send for Bessie I " he would say to them -and ^nphTretlied :'''" ''^'^'™' ^^^^« '^^' ^^^^^sV hSdsye' " ] have sent for her ; she is comincr." herdW&'^*--'"^^-^T*'^''^- " Stuff her When she comes. Give ne^f saw a^^'S Lmt '' "° ^^*' '''' ^" "^« ^"^^^« -'^^ «h« asw'th?«^.*,rl!r ^^« P->^e q"iet ; but every mormng and evening he ?et '' h« J.^ n q"*^f^^""j;: Has Bessie come i " and when told, "Not fo see he?" ''^^' ^""^ ^'' '° *"" ^^^^^ '^^ ««™«« ' ^ ^^^ 104 BESSIE'S FORTUNE. ill 1^ And so the time went on until the fever spent itself, and there came a morning when Grey awoke to perfect consciousness of the present and a vague remembrance of the past. They told him how long he had been sick, and how anxious they had been. " Did 1 talk much ? " he asked his Aunt Lucy, when she was alone with him. "Yes, most of the time," she replied, and over his face there flitted a shadow of fear lest he had talked of things he ought not. " What did I say ? " he asked ; and she told him as nearly as she could remember. "And Aunt Hannah was here all the time? Where is she now? " he inquired ; and Lucy replied : '* She went home last night, for the first time in two weeks. She had to go as the snow had drifted under the eaves, and the house was leaking badly. " " Is she there alone ?" Grey asked with a shudder, as he thought of that hidden grave under the floor. " No Sam is there, and I sent Sarah with her, " was Lucy's answer, and after a moment Hrey continued : '• Wasn't Mr Sandford here once ; in the room I mean ? " ' ' Yes, many times. "Lucy replied. ' ' He prayed for you here and in the church every Sunday." " Yes, I believe I knew it. Send for him. I want to see him. Send now," Grey said, adding, as he saw the expression of joy on his aunt's face, and guessed what was in her mind. " Dont think I'm awful good, or going to join the church. It is not that, but I want to see the minister before Aunt Hannah comes back." Fortunately Mr Sandford was at tht.t very moment below. He had stopped on his way to the post-oflace to inquire for Grey, at whose side he soon stood, holding the slim, pale hand in his, and looking inquiringly into the eager face of the boy who had asked to see him alone, and who said to him as he had to his Aunt Lucy : " Don't think I am good, or going to join the church, for I am not. I thank you for praying for me. I guess it helped me pull through, and I'm going to pray myself by and by, but I don't want you to talk to me about that now. I want to ask you somethirg. Grandpa never joined the church, and at the funeral you said he was good, that he was safe ; did you mean it ? " Grey's eyes were fixed earnestly upon the rector, who answered, unhesitatingly : *' Yes, I wish I were as sure of heaven as he, I know he is safe. "You are sure ?" Grey rejoined, flushing a little, for now he was uearing the real object of his interview with the rector. " You are sure, and Aunt Hannah is sure. She ought to know. You believe her a good woman ? " Mr. Sandford could not understand the breathless eagerness with which Grey awaited his reply, which came quickly, decidedly : , and there inesB of the Id him how e was alone face there ought not. sarly as she the time ? eeks. She [ the house he thought y's answer, ?" )U here and see him. 1 of joy on )ont think that, but I t." ow. He r Grey, at in his, and d asked to t Lucy : L, for I am id me pull lon't want omethirg. ud he was answered, le is safe. )r now he r. " You ow. You eagerness iecidedly : GREY AND THE SECRET. 106 1 never knew one like her " * ™^'*^^'' * ''^"*' ^" ^""S'^' eve7^'"vnr^" ^'^y/^'^' ^'th a look of intense relief in his eyes. You have made me very hapov I want«,l f r^ tLJ \. about grandpa of course ; and now, pSe go i am very tired • some time I will see you again " «"• ^ »'" very tu-ed j to do with It the rector never suspected and did not drpam nf IS! great gladness in Grey's heart as he kept repea in "to hfmself pilT^^''*^ i"" *^^ afternoon when Hannah returned to Grev's fhe h'adtlrd"* "^ '" "^ ^" "^P^^"' '' ^^^^ -P-vfd conSn I "^*^' auntie," he cried, wheil he saw her " I am sn aUr) «« hid he'r bZ ^°" '"'^^ ' " ^"v,^ ^^""^^ 'i^'i'^t g-sHhat tie boy had fiTv vou'Sh^'f a^"^ ^T^ ^f ^^"'" ^^ '^'^' " You have never Sh«fnU V ' u^"^'"' r^"""^ ""^^ *'"« you, auntie 1 " BtrL'tlonhe'SoJgStr ^^^^y^^' ^^ ^^-g a little mental ab- honI-''T,Z^''u ^* ^*PP«°ed. No, she has had no youth, no girl- eves I W«\'"^.^n"« '^' P^'« ^^d« ^^ch cove § hfs Wind eyes. I have heard tiiat story, you know, from Aunt Lucv herself ?L^hurV£STthtk T^'/\T "^'^^ *« do" whanCdidl'rJ MissMpPh.r- y f} ^'^i'^ ",^^* ^'^ ''^"f^^^ the naked truth, as Miss McPherson would say, though, perhaps, she miahf have ch--en been 3^^"^/" ^ur-^"" ''■ «°^ ^t^'led the people must have been, and how terrible it was for her. No wonder it had l«ff i>» mark upon her, making her face the sweetest I ever '^w, except 106 BESSIE S FORTUNE. I |: i yours, which is as if Christ had just put His hand hard upon it, and left His impress there." There were great tears upon the face where Christ had laid hia hands so hard and Grey kissed them away, and then went on to ask about the old house, and if it was not very lonely there, and said he was coming to spend the day just as soon as possible, and the night, too, audiny; in a sudden burst of bravery and enthusiam. " And I'll sleep in grandpa's room, if you wish it j I am not afraid because he died in there. " " No, no," Hannah said, and her cheek paled a little. " It is not necessary for you to sleep there. No one will ever do that again. " I shall always keep it as he left it." Grey knew Avhat she meant, but made no comment, and as he seemed very tired Hannah soon left him to rest. Naturally strong and full of vigour. Grey's recovery was rapid, and in ten days from the time the fever left him, his father drove him to the farm-house, where Hannah was expecting him, with the south room made as cheerful as possible, and a most tempting lunch spread for him upcm a little round table before the fire. Mr. Jer- rold was going to Boston that afternoon, and so Grey was left alone with his aunt, as he wished to be, for he meant to tell her that he, too, shared her secret. He had thought a great deal about it, and had finally made up his mind that he could comfort her better than his father, who, since the funeral, had been so gloomy and grave that his mother had commented upon his changed manner, and even remarked, when more annoyed than usual with his silence and ab- straction, that she did not see why he should make himself so mis- erable over the loss of hi'^ father, for whom he had seemed to care so little when he was living. Grey had heard this speech, and fully understood the flush and look of pain which came to the face of his father, who made no re- ply and became more silent than ever. *' Father takes it awful hard ; he can't sympathise with aunty," Grey decided, and so, after his lunch was over on the day he visited her, and she had seated herself beside him, he burst out suddenly : " Auntie, there is something I must ask you ; and something I must tell you. " I can't keep it any longer. I was here the night grandpa died. Here in the kitchen, and heard about — about that under the floor ! " " Grey ! " Hannah gasped, as her work dropped from her nerve- less hands, which shook violently. "Yes, I was here," Grey went on. " I wanted to come with father, but he said no, and so 1 went to my room but could not go to bed, for I kuHW grandpa was dying, and I wished to see him, anfl I stole out the back way, and cauie across the fields and into the kitchen, vrhere I stood warming myself by the stove and heard you all talk- pon it, and ad laid his it on to ask e, and said le, and the euthuaiam. ; I am not le. " It is er do that and as he was rapid, ther drove n, with the jting lunch Mr. Jer- s left alone ler that he, loiit it, and better than and grave r, and even ice and ab- lelf so mis- ned to care e flush and lade no re- th aunty," ' he visited suddenly : amething I B the night about that her nerve- rith father, go to bed, an^l I stole e kitchen, 3U all talk- GREY AND THE SECRET. 107 he?p\^.tVitea;T::;andV;lr* ."?£; "^*^"' '"* ' '^^'' -* I rem»,„ber hU very words, they affJtel me bo m, h I IZZ pz^r.2 £,*rwS?, *-e'r4t'i tSS ../tor a' ^ M-J: at-M S'.?- -«='• '»» ^»' - iTved and r Li,L'!l'"u' ^" ^"f '' ^"^^ *he best ^oman that eC ^ery little thing. Don t omit a single detail. I want to know it ££Sitesrfe;jits-?a^^^^^ martyrTom iHvT TlSltl^f'''' ' r''^\^''- ^"^^^ ' ^^' *he ?rom and if"?h«rV''''"' T' ^'^^ ^^^^'^ "«'-'«^ ^now where tJaLe tha?^ somehow Tartobri7 ^"™" *'?'^ '"^"««' ^'^ ^»-»»g« some k^kwWch wm work '' "^^''' ^"" ^"*^^' ""^ ^ «*" ^^^ 108 BESSIE'S FORTUNE. ! How he comforted her with his cheery, hopeful wol-da, and hoW fast the hours flew by until Tom came to take him back to Grey'a Park. But Grey did not wish to go, and begged so hard to stay that Hannah ventured to keep him, and Tom returned without him, " I am not a bit afraid of the house now, and would as soon sleep in grandpa's room as anywhere," ho said to Hannah, as they sat to- gether in the evening, and then they talked of her future until Grey was old enough to take care of her, as he meant to do. " Shall you stay here ? " he asked, and Hannah replied : " I don't know yet what I shall do. I shall let your father de- cide for me." " You might live v ith us in Boston,'' Grey said. " That would be jolly for me ; but I don't know how you and mother would hitch together, you are so unlike. I wish I was big and married, and then I know just where you would go. But father will fix it I am sure." And three weeks later when Burton came up from Boston after his son he did fix it for her. "It is of no use," he said to her, "For three weeks I have tried meeting and mingling with my friends, and I feel as if they saw on my face what is always in my mind, and if I stay in Boston I shall some day scream out to the public that my father was a mur- derer. I could not help it, and I can understand now how Lucy was wrought upon to do what she did in church when they thought her crazy, I shall be crazy, too, if I stay here, and I am going away. Geraldine likes Europe, and so do I ; and as I can leave my business as well as not, I shall shut up my house, and go abroad for an yidetinite length of time, until I feel that I can look my fellow- men in the face." " And Grey i " Hannah asked, sorrowfully, knowing how dreary her life would be with him so far away. " I shall take him with me," her brother replied ; " 1 shall put him in school somewhere in England or Germany and send him eventually to Oxford. But you, Hannah, will stay here, won't you ? I'd rather you would." •' Yes," she answered, still more sadly, for she fully understood the intense selfishness of the man, who went on : " I shall be happier, knowing you are here, for I cannot have the house sold, or rented, or even left alone, lest by some chance the secret of our lives should be discovered. I am almost as morbid on the subject as father was ; but with you here I shall feel safe. You can have any one live with you whom you choose, and 1 will supply you with money. So I do not see why you should not be quite content." " Yes, brother," Hannah said, very low ; but Grey ! Shall I not see him for years ? " EXPECTING BESSIE. 109 and how to Grey's rd to stay I without icon sleep ley sat to- ure until do. ather de- iat would )uld hitoh [Tied, and ix it I am ston after ks I have as if they in Boston ras a mur- tiow Lucy y thought am going I leave my Eibroad for ay felloff- ow dreary [ shall put send him ere, won't inderstood t have the ihance the as morbid feel safe, and 1 will lid not be ShaUInot " Perhaps not, I don't know," was her brother's reply, as he arose wnS' r'^:i'\* '"^^f ^t'^^^^^ P"y ^^' ^he woman who he had wiUed should stay m the home so hateful to him But Grey when he heard of the plan, which did not surprise him. vw7n^ ^'1 r'^ the assurance that he should spend all his iZ vaoahons with her, as he did not mind crossing the ocean at all. nr.^ i^"^ "^i-^ ^''t" ™,7'''' ^"'^ "^*®"«'' *^'an if I were in America, So i?r"l 'ri'T.'">'"*?,^'*''"^"«" ^^^ b«yin the search So, don t feel so badly," he said to her as he saw the great tears roll down her cheeks, and guessed in part her sorrow. And so the necessary arrangements were made, Burton feeling ft ri'*"" 1>« g*y^h'« «'«*«•" a check for a thousand dollars he waS wLnn V.'' 1 l"" '^l^' ""''^ °,"« Saturday about the middle of March, Hannah stood on the wharf in New York with a feeling of death m her heart, and saw Grey saU away and leave her there alone. CHAPTER XVI. EXPECTING BESSIE. AFTER Miss McPherson had sent her letter to her nephew. Archie, asking him to give his little daughter to her keepine. her whole nature seemed changed, and there was on her face a look ot happy expectancy rarely, if ever, seen there before. Even her cook, Sarah, and her maid. Flora, noticed and discussed it as they sat together by the kitchen fire ; but though the kindest and most just of mistresses. Miss McPherson never encouraged familiarities with her domestics, who asked her no questions, and only wondered =^ .?Pv^*!^" ^^"^ "^^f" ^^^ ^^^'' *hem remove everything from the sma^l bedroom at the end of the upper hall, which communicated with her own sleeping apartment. But when this room was papered and painted and furnished with a pretty carpet of drab and blue, and a single iron bedstead with lace hangings, and a child's bureau and rocking-chair, and more than all, when a large dell was bought o ll'""i? f *' iT'^'v^J" ^"'•- ^*' ^^^''^ *=«»l*i "^^ longe'- »-e«train her curiosity,^ but asked if her mistress were expecting a child. «!», y' was the reply, " my grandniece, Betsey, named for me. Jhe lives at Stoneleigh, my old home at Bangor, Wales, and I am daily expeo^.ing a letter ...aying she has sailed or will sail on the next steamer. I shall go to New York to meet her, so have my things ready for me to start at a minute's notice." no Bessie's fortune. a h..,ne where she was sure of eiunwh to "L and tZfh?^ f • i ° w.fe would be ,lad to be rid of a chui wh / must o nrbe^n he way of her flntations, that she was constantly expeith^ to he^ WlSjl?r;r'J"- , "^l^f ^^ ""'•"•"^'^ believe ArcCSubrW en a second letter thr^e days'Lfter .hotd sent the\ t 1„Yh L" Jhe had suggested the stewardess of the Ce?hc, in whichshe wenJ to Liverwool and returned three years before VVi7h f hi! man's lianS! ' °*'"' ^ ^'''''^'' ^'^^''' ^^^^ressed in a wo- U 's^A '' ^"'"^"'^ McPherson, AUington, Worcester Co., Mass., Phertnt'^ ""'' '"'"""''''"' " ""• ^ ^•" (^^aiBy Allen McI pJ/o^'^®'''"^ ®''^° '" ^^"^ monogram ! I knew she would " was Mi«« liie letter was as follows ; " OuH Djae Aokt." <' Stomleioh, BiKOOR, June 3d. shrresToV • ''" ""' '"' """'•" ™ «" """"W ""-""nt. and theu hiS/^';rLlti'Lr,tT*i'i*iEL1,r"vf"«'''^'' t^n« he .aid I „S 1"^ ^^iV. tS^I rToSVt? «ul down and that let, in the sStao'lVtS Vt^^U;Zt e would be ^und her to is frivolous tiiiu'H be in ing to hear 'Oil Id bring pay all ex- to the care captain or > had writ- t. In this I she went is woman e he could y, until it tidings of I in a wo- 'O., Mass., ristled all Jier hand, ^llen Mc- was Miss ead, first ine 3d. md then i^eral de- dly kept gh what e we are '^our let- d every irything or your lere you ally. I e when )t at all 3t yewa enty of EXPECTINQ BESSIE. nj Tollt Ind'thtsn^; '^^ *'^ '°"-^ " ^"" °^ '^^^^ where the wind -a;Th:\\vToa:rt1e?yt^t%tr?Lf 7 ''''''' ^^^'^'^^ *« prospect of her learning to^scmrr knives am ? '""' '"''" ^''^ ^^^ Bibly heiring a few tho^usand if she doe? wT ^TT'' ""1 ?""'■ soon part with his eyes as with ulLT uf ■^''°^'" ^""''l »« assured fortune wo.dd hd^e " T '-^^''^ ""*^»»^ «hort of an sense ,ny stock in trade-- ^^ ^"^ «'"" ^^^ "?• ^he is in one this child for her ow'n' ba^;urp^es^^' "''^" ^ ^'^''^ «^« ^'^^ «"' Then she read on • ^ f » ' B0?an?XS:e7aLUtr'» the shade, but I arSa ainll ^^? '^^ '1"'^« ^^''''^s '"e into only as B;s8io's motW AhlZ^JT f^'^^f^ *« ^e known am very proud of her and hnn« I i^^"" ^""^ ^'^^^'^ «he is. I countess.-' ""'^ ^°P^ ""'"^ day to see her at least a "'tZ1:S:.J7^J:^^^^^^ Betsey, and read on : think, in expression, buf I send it as it will" ■"'^'''''' ''"* ^^^'' I her as she is now " ' ^^ ^* ^lU give you some idea of mg of intense yearnin j " Bessie is waiting for me to go for a walk, and so I must bring this letter to a close. Archie sends his love, and will, with me, be very glad to welcome you to your old home, should you care to visit It. When I was a child I thought it the grandest place in the world, but it IS very much run down, for we have no money with which to keep it up, and have only the two old servants, Anthony and Dorothy, both of whom are getting old. At present I have a iittle French maid, whom Archie insists I shall keep, though I can hardly afford It, poor as we are. And yet I do not complain of Archie for not trying to do something. Once, however, before we were married, I thought differently, and tried to rouse him to something like energy, and caring for himself, but since seeing the world, his world, I mean, for you know, of course, I am not what would be conjidered hia equal socially. I have changed my mind, and do noi blame him at all. Brought up as he was with »o idea that he must not work, it is very hard to overcome early preiudi'^rq of training and education, and I think his uncle, the Hon. ' '- would be intensely mortified to have 1 i . nephew in trade, +lou-h he is very careful not to give him anything toward his t,,, f+ and we are so poor that even a hundred pounds would be a lor- tune to ns. Maybe some good angel will send it to us by and by. "Hoping it most devoutly, I have tbe honour to be, " Vary sincerely, your niece, , .^ . , " Daisy Allen McPherson. 1 . k" •■■.cssie thanks you again for the turquois ring you sent "AI iii>7l.;; i>':ands! F;,' hundred dollars! and mavbn nhA devoutlj hi^iio, }. will be the jj jod angel who will send it to her, but STONELEIQH. 118 •he IB mlfltftken. Do I look like an angel? " Miss Betsey aaid fluMJi addrc .MliiK herself again to the cat. " No, they may go to deRJl turn 'hoir own way I wash my hands of them. I should have ..jeu gl:„1 for the little «.rl, but [ can't have her. She will grow Ml like her mother, marry some fool, have her friend and brother da. glmg after her, and smuggle dinners and lunches for hor child- ren up in the attic. W«ll, so be it. That ends it forever ' " Mnpl; f T*"" "'""'t* f"-"'" the beginning to the end, and Mis. McHieraou folt It as such, and with a sigh of koen regret as for some thing loat, she put away the picture, which bore a most strik- ing resemblance to the one which Hannah Jorrold lii.d kont hidden for thirty-one years, and when Fh.ra. who had brought her the answered?cS'' "'"^ ^'^'" '''''' "^"^ ^'"''^ ^'^^ -"""«' »^« "Never!" ^nxt gccottb. CHAPTER I. STONELEIGH. rpHE aeaaon is June ; the time fourteen years prior to the com- oli;, ,"f "f "»«"* of this story, and the place an old garden in Wales, SfZ^^f r^ « r^i^" ^^"«"/ ''"'^ *^« suspension bridge acros^ Menai Strait. Haa Hannah Jerrold seen the garden, she might have recognized it as the one seen in her dream that wild, stormy n-:;ht when she sat on the wooden chair by the kitchen stove, a few hours before her father's death. It was very large, and must have been beautiful once, in the days when money was more plenty with the proprietor than at present ; but now there were marks of neglect and decay visible everywhere, and in some parts of it the shrubs and vines, and roses were mixed together in so hopeless a tangle that to separate them would have been death to them all, while the rjjT\ ^hi^'h there were c veral, grew dark, and thick, and untrimmed and cast heavy shadows upon the grass plats near them. Ihe central part )f the garden, however, showed signs of care. Ihe broad gravel walk was clean and smooth, and the straisjht bor- ders beside ii were xull of «Uiamer flowers, among whx I, roses were conapicuous. Indeed, there were roses everywhere, for Anthony 114 BESSIE'S FORTUNE. bved them as if they were his children, and so did the x^hite-faced invalid indoors, whose room old Dorothy, Anthony's wife, kept filled with the freshest and choicest. It did not matter to her that the sick man had wandered very far from the path of duty, and was dying fn.m excessive dissipation ; he was her pride, her boy, whom nv«r i '"'^';^ ^r?. ^r babyhood, and whom she would watch over and care for to the last. She had defended and stood by him, when he brought home a pretty little brown-eyed, brown-haired creature, whose only fault was her poverty and the fact that she was a chorus singer in the operas in London, where Hu-'i McPher- son had seen and fallen in love with her and married her. Two IZZfh T Stoneleigh happy as the singing birds which flew about the place and built their nests in the yews, and then one summer morning she died, and left to Dorothy's carL a little boy of three weeks old who, without much attention from anyone as re- garded his moral and mental culture, had scrambled alon- some- tW?? if reached the age of sixteen without a single'serious thought as to his future, and without ever having made the least ZIZJ'I ^,Tf^- ^"'??y ^'^^ ^"^^'^^y- *he two servants of Sf JS ?u **5^^f »"« «f 1^'™. and would continue to do so even Hon Tohn m'p\ '^*^'' ^'' V^ *¥y ^''^ "°*' ^^'^'^ ''^' his uncle, the Mon. John McPherson, in London, who would never see him want- and so with no bad habits except his extreme indolence, which amounted to absolute laziness, the boy's days passed on, until one Jnrl^r T''i,"!f '"'."^ '" '^"''^' ''^^" ^^ ^^^ ««1««P «» » broad bench Zit *h V^ade of a yew tree, with his face upturned to the sun- light which penetrated through the overhanging boughs and fell in F.]T ?r ^T\ ^^^''^'T^^y a fly or hone/.bee came and buz" M^uT f'^' "* "«^e.r alighted upon him, because of the watch- h^m rnml ^'^""^ ^''"lul" '^°°^ '^^^"^^^ ^^ ^is side, shielding iwK ^ , '"" ' ""T ""'^h h^"* P^'«°" ""^^ ^^^ white cape bonnet, which she also used to scare away the insects, for Archie McI ;.I??f '"'* ""* ^^ troubled, even in his sleep, if care of hers could pre Vol) i It, The girl, who was not more than twelve in reality, though her training had made her much older in knowledge and experience was Bingtilarly beaut ful, with great blue eyes and wavy gXn hair'. W ^.H .T ^'"^ '''f\ *° ^'' ^"^«*- Her dress, though sfrupulousi; neat and clean and becoming, indicated that she belonged to the middle or working c ass, far below the social position of the boy. But whatever inequality of rank there was between them, she had never felt it for ever since she could remember anything, Archie McPherson had played with and petted and teased her, knd she wlX/M^r-ilvMTuf Stoneleigh as in the workroom of ofBangor '^nf vicrn^.^'^"'^ ^^"'"' ^^"^ ^'^"'^ ^'^'^^-^ ^'' *he ladies STONELEIGH. 115 ?hite-faced wife, kept ;o her that y, and was )oy, wliora mid watch id by him, wn-haired t that she I McPher- ler. Two vhich flew then one tie boy of one as re- )ng sonie- le serious the least jrvants of .0 80 even incls, the dm want; 3e, which until one ad bench I the sun- nd fell in and buz- le watch- shielding 3 bonnet, chie Mc- ers could nigh her perience, den hair, pulously id to the the boy. she had , Archie and she :room of le ladies _ How handsome he is," she said to herself, as she gazed admir- ingly upon the sleeping boy, " and how white and slim his hands are. A great deal whiter than mine, but that, I suppose, is because he IS a gentleman's son, and I have to wash dishes, and sweep and diist the rooms ; and the girl glnnced re-retfully at her own hands, which, though fat and well-shapen, were brown, and showed siyns ot the dusting and dish-washing required of her by her mother whose means were very limited, and whose dressmakincr did not warrant luxury of any kmd. ° . "^,^'«h,"»y ^^nds were white, and that I could wear diamond -ngs like the ladies at the George," she continued; " and some- .!."'^- J^"' '^ »^^y ^""^ °''^y ^^^"'»- Half the world does not know the diffirence. Just then a handsome carriage containing a gentleman and lady child and nurse, and maid, turned in at the lodge gate, which Anthony opened very respectfully, with a pull at his forelock. Ihat a the McPhersons from London ! What an ugly, proiid- looking thing Lady Jane is ! " the girl thought, and in watchers the carnage as it drove toward the house she relaxed her vigilance BO far that a huge blue-bottle fly, which had been skirting around the spot for some tune, alighted squarelv upon Archie's nose, and roused hnn from his slumber. Yawning lazily, and stretching his long arms, he looked up, and seeing his companion, called out, in a tone half -familiar, half-patron- izmg, as he would address an inferior : " Halloo, Daze, what are you doing here ? " " Keeping the sun an^ the flies off from you ; they bite awfully this morning," she anr red, quietly, and Archie continued • Lpon my word, Laze, you are a little trump, standing bare- f; u ir" ® ^"" ^^ ^^^^^'^ ^^ ■ How long have you been here ?" Half an hour, perhaps ; and I was getting tired," was the girl's reply ; but Archie did not ask her to sit down beside him, for he wanted all the bench to lounge upon, and leaning upon his elbow he went on talking to her, and answering her questions jestingly, until she said : ^ j s j> " How is your father to-day ? " Then there came a shadow upon the face of the boy, who replied • He IS worse, and they have sent for Uncle John and Lady Jane. We expect them to-day." " Yes, I know ; they've come while you were asleep. Lady Jane looks very proud," Daisy said, and Archie rejoined : She looks as she is then. I hate her ! " " a ^""^^Mj^fu®*^ JT""' ^^'^^ ^'^' *°<'' *^"^' «'^« answered, promptly .,r> fto I : though she had never seen the lady in question until that morning when she rode by, proudly arching her long neck and looking curiously around her. " e> ^ «,uu 116 BESSIE'S FORTUNE. Arl^^^ *'i'"^? the world made only for her and-the babv Neil " Archie said, " and Dorothy thinks so too «5}i« ;« !^ ^ x ' .bout her oomfag beca„.e we have „„ i™,,^ Vdo^'^o^r S " m''S°'\'° ' " f^ ^'^"y ""^^"^ approvingly ; then she went on ■ thJ^^av.".!? " \"'^"' .»»"■= ™<>" jolly f" the dtaner, becnTe Do^-' bourhood any more than was the pride^hich kert th^™ «« Poo? She had often heard both discussed by her mother'Tcustompr, ;Sit''wh"aA'?^f.''^^-^-*« ^« withdrew h'ls hand empty -P^^^^^^^ on It, what a bother it is never to have any money ; I wish weS ?4;r;5. 'sirSTaJcSr ""^ '"""^■- ''-" *""* °' '('< m^^ ^°^ ^'^^^ *^^"^^ o^ going to work ? " or Jones, the baker ? It would not hurt you one bit "' *''^''' mat IS rich ! Archie exclaimed, sitting uprieht for tho fir-f time and laughing immoderately. " The best tCl have heard and he laughed again merrily. ' ^^^ ' " You know I did not mean you to be anv of thps<» " +T,» .„-,i answered, a little indignantly ; ^' but you migS do simetW^ oneiigrove 8. Ihat would not be hard, nor spoil your hands " hav« ^r. ^^'^'^'' ^°t"^^' ^^"'« ^^'<' the boy replLd. "You will trade wl ^^''"- Jl^*'"^^ -"^^^^ ^« ^^^ ^^McPherson to be n Pnl nf r '^ "^* 5""l*° ^*- How would ^m6fmo suit yoiU ' -riles of money are made that way." ^ ' " Gambling ! " Daisy repeated, and could Miss Betsy McPherson S^^VSr^LSvlt^^^^VDV^Tc?^^^^^^^^ « weU known at Mo„-te'tS^Tr^^^C„?:r/;Srr: : STONELEIGH. 117 )aby Neil," t great way care ! Let they come B went on : auae Doro- evening to gly at her. .8 the girl'g land in his pe, for the the neigh- so poor, juatomers, " Plague li we were hought of not fully 'U mean." and want he tailor, p the first re heard. ey would tinker ; " " the girl mething. irshall & ids." You will to be in uit you ? iPherson lien, she 1 she saw > became ie, was a Vei^ difi-erent person from the young girl who, with a hand upon each hip and her head on one side, gave Archie a piece of her mind m terms neither mild nor selected. ''Gambling ! I'd never speak to you again if you stooped to such a thing as to play for money. You'd better a thousand times sell butcher s meat at the corner, or cry gooseberries in the street » Suppose you are a gentleman, a McPherson, without money, must you either gamble or sit still and let some one else take care of you ? It won t hurt yuu to work any more than any body else, and you'll have to do something. Every body says so. Suppose you do have Stoneleigh when your father dies ; there are only a few acres be- sides the park, and they will not support you, and they are all run down. What are you going to do ? " , " Upon my word, Daze, 1 did not' know there was so much vim in you. You are a regular little spitfire," Archie said, regarding her intently ; then, after a pause, he added : " What am I goin| to do ? I am sure I don't know, unless I marry you and let you take care of me. I believe you could do it." The hands which had been pressed on Daisy's hips met suddenly together in a quick nervous clasp, while there canfe over the yirl's face a look of wonder and surprise, and evident perplexity As we have said elsewhere, she was much older than her years in some things, but the idea of marrying Archibald McPhersoii or any one else, had never entered her mind. ' Now, however, she was conscious of a new feeling, which she could not define, and after regarding him fixedly for^k moment S fact* wa"^- *PP''''^°* consciousness, she answered in a very matter J^' I believe I could take care of you- somehow I " 1 know you could ; so, suppose we call it a bargain" Archie said, but before Daisy could reply Lady Jane's maid appeared com! ing down the broad walk. ^^ Stopping in front of the girl and boy, and merely noticing the '^^fSr^'^ASS^^^^^^^^^ "Present!" he answered, with a comical look at Daisy on .,„?.'!' °*i,'',°".','''- ^',°^? t'.'^ ''™">" togotlier and started for the prZr5;!\S?"'°'"""'''™ """ —nd thoughtful J. " Archie! "she called ot last. " Tell Dorothy I .hall not como wit 5re"hUU„""° ''"'"• I l"ve changed ■n/n.ind. l\oZ 118 BESSIE'S FORTUNE. (( walked on^SVerdreaSnn^^^^^^^^^^ f^ without looking back he gem of the aSdon whfch wa^ f n'n ^\* ? "^^'Jp «°^" *he first future life, and bea^frut f huTXed fX"'"''" ''' ^^^^^ ^"-'» himro";eTt™ar;Lt"m;.7i?'^i ^4?^''^°"- 1^0 yo" know maid said to Dais^y who retorted " ^ ^^' ''^^ ^^^^ ^ " *^« ^-^^^t mother's home, X^e she knew Zi^'V^r^^ly away toward her were waiting ilr itlteatlj^irt^^^^^^^^^ early dinner CHAPTER II. THE MCPHERSONS. fpHE room in which Hugh McPherson was lying was the Ur scarcely whiter than hfs+),S^^".' ""^^ P'^PP^^^ "?«» P"low8 ing intently toihe convir Lr LTwl^e^tt t^ ^^^^- speakrgVe^;7owt^^ ^'V^luTel °' .^^*'^"^':-*'^^ ^^^ ™- -<^' with a mortgage on it for foS huldrd n "^ "T*^'"^ ^'^^ Stoneleigh which came through his TZhl l^ P''""^^ *"^ * ""^« annuity Dora, who when I mirtif^ I • u^*""^"^^' ^^""^ f*-"™ dear little and sSr face, the boy should S "^*^'"\''"* ^'' «^««* ^«i«« can ever have un es om-'^.i tr Betse^v^'oln l^' T''^^ "'^^ ^« you, John You nsPfl tr. fo .r u^ "P®"** ^e'" '^^a'^'^ *» him, or les, Huah.' he a;ud, "J iju^ *Ha K^ - « l , , THE M'phEHSONS. 119 ng back he wn the first lisy Allen's » you know the smart Archibald oward her irly dinner s the lar- for since it every- ndurable n his son n pillows aking of itn with lis face, pretend- it listen- an said, 'neleigh, annuity ar little et voice oney he him, or adopt- me. ly, and traits ; I once, but that was before Neil came. Now I have a son of my own which makes a ditierence. I cannot take Archie, or do ve?/ much for him either You know I have very little money of my own and I have no right to spend Lady Jane's. " ^ ^ ' Here the willowy figure near the window bent very low ovrer Hia rc,ses,^as If satisfied with the turn matters wereTaTingy TSohn " As his uncle and guardian I will see to him of course anrl ha /«V*" 'V^' ?*^'' "^^^"g ^'' "" d« something for Sm ' Per haps she will mvite him to come to her in America and if so i^ot are your wishes ? Shall I let him go ? " '^™®"^''' *"^ '^ «»' ^^at wiS'?v,"'''nl^^'i*''*^'^ *""''"•'"*' ^hilehis common sense foueht with the old hereditary pride of blood and birth, which would kSn stTrveVfhVrr' Th^'H' '' ^.^^P\--^- ^'^'^ *« -11 him,7ven ff'h^ starved there. The latter gained the victory, and Hugh reolied • '' I'd rather Archie should not go to America if there i^anv other way. JBetsey is very peculiar in her ideas, and woilda^ soon apprentice him to a shoemaker as anythin- else IiT thl laJ letter I received from her she advised me to put him to some trade and to break stones myself on the highway rJther tLn do nothin? No Archie must not go to America. He may marry weuTf you and Lady Jane look after him ; and you will, John You w^ have a care for my boy when I am gone, and, oh, nev;r neverTet w^trr;£Lr;tt:^ ^'" '- '-^ ^rZ:'^::-^ trnl)!?.!] V* '"t'^^'^'n^ P''""'''^ ^^°°^ ^'"^ *» that effect ? He is a truthful boy ; he will keep his word," John said, and Hugh re* Yes, yes, that's it ; strange I never thought of it before for him ak nripo noil A„4.i X. P, , ,. "o'ore. Will send for him at once. Call Anthony "to "fetch"him "«nT t.^ John, I owe Aiithony fifty pounds ; mo" V borrowed "t Sren/ times from his hard earnings. You will sfe that hefs ^aid ?^"'"* ^fnnlll' u answered, promptly ; for Anthony who had been at btoneleigh since he was a boy, and had been so mnnt, i^hi his favourite, and should not suffer. much to him, was He would pay Anthony ; but when his brother mentioned other 120 uessie's fortune, former in who,„ selfiAne., „., the pSmTnaJriS' """" "'° ^li V .1°''^ ''"'"'' ""Pre'eMioiia funeral ; for John MoPher.on who knew the expense of it would fall on himaelf ™,l!i h. ' unneo.,»ry di.l,l«y. He could i>ot afr°?d i " e .kirS Antronv" th^Tn'^rr ^^^^""^'•^i ^^ over, John returned to London with vke toLe eff;i'.I'".^.^''*^^'''^.^^^^^« ^ g^^^* deal of good ad vice, to the effect that he was to do the best he could with what L had never spend a shilling unnecessarily, and never allow anv of the lower class to take liberties with him 'and call him "IrchL " Ld told £ad Jt''"'' '" ""^''y ^"^°' «^ ^hom SophTe, the S had told Lady Jane, representing her as a forwardf vulvar minx never ?nt»f '^P^r''''^- ^"* '^' ^^vice was lost on Se S hf« u .* ^■v^^'*.''°""^'=*«d i* ^"th Daisy, with whom he resumed On h'.-fr '• '"i .f"^*i"« before his uncle was out of Bangor! ^ teUmg her of Hugh's dr.th, of hia property and debts, andSg you very ilk to you, Stoneloigh, y on your late to do iently, and 'he was so the gam- le. Death , and pro- —never !" hat he had had heard do ? " *e will be u as your ^lise, and lis father play for the boy re easier ; lie master I his son •ny, feel- Lhan the Pherson, have no Lnthony, lonoured his death 3ted, but Ion with food ad- what he V any of A.rchie." le maid, r minx, lie, who 'esumed .merica. THE M'pHERSONS. 121 writer. She would rmv fhl ^ ' ^^^ **^ characteristic of the people, rather'lln Ke the MSr^on *'' '^'*^ *" '"^^ ''^^^^^ would take the boy and nut Kn 1 "^T° ^'«^"''^'=«J. and she ing at some honesVand rli ^b L . J^^ r° ^""'V''^ «^" "v- choose to come, or herTother did w ^"^''"P^*'""- " he did not count of any foolish DridB«^^"^''''°°'® *° ««"d him on ac- mighttake care of hi^ or the Z^t'^Xr^t'' ^^^""'•' *hen he This letter John and t'^i^ J T ^ i""^^* '*^'^^« f""" all of her aider for a momen " wS a sco'rnf'n^*'^'*?^;'' Y ^^^ "'^^ -un- declared herself ready to a?.eh«r"' '' °^ ^^r^he^A Lady Jane tenanceoftheboy raLrE«. T'l.T^^"' towards the main- ^^al labour, and th^us d ^aet Te son NeifthT" 'f="pt' *° -^^"- And so it was settled betwp«n ^r 1 1 *J'®,apple of her eye. in ignorance of hsAuntXTsevVor'^fl^^ *« be ke,,t inherited from his mother mi Jht n^t '"m ""^ ''^^ '""^ ^^^^^ ^^ had Meanwhile he was for tf.« r.^^ . possibly prompt him to accepi his living woul7cost a merrpSn;« "'T\^' Stoneleigh, wher^ his studies as heretofore undS?r?f' ^".^ ^^T ^« ^«»W pursua who, for a nominal sum font ? ^^'•ection of a retired clergyman other absolute iecLarTesTohn^^^*^/'^""^*"- ^his sum? with the arrangements w:re'^iYhathfrS *.' pay, feeling when all brother's child, who was nerLf Iv^ r if^'l""? ^'^ ^"^^ *« Wa at Stoneleigh, where he conld H J ^^]!^^\^^ *« ^^ left by himself Dorothy, a^d'his teacher, ?oof for tSa't'xSlr/ ^'f ^."*'""/ ^^^^ free to talk with and tease and If lot! i ^' ''"'* ^^^""^ ^e was for it came to that as yeTs we^t bV and^t' 1^! *"t ^.^''^ ^"^'^^ little attention to hifn bevT,nd mvfn IV ^"°^t *^?^" P*'d but and having him in his^amX If i^a^ *^^''?'" ^« ^ad pledged, few week/each y^at^httVa m^SoVvin^t ^^^^^^^^ ^^ ^ thSr !?1 1 r l^p^JCa d- If ^«^' -^o was with the playmate of^hS chuZod " ^ '^"^"^ '" "o degree compare yew'stie'd gTrdt^S he?e2.'r^* *'^ ^"". ^^^^ ^^ - the old 8he might take care of hi nf •'^'*^"g'y proposed to marry her, that to develop the aTenUo ^ntri^tl'STr^^^^'i^ girlf who 'began so successful. And as a nrelhEr^ which she afterwards became sary to Archie that hi HfH XoufcL'r w ^^^^^^^T^'^ «« "«''«- durable, and of his own accord ),«li l^ ^^""^^^ ^^^^ ^een en- Bible hh visits to Lndua and w" IT- ^^ort^ned as much as pos- Bhire, for he knew how bright w^the fao«"""i7 ^°"'" ^" ^^^^y- come awaitinghim at Stonefeigh ^'"'^ ^""^ ""^"^ *he wei 122 BESSIE S FORTUNE. And so it came about that when Daisy was sixteen and he lacked a year of his majority, he offered himself to the girl, who'pretended no surprise or reserve, but promptly answered yes, and then sug- gested that their engagement be kept a secret from every one until he came of age and could do as he pleased, tor Daisy well knew the fierce opposition he would meet with from his proud relatives, if once they knew he had stooped to her, the daughter of a dress- maker. And BO well did she manage the affair that not even Doro- thy, the house-keeper, and in fact the only domestic at Stoneleigh, with the exception of her husband Anthony, suspected the real Btate of affairs, until one morning, when Archie, who had been on a tour through Scotland, astonished her by walking into the house with Daisy, whom he introduced as his wife and the mistress of Stoneleigh. She, too, had been to Scotland, to visit some friends, and there the marriage was consummated, and Archie had some one to take care of him at last. And when his Uncle John wrote him a most angry letter denoun- cing him as his nephew, and cutting off his yearly allowance, which, though small, was still something to depend upon, Daisy rose to the situation and managed his annuity and managed the house- hold, and managed him admirably, until enough was saved from their slender means to start on the campaign which she had plan- ned for herself, and which she carried out so successfully. The Continent was her chosen field of action, and Monte C;irlo the point towards which she steadily set her face ; until, at last, one lovfciy October day, five months after her marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Archibald McPhersou, of Stoneleigh, Wales, were registered at the Hotel d'Angleterre, and took possession of one of the cheap- est rooms, until they could afford a better. " It does not matter where we sleep, or where we eat, so long aa we make a good appearance outside," she said to Archie, who shrank a little at tirst from the close, dreary room on the fifth floor, so different from his large, airy apartment at home, which, though very plainly furnished, had still about it an air of refinement and respectability in striking contrast to this ten by twelve hole, where Daisy made the most ravishing toilets of the simplest materials, with which to attract and ensnare any silly moth ready to singe its wings at her flame. She had settled the point that if Archie could not work, because he was a McPherson, his living must be earned m some other way, and she must earn it. Five months had sufliced to show her that there was in Archie no capability or disposition for work, or business or exertion of any kind. He was a great, good-natured, easy-going, indolent fellow, popular with every body, and very fond, and very proud nf, and very dependent upon her with not a grain of jealousy in his nature. So, when the English swells, of which there were many at Monte Carlo, flocked around nd he lacked ho'pretended id then sug- jry one until fell knew the I relatives, if p of a dress- )t even Doro- t Stoneleigh, !led the real had been on to the house mistress of some friends, ,ie had some etter denoun- vance, whicli, Daisy rose to d the house- j saved from he had plan- >liy. Monte Cfirlo until, at last, ige, Mr. and 3re registered of the cheap- at, so long as Archie, who the tifth floor, vhich, though )finenient and 'e hole, where est niuterials, ly to singe its : Archie could ust be earned iis had sufficed or disposition 1 was a great, th every body, mi upon her, n the English ocked around AT MONTE CARLO. 123 '; "hef Sisf t letreni'^^"*^. ^".^ '""^ ^^'^^^ --Pl-ty cared then for heir adLiraLrar-?"),^^ because shl Archie's, but because ^e mean, f. """^'J^^^er heart was wholly and make them aubrert^ totr ^^^tT '" ''^'^ °^" ^^P^' couXtS^J^^^^^^^^^^ the innocent little men learned to shun, and very 6^^^!"^"'^'''' ' ^""''* recognized in her a certain Sd of virTn^' 1°""^. ^'"^'^^ ^^e latter to repel with scorn such Idvanlf J "^-"^^l'^. ^""^^ ^a^« ^ed her her. She would in one sen«« h! + ""? '". '^'^'' "**"f « *» make to thought, and she marhreftSthatlrwL' f ^ "/«' «^« Bhe was willing to comvmmiL tl^ ^ ^^^ ^"'' ^^^ sake that her garments A pureTmrhood nTh« "'"''r '''''^'y' ^"^ '^^^ was a by- word and a reproach an J fV./''^ "^T^' "'^t'' ^^' »ame who did not understand thafnn^ ^ ^^^K""^ many a vile man there still lingered trats of 1 ^^'^ «°."'"ch boldness and art ever falling qS to thel t e^'°''' ^^^'^ ^'^"^^ ^««P ^^^ from CHAPTER III. AT MONTE CARLO. E''tp''o??n\'irtrrr^wt?eNa^'^*^^^^^ ^'^'^^ ^-««est much ; where the summer rdns fin I'ff,*"^ ^'^ ^*^« ^one so shines so brightlv, and wherHhe b „« nfll^' ^"^ *^« ^^"*«^ «"» equalled by the blue of thTJ a-. °^ *^® autumnal sky is onlv the beautif';/shore and cool SeS •^*' Z""'"' -*-«« klX there you do not need a de crintfon of fi? ^'f ^ " ^^^ ^^^« ^een human beings who daUy pre f \?" tL >fl?^'''' ^fu'*^ ^^^ ™^«« «f swarming from those grandJotels^nrrl^ ^'T *^^ '^'^^i""' «>•» tre the tall Cassino, whose Sded dZl '"'''? ^"" ''°'"»^«'^ ««"- and whose interior, 'though fobeauSwnT ^ '''" •'""' *^'''' Betsey McPherson would exnrP««Tffr "* ^°'''' "P°"' i«' as Miss like the writer of thTs storv^vm, ht' *^ V«7 §**« of hell. Perhaps, watched the people see^'tCrhew.'^.^*''" i,^"^ tables, and old men, who^se lemblin. hand: ^4 ^o^Je !" h' m'''k ^^^T^-^^d the tide o^f auccesstrSg^-:,^^^^^^ ^-^^1^ 124 BESSIE'S FORTUNE. the perspiration atanding thickly about their pale lips, and a strange glitter in their feverish eyes as they see hundreds swept away they still play rocklt'ssly, dt-sperately, until all is lost, and leave the ac- cursed Bpot, hopelessly ruined, sometiuies seekitig fori^et fulness in death, with oidy the silent stars lookin;^ down upon them, and the reckless s'ia nioiming in their ears, lost ! lost ! There are women there, too, at Monte Carlo, more, I verily believe, than men ; old women, who sit from the hour of noon to the hour of midnight j women, with their life's history written on their wrinkled, wicked faces ; women who laugh hysterically when all they have is lost, and then borrow of their friends to try their luck again ; womeii, who go from table to tfible with their long bags on their arms, and who only risk live or ten francs at a time, and stop when their un- lucky star is in the ascendant, or they feel that curious eyes are watching thein. For these habitual players at Monte Carlo are very superstitious, and it takes but little to unnerve them. There are young women, too, who play for fun, just to see if they can ■win, and when by the fall of the little ball theit gold piece is doub- led, they try again and again, until the habit is tixed, and their faces are as well known in the saloons as those of the old men with the blear eyes, which find time between the plays to scan these young girls curiously, and calculate their price. And among these young girls, or young women, Daisy McPher- Bon sat the moruing after her arrival at Monte Carlo, with a look of sweet innocence on her face, and apparent unconsciousness of the attention she was attracting. She had been among the first who entered the salon at the hour of its opening, for she was eager for the contest. She did not expect Archie to play, for as much as he might wish to do so she knew him well enough to know that he would not breiik the promise made to his dying father. But she was bound by no such vow, and she meant to make her fortune on the spot where gold was won so easily, and, alas, so, easily lost. Rarely, if ever, had a more beautiful face been seen in that gilded den than Daisy's, as she entered the room, leaning upon the arm of her husband, at whom she cast timid, anxious glances as if asking his protection, as she walked slowly from table to table to see how it was done before making her first venture. Not a man near where she passed but paused a moment to look at her, and when at last, with a trembling hand, she put down her five-franc piece, not one but was glad when she took np two, and with a smile of triumph tried her luck again. It is said that success always attends the new beginner at Monte Carlo, and it surely at- tended Daisy, who played on and on, seldom losing, until, grown bold by ropcatod snccoss, she staked her all, one hundred and fifty franca, and doubled it at once. AT MONTE CARLO. 125 a,,^' J^*^* ^-^ ^^- '^"^elve pounds is enougli for one dav " she sai.! " r I *"'' bottom flounces, not heKZirft"' ^^'''' ^"* f"/ 'awkwardness, but really I could Tr in a r ch lish irr'"' '*" ^'"'"^f hy the crowd," was said in Daisy's my ve^rb^rr" """k^"?? ^"^^r^^' ^^»* ^ '^"^ ^^^^^ «°rry. for it is ^^^?9ste^ SuS^rfffletn^tSeUlJr"^^ ^^^ ^^^*^^ ^-' ^^ *^« Btnrjent^" 7^ *° *^","P«" '^'' f<'"o«^db/?he young man Zt ;aLt^,^r ^S7ii tie ttir^ttK^s^^ ^^^ quence. My wife can afford an^.'ther." ^ ' ^ '' ""^ ''" '""^«- it dossZpT^ v.! ^\rTS Irishman repeated with a gasp. " la YoC wiJe ? " °^' '^' ^"' y"""" ''''''' She looks'so young Ban.^o?'i7w^!;'.""A ^'™ ^'''^^^"i^ McPheraon. of Stoneleigh, there as Tfirl TTur^i^ ,.f it j i^ "'^™y> °^ i>iib]in, better known fn f hi ' ff *""f *e y. i« the best-natured and most liberal old cove in the world, and gives me mostly ail I want. I thi^nk^t a strelk Sfl me^'lT^' y°" ""''l' "^-« t know nobody and noboSy Knows me. I hope we may be friends." "ououy 126 Bessie's fortujte. ! His manner, so friendly and so familiar, mollified Archie, who had heard of the young Irish lord, whcse income was £10,000 a year, and who spent his mc.ney so lavishly during the few days he was at the George, while Daisy, who held a title in great venera- tion, was enraptured with this young peer, who treated her like an equal. And so it came that in half an hour's time the three were the best of friends, and had made sevenil plans with regard to what they would do during their stay at Monte Carlo. The next day Daisy did not see her new friend among the crowd at the Cassmo, but as she was dressing for the table d'hote dinner, which she could afford with her twelve pounds gain, a box was brought to her room, with a note addressed to her by Lord Hardy, who wrote as follows : " Pv* J ^"' ^''Pherson : I send you a new dress in place of the one I had the misfortune to spoil yesterday. Please accept it with- out a protest, just as if I were your brother, or your husband's best friend, as I hope to be. " Yours sincerely, Ted Hardy." " Oh, Archie I " Daisy exclaimed, as she swiftly opened the box and held to view a soft, rich, lustrous silk of dark navy-blue, which Lord Hardy had found in Nice, whither he had been that day, and which, in quality and style, did justice to his taste and generosity. "Oh, Archie, isn't it a beauty, and it almost stands alone ? ' " Ye-es," Archie answered, slowly, for he rather doubted the propriety of receiving so costly a present from a stranger, and he Mid so to Daisy, adding that it was of course very kind in Lord Hardy, but wholly uncalled for, and she'd better return it to him at once, as he, Archie, would not quite like to see her wear it. Some time, may be, he could afford to buy her one just like it. But Daisy began to cry, and said she had never had a silk dress in her life, and this was just what she wanted, and she could make it herself, and she presumed the amount Lord Hardy paid for it was no more to him than a few pence were to them. And so she kept It, and thanked Lord Hardy very sweetly for it, with tears Bwimmmg in her great blue eyes, when she met him in the evening at dinner, for he had given up his luxurious quarters at the more fashionable hotel where he stopped at first, and had come to the same house with the McPhersons, whose shadow ho became. The navy-blue silk was quickly made in the privacy of Daisy's apart- ment, and she was very charming in it, and attracted a good deal of attention, and drove the young Irishman nearly crazy with her smiles and coquetries. Lord Hardy took her and her husbiind to drive, every day, in the most stylish turn-out the place afford- AT MONTE CAULO. 127 sometimes favoured and soSideLHrd ""''''' "'^" '"'^*""« .nJ^^L^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ you some, ,o. " TeddV rv?h«rfV ?*™^ -'r" ^^''' *^*«^ » "'0'»e»t she added : gor every dly.^ '^"'^"'^' ^ '''^''' "^^ C«»«i" «"« from I3an- Cousl'suCn^S^be'^e^ii ''°l1r'/"' *^/"^""" ^* «"-. ^^at a -any thing like you ? " ^" '"" ' "^^ '^"'^^ «^° ^""k ? nol't^S 'vnT ^'^^ ^u"' J^'^' S^« i« a'^o"* your height-you are ruBtltke^wfTT' ^^'■'^^ir is just the colour of youS, and curls ind}tmigr;assl7^^^ ^-- y '. in her "ci' Ddsfrepra : ' "" ""'^^ "^" «^« '^^ ^-« ^ " ^eddy asked, and twoT>;ir ffire?E;^Hi*!:f.r ''*V.'^^' ^^ «^'^'' ^' ^^e roulette tabic. Ducted th7^^^1hi?^''/^*^^y ^^^""^^ t" be, and nobody sual Kt an]Tdtt7edtr.:!44^\-^^^^^ r ^^r-^^' ''^■ in the new dress which «"^i^»^'">^?-^-°'""' ^"""-^ Lord Ilaidy, who, collar. cuffs, and neck-tie, and one of Daisy's hats perch le i on '1! 128 Bessie's fortune. his head and drawn over the forehead, where his'own curly hair was kept in its place as a bmig by numerous hair-pins, would have passed for a girl anywhere. Nobody had challenged him or his age as he passed in with Daisy, who was well known by this time as La FetUe Madame Anglaise, in whom so many were interested, and around whom and her companion, who was pronounced tres ordinarie com- pared with madame, a crowd of curious ones gathered and watched them as they played, cautiously at first, for that was Daisy's style : then, as Ted's Irish blood began to tingle with excitement, more recklessly, until he whispered te her : " Play high. There's no such thing as second hand low here. Double your stakes and I'll be your backer. " And Daisy played high, and won nearly every time, while the lookers-on marvelled at her luck, and wondered by what'strange in- tuition she knew just where to place her gold. For days the pair, known to the crowd as " Lescnusines Aiiglaises, " played side by side, while Lord Hardy maintained his incognito perfectly, though some of the spectators commented on the size of his hands, and wondered why he always kept them gloved. And Ted enjoyed it immensely, and thought it the joUiest lark he ever had, and did not care a sous how much he lost if Daisy only won. But at last her star began to wane, and her gold-pieces were swept off rapidly by the remorseless croupier, until fifty pounds went at one stroke," and then Daisy turned pale, and whispered to her companion : ^ "Don't you think we'd better stop ? I do believe Satan himself 18 standing behind me with his evil eye ! Do look and see who is there ! • u ^°'^°^y ^^^ your husband, upon ray soul," Ted whispered in his rich Irish brogue, glancing back at Archie, who, with folded arms and a cloud on his brow, stood watching the game and longing to take his wife away. " Nobody but your husband, who looks black as his batanic majesty. But never you mind, my darling," he con- tinned, adopting the dialect of his country. " Play hivinter!'to"rU:doTn {^i^.^^^^^b-^ P- - «"— . and a sled in a i*nttretctil%Vkt^^^«^^^ ^-«^- -^«' -^ -^^^ "Can papa go, too?" thrdifdconL^ued:' ''"' ^^^^^t-S^^ from Miss McPherson, and •'And mamma, too?" thrr^Hp^rv.?''/'''^''^ '" T*"" ^^^ ^e^PO'ise, spoken so decidedly that the restless hands were motionless, and into the blue eyes and Ibout whicTin r"*'' '^'T '''\'^^ ^^^"^l^'*' half-grieve^d expression Which m^after years became habitual to them. Don t you like my mamma ? " the child said, "she is very nice Jer ?1**^' '"^ ^"tT^ Hardy likes her, and so does' papa, for he kis es her sometimes. Papa woiild not go without mamma, and I can- rdXr\vlerdryLX"e1"^''' *'^"^' '' ^^^""^ "^« *^« Miss McPherson did not reply directly to this, but said instead : T{«f«;f "" w."°l t ^w^"^^'" * ^^^ <^ays, and shall see your Aunt Betsey. What shall J tell her for you ? " J' " ''I'^^T-^^^*" ^'^^^ "^® something," was the prompt reply, which made Miss Betsey's shoulders jerk a little. ^' '' Send you what? " she asked, rather sharply, and Bessie, who hafidTreplied ""^^'"^ P'°'''' *=''^' ^'^^ ^^^ looking at ler rJl V?"^ ?i"''l"?^ ring-ave stones, with a pearl in the centre ; ZIJ it\ .1 l^k?.«hams, neither does papa ; but maramp don't I'v}^ ^\^ ^^1'' *^^ *'^^'^*- If yo"'" never tell U 1 jng as you live and breathe, those solitaires in mamma's ears are nothing but paste, and were bough ,n the Palais Royal, " and Bessie pursed up her hps so disdainfully that Miss McPherson burst into^a laugh and stooping down, kissed the little face as she said : ^ ' truth always?^'*' ""^'^"^ ' "^''^'' *''^^''*'"' * '•^'*'" ' ^^^^^"^ *^® "^^^^ LITTLE BESSIE. 333 usy with the d smoothing lit Miss Mc- orn holes in Iking to her ilast. "You lave all you p, and " that beat of '. " Bessie ad a sled in e, and after lerson, and iidedly that 1 and about expression, s very nice ar he kisses and I can- lly like the id instead : your Aunt ply, which lassie, who ing at her lie centre ; amp. don't 18 you live but paste, ed up her augh, and bhe naked In the distance Daisy was seen returning with young Hardy, and risinsc to her feet, Miss Betsey said." " I must no now, child ; good-by. Try and be good and trnthful and real, and stick to your father, and sometime, maybe, you'll see me again," Then she walked swiftly away, and Bessie s^w her no more, but for days she talked of the queer old woman on the terrace, who had called her Betsey, and who had bade her be good and truthful and real, and stick to her father. Numerous were the questions put to her by her father and mother relative to the stranger, whose identity with tlie American aunt they scarcely doubted, and Archie was conscious of a bitter pang as he reflected that she had been so near to him and yet had not tried to find him. He had heard from Neil, who had spent a day at Stoneleigh a few weeks previously, that she was expected in Lon- don, and ho knew now how strong had been the hope within him that he would meet her and that she would do something for him. He was so tired and so ashamed of the life he led, now here, now there, now on the first floor front, now on the fifth floor back', now plenty, now penury and absolute want, according to Daisy's luck. For Daisy managed everything, and bade him take things easy and trust to her ; but he would so much rather have staid quietly at Stoneleigh with but one meal a day, and know how that meal was paid for, than to live what to his sense of propriety seemed a not very respectable life. But he had lost his chance. The one who might have made living at Stoneleigh possible had ignored him. She had been where he was, and had not sought him, and his face was very gloomy that evening as he sat in front of the hotel with Bessie in his lap, while Daisy walked on the terrace with Lord Hardy, and told him of the old woman on the sands, who must have been the American aunt. One week later and there came a letter from old Anthony, saying he had received a small package by express from London, directed to Miss Betsey McPherson, care of Archibald McPheraon. Shorld he keep it till his master returned, or ahouH he forward it to Aberystwyth ? Archie replied that he was to . --ward it, and two days later there came to him a small box, containing a lovely tur- quois ring, of five stones, unmistakably real, with a good sized pearl in the centre, and on the gold band was inscribed, " Little Betsey, lo — That settled the question of the donor, and Daisy laughed till ahe cried over what she called the old woman's spite. " Nasty old cat," she said, " why didn't she send some money instead of this bauble, which is a deal too large for the child. She can't wear it in years. I must say, though, that it is very beauti- ful, and the old thing did herself justice when she bought it. 134 BESSIE'S FORTUNE. thS'atS^'U^^lrril^'f'y T' ^ «'W«^ i* on to her 0O.M not- r V^Jl^ ^T^ ^ ^^S. Z ^£,^2: Bet'etdTild^Tintitl^aT^^^^^ - -^-h ever so much. " P^'"^' ^ S^* *he ring j thank you MfZ.:T kT';^ ITZ' ^^i°^-« directed to Allington, McPherson, whohalf expeS it a"nd X "'?K .T'''"^ ^y ^Mis^ blue, eyed child upon theParnds Ch in h;/'*^'^' '"'"'^''y ^^ ^^^^ be decent, as she said to Wlf anS L ^k? "**' ^^^ Prepared to letter came to her, or went to ArchL «ifhT ^ r'""^' ^*- ^»* «« disappointed, and' the chasm wSSied bet we'e^n " ''''' T^l^ ^^^^ putinft It to his aunt's peculia- nature Z^A H u™' >''°^'« »™- that Jezebel, as she stigmatised Dakvnfti? '*^« °'l*T!'S ^* *" *» exaggerated accounts &» tf b^o^K^.t^^^^^^ J^e' ™"* if J I I i CHAPTER V. -^T PENRHYN PARK. "TTTHEN, three years after that summer Mrs TanfoJ^ a -xi. VV of PenrhynPark MidAUal^ •■I j ,; ^^P*ajn Smithers, bald MoPherson to sSend a W - l" .u^': *"d ^rs. Archi: house, and meet the Hon John MoPh ^^ ^'l handsome country Jane, she did it in perfect fa?th and wIT'^'I •*'"'* ^'' ^'^^' the Udy as a matron of immacidate nrin.t^l ^'t^^^tire confidence in Daisy hadmetherthe P=t^^nK\^;ta^^rF?"*^^^^^ .^^' Daisy, who was suffering from a b^v^v^ZTa u *^^"rence, where the role of the interesting nvSid who 1 1 J '''' ^? ^""^'' ^^^^^^ a very short walk in the w'armest n'.rf n* .IT '^^"*, °"* ^^cept f or in the parlour in the ern'n? Xre ahe'm^r^V^^^'^P^^^^^^^ seated m a large easv-chair wifhhl^ sue made a lovely picture, helrd of K;, a'd EX„'SS„"°f L'^T";"^'' "I- ""^ ""er »n„ t :•? " intercourse with his indignant Xtive ' ^ ' ^""^ any further Daisy, on the contrary, was wholly unmoved. I^em, vtdi, vici," was her motto, which had proved tnip in «« many instances that she fancied she haH nnW + P^«^^^^ "ue m so Lady Jane face to face anrrquer her also ^ And I'.VV ^."!J^^^ a little nervons when, as the horfo^tLt^ain d?eVu ar she te^^^^^ to her room and commenced her toilet for dinner ' that^lVrbrjent:eTnTrm'iL*':L'^^^f undoubtedly heard and wonder how I gJt them?' ^ ^ ''' °''' circumstances, So the false diamonrlH wh!">i vsra-a 1 1 1 1 1 »ide, a, »a» eve^thii,' eie^lS oSlltt'if^u^TiL' AT PENRHYN PARK. 139 >me, you can '|^K.?lji^;;::t 'in: "£i::z^^^' -^^ r^-. at «. of which Daisy was so proud ^"^ ^ » y"''""^*^^ ^'"'"^ «" ^ ^knds, a.s hining „,.ss%t thriSof hex head^iid^r^' were gathered iil Pmk coral, Lord Hardv'« a\(l ^i. t V'^^ened with a comb of her throat^he w"e a wif ;J^," f« ^'^^ '" ^Mea with her. At jewellery of any kind exceo her w«iw ''*''"' '" ^'' ^'^^^ ^"ith "« quois which sh^ stillVpropr ated 1^^^'. fl^ ^'^«^'"'« *"^- her whole dress, and rothinrmor« hi ^ "l'^ ^^'""P'"'" t'^'^" sweet, girlish look whiTiv.^ ,"""^' ^"^ it gave her a . Mean^whi eM"e expt ted tJ^^Z^^^'^'^r^^^''^ an effect. n the hull as tl^y' ook fo s i^oTTi?' ^^^ Lady Jane was very tS and C\nl *^ /"T ^PP""'**' ^'^rs. from Edinb..rgh that dav and IZ' T '^i"'*'''' ^"'" "^^ ^ad come apartment with a ffelS^f coif^^?'^w""^ ^""^ Inxnvious .-adCe ;^r ctr r 'a^hS; S tfnS^ W'^^'^^^ f U'ne, has the room opposite his ^h« r^ ^^^1^' ^'"^ ^^e, I pre- here. John, wo are re'afly v ry comftrtabfe ' Mr "s 'T "? "^^« how to keep up an attractive house and ,-J^^''; ^"".^^ers knows h„a ?"'="'• """ '^"' ■"« '■'^ 80«e, LuyTne s., "' Christmaa tem7:;Seirwh^du'Ln'?t° ? "^' '?"''»■ »«'"«=' ki-'elf onc'^ll'dS wifaK^'h"?'' ^"Kl*"' '"'"'' ""om he would defend, no Jit?r rta™he dM'""" '""' '"' "' '""* """"^ >■» -r^k"™ "-her/we shall be'^e.t":'.?,.'" '"'™"'"^ •'""" "■"> up in his mind a v,»inn ^ " ^,,5^/®*^""^' .'^^<=5'»e said, conjuring Danion, and what he ate hL nS a'T^ "^"j' ^**««^« ^ ^is conf- resolution to <^rty thtpt 3 Xf" *"' *'"« ^« ^"""^^ *^^ 146 Bessie's fortune. ^^Ifl^la'^t^^^^^^^ -«oancl come pocket, Archie felt better and mrll" T^ ^"""^ ""*« ^^ ^a evening that even Ladv Tarl f '"'na-Jf so aggreable in the about Stoneleigh and hL H?e on tho'con7'''^^"f ' '^"^J^^'^^^ ^'"^ spent the most of his time Continent, wher. she knew he Bu^rt:nrrtoTft?Bt[on*. ^Til^" ^^' ^'^^ ^^ ^ ^y Mr. ^Jt^r^ - - eS= -^'K: St£ - cub who' tltst";oi?^:r, Jth T/';^^ r ^^^^' '^^^ ^-"^^ rose," Neil exclaimed " but hXnot 1 h^/A^''' ^f ^^!:r ** ^elt 'Tut* g'^ 'r. ''''''''■ I hopVh^L^tln?^^^^ ^"' ^"^ - mo^ht^nla^ fa"ktrp^r4*!rntr h^- ^"^ -r^^^-' '^ ^^^ he should remain in London wS V. ^^'.^T'^^ ^^^^ Neil, that where she met with Ladv T.,n« M pt "-''^'^^^ ^* ^^"''hyn P'^^k, ?^reatly, and with Daisv wlir^^^^'^T; ^^'""^ «'^« ^dmii-ed which manife^d iSrsonSlv«V'*?'^ ^°'' ^'^'^ ^"1^ ^«'l"«try that oven Mrs Sm Ko'T ^7 ''^^''''. *•'' "''^"^^l '^^ Lord Hardy «an to 1 "ok fo^Sl'SxXsl'r^^^^ was shocked and she b^: be freed from the presencforthe lady ^'^ "'^'"^''' ^'""^"^ ^""''^^ hal^^orU'en hl^I^lTen L'r 1 "' ?^ ^'^^*' -<* Daisy would But there was not • no friend vf ^ ° '''' *""^''P^ Stoneleigh. not return to LTnVon^VnSXoX m>?.Tto S?o "V • f " ^"^'^ resolved to remain where nh^ Zal r f ? ?,^oneleigh ; so, she his country-seat S iTeland and ?Ln ^ Lord Hardy returned to Archie and Bessie with her ' """"^^ ^'" *^"'« ^"^ take gu!rand'lXCshfwa'Tr^rl^^^^^^^ ''^ ."^ ^"^ '^ff-* * '- been bettor in her life and Ar^W J'^^^'^'/o'' «he really had never dismay as she ercted the rolt of ih« T '* f"^ ^^''^'^"^ '^«^ ^^^h tion. A little hackin^Pm,!^! ^ interesting invalid to perfec- finally, to Mrs. s3rs' htrT^"; ''l''? " P^"*^^ ^" ^^^ ^^^e, and August, unable to sii up but overwtir^ her bed the last week in ity to t'ravel, and fear Test she shonS h« ^;*^8"^f «* her inabil- ess, and outstay her welcome * ^"'^'" "P*^" h^'' J^««t- ers^'mld: tJ:Te7of*?t'*andrw" ^ '^ *" ^^'" *'•"«' ^I"' ^-ith- the Welsh McPhe" ot rela^ef !f/^^''^"«^* ^^P*^^*' ""*" «»ly herself to the north of Sc^lanfww'f ^*' '^"^^"^ ^"^ ^^«* '^^'^^ September. Fortunatelv T orH W f ^ "''^T' '^""^ *''« ""^^^^le of hadintended, and rrotet^Dl-«vt Jr" l^r " «««"«^ *han he was r«-H^ for them In I !^ !-^ ^^^ ^^'* husband that his hon-e ' ' **'^®' ^^'^ *^^" *^^*^ "^vaiid recovered her strength NINE TEARS LATER. 147 Stonelcigh md beein the „™^ S ?"■ '""Bh' ■"feii,fas:.e':LtL:^^^^ bread and ..HvelW ,.£ 1' Ihe'l^Sr t .t, ** t^^I tl,i??^''^ understood perfectly her mother's mode of life and knev that though she was not degraded in the striot BPnL If fi, I rSent;;L'r,L°d'„r umeen and unknown to Iheiert world^oSl ""TS^,*"-™ coming a,ain for the holiday, 11 Zltad'hU letter Sdr ■•Mv SWBETKST C<,o,„: and whl'l'^V,""; '^*l'»-, ttouguBlanehe i, jn„ as much my oonsin i.'you'-or^. mdl> in h;;' ling life, with ire was a sha- for the silly, tit w io flitted B best of com- old dowager, raelf with an dy was with ind knew her to shake her I he sent her rowed money i written to im to under- id her to do t a few hun- y of sending I spent it for vas, and was lough it was and Bessie, )ld at iStone- and Archie lid, and was ate the dry ' some large 9, and knev f the word, ure women irns for the a compara- i Neil, her d later the Stoneleigh, niing there i Neil was ar standing letting sun •inging out eil'a letter th, 18—. Jan it, fof I is in her June: years later. m let me kiss you as often arUiSr Z T^ \vTu'^"'^' ^^^ you now, when vou weir lom, irl ? ^V,^^ ^^^^^^ r'«« ^ call or at least wi^not ki s '^f baor^?'' ^''\"A^* '"^ ^iss you, that trip to London a year ago fast June y^" ^'^ befor« you made you then which shot youufintoa "r^^n^^'"!^';'"^ happened to Bessie. But how absuSy f a^wX^ ' W ^ ^'f t'"^ ^'"''""S lover, instead of your cousin onTv!^;, '^ *? '^ ^ ''^""^ y"""* Blanche. I suddoL m.uhl! iT' u"""^. ^' ^ood as engaged to marry that £17000" yl Ced toTv ^'^ "iT'^' '' '^^'' "«* but 7WUS verrons, what I wSh to ?«li t ^ ^^o»W»'t, you know ; to Stoneleigh fo^ the holidavs M^ / "T '"' *hatl am coming and Blanche to some stS nln^« '^' rf*"? ™« ^"^ ^o with hef had a jolly row about t'utfp^'eLTstSn^^^^^^^ "^ ^^^« may expect me on the 2'{rf1 r>» vf ''^"'^'^ ''^'^ y"" > »« you please fell old Sorothf to Ce ^ roTsUn S ?"' ''"™ ^^"^'"^ ' ^"^ you know is somethin/a'ter thfl t.M ? ^'^ ''? ""^ ^"'>'"' ^^i^h have plum puddin. alrd'cMott 'i^f o7£ j' Yo;/!^ V^^ myself quite at home at Stoneleicrh an,^ ?! ' ,^ ^^®' ^ "^ake good things of this world If] S'jf^- V''^ '^ weakness for the man i Sight be ^^rtd iioneTt hnlTe^iTZT.^T^''' ' '''''' stop^tt Sa\:;rt:h^t^V^\^^^^^^^^ *o name of I^gers-wIlVeTveTyrS^r^^^^^^^^^ ^^"^ ^^ *^e artJS^rtl'dVnXr%t^Ulr^^f'«^"^^^^^^^^^ isright ; it'isnotsoearytSepoc and^ '" ^T'. ^«" and the look of care habitual to R^,^!' f^^l "^ ""'* '"'^ht think," funds were very low'atSel:igh7r tJr„« ^-P«-d upon it, for Aitrel%Zt^l--^t^,^ I>aisy, and leaving nothing for extra 63 3 iTf *^T'^"*^ "«*=^«»''"^s. plum-Judding Ind chicken-pie and alM^ 'Tt^' *^ ^^'*' ^^*^ Christmas dinner such as Neil would expect ''""^' "^ ^ "^S"^*' Resuming the letter at last, Bessie read on : be with us at Christmas. He's an' Amlv!. n''"^"!'.*^'^' ^"^ ^"^ Boston-and the right sorfof a fe'low to ^^'"^u-^""^^^' f^«'« he did thrash me unmeJSuHy the first' ZL T * ^'^ "^.'^ *^*d' ^^ served me just right, and I .'«''"i.,l^'?!:i f '''^ ^^^ hun. He Eton, with me, and at Oxford too" anH 7^ t'tl ■'^?'- ' ''' *^»8 »* ~iu io both pw.. N„ttr;c,rj^,'i:a"ss ttz 150 Bessie's fortune. ! i more English than American, from having lived with ua so lon" wirtr^ttf^tsiet^^^^^^ and tlSeTXr-Xot^ " ^^^^^^ -kelt^dU^rii.Ie n il'Tote? rnS^r iTsil'l *^5 -reTeiJ^or^^Cl'^^^^ dinner, which LtTd^uSl^ne^ovtr' Whtl w ""^' *'^ /T« guesta were all eone Ladv rRn« tnrt ^ « , * ^"^ **^®^' »»^ *he asked who had kept hhn so Ite ""'^ ^''''^^ "?«" ^'' ««^ ^^d th:;'aT?S.^"^id^Toad'- an??^ ^^ *^« ^'*^ -*^ ^er fa- them. They really oufht to h' ^if^ ^u'^ y'*" ^""^d call upon tions, as thJy are5' ^""^ ^''' °"'' °^ ^ood rela- " Staying here ? Not if I L-nf.m rnv-cK t_ ., . , . , , bii.g .„.a„ with th»,n » " Udy- JanJ^^Uei: wS iS* S 154 BESSIE'S FORTUNE. No. Neil answered her. " She ia never with them , and Reg- Bie 18 no more hke h.r f hau you are. Sh« is the purest, and sweet J. a^ d best g,rl I ever knew and I do not think it woui.l hurt you or Bhiiiche either to pay her so.ne attention ; " and havinij said so ninch, the younK«.an k-ft th. roo.u i„ ti.u'e to escape Blache's tears and his mother's anj/er and reproaches The next day Neil w.is ,n a pe-.itent frame of mi„d, for. however mnch he might an^h at Blanche and her eyebrows, u.ul ridicule Ms moth-r s p ans for um in th a quarter, he was not at all n.ditferenJ to the ten thousand a year, and intended ultimately ., secure it Consequeutly he must not drive Blanche too far, for Ih. had a u n- per and a w.ll, and there was another cousin on; degree further re- moved than lamself. ago. -d-natured, good-for-nothing, fastidiois and highly aristocratic. Jack Trevellian, who was thirtf-Hve years old and a great favourite in the best society which London afforded' and who, If a great uncle and two cou.ins were to die without heirs' would becouie Sir Jack and who also had an eye on the ten thml sand a year. So Neil was very gracious, and sugared Blauche^s strawberries for her at breakfast, and read " Lothair" to her afteJ or ht r*!: 'ih"? r "'^ 1 '"'"'^ f" ^'T^' -^"d "«^«^ mentioned Bess e' or hinted that he would much rather be sitting with her on the old hair-c oth sofa in Mrs. Bunch's parlour than fn that elegantly!fur nished boudoir and when the liour fur driving came, and his mo- ther complained of a headache, and asked him to go ;ith BlancTie he consented readily, but suggested that she leave her pooX aJ home, as one puppy was enougu for her, he said And so about live o'clock the McPherson carri'age drove into the park ''««r Apsley House, and in it sat Miss Blanche, gorgeous in £ ;«i"n''^'' r^ white ace hat, with large solitaires in her eai" her red parasol held airily over her head and her insipid face wreathed in smiles, as she talked to her companion, the hfndsome Neil, whose dark face was such a contrast to her own, and whoTe- clned indolently at her side, answering her questions mechanically but thinking always of Bessie, and wondering if she were there in the hired chair, and if she would see him, or, what was more to the fh7prk fha't^tiiir ""'' ^'"^"-" ''' ^"^^^-'^^ -^^^^ *^-^'^ wifh'TlT^h*^''"' ^"•^ I»ad been for more than an hour, sitting with her father near one of the entrances from Piccadi Iv and h« A ""conscious of the attention she was attracting with her ^rJ; . 'h ''Ar""« u^**'"' her animated gestures and eager re- marks to her father as he watched the passers-by, and woSered who was who, and wished Neil was there to tell her ''*'"^«'^^** /Uhll!ri^jr.i'!?°!!fA'L^?l-^ '-«**ke a barmaid for vfiio Was stand- one. she said : and then a pleasant-looking man, THE VISIT TO LONDON. 155 to us. " " "^'^^ ' ' ^^^l^'. and It la all quite new notl,i„g i,„t™ti„„„"„ it " «l"ural.„,i, which ye* had raeli, aiid this a «.u I la Iv nf ? !.fi earl and this the famous Dis- andthis.auchostLndStPrS^^ * ^— beauty, wal^ria\t'S^urr", ''^"^^^''^ ■^'-««»' f- everybody and said out wh^tle 'E ur'^rhrtl^Ld"^^^ ""'r^^^^^' were very ordinary-looking oeonLlfflr 1/ '^^ "u'^ S'"'*"^ ^amoa dovvager whorode^raSrSw^^^ and that the fat old hind, and a face as red as a be« L„a ' ^ Powdered footman be- that old Dorothy would h.v« In 1^ a^ T^^ ^, ^^^ tishwonian, and this representafcS^St^^^^^^^^ ''^ ''^ ^^^ -«h- t^aa said rtu'Bl^e:u;d^e^^f tC^ ^^^^--^^^ «^-=-^ among the crowd and a hn.r^f^' ^'^? ""^ "" """'«" murmur princLappear:d'i„TiL%idSgB,o:rafdS •' '"^'^' • "''^ *^« the right and to the left ^ ^' ^'"'^"'^ K'^aciuusly to go^toTltremberT,' ^UXu td Lfd ^b^T ^^'^ ^^ ^^^ herself an idiot as the Am'^rrr.a i ^ ""'"^ *b°"* ""* mailing sumed her seat; Z the c.\mt^^^^^^^^ ^^d. she re^ in her way, «nd all she saw of 7hrnr? ^"^ the Americans stood ders and long, slender neck with th« ''' T,.^«/ « "Pi"g «houl- It was two l^d, and'^fiSe co'u J strttyTe^Vback't A'"'' '^ eagerly scanning fhl^c-^---^ -; .be^i'^t ^er ^^'^ McPherson. thought of whom made WsLStC'a^'BtaL^^^^^^^ *'^ ^^^^ it beat in all her life. Blanche had neyer w.ade 150 besssie's fortune. There they come ! That's he ! that's Neil my cousin." Bessie exclaimed, and forgetting all the proprieties in her excitement, she rose so quickly that her old-fashioned hat fell from her head and hung down her back, as she went forward three or four sfceos and waved her handkerchief. Neil &aw her, as did Blanche and many others, and a frown dark- ened his face at this unlooked-for demonstration. Still he was struck with the wonderful picture she made, with her strikingly beautiful face lit up with excitem ant, and her bright wavy hair gleaming in the sunlight, as she stood with uncovered head waving to him the fashionable Neil NcPherson, whom so many knev>% His first impulse, naturally, was to lift his hat in token of recog- nition, but something m his meaner nature prompted him to take "°<"«ru®' ^^^^^ Blanche said, in her most supercilious tone • Who was that brazen-faced girl ? Your cousin Bessie ? " Yes, my cousin Bessiq," Neil replied, and turned to make the bow he should have made before. But Bessie had disappeared, and was sitting again by her fataer. adjusting her hat and hating hersnlf for having been so foolish Neil was angry, I know. I saw it in his face, and I was an idiot," she thought, just as the stranger, who had watched the proceeding with a highly-amused expression around the corners of his hausrhtv mouth, said to her : " "^ 11 ^"""^J^l"^ ^""'^ McPherson, then? You call him your cousin." u- f! XT -f ."® answered, a little proud it may be of the relation- ? tK-' . , , ^^ '"y cousm, or rather the cousin of my father, who 18 Mr. Archibald McPhcson, from Bangor, Wales." She meant to show her companion how respectable she was, even If her dress, which she was sure he had inspected critically, was poor and out of da ie, and she was not prepared for his sudden start as he repeated : ' "Mr. Archibald McPherson, of Bangor ! Then you are the da*ighter of that— he checked himseif, and added, '«' I have met your mother at Monte Carlo," and he drew back a step or two as if he feared that something of the mother's character might have communicated itself to the uaughter. And Bessie saw the move- ment, and the change of expression on hia face, and her cheeks were scarlet with shame, but she lifted her clear eyes fearlessly to his, and said : j j^ ^ " Yes, moth ris a monomaniac on the subiect of olav It i« a. species of insanity, I think." ^ ^' Her voice shook a little, and about her mouth there settled the grieved and Porry look which touched the stranger at once, and coming chtse w her again, he said : "Your mother is a very beautiful woman. I think she has the loveliest face I ever si ■ , with one exception," and he looked straight THE VISIT TO LONDON. 167 ■J lias tne ^t^ mi\?l:'e^'" ^« ""^^ --'^^d, hoping this implied com- ^a.o. the sea 5^.^^]^ SpS^ JlSv^^i^?^^ who had probably euL^S^^ZV! fu^^ made sport, a woman expressed it. Bess"e Ww S f^^^- *""".', ^' ^"*^ ^""^^ have dients resorted to by her moTh«r/ "^^'''^'^ '^.^^^^^ '«"« "^ «^P«- cards, chess, bets ^ilonTna^ 1 ^""u'^ "'^"^^ ^'^'^'" ^^^ ^^''t^s ! an invalid husband^fijiX^-r^^^^^^^^^^ rh^-TK^ l-eep his wife arhome " "'"''' ^'' ""^'"'^^ authorities, and was leadmg. and'st^ in'her'^ftme " *' ^"^ "^ ^'^^ ^^« «^« you W'chni IhTvon^'*^ T/ ^r^ ^^d ^"«^«^^d her. ''Do if itwerenotSl':^Your°?a?herh^" '"""^'^^ *.« ^^* °^ ^^-••. his life, and never ^ill. It L not in him ''wr^^ ' '^"""^ "' body, and somebody must work [f I am'fhT *'\°^'"^, «v«ry- to do it in my own way and I ;», Lf f^ that somebody, I choose male Lady Jane thinks' me to h^ «»* the h.ghly.demoralized fe- Oakley, plays at Monte Carlo «. I' ^^"^ ^*''*^" ^"'^"•^' ^'^ Lady dames^L^AntriLt toA"hat"matterT '"'''"''''^ ^"^^^^ scores of women, exceut thpfT o. / T "° "^^^^^ than while they do it for DistfLlV P«»^ ^nd play for necessity, no man has ever in^Xdm^t'-^^ < would shoot hTm as I wouS al^ Z ,T T' ^'*"- " ^^ '^^'^ they do is to admire and flnH.^ ^' "^ ^^^^ ''""^ 't, so the most times. I canlTreln beinl nLI? '' ^"^ '"^ ^""^^«^ things some- sew myself up in a W andT«n ^ VV T'" *'^*" y«" 5 ^ '^'^"""t do not worr7me LZ'about S ;rl '^^ *^'"*'^^ the small-pox, so 158 Bessie's fortune. added burden of care and anxiety, and with a resolve that she would use for herself personally just as little as possible of the money her mother sent them. Often and often had she speculated upon and tried to fancy the class of men her ni & j » li "S° ^°^ '^"'^^ "'y mother well? Did you evcr-play with '\^^\^f^^<' he replied ; "side by side at rouge et noir, and at cards and chess, when slit was sure to beat. She bears "a charmed Jiand, 1 think, or she would not be so successful. " ,^f,^^^.^os*"i"neybyherthen, and Bessie at once found her- flelf thinking if she only knew how much, and who he was, she would pay it back pound for pound when she made her fortune • .u * ^*'^i"f 'f^"** ""* ^*y ^^^ entertained a belief that somewhere in the world there was a fortune awaiting her; that little girl of fifteen summers, who sat there in Hyde Park, in her old washed linen dress and faded ribbons, with such a keen sense of pain in her heart for the mother who bore her, and pity for herself and her father. The latter had paid but little attention to what she was saying to her companion, for when he was not engrossed in the passers-by he had been half asleep, but when he caught the names rouge et noir and cards, he roused up and said ; " Sir. my daughter has never played for money in her life and never will." "I am sure she will not," the stranger rejoined, " though many highly^respectable ladies do ; " then, as if he wished to change the subject, he turned to Bessie and said : ^' If Neil McPherson is your cousin there ought to be some relationship between you and me for he 18 my cousin, too." " v^""^* ^ " '^^^^'" 'i^sked in some surprise, and he replied : "Yes, my father und hia mother were cousins. I am Jack Tre- vellian. Y'.n have probably heard him speak of me." '' No," Bessie replied, with a decided shake of her head, which told plair ly that neither from Neil or any one else had she evpr heard of Jack Trevellian, who felt a little chagrined that he, the man of fashum, whose name was so familiar in all the higher circles of London, should be wholly unknown to this girl from Wales Trulv, she had much to learn. But she did not seem at all im- pressed now. or embarrassed either, though she looked at him more closely and decided that he resembled Neil, but was not nearly so good -looking, .and thjvt he was so avv fully old. "You know my Cousin Blanche, of course," he said to her next. You must have seen her when you visited at Neil's father's." THE VISIT TO LONDON. 159 Blanche. ^"^ ^® ^""^^ '* ^*^ mamed the proud mt Teas thaH W ^f'' ' ^ "^^^hing more than a brother, some- all that, and Jack Trev^Sfelt airp!.?'* ?'^ P'^^tty .hand for 5Sin.ia/E:^X'^:-^--i:-^^ for youTh'K:ltl?in V"-. ' ""fe \"°"^^'^« --^^hing more uporyor^with Nell i^hp aJ:?"^ "*• P^'-hapa you mil let me caU Ku/ u • , ' . "® added, as he saw a flush in Bessie's faoo Ihat girl has the loveliest face I orer -om u ;„ „„ «.,n -f neas arms : a\vCOl- and itZr' '".^ P^?"'' ^^"* y«" "^"*"* Volake'LV in your and pity her, and make much of her, as a child who has been '4\ 160 Bessie's fortune. i-iccactUly toward Grosvetior Square and TreveUian House. " H- i I' ^1 I CHAPTER VIII. nbil's discomfiture. M^o^^!^?^^5 ^>*.^ ^^^ *?"^^"g «» i" "« ^ery envious frame n,n.« fi? V," r', f ?''^ ' '*'^^^'^^ demonstration had annoyed Wm more than he liked to confess. Why had she made such a ZectacS of herself ? and how oddly she had looked inding there fn that o^d Imen gown with her hat hanging down her ^ack, and such a hat * He had noticed it m the gardens and th. ught it quite out of stvle " and had even detected that the ribbons had been^roned ' But h^ allr -.t'f as much about it, or her gown either, when he was jlT«r*\^T'*'.-^.^'^ ''^^ when there was all his worid tolee and Blanche to criticise, as she did unsparingly. «K 1 T *u"^i 1 y°V?«« *old me she was very pretty," she said • Didt tnSJ'r\^"^^*^^*^^^'^'^^^y ^••«««' and^are'^headed too ? Neil could have sworn, he was so angry with Blanche and wi+h Ji^^^^r^ '^'',?rf-"y^T^«'^h« got hTi into thi mess He trieS to make himself believe that he intended to take Bessie and W father for a drive in the park, but he should nofdo it now jJoba- % the linen govm was the only one Bessie had brought with he? and the elegant Neil McPherson, whose clothes alwafs came from wS'm™ SJundv^'^*,r ™"°h 1 -«'« PerBond apfearan e and wnat Mrs (rrundy would say, could not face the crowd with that gown at his side, even if Bessie were in it. She would never know It, perhaps, but she had lost her chance with Neil, who neverthe less, hated himself for his foolish pride, and when hTd^ive 7^^" he shortened as much as po8«ihlo woa^,.^- h« l*.f- pj t ■ home .lone, .„d Ul^i^g >.l^-i^,i7ir.i^li.t 'otf„^™tt.3 i I NEIL'S DISCOMFITURE. JQI oVlLn^it^^^^^^ ;y tty chip hat, with a wreath Abingdon road, and tLn fSn! th„f ^'1 T\^" ^^'''''^ ^* ^^^~ pride in which he miS^ have"ndnri^" had atoned for any false good fellow after all, he started for ^L"' '''"'^,,"'^* ^^ ^^^ ^ Pretty he found his coushl Jade ^''"''' ^^""«' *« hi« ^"rprise. When d^a yonVeturn r' """'^ ' " ' *^°"g^^* ^^^ --e in Ireland ! resS't^ y?.;"di ' "L'k C '''' '/"' ^"u«* "° *™« i" Paying „,y Bla'nche anHentVort^d, :S!:i^tnZ.t "" '^°" ^^-^ ^^ '^^ ner, which always exasperated Neil I i ^' P'-^f ""'^ing man- periority over him, as 'f he wpr« 'a '^ I" '* '"'^ ^» ^i"- «f «»- made much of. ' "^^"^^ ^ "^^^^ W, to be noticed and and talked together ntSinnerwT ""^"^ ^'''?'°"« *° ^^'^ "ther, his arm to Blanche o whom h! 7 .Tu"""^"!' ^^^" ^^^^ offered Neil was jealous at once Tven thonlf ?™S^ bo aadduoualy that not care a penny. And he knew J^ofn-^ ^J^'^f " ^«^^«" ^^^ did was surrounded by the eolden T-^ln f .'^ Tu ^'*^'''' ^^<=«P* «» she had not made up h^ minH wT./l u^ *^" thousand a year. Neil with the incumb?ance or noT bufh^' ''T^f *>* ten thousand who managed to get the best' of L. "f?^'"^^ ^^.^ "«* ^^'^t Jack cloudy, Jd he befle ve'silent uS 1 ?f 'l '"^. ^^^ ''^'^^ ^^«^ him, startled him by saying ' '^ ^^^ watching li^^M bMia:^^^^^ ^^^'l - of that pretty ^j.^ Whom do you mean?" Neil asked savagely, and Jack re- dCv^\;!!U„-« -"di"s h;^cUfhet';; -sth^Xn^^^^^^^ it wat"l^abrd^'XctS"d" " ^'^,^^^ ^-" ^ ™-^ thing ; she described the scene wth .^6^1^' T"^ *"''?1^*« Lady Jane really too ridicu'oua '"she s-ii 1 - h. « f ""'" of detail. ■ Tt was spicuous, waving hei- ha^^lkerchief wf.'), ^'' standing there, .o con- abundant hair, and that old Sn,^ ''' \'^^ ^^'^ *« ^^^^ her some years' serVice I was ntilvSifi^i".'^\"^"«^ ^^^^ «^«n see her, and so was Neil '' "'^"^^^^^ mortified to have our friends I io notl?r":ri?; l^f^ -t. mortified at all ; I liked it, an. Bessie, and lying easily and fl.,«nVll'*f ' ^""«»"^,"P i" defence of made him very angry ^' ^""^ Blanche's cruel remarks BESSiE's FORTUNE. " Oh. you did like it then ? Blanche retorted ; while Lady Your face told a different sxry," ^ Jane, forfeiting her dipnity, com- menced a tirade against both B sHie and Ue;- another, the latter of nrhom she cordially despised. (Jf the girl aho knew nothing, aiie Baid, butit was fair to suppose she was like her nother -md she did not blame Blanche for feeling shocked at such unmfvidenly ad- vances in public to a y oiing man. Had Neil been a fev,- years younger he would 1 avn nailed hh mother a fcol. as he had done more than once in his boyhood ; Ivii he could no: do the/, now , and turning to Jack, who had been quietly eating his dmner Ii,; gaid : "Jack, what 'io you thivik of Bessie ? Is she a bold hussy, and ought Blanche • o ■nvdiAi licr red parasol because Bessie' -; eyes have rested upon it ? ' ThuH apjealad to, Jack looked up, with an amused smile on his face, and said : i " I don't quitf believe Bessie's eyes did rest on Blanche . parasol. I thought they were on you, and envied you as a lucky do,u Seri- ously though," he continued, as he saw the thunderous gleam in Neil's eyes, and the look of triumph in Blanche's, " it did not occur to me tbat there was anything bold or unmaidenly in what the young lady did, and I never sa"' a more beautiful tableau than she made, standing there in the 6,> shine, with her bright, wavv hair, and her lovely, eager face. She is very beautiful, and I am so glad I have seen her. They are stopping at ." He hesitated and looked at Neil, who, grateful for his defence of Bessie, unhesitat- ingly replied : " No. , Abingdon road, near High street. " " Thank you, " Jack said, making a mental memorandum of the place, with a view to call, even if Bessie had said he had better not. After this little skirmish, the dinner proceeded in peace, so far as Bessie was concerned, for Jack Trevellian was a kind of oracle, whose verdict could raise one to the pinnacle of public opinion, or cut him down to the depths, and if he said Bessie was not bold, nor brazen-faced, then she was not, though Lady Jane, and Blanche disliked her just the same. Neil, on the contrary, forgave her fully for the annoyance he had felt, and immediately after breakfast the next morning h ^ started for Mrs. Buncher's. Bessie was trying on the hat when h She had received the box only a few moments before readily guessed that N«il was the donor, and had in t his motive. " He was ashameo . ny old gown and hat ; an . . , the worse fur the wea^, and looked very shabbj ^ -mg dresses in the park. But they are the best I have, > o ': •^^ered. had divined a rather the hne I make ce he had "^ started . i;;*'«red. -^ had ■ divined : 1 8 rather ; the fine z I make NEIL'S DISCOMFITURE. jgjj asaociatiou. Thevhad bepn wnrf ; *i! *'' ,^^*''' because of the and other pla,ces CallyTsrenutaSl^ . Tu ""'■'' "^ ^°"*« Carlo have put them on than ah« Si if ' T'^ ^^««*« «o"Jd no more In he? linen dreTs *trich she'had ^"'^1 "^^^ '""^^^'''^ ^"^^ItB roses by the ladies who freoutnt«d f h« » n '*^ "JJ^^V^^ l^'^'d her for respectable. But thtSftV^mmi U^T^'^ «^ ^^^^ F^^e and keep, for her father said so and vo ^^ • i rf '"' ?^^ ""^^'^ ""K^t herself, or rather the hat, ^A^^X^'^ Z^^^S like t";est%u'r\t'^rta!^^^^^ *^ '^^^ ^'^^^ " ^* i*' ^ -^ you are sweet and fresh fh;. • * ^*'°°™® ^o"' ^^ough ! Why leighgarden!'- and thetaH v^ "! " """? ^'^'''" ^^e^old StonS ing gfrl two or three thaesbeZf T ^^^^r'^-Tf ^^^'^'^ the blush- him. " Why, Bear'^resaid - wW T^'^ withdraw herself from morning. You did not use'^ 7^^** ^ ^'nP ^^ dignity you are this What his happened?" *'' """^^'^ «« when I kissed you. weulte'hidX'XTjtkS^ «h« knew very said of Neil and Blanche had onenpH i''" \^ *°H^«^ *h** ^umou^ made her older far thtsheZTeforJ'Zn^ur^ of thought, and mg her as if she were a child ' ''^'^ ^'''' ^®" *° he kiss- knew, and after she had thankfdN^fl'f *.r ^. ^^« ^^^^ed she he were very angry with her ?h!^ Neil for the dress, and asked if attention, aL he^Id «worn t wL n^^^^ *T"F *° ''''"'' ^'» «"!g"J*'Proceeding,-she burst out ' *^'"^^ '* ^*« ^^*J^«^ » TrevelliaS^o" b;r/elS:vrd*^^^^^^ ^r. Jack and he eaid ""^ yesterday and told me who the people were, hal'hrtot^i&hL'nse'lte^o"^^^^^^^^^ " What busines.' ' What do I want of thoseS tiC ^ ^Tl ^'^^''^^ ^ Never ! who know you ?" ^ eyebrows and that pointed chin-I, seetd%S\Sgre;''and"btufe ^- -hich some pure saint to wKn thTeate of pT a^ '?°"? "^^ *he face of Then it occurred to NeU suddenlv thaf S •'" ^^' J"'* ^^'"^ «P«««d. W-Y- .". girl of fifteen and more wLh an '''' "^^^ ""* '"' "^'^'^ She older than her years • and semlh L !,« ^""^'^'^T ^^^^^ '"-de her l.ke to have her^ook'at 'i^t:!!;: tl^^^t^^^^^ -^.^Tf^^! 164 Bessie's fortune. that he must not encourage it. He had told her he should never marry Blanche, when in his heart he supposed he should, for as there was no money in his own family, and he could not exist with- out it, he must marry Blanche, and forget the sweet face and soft blue eyes which moved him with a strange power, and made him long even now to fold Bessie in his arms, and, young as she was, claim her as something more than a cousin. But, always politic and cau- tious, he restrained himself, and said to her instead : " I do not believe I shall ever marry anybody, certainly not for many years, and you and I will be the best of friends always, brother and sister, which is better than cousins. Do you consent ? " "Yes," Bessie answered, falteringly, not quite understanding him, or knowing whether she should like the brother and sister arrangement as well as the cousin. Then they talked together of what Bessie had seen in the park and she told him all Jack Trevellian had said, and how kind he was' and how much she liked him until Neil felt horribly jealous of his cousin, who he wished had staid in Ireland at least while Bessie was in London. , " Oh, it must be so fine to drive in a handsome carriage with the crowd. I wish I could try it. Does it cost so very much?" she asked, and Neil detested himself because he did not at once offer to take her and her father for the coveted drive. " Could he do it ? " he asked himself many times, deciding finally that he could not face his fashionable friends, and, more than all, his mother and Blanche, with these country cousins, Archie, i" his threadbare coat, and Bessie, in her linen gown, with the big puflis at the top of the sleeves. Had she been less beautiful he might venture it, but everybody would look at that face and turn to look again, and wonder who she was, and question him about her. No, he couldn't do it, and so he went away at last, deciding to take the underground road to St James Park, and meeting, as he was entering; the station, Jack Trevellian coming out, " Hallo, Hallo ! " was said by each to the other, while both looked a little conscious, while Neil burst out, impulsively, " I say Jack what brings you over here ? " j » » " The same which brought you, I dare say," Jack replied. " I am going to call upon your cousin." I* The deuseyou are ! I thought so," NeU answered, in a tone of voice mdicative of anything but pleasure. " Have you any objections? " Jack asked, and Neil replied : ^ ",^?~y^^' '^^^^- ^^^^ »''® »« good— yes, better than most of the fellows in our set, but " He hesitated, and Jack reioined • "Bat what? Goon." J «« . JACK AND BESSIE. 166 coul?/ ■'"'y'o; Z^aZtoTMl ^^\^r""""«^' eoing close to his girls-who lauXanrrrLnd IV? '^' accustomed to all sorts of and never thi.^ nf Ik ■ l^^ y*"" '"*'^« 8°^* speeches to them baby, and believes all you say ai?d .n1 " ^n»f<=«»t and p„re as a harm a hair of her Wrf rn k' *"d-and-By George, Jack, if you stand ? '' '^'^ ^ " ^^'''* y"" "^to a pomace ! You under- with you. Good momTnL; < " .nH '^ "'''" 1' *« '''^^ ^^^^ me as direction of AbingTo^r^d Sl VT"^';,*'^ ^^^^^^^^^ "P^" ^^e his ticket, and went thrZh Th« ^''^ "**^'' unwillingly bought to wait for the incom Si t Sn °'"""^ ^"^ ^""^ ^^^"^ *^« «**i" CHAPTER IX. JACK A.SD BESSIE. M^US^h^rttTdtrs tZ:'''''''VP^- '^^^ lovely roses, wSmi'ed the rnnm -^f o^amented by a bowl of harmonize so perSctlv wkh th„^ ' P^'^"™^ *"^ ^^^""^^ *» table and darni^Tg what wonS «n ^ ^u""^ «""^ ^'^^^"g "ear the herrfather's coat She had SL^^^^^^^^^ * ^- ^" ^'^ *^« ^^^^^ «' Neil left her sat down to her tS wl\* *^* morning and as soon as tially coveringher linen dress and ^rrTf ^"^ P'"^"'' ^^^*« ^P'-O" Par- Bessie always^wore aprons7n th. £ *^^ improving her appearance. mere than once o^eTto it as h« ««!H ** ^Tl'- *^^"8h Neil had house-maids an ; ^ t to ladies '""^ *^'"S' ^«^«°g«d to anLt^eVaTd 'lust'"andTni'r^ T'^ *^^ ^"^«««°«'" father siiid, rousing up from the half-dozing con- dition m which he was most of the time, "you are hugging a de- lusiun witli regard to Neil. Ho is well enough, and very kmd in a w»y when It costs hi.u nothing, but he would never sacrifice hia ^3ouifort or his feelings for you or me. We aro his poor relations fro. I the country ; we are nol like his world, or that powdered piece oi vanity who was with him yesterday. It would cost him nothing to take you for a drive, for the carriage is his mother's, but you couldn t hire hun to go round that park with us ; he has just that talse pride more common in w...nen Jian in men, which would k' >d him from It. He likes you ver> much— at Stoneleigh, whero t.^ re 18 none of his set to look on, but here in London it is very different He might take us to niauy places, if he would; but he dares not. est he shoui.i be seen. He can send you a blue silk dress, which 1 half wish you had returned ; no one will know that, and it quiets his conscience, and he can come here and make your pulse beat fas- ter with his soft words and manner, which mean ho little • but other attentions we must not expect from him. I teli vou this' mv child, because you are getti.ig to be a woman. You were fifteen last winter. You are very beautiful and Neil McPherson knows it. He likes you md if yoi had ,- ortune he might seek to be more than your cc n ; b.. as it is, ..n't attaca much importance to what he says and uoes, or be disappointed at what he does not Bessie did not replv f , the great lump which h d risen in her throat as her father puc into -vord', what in pait she had sus- pected, but tried to hgiit down. She did not wish to beH-e that Neil had a fault, she liked him so much ...d still she felt that her father might be right about the pride, .i that Neil was ashamed of them. Something m his m, ^er si.vje they came to London, would indicate a« much, and hti ,rt « very sore wi ii a sense of something lost, and there w te.- on her long eyelashes as hhe bou over the darn, too mm .bsoi Oi d in her own sa.j thoughts to hear the step on the stairs, or know that any one w;. comintt untU there was a tap at the open door, and looking up she saw Jack Irevelhan standing there before her. Mrs. Buncher, who was ner own waitress, had bidden him " go right up," when he would have preferred to send his card, and ar^ha w^nf nr. ««j «» *u„ j ajar he stood for an instant on the upper landing, and heard Archie ■ay . JACK AND BESSIE. and thread- in his dresa- : tliat dress things, but d ! [ wish oney of his dozing con- Lging a de- fy kind in a sacrifice hin r relationa, dered piece liui nothinj^ 's, but you 8 just that would k' ip kvhert) ti: re ry different, dares not, resa, which nd it qniets Ise beat faa- little ; but u this, my vere fifteen 'son knows seek to be importiuice e does not sen in her e had sus- el^'/ e that It tiiat her IS ashamed o London, ' it a sense ^elashes as raiig to her eyes, and she forgot that until yesterday she tlid nut know tliore was such a person as this elegant man making hiniHolf so much at hi>ino with them ; forgot everything except tlie pltasure it would be to drive with her father in Hyde Park, and bo one of them," as she expressed to her- self. " Then Neil has not asked you, and you will go with me ? "Jack said, addressing himself to Aichie, who replied : *' If Bessie likes— yes ; and 1 thank you so much. You are giv- ing my little girl a greater pKiasure than you can ever guess." Meanwhile the colour had all faded from Bessie's face, leaving it very pale, as she stood with ulasped hands and wide-open ey'es, looking hrst at herself in the glass and then at Jack. She was thinking of her old linen dress and hat, and of her father's clothes. Neil was ashamed of them, her father said, and she believed him, though it hurt her cruelly to do so. Would not Mr. Trevellian be ashamed of them too, when he came to realize the contrast there was between them and the people of his set who daily frequented the park ? " VVliat do you say, Miss McPherson ? Will you go 1" Jack asked, and she answered quickly. "I'd like it, oh, so much, so much ; but I thought— I am quite sure we had better not ;" and as she thus gave up the happiness she had so coveted, she burst into tears— tears for her poverty, and tears for Neil, who had not been so kind to them as this stranger was. " Why, Bessie," her father said, " what is the matter ? I thought you wanted to drive." " I do, I do," she sobbed ; then, with a quick, impatient move- ment she dashed the tears from her eyes, which shone like stars as she lifted them bravely to Jack Trevellian and said, with a tinge of pride in her tone, " I should enjoy the drive more than anything else in the world, and it was so kind in vou t • ask us ; but, Mr. Trevellian, you don't know what it wouldlbe to j ou to be seen there both BeMBie 10 previuuB londod and ore, 1 8up- uheeka as continued. 1 the park ;ht face to 'orgot that urn as this ini ; forgot her father ad to her- ae ? " Jack 111 are giv- es8." leaving it l)en eyes, She was ■'s clothes, ived him, vellian be raat there requeuted i,ck asked, quite sure )iness she erty, and I stranger I thought ut move- e stars as a tinge of anything but, Mr. een there JACK AND BESSIE. 169 S/t:: J^r'e^ra'nUC': tei^"''* ^'^^ ] ^e *^'««-» ■' the ribbons are all faded and poor ustTwTJ "",^*'^"," ^^ ^'^^ *he and as she talked she s^ped to I, Jh Js%id^^^^ ^^'}'' "^'"^ ^ • " arms around his neck latfters side and wound her -oX^."de\rrhelLtr"ltittveT/ r\^^^«^ -^ power, bringing a moisture to'hire^yr3Xttts\:f„o'; StrK Anit'Uu'^hSnTa?; forlrifl: ^l'\^^ *^« ^'^ darned coat ? I would rather ?^e Zr hLn^own . ^ •' ^ ..^- *""y"" ^""^^^^^ 7- in it. than the mU^il^r J^l^^Ton^'^;; tryM onf ;n'/^i72u7t" tstl'* *^^^^^^^ ««. -^ Jack staid on and and in Australia and then W^ ? ^^"^ °^ ^'' *™^®1« i" ^^e East, of the old TreveVan h?Z'>thTnTr^'h o^F ^^ 7 ^^y- ^^^P^^^e der. Trevellian Castle TwL caCrl V ^"8^*"*^, near the bor- the family for year^ "*' ^^ '"<*' ^^^ i* had been in i«^:prcrLd^K;;Tnd*^^^^^^^ -ond cous. who is six feet three inche, hi^h a^^ n "'^ """"^ especially Hal, giant in fact. Then there is a'vT. ""^^ P«>Portioned. Quite a dith, Flossie we S her she is so^lS^ T^ ^T• ^^^^ence Mere- a cousin, at least to me thou«^h «J if ^^"^^^ ^"«"- ^he is not r..lative of Sir Pauf s wife ?h« n .r^'' Tr}^^^' ^^^ i« a distant adopted by her when she^al': Sv" F oSf • ^^ ?^' ^"^ ^'^ reramd me of her excent thaf ^r,. i ^" ^^^ ^^^® '^ ^^^^^J^' and you a lovely woman, a' JZelodv'B hea^" "n ^T^'\ She will make of these days. " ^^n^eDody s heart will ache on her account one HomrFltWeStW: Wsh Y'^"^ *\^«««^« '' ^^*"« ^ol- like Bessie McPherson, eLept tL?l^?' ^^^ \*« "«* i» *ho least true, and said out what aS t' SuuH 3 '""'"h ^^^ ^'^^^"^' ^"^ coat or scrubbed the floor if nereisar:'!^ TV^"^ ^^T« darned a sitting there by Bessie and th^Tif ^" ^e only knew that he liked kept|nandon^yaro:'to go whl L" Wd"^"-,^^^^^^ T** «° ^« «XVe"o^n^"^^^^ *^«* ^- Bl?he?^4rbe^;i^^^^^^^ J— Pg Ari^et^rhri^^^^^^^^ plied softly ; " "' "* ' ""^^ •^'"»' gonej and Bessie re- " Yes, father ; very different '" K 170 BESSIE S FORTUNE. About half-past four that afternoon Mrs. Buncher was utterly amused to see a smart carriage, with handsome horses and servants in livery, drive up before her door, and still more amused to see her lodgers take their seats in it, Bessie and her father, side by side, and Jack Trevellian opposite them with his back to the driver. It was a glorious June afternoon, and the park was, if possible, gayer and more crowded than on the previous day. The excite- ment incident upon the passing of the princess had subsided, when the carriage turned in at the marble arch and joined the moving throng, which Jack scarcely noticed, so absorbed was he in watch" ing Bessie's face as it sparkled and shone with eager joy and excite- ment. How beautiful she was in spite of the brown linen and the sleeve cuffs which had so annoyed Neil, and while watching her Jack felt his heart thrill with a strange feeling he had never ex- perienced before in all ;his intercourse wn'th women. She was so fresh, and sweet, and natural, and enjoyed everything so much that he felt himself grow young again, and found himself mentally subtracting fifteen from thirty-five and feeling rather appalled at the result. After they had been in the park ten minutes or more and were nearing a curve, he saw a sudden flush in Bessie's face and a gleam of triumph in her blue eyes as she looked ahead of her. Neil was coming from the opposite direction, he was sure, and in a moment the McPherson turn-out appeared, with Neil nitting as Jack sat, ' is back to the horses and his mother and Blanche oppo- site. The latter saw Bessie first, and giving her a haughty stare, spoke ({uickly to Lady Jane, whose stare was even more haughty and supercilious. Neither bowed even to Jack, but Neil lifted his hat with such a look of undisguised astonishment and disapproval on his face that Jack laughed merrily, for he understood perfectly how chagrined Neil was to see him with Besfde and know that he was d(nng what should have been done by him. And Neil was cha- grined and out of sorts, and called himself all manner of names— a sneak, and a coward, and a fool, while to Jack he gave the name fool with an adjective prefixed. He did not even hear what his mother and Blanche were saying of Bessie until he caught the words from the former. "She has rather a pretty face ; " then he roused up and rejoined : " Rather a pretty face ! I should think she had. It is the love- liest face I ever saw, and I'd rather have it beside me in the park than all the faces in London ! " " Reely ! " Blanche replied, with an upward turn of her nose. " Suppose yuu got out and join them; there is room for you by Jack." "r wish 1 could." Neil growled, and then he relapsed into si- lencu and scarceiy spc' again until they returned to Grosvonor Sqtiare, JACK AND BESSIE. 171 'as utterly id servants ised to see er, side by the driver. if possible, 'he excite- ded, when he moving in watch- md excite- linen and iching her never ex- he was so J so much F mentally ppalled at and were ftce and a ad of her. re, and in sitting as iche oppo- [hty stare, e haughty I lifted his isapproval i perfectlj' w that he il was cha- naines — a name fool liis mother ords from roused up is the love- t the park her nose, for you by )d into si- Groavenor As soon as dinner was over he ntnrfo^ f^.r. av,- i was told by Mrs. Bimcher, ^ho^Sd h^n ^^^^^ -'^1 of dignity in her manner, 'as becamTone Sforf vvl^ I . V"'''"'' nages and servants in li,.Q,.,T !,„ J x j. ■ "v"^® vvliose door car- Mckerson a"d tiVyo rgTaci:\?dl r't' " Tj-''y> ^^at Mr. the gentleman who tLk theSo drtf " *" ''' -^'"'^^-^^'^ "' ^^'^ drovlt t'r atYe'^L^rmf L^rr ''.r ^«^"»^' ^ -^ ho too hour, looked over the We fllLf/fu^* ^' '^""^'^ ^* "^^t 'ate for, Archie, in Ws tSeXre ii nn!]"h *k ' ^^'% '^" ^'^^ «^^^*^1>'"« a little bored for himse?f S owS A^' '*'"^^?g <'""-'•. l-l>. ^, • thraslied into n.e at school, but han Jd if T 1,.,! fv. '''"^'', '"'^^^ 172 r.ESSIES FORTUNE. where Ann Boleyn and Lady Jane Grey were beheaded, went back to the office where they dismissed their guide. It was a scorching hot day, and Jack was perspiring at every pore, but Bessie was fresh and bright as ever, and eager to go next to the Abbey and the Parliament House, and possible sotnetchere else, and Jack obeyed her silently, and went where she wished to go, and marvelled at her knowledge of and interest in everything per- taining to Westminster and its surroundings. Never in his life had Jack Trevellian been as tired as he was that night, with a back which ached so hard that he actually bought a plaster for it next morning, and thus strengthened and fortified, started again on his mission. Kensington Museum, the British Museum, the National Gallery, Crystal Palace, and Hampton Court, and the Queen's Stables were all visited by turn, and then they went to Alexandra Palace, and saw an opera, a play, a ballet, two circuses, and rope- walking all for a shilling, which to Bessie's frugal mind was the best of all. That night Jack was more worn out, and his back ached worse than after the Tower, and though Bessie was to leave the next day for home, he did not go to Abingdon Road, but went to bed instead, and deferred his good-by until the morrow. So Neil had the field to himself, and made good use of his opportunity. Together he and Bessie walked in the Kensington gardens until they were tired, and then they sat side by side on one of the many seats in a re- tired part of the grounds^ and Neil told her how sorry he was that she was going home, and how lonely he should be without her. " Ye-es, Bessie said, doubtfully. " I think you will survive ;" and then he burst out impulsively : '* I say, Bessie, I don't want you to think me a cad and a sneak when you go back to Stoneleigh. Don't you suppose I'd liked to have taken you round ju&t as well — yes, better than Jack, confound him ? " " Why didn't you, then ? I'd rather have gone with you," Bessie said, girl-like, beginning to relent at once toward the handsome, good-for-nothing Neil, who had his arm around her now, and was looking into her face with his dark, expressive eyes. " Why didn't I ? he answered. '' i going to tell you why I didn't, and why Jack did. He is hi v n master, with plenty of money to do as he likes, and no one to question or nag him at home ; while I^ though almost twenty-three, am not my own master at all, and have no money except what mother chooses to give me. Father, you know, is poor, and mother holds the purse, and though she means to be liberal with me, she keeps me awful short at times, especially after paying my Oxford bills and a fov/ debts contracted the last year. There would have been no end of a row if I had asked her for money to spend on you and your father." ' ' Does she then hate us so much / '' Bessie asked, and Neil re plied : eaded, went ng at every r to go next meiA'here else, shed to go, 'ything per- 1 his life had k back which xt morning, his mission, nal Gallery, Stables were Palace, and ■walking all (st of all. ached worse he next day bed instead, lad the field Together he ' were tired, ats in a re- he was that out her, rvive ;" and want you to eigh. Don't a well — yes, 7o\i," Bessie handsome, 3w, and was 1 you why I th plenty of in at home ; lastor at all, me. Father, though she rt at times, 3 contracted ■ow if I had lud Neil re- JACK AND BESSIE. 173 " She cannot hate you, as she does not know you : but vou see she IS prejudiced against your mother, and visits her anger upon ould nor^v ".'^ ^^'"*''* i" t^'r'' '"^ 'l"^^ ^" the park bi^t for me to se? Jacl" rr«rir ''f- ^V^'X «"PP°«« '' ^*« P^^^^^"* "X '^ ?f rrevelhan doing what I ought to have done ? " v.hJt.A ^S.^^'^^^Pl'ed, beginning to feel a great pity for NeU for I thoil\r1 Zr'T^'- " ^"' "".^ ^ ^™ S^^^ y°" have told me,' little.'' ^ ^^'^ "^^""^ ashamed of us, and it hurt me a There was a tremor in her voice which made Neil tighten the cIisd h2'f ^'l' ^'^"'5 ^'[' ^^"« he bent h-'s head so lowChs brown hair touched her forehead, as he exclaimed • Ashamed of you, Bessie ! Never ! How could I be ashamed of the dearest, sweetest little cousin a man ever had ? I tell vou I am the victim of circumstances ' " ^ kistHftt^oirlf^h'!-^''"^ a little lower " the victim of circumstances" kissbcl the girlish lips, which kissed him back again, in token of re- conciliation and restored faith in him. ' Poor, tired Jack dreaming even that he was a circus-rider and J inping through a hoop for Bessie's pleasure, would have felt' that Ic "d^: Sort" mi"h^^'^' r^ '""^ ^'^^'^^ which crsedhrn'o on the iirl w[r; wl ^^L^r-^ ^''" 'P^"^^' ^' ^*^ ^^^^^ ^«r« wasted it Mis "Bnnr'''''^f^ %''y •'^^"'^ f°^ him he was nxt morn" n^ 1 hey were standing alone by the window looking into the street and as Jack said this there came a troubled look on Bessfe's face and after waiting a moment, she said : ''^ ' ^*°^' will please meTef^^inf T" T ^"' '^ ^^^^ ^"" ' something which Jou S be '^ ^ ' ''"^ P'*^^' y^" *he good man f believe tinufd "^""'^ ""' """^ ''" '' *^°"«'" ^'''^ '^^^ ' ^nd Bessie con- ,1nn'J^^r •'^f5\»ee<";n^'other again at Monte Carlo, or anvuhere don play with her for money ; promise me thaf ' ^^^^-here, by h!s^Z::;^ioit:m'or"^*^*"^^^^ 5 -'"^ a fortu.;e," seemed whispered in his ear, and with It came a thought of Bessie, sittincr under the old yevy^ee i„ tho summer .■ .hine and looking after hiT ^ dead and Sal h«V'' V ,'""'f)^ ^^""^' " ^" ^^^ ^™h I>ick acaci, andUal, the hnest fellow that ever lived, for the sake of a for his '2f '^ " f'^ ^^'''']^^^' "^ ^^^^'■''^ '-^^i^^' ^"'^ ^«re mournino tor his great uncle, and wrote a letter to the new heir Sir Dick and sent his love to Flossie, and wen' no more to Stoneldgh ' CHAPTER X. THE HOLIDAYS AT ''TONELErGH. TpOR some time after finishing Neil's letter, Bessie stayed bv tho t£ubled"o 7''7^ '''^^ ""■? th""«htfal. with a half-pleased, half- troubled look m her young face. Whe was thinking of Neil's «ro- i WemfarTv ^''^T^.*^" '\' f '"^^^ '"'^^^^ ^im cotifortable, and might ^ ''^^' *°''' '^ ^^ *^'"^™®' ^« ^''^il ^r«te thLt he eoiiiJ Tbiw IT" ""''^ '\ ^"^ ''' '"y '•««"»' '*»f " « • ™^ ■^^H'^- \ !""* ^« '^ * °«bl« ™*"' *^^ I liked him so much Bessie said, thinking to herself that she could tell, if she Sl'/?^ I i'^u^'lPi*^ *°y ™°''«' ^'^d f««ling ^ great throb of mise to h^r ' ^""^ *^** ^^ ^^^ ^^^^'"^ ^'^ P"^"' .J^I't ^'t^ ^®^" ^"''^j"^ *° Stoneleigh, Bessie would not have cared for her surroundings, or her shabby shoes, for he would not have noticed them, or if he did he would not have let her know it as Neil was sure to do. Neil was very fastidious and critical, and had more than on(^ hurt Bessie cruelly with his criticisms upon her dress. But then he was just as severe upon Blanche, and that was some httle comfort, for Bessie knew that Blanche, or rather Blanche's money, was her rival ; and with a Httle siah as st^^rr rf.'^''^-i ^^ ^^ «*^^ °^ ^^^^ *« g«"d »« engaged, visit, and to consult with her as to the ways and means of making the city-bred young man comfortable. ** "Fortunately I have some money saved of my own, and you ?hlT^^^ ?• ^° ^ Hf r«^^^^«' ^""^ ^« «"^« that we hLve a good Christmas dinner, with plum pudding and whipped cream." she S f/l^e e^aptied into the old servant's hand what had been in- tended for boots, and gloves, and a Christmas present for her father. ^Ah,, "T ^^ay^hen Neil ^^s expected had come, and it lack- ed but a few minutes of the time for the arrival of the train Everything was ready, and the old house wore quite a festive apl l'^^'^l''\^'^^'^^ holiday dvBBsoi evergreens and scarlet berries, and all the flowers there were in blossom in the conservatory which opened from the dining room, and was kept warm without natl«of.fT' \^«7thmg which could be sp^ed from other parts of the house had been brought to Neil's room, where a cheer- ful hre was burning in the grate, and where Bessie's own easy-chair and couch, and bright Afghan were doing duty, and makiL the place very comfortable and attractive. making tne If Grey Jerrold came— and Bessie devoutly honed he would not -iiu was to nave iier room as that alter her father's and Neil's,' THE HOLIDAYS AT STONELEIGH. 177 she was the best m the house. Since receiving Neil's letter she had not indulged in the luxury of a fire, and as the weather was un- usually cold, she felt a slight chilliness down her back and a little soreness in her throat when she at last descended to the large din- ing-room, which was parlor and sitting-room an well, and the place where they always sat m winter. During the two years and a half which had elapsed since Bessie's \i8it to London, she had changed somewhat, and w h more a wo- man than a child, with a maturer and, if possible, a sweeter ex- pression m her face, though there still lingered about her mouth the same sorry, patient look which Jack Trevejlian had wanted so Tn^t"" ^r ^'^''J- ?* T^^ ""^""y apparent, this afternoon, as she stood by the window looking out upon the snow which covered the garden and park, and made her shiver a little, and to think of the mother whose place was there at home, lightening her daughter's burden and cheering her lonely life. ""-ugmers +l,l^i,T ^^FI ^^^ ^'-^ '?"^* ^^ ^^° ^a^® '•eal mothers," Bessie thoiight, and then, as if the regret for the mother reflected upon the father, who was so much to her, she went up to him by the hre, and stooping over him, kissed him tenderly. She always did that when her mother was in her mind, and by some subtle intuition Archie had come to know it, and now his voice was very tender and loving as he drew her down upon his knee, and, stroking her hair, said to her : ^ "Good little Bessie, what should I do without you? very lovely to-night in your finery. Are you glad coming?" J 6 « .UA^^f^X^'Vu^^^K ^^l'^® "^^P'i^^' blushing a little. If«h N ^I'a 1 "i l^^ r * '^T^ ^ ^*"* *^at American here. too. wish Neil had left him from the provTamme." " Oh, yes ; Grey Jerrold. I remember you told me that Neil ZiiT'f'%^^''''''\^'"'' '^^^y ^« g^^at friends I beUefe,'' Archie said. Then, after a moment, he continued : His father and mother were at Pynrhyn Park, where we visited when you were a httle girl; fair representatives of Americans, if I remem- hfm vlJy Lch.''""'" ^'""^ "'^ " -' ^^"*^'^"^*"- ^- -^J-""« wl?^'J «^a;; n*^V'uu^f "'^''•'J*'^"®^' **PP>ng the floor impatient- ly with her ht e shabby boots, whose shabbmess French blacking could not wholly conceal "If he comes I «hall be civil to him. of course, as Neil's friend but I would rather he did not come? spoil- ing everything. I see Nei so seldom that I want him all to my- seW when he is here. ^ He is the only cousin I have, you know " said"' ^ '""'""" '^^°^'^ ^** *^^""'' *"*^ ^hen at last he spoke, he You are Neil is "Very I 178 Bessie's fortune. " Bessie, doirt think too much of Neil. As I told vou once in London, so I tell you now. He is too selfish by nature a "d tc o hisintrst^^'KEv"^^'" '^"yf'^"» 7""'''' -"-* ^"-"- JUS interests. Me likes you very much, no doubt, and if vou had a fortune I dare say he would seek to make you his wife -but as you have not, he will marry Blanche Trevellian, who has" Yes, he w) 1 marry Blanche," Bessie said, softly and the old S tEdiT'.'iTrr r*? ''7 ^y^' -^'^ deepened Suufer*mi as she thought : " If I had a fortune ! Oh, that if! What a hirr one It IS in my case. And yet it is impressed upon nu- that s^^me^ where in the world there //a fortune iwaitin^le ; v ^ry far r^m here it may be, but still somewhere ; but then Ne 1 wifl be loZ before 1 get it, and I shall not care.'' ^ And, as it had done more than once before a aham nn,-r. /,„+ through Bessie's heart as she thought what SeVoiild be wfthM making no part of it. ^ So absorbed had sTae and hlr fafher been that neither of them had heard the train as it glided swiftly by, but when, after a few moments had elapsed, there wal the stamping of feet outside, and a cheery call to ^the house do', ^^,1 exclaTminP : '''''°"'' ^''''^' ^''''' ^^^^"« ^"-^"^ ^'' father's^'kiiee" is nofwthS.V' ''" ^" "'"^' ^"^ ^^' ' ^° «^ '^°P« *h« A«^«rican She was out in the hall by this time, waiting expectantly, while Anthony opened the door admitting only Neil ^"*"^'y' ^"^^e Ihe American was not with him. He had gone on to Carnarvon and would be at Stoneleigh for Christmas day, NeiJexplc^ned ate"' after he had kissed Bessie twice, and told her how gkd he was to see her again e id how well her stuff dress of darkle laret bee. me at'fr'iir""^.^' 'I'Y ^"^ H^^ ««■ *'"^* ^^"^* «f Scotch p at dbbon at the throat, which marred the effect iii>oon fl.fvf' i Tu^ ^^^"^""-^ ^^^""'^ anything of this sort, and her cheeks flushed at his criticism upon the ribbon she liked ^o much and had bought for this very occasion with a view to please him ' He was n very hiKh spirits, unnatural spirits, it seemed to Bessie as The 7fi)ltf I ^ '"^T? f'"*' ^''''''y '*«"» "^ ^hich was faultless, and of the latest style. I his mother stinted him in other ways she surely did not where his wardrobe was concerned, and ht had the repu at.on of being one of the best dressed young' men in London When dinner was over, and he Hni«hed his cigar, which he smoked m the presence of Bessie, she asked him again ^f the W can giveTitrhim'!" '='^"'' "'* """"'^''' ^^^^"^'^ thought had^To " Grey Jerrold, from Boston," Neil aaid. men of a lankee you ever saw." " --^nd the finest speci THE HOLIDAYS AT STONELEIGH. m she .< V " -1 Sf ^^"'^oes. Bessie said, curtly, and Neil replied : Xou will Jike this one ; you cannot help it. Evorv bodv likes him from the shabbiest old woman in the railway caTriage to the prettiest girl in Piccadilly. Perhaps it was a liberty 1 o^'ght no? ? waTi ^'"'/"^'^"f >'■" *^^^« ^^*h«"* consulting you first, but Lw ^°" M r ^"'"' '^"^ ^« *" ««« y""'" ami there was a Jh^TT '" S^'^> ''^'^'' ^'"^ •"'^""«'' ^^'''^ Bessie could not un- 'Tnd ft^n, /" '' "'^' *r' r"' ^"^ ^« by and by," Neil said. lT2T:::l^l^tr^ -«^' ^-^^- -^^t his father' gave askliSyiVNeifrcpS'' "" ^""^ *^ ''""^^^^^ '"^'^ ^ " ^«««- which\^«7tl? «ome old woman, or young woman, I don't know rbelie'vp }h?! if Kl'^ "'""^ attention to what he did say about it. .fit' **^"."^'^' *^e^« 18 some money in the case." _ ±'erhaps it is my fortune he is hunting up. I have one wai^- mgfor me somewhere," Bessie said, laughingly, wSe Nefl Tean- ed eagerly forward and said : i« x^eu lean " Have you really ? I never heard of it," and over his dark face there swept an expression which Archie did not like Jiessie, however, did not notice it, and answered him •' .hJ "«^«'',.^«^rd oiit either. It is only an impression that I Bha I some time be rich, with money enough to bu/ father a new coat every year and give him a horse and carriage. " tune " L ^^'ir+f ^""^ T^^''\^\'^ '^^"^^ b« y«"^« without the for- tune, he said, then suddenly he sank into a thoughtful, abstract- ed mood, from which he did not rouse till the clock^Sk ten an^^ It was time to say good-night. " I have not been very good com S iJ7u ' '^^ ^^'^^° ^^^^'^^ ^hen she asked if he were ill ar^d^if there was anything she could do for him or send to his iintrh5willif''r"71"'''^*."^ exasperated and wrought upon h,", Ih-!. ^-^''t ^'™'^"- ^« ^« had written to Bessie in his letter announcing his coming, his mother had wished hitn to Sr«?^l ^"^ '".^ ^^T'^t *° '^' h«"«« «f ^ friend near Edin^ burgh, and when he refused, saying he preferred to go to Stone- mofh'er if'^' ^^ ^TH- ^ ^'^^T ^«^' «« ^^e expressed^ft, and hi Sr of that bol^l ^T "P'"^^ ^'l^ ^'' preference for the daugh^ terot that bold adventuress, as she styled Daisy, and had told th»t he would be as great « beggar a, AM ,9 McPherson himself 180 Bessie's fortune. judge how. with you AatesShal^""'*'""^'-.??-^ y*'" '^'■'" ^""'•^"'f leigh with two moX a dav ^« I \"^'*«' y»" ^''' ^''^^ «^'''^' ''t ^tune- yo| own bootsTnlVufeg^^^^^^ d., blacUng fane; f^f pt:Ar f V;r?i ^-^'«'^"T. very wen that ho had no his motherhe hld:a.3 on^r .a t chl* "/'' !\!'"- ^"^ ^^ ^^^^ a place where tlie gold m3h' L. "'f^^ ' ^" th""««"i ^"'^ "^'^t^^'"' "« bal- 8ie with notMn^ Sura £ l?Ln'') .*'^ 'I'T''''''^ " y^^'"' ^'^ K'^S' himself he said : '^**"''''^y ^'^^^he tipped the scale, and then to fewiS8l^^,S^r?£r*and ^"^^"V^^« ^"^ '-- ^^ - bad except for h. -/eb™ /nT I !V"^ •*? .^''- ^^e is not so very on the wLe when ie" „ott h^'^^d drawl ; rather stunning canlgiveherup '"anVthe ^o L "* ^u'''^' °'^' ^^^««i«. ^^"^ for thi sweet youna- gW he had Tv!^ u k-^",^^* ""^^ ""* i" P-^i" sure, loved him To in N«n • 7^ ^^-^'^ ^'^^' ^"^^ «ho, he was drops in the Z_tl"e toS.-'Jhii'S '^-'T' '''' "^ ^^^ ^^^''^^'^ has enough to Lr^MtsS^ «^i;fifT' *''''^T"^*^ ""««'•• "She I wish she would get in I^ve wiS «'"^ ^" ^^'^^'^ '^''^P ^'•«'» "^•^• overboard. I bSieve T ^ Ji7t •. uT® ''"^ « «« and throw mo awfully sweet on her in Won 'L'5 h' *'''• , l^''^'' J'-^^^-he was since. He is ?oo poc^to mtrr^ « At' °" ^ ^""'^ **^ «^« ^er once Jov^,there is ! " rn^N^iUtarS to'histe? " " Tr ^- V^^^', '^ Bee him, ani I VbrinTthS ab't " ' ''" ^" ^°'*^^ "^*^ '' «^« ^^^^^^ BhoulXreTeJafht^^^^^^ ^«" M^Pherson this in fact wa^ only another 5.Z«fK ^ i"? I'' ^'' '^"«'"'"«' but was impossiblTfor Tim ?o marrv S • '^^^l^^^^^' H« knew it impossible to ive W un wTth^nS '''^' *"i*"^* *^** ^* ^a« '^Jso feeble will. If she could nJf '"""^ °,*''"^'' ^'^ *ban his o^:. be a mutual help, VoZve^^^^^^^^ *">™l«^f' i* -o"'^ and if another th'^in hfrnLTf m"' t^i^to'ZS^' > """''^'! he would farratherthatothershould bete^jl Sra^Am^^^^^^^^ THE HOLIDAYS AT STONKLEIQII. 181 oven though he bore tho rose away to foreign soil, than to have one or hia own countrymen Haunting hi.s happiness in his face. Bessie and Grey wore suited to each other, he thought nud he would bring them together ; so, when ho heard from Gr. his intended trip t.. Carnarvon, i... suggested that he defer it . the holidays and spend a day or two at Stoueleigh. Then he wrote to Bessie that he was as good as .-.gaged to Blanche, and that she was to fall in love with Grey, and tJien, with a strange perversity, told her not to do ao, but to keep herself for him. This done he felt bette" and began to anticipate the visit, which he said to himself was to be his last, and from which he meant to get all the happiness possible. S hT tt« T ^7:« '^^ «ft'-» as he hked ; he would hold hJr hands m his the dear little hands which worked so hard, but which nevertheless, w, re so soft and pretty; he would iJok into the i^TfT" li'"' ''^r ^,'i'^/'^" ^^'^'^ •''■"'•^^ ''^"'^ droop beneath his gaze, and then there should be one long, never to be forgotten walk by themselves across the suspension bridge, through the straggling old town and along the road by the river toward Beaumaris, an^d he woulu tell her everything, all his love for her and its utt^r hope! :TaT' f ''"'*' they were both so poor, and then he would say good-by forever, and bid her marry Grey Jerrold, and so remove Bknchr" " ' ''" "'^^ '* ^^^*'' ^"^ ^'"' *^ be true to ^ii 7,^^ "^r^i easier for Neil to form this plan than to be satisfied Torin' T 1 T"^' ^^^ ^"^ ^'^y^ ''^''^ ^l^i'^^d before he started for Stoneleigh he was cross and irritable and even rude at times both to his mother and Blanche, the latter of whom finally treated tolTthousand'' ""^'^'''^^"^«' ^hi'^b "^a^e him fear a little for the " Wh'"^* if she should take the bits in her teeth and throw mo overboard "he thought, and then, at the very last, he changed his actics and devoted himself to the heiress with an assiduity which eft her httle doubt of his intentions. StUl to her ho did not speik though to h^ mother he said, half irritably, as if it wore sometS wrung from mm against hia will: oometumg "Don't trouble yourself. I intend to marry Blanche in mv own good time, but I will not be hurried, and am^oing to Sto'^lei^ And he vent to Stoneleigh and tried all the journey there to think only of Bessie as she looked in the park, n the dd faded dowdy gown with the disfiguring puffs; tried to make himself iirr^* '^" ^'^ no manner, no style, and would not pasaX a great lady among people city bred ; that ahe was better suited to some quiet home such as Grey Jerrold might give her, were he happy enough to wm her. Neil had no doubt that Grey 'wS tx? to wm her when once he had seen her, and before Cor wS IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I fcaiZS |2.5 m m m 1*0 \\M i u 2.2 2.0 i^ 1.6 Photogrcphic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. M5S0 (716) 873-4503 4s, V \ :\ [v *% 182 Bessie's fortune. even to him. He was sure of if whl ^ ^'^'*7 *," ^"^« ^«88i« up saw her with the brightZs on hefC a'„dT«'^'^ l^r^'^!?'^ '^"^ as she welcomed him! She n iX Vnc k ? ^^^"^^^ ^" her eye as Blanche, who had ived L tft v l,f Lt^ f ^ .* 7 "^ «»y"«h pressibly sweet and woma. ly and Ll t ^^' ^''^ '''« "^"^ »««^- gentle gracefulness and 3'dSitv fir r>Z '" u^F '"^^^'nent a city style. And Neil ricounS [f Jar preferable to city airs and fought the battle over aS all thmn^h f», "''f ' ^^^ }''^''''' ''"^ ftiU fighting it in the mornL wh«n h ^ theB^i^nt night, and was looked at Bessie as shl poufed hTs 'r"*-^''u" *° breakfast and pretty white muslin aproS? w7th the Sl'^f^Mr F'^ ^••««« »»d just the corner of a blue-bnrd«r J i! ^^"Hv frilled pockets, and them. Neil liked theTesrand ^he Xl T^^' -''"^^^^ '" ""« °^ but he did not like theTprS 1?™!?^ l*"^ *,^^""«^*''^'^«'-«h^ maid who cleared the tabfe and wa^Sed thlll^^ '" ^^ * ^'^»"««- Bo when breakfast was over Td tT«v «fn J '^^'^^' ^"^ ^^ *"Jd her fire. ^^^ ^^ *^'®y stood a moment alone by the Reddening a little, Bessie answered him laui^hinoV Mr. Aristocrat, if you dTnoW^^h t ''*' *"? ^ ™"«* ^^'P i ««. drawn half-way to hertlboL 1 • ^'"^ *'^'"*' ^^^^ her sleeves " Yes, she is just siitidTo'rrrr"":^^^'" '"•""*^' ^^^^^^ *""«• thewom^nallwSZnsand waslfr '^™^"^' ^'^«'-«' ^ believe, as he watched her Xh a laige te^^^^^^ "-'ght,' happiness ; happiness that for a few dfvs at T«a«f''l ''^ P*'!'-*'"* homf at? Rtrhrgtt;:^Tsiivr° '^ p^°*"^« «^ '^ ^"^«* what Blanche's would be S ^or Jn."^ lanes not a home like servants everywhere but ^^oh f f^^^^^ surroundings and liveried living in it ; ; home' wherethe tZl %T^^' * "''^^ better fo" Biding goddess, fl.ttin/here and therrT.'^^ ^^'^ ^'^^ '^^ P^e- putting away the silverSd the cWni K '^u'^^ was doing now, movimyn^h-irh-rf^— J V , °*' Crushing up thn h«arth „ -ii_ir h.re aud another tWe, watering her pots of flowenl t, (» ■'1 lis friend to vo Besaio up >neleigh and e in her eye T as stylish le was iuex- movement a ity airs and before, and lit, and was •eakfast and I' dress and ackets, and >g in one of iidkerchief, e a house- he told her lone by the )ur mother I here, and Uorothy help ; so, lyself, just ions apron ought me. -room and awfiy the ler sleeves arms. I believe, 1 thought, pain and vas his to 3W and so of a quiet lome like I liveried letter foi- the pre- ling now, • hearth, •f flowers THE HOLIDAYS AT STONELEIGH. 183 " Ridiculous ! I shall wear just what T wore yesterday for you I, for 1 like it," Bessie said, with a little miHf^all ?n hf ^'^Mr"'^',''"^ carnations and heliotrope and wir« fi " f"^ ^"'"« *'*« ^"""^ ^'th «^««t perfume as if it were the summer-tnuo instead of chill December, with its bitiog blasts sweeping against the windows. ^ " There ! " Bessie said, at last, removing her apron, pulling down the' £:: nmid ^nT*'"^, ""'' '"°t* "^^' ^^'^^ ' ' haVe 2,3 or do°wKv:?'yru'iir-' '" "'^'^ *" ^^"° ''"• ^«"' ^'^ p^^y ^'^-^^ But Neil was in no mood for singing or playing chess or even talking much and his fit of abstra^tioli la.?ed\ll day or ather until late m the afternoon, when Bessie began to speak of getting herself in readiness f..r Grey, who was to come in the even nf tra"n sTforThT«r" fi ^^'" "^^'^ r ^«^' '^"'i ^ i' he had nerved hfrn^ Jo b1«,.5^ 't' manifested a great deal of interest with regard to Bessie's personal appearance. make IZllZJZ ^^' yourself up stunningly," he said. " so as to make a good hrst appearance. I have told Grey so much about you that he must not be disappointeJ," ^ " Ridiculous ! I shall i Scotch plaid, bow and all defiant toss of her head. hJ'Il'': «"*'' ^""i been thinking while Neil sat so silent and moody by the fare, and had decided that he had greatly changed for the worse since she had seen him last, that he wL hard to Xase Wdfesr^''"""' "'"' ""''''' *"° '""^^ ^''^ *« criticLing h^and "As if it is any of his business what I wear," she thou<^ht and oJribbon*h«'l?V' T^'^""} satisfaction in fastening on tTe' knot hertlarn,ttkirs''^""^''^"'^^^^^^^ Fni^ nL, r'> ^u"' *'i°"«h ^^^^ ^"" b« «" '""ch more for me to iron next week," she said, as she stood before the mirror in her room, which was to be given to the coming guest. I hope sir vou 7^J^f:T'\''V'''''' ^ "•"Z^'^"^' *«^ >-"' '«^ ^ assure ^ou'tis'no sniall natter to turn out from my comfortable quarter into that o^the florTM'fi^'T/^^'^^^ the rats scur^ Zki ur hZ\ t \r ^ ^""^^"^ '^' ''"^ ^«"' *«« ! " «he continue? mind'Tev« ht'f *° j^e /maginary Grey, who stood before he; mind s eye, black-eyed, black-whiskered, black-faced and a verv giant in proportions, as she fancied all AmericaiisX ^ ^vrt"" u It ''O'npl'^ted, she removed from the room every thimr wh ch she thought would betray the fact that it was her apartme t and carried them wi^h -> nbi'Tr tr a»-- -l-. t ° ""' "i"*! uueiu, rtrriSne ''"'""'*"''' *^' '*"°'" ** "'^^ ''"'^ *he^ind blow' 184 BESSIE S FORTUNE. f mi *' There ! I am ready for your Pythias 1 Do you think I shall pass muster ? " she said to Neil, as she entered the dining room where he was sitting. , It would indeed have been a very censorious, fault-finding man who could have seen aught amiss in the beautiful young i'irl, plain as her dress might be, and for answer to her question, Neil stood up and kissed her, saying, as he did so : " He will think you perfect, though I don't like the ribbon ! I don't like any colour about you except your hair and eyes. I wish you would take it off." " Mr. Jerrold may think differently. I am dressed for him, and as I like it I mean to wear it," Bessie answered, curtly, but with a bright smile, as she looked into his face : "Oh, well; cliaciin a son gout," he said, consulting his watch, and adding : " It is time I was starting for the station ; the train is due in fifteen minutes," When he was gone Bessie began to feel a little nervous with re- gard to the stranger coming among them. Hitherto she had thought only of the extra expense and the trouble he would give old Do- rothy, whose feet and ankles were badly swollen and pained her so much. ** I may have to cook and serve the Christmas dinner myself," she said, "and I don't mind the work, only I do not want this American from Boston, where the women are so f ' of brains, to think me a mere dish-washer and chimney-sweev wonder if he is half as nice as Neil says he is, and if I shall lik .^i. Of course I shan't, but I shall treat him well for Neil's sake, and be so glad when he has gone." Then she proceeded to lay the table for supper, as they usually dined in the middle of the day, as Dorothy's feet were more active then, and Archie preferred an early dinner. Everything was in readiness at last ; the bread and the butter and jam, with cold chicken and ham, and the kettle singing on the hearth ; the curtains drawn and the bright fire making shadows on the wall and falling up- on the young girl, who, as her ear caught the sound of footsteps from without, ran to the window, and parting the heavy curtains, looked out into the darkness, so that the first glimpse Grey Jerrold had of the girl who was to be so much to him was of a fair, eager face framed in waves of golden brown hair, and pressed against the win- dow pane in the vaL effort to see the dreaded American. J 'I III I.I' OREY. 185 1 for him, and y, but with a .m, with cold CHAPTER Xr. GREY. with a gentleness Lhs*a^"ur'e?rke fSTl'^^ "^°"^ ""^^^^^h, 80 was the Grey of twenty three whrii 5 » /en^er, loving woman, which was taking S awarfrom h ^ ^'"* !>* V?"" *^« "^^a^er watching so tearfully uLnZ IT^^ '"//",^ *^« ^0"«>y woman ing her f>yIess.lif:TasCd?rre dl^^^^^^^^^ '''^' ^ '^ ^« ««- ent rh*t prntrdTheXhT' ^*^.«^ "^^ *^« «-*'"- renewed his acquaiLnce wHh Ne^^Xln* f.""' "^«^« ^« and himself there sprung nn nf-jflik- u?*?""' between whom ened as yet. SeverS tf,Z\l t^'u ^ "^^'"^ "°*h'»ff had weak- where the Lady Jane treated h?m t^J,^?^ ^ ^"''* J" ^«"'^ 1^«™« admitted that ir an W-can he *L^,^ xnanly. He knew JackTreveflian anH «? \ ''^"^^ ,r^ g«"*>«- timate friends, had the en 'm a Jh^ t.™ ""'j®' *•"? *" N«"'« i"' ever he choee to avail hhnsSf of i^ S ^^'"'' ^h«°- was in Europe for studr^e said ^nd wT' "'''^"^ ^^*«"- ^e voted himself to his bSs with an «n«^ °'/°^lf *y' *"** ^^ , *o/emam until his Aunt Lucy. an extended tour " ''* ^^'^ ^^^^''^ ^^"^ ^«^ aaid^^r'lnTllTef's'raS^^^ and marry, he picture of a haoDv hLs wf+lT-f. * • "*"'^® **^®''® ^^^^ always the ing equally SCrtxThleTi" a' T^*-'"*'^^^^^ in it, reign- solitary lifi in the old fT/ilt i'*',^." k-^'°"'^' '*^" ""^"« ^«^ liidden grave under the h^ rnnZa ^^^ymg watcli over that 18(> r.ESSIE S FORTUNE. Elizabeth Rogers, of Carnarvon, if they could be found. But could they ? That was the question both she and Grey asked themselves as the years went on, and no trace was discovered of any such per- sons either in or around Carnarvon, for Grey had been there more than once, and with all due precaution had inquired of everybody for the woman, Elizabeth Rogers, and finally, as he grew a little bolder, for Joel Rodgers himself, who went to America many years before. But all to no avail ; both Joel and Elizabeth were myths, and the case was getting hopeless. Still Grey did not despair, and resolved that during the holidays he would go again to the old Welsh town and try what he could do, and so it came about that he accompanied Neil as far as Car- narvon, where he purposed spending a day, and then go over to Stoneleigh on Christmas Eve, more to please Neil, who had urged him so strongly to stop there, than for any particular satisfaction it would be to him to pass the day with strangers, who might or might not care to see him. He knew there was a Cousin Bessie there, a girl of wondrous beauty, if Neil was to be believed, and he re- membered to have heard of her before, years ago, when he was a boy, and first met Neil McPherson at Melrose. Faint memories, too, he had of hearing hei talked about at the memorable Thanks- givins,' dinner which had preceded his grandfather's death and his own sickness, when they said he had talked to the child Bessie and asked Miss McPherson to send for her and stuff her with mince pie, as a recompense for the many times she had gone hungry to bed because there was not money enough to buy dinner for three. And all this came back to him as he staid at the station in Carnarvon waiting for the train. " She must be a young lady now seventeen or eighteen years old," he thought, " and Neil says she is beautiful. But I dare say she 18 like most English girls— with a giggle and a drawl and a su- preme contempt for anything outside the United Kingdom. 1 fancy, too, she is tall and thin,with a half-starved look, and shoulder blades and sharp elbows which show through her dreas, and big feet, like the rest of her sisters. Oh, well, 1 care but little how she looks. I am far more interested in Elizabeth Rogers than in her, though I do wonder a little what she will think of me. People say 1 am more English than American, which 1 don't Jike, for if there is a loyal son of Uncle Sam in this world I am he. I can't help this con- founded foreign accent which I have picked up from being over here so long any more than 1 can talk through my nose, as 1 am sorry to say so many of my country people do. Perhaps the Eng- lish accent may help me with Miss Bessie as well as my English cut generally," and Grey glanced at himself in the dingy little glass to see just how he did look, GREY. 187 i don't think you ever tnl^ «,„ • Z1117JP7P ^"'IharanimpreL/onThr.? "'^^^^ ^J^^* ^^ey San V^^^'"«' "I prefer to walk ar?^ *?«y ^^^e not rich," verWan^f ■''''*"'' ' ^^ takes-me back to ol^v'"' ^"J^^' battling very land of snows and storms " ^"^ ""^^ ^««^ England, thl xtiey were in the nark- K,, +i • x- Xcr^i°°^.'°« "P '" hi" with . Bdoublfr"™.' ""<" ""O *" most cordially and bade him welonnZU I. *^® 8*^« ^i'" her hand 188 Bessie's fortune. Perhaps you might like to go to your room at once, and Neil will show you the way," she said to him ; then in an aside to Neil my room, you know, at the head of the stairs." Neil looked at her with surprise, while a cloud gathered upon his brow. That Bessie should give her room to Grey seemed to him absurd, tliough he never stopped to ask himself where she would put him that ho could bo comfortable. Neil knew perfectly well the capabilities of the old stone house, and that spare rooms were not as plenty there as blackberries, but so long as he was not in- commoded it was no business of his to i^Kjuiro into matters ; nor could he understand that an extra fire even for a day was a heavy dram on Bessie's purse. But Grey's quick ear caught Bessie's whispered words, and before he entered the warm, pretty room at the head of the stairs he knew it belonged to her, and guessed why she had given it to him. And without the word she would have known by certain unmistakable signs that it was a young girl's apartment in which he was ushered, and after Neil left him he looked about him with a kind of awe at the chintz covered furni- ture, the white curtains at the window, and the pretty little toilet table, with its hanging glass in the centre, and its coverings of pink and white muslin. *^ Just then through the door, which had inadvertently been left a little ajar, he caught the sound of voices in the hall below, Neil's voice and Bessie's, and Neil was saying to her, reprovingly • "Why did you give up your room to Grey? Was° it ' neces- sary ? ■ "Yes, Neil, it was ; there was no other comfortable place for him ; the north room is so large and the chimney smokes so we we could never get it warm," Bessie said, and Neil continued • And so you are to sleep there and catch your death-cold ' " " Well, I think it a deused shame ! " Neil said, feeling more annoyed that Grey was to sleep in Bessie's room with her sur- roundings, than that Bessie was to pass the night in the great cheerless north chamber, with only old Dorothy's warming-pan for comfort. ° *^ But it never occurred to him that he could give Grey his room and himself take the cold and the dreariness of the north bed-room nor yet that he could share his room with Grey. He never thought for others when the thinking conflicted with himself, and returning to the dining-room he sat down by the fire, with anything but a happy expression on his face, as he wished his cousins were not so poor, and half-wished, too, that he had not invited Grey to meet him there . Something in the expression of Bessie's and Grey's faces as they looked at each other had disturbed him, for he had read undis- guised admiration in the one, and confidence and trust in the other OREY. 189 and knew that there WAro ni-^ a them and that thoy we^surl tAST-'*^""'' '"''^'^^ ^^'^^-r. and as a resnl Tf S tJoSlf' h ''t"^"^" ^'^ *'>'•«' for supper brought old Dorothy to him ^''''' ^'^ "** ^"'^ ^ang the bell, E •'*ly good woman." hn aawl a u- "V'^Tu^"" those on whomTt fell an,i"f "^^^ '',"'' ^'^^ «•"''« '^hich which he shut cautiously, - m"'^"^ t'^'^'^'S ler inside the door, particular or troublesoi, but^ ?e.lt S'"''"' ^ '^" ""* ^^^^ to be the colder the better. One to H? ^ .u^ "•'""""^ without afire such a one. No mat er for the fun^''^ ^'? ^'"* »"« ^^ t^^^^e is are all [ require. You ssTr S ^"""t"re ; a bed and wash-stand heat that/like to b\Too 'a J^Zn 7^ ' '^^^V'"^ sup^^Cs^ here, for he could not quite deviate fr ^u *^^~^« stopped short he actually had the a?tW so he ^Tr/'*' *'*"*'* «° ^*^ '^^ *" ^^Y had the asthma I could not bJlfh '^i '" *" undertone, "If I pretty a« it is, and upon my worl f^is'." ^V°^' I? *^^« small room chamber which I can ta Jm' '* '' ^''^^'y- Have you no larger f^^i^^t;Zrit£:'y^,r^ ^ throb of joy, as she re- onl 1*^'^ q^^'-tera after all. - There h, . hi ' t^'^T^^ °^ ^er com- oold enough for anybody, but aS R„ '^ chamber to the north, She will not like you to cha.,"p n ^'T ^'°* ^^'^ ^eady for you " Awfully ! " (irev sai.l T* ^*'" ^''''^ ^^e ^/sicit very bfd '' resolying s^e Stold Se ?h7olT'^r* compunct'^^-Xt gather up his brushes an3 hf- t ^^ ^"""^y^ then begi,. /, , t' valise, he%ontinued: ''JwantTi'' ^"^ Pitting them in, hS Bessie; b^utS ^irnrop^sn^ «^« -"^^ be obliged to tell a dismal sound, /hile ao;^!:^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^ bed |d\iv:;ite;"je;^ib-^^^^ -M but m warm your Dorothy said, as she hastilyTa heL n n Vv, T '' '" '^' morning," to Bessie, who had transferred ZL J^ *^v® ^^^ '''"ti'^'es belonging . " I shall sleep like a ton ' Prpv i'^^^"" ^''^" ^«"'n *» thif. ^ ]90 Bessie's fortune. tne fire-boHrd. This « a clipper and no mistake. And what an old stable of a room |t is, and what a place for that dainty little Uessie to be m. hhe would be frozen solid before inorninij. I guess I shall sleep in my overcoat and boots. What a lovely face she has and how it reminds me of somebody-I don't know whom, unless It IS Au.it Hannah, whose face I seemed to see right side by Bide with Bessie. They must be awfully poor, and I wish I had brought her something better for a Christmas present than this jimcrack, and opening his valise he to<,k out a pretty little inlaid tldmble"'' "^ ^" ^^® necessary appliances, oven to a gold Remembering the Christmas at home when a present was as much a part of that day as his breakfast, Grey had bought the box I!i^''? rr'**'''^* ^"^ ^f '"'•'' ^"'^ ^''^'^ ^»« «'^"Sht a glimpse, as he did, of the worn round basket, with its spools and scissors, and ^rH.7 kT*'"- ^''l «""e"S\ ""'""^ ^"'•"^"y ««thered up among articles belonging to Besste, ho was glad he had made the choice he Uia. Jiut now, as he surveyed the apartment, and felt how very poor his host must be, ho wished so much that he could do some- thing for them besides this fanciful box, which could neither feed uor keep them warm. i,J!.,^-T"'^^'' ""^u* ^i^ ^"""g^* ^^''' something nice, of course, he thinks so much of her," he said, " and I wonder, too, where his room 18. Somewhere where he is comfortable you may be sure, and he nodded knowingly as he returned the box to its place until the morrow. As he had finished his toilet in Bessie's room, there was nothing now for him to do but to give an extra twist to his era/at, run his fingers through his brown hair, and then he was ready for the dimng-room, where he found Bessie alone, as her father and Neil were still in their chambers. As a matter of course, Dorothy had gone straight to Bessie and told her of the exchange, which de- lighted her far more than it did her mistress. .. nw^ "^T*"^^ I" *,^^* ''°^^' ^^^''^y "^"o™'" Bessie exclaimed. Uh, Dorothy, why did you allow it, and what must he think of US f " I could not help myself, darling, for he would have his way," Dorothy replied. " He was that set on the old room that you couldn t move him ajot. His breathing apparatus is out of kilter ; iie has the tisick awful, and can't breathe in a warm room. I shall give him some cubebs to smoke to-morrow. And don't yon worry • he won t freeze. I'll put a bag of hot water in the bed. He is a vegr nice young gentleman, if he is an American." Bessie knew she could not help herself, but there was a troubled look on her face when Grey came in, and, approaching her as she stooaoy uio fire, maae some casual remarks about the unusual seventy of the weather for the season. GREY. 191 how odd that n^t chamh«;^, ," "" ""■''^- ^°" '''» »"* ^now howl ami the .",»&« at™ In n , '" "l"" ''"^ ""> """' ™"« '"¥h'r; ""■?'> "r''>"^™'°-'»-^^ ^• " nV ^^'^'"■house your homo ? " I have Cnt'^o,nrn7'''P'K '' ^" ^"?*°"'" h««^n«^ored her. "b,.t before, though Xnwef. htr ^'''^' '''"• '^' ^"""^ ^««» *here hidden graveTnd 8 retch?nJ^herhan/r>-^' ^*' '*''"'^^"g ^^ *^^« wouw £:*er; o t?n h'^ibotit'r,'" ^^.^^v^^*' ^^^^-^ *^-* ^^ even unto death *' ^^^^'"^ *^''* »^« ^^ ""e to trust n.e!lt7oUrt:terL?:L^"S ^'T^y '^'^ *'- --^-^"1 was fei; i^ „To]l p"\.*if P"^*''y ''f '^^"^^^^'i^ 'if«. Grey's presence had once befrienSl^^restSr'' "' " *" '''' "^"^'^ "^°°^ ^« • He waa like a great warm atovo in a cold room. " 'Ill 192 BESSIE'S FORTUNE. to hrm:^'""' '^'* *'*° '"'™*^' ^"'^ ""^ 8'*'^ '^^ ^*" *J»«™. «nd said »nH Jl^I"'' ^"" ""r'r **'!' ,"'^ *^^"^ *hat house anu.ng the rocks and the woman who hvod there. I am sure I should like her and I know so htlle of America or of the American people." ' Before Grey could answer her Neil came in and as «nnnnr 0,0. joon aner served no further allusion was ma"de to ImS uS the table was cleared away, and the party of four were «iJfinl around the fire Archie in L accustom^ed c^^rner^^th Zsi^ c osf at h.s side, her hand on the arm of his chair and her head occaaion! al y resting lovingly against his shoulder. Neil was opnosH^ as after Archie's, that corner was the warmest seat an f Zre the easiest chair. Grey sat before the fire, with now and thei Hhiver f^"'"^ down his back as the rising wind crept into the room even through the thick curtains which draped the rattling wndows behind him. But Grey did not think of the cold. H?s thouS were across the sea m the house among the ro^ks and he was wondering if his Aunt Hannah was there alone that Christmas Eve. and was thinking just how dark, and ghostly and cold was the intenor of that bedroom, whoso door wrseldom 21T' *°^. ?T ""x?°« ^'^ «^«' be^n since his grrdfathS death except his Aunt Hannah and himself. auuiamer s Suddenly Neil said to him: Wba^'w^'he^Smer^' '^' '"'' '"'' *'« «^^ -^'^^ *^" «»« ^ "Rogers ; Elizabeth Rogers, when a girl ; of course she ha. another now, if living, as she probably has been married "Gre^ replied adding :'« No. I did not find her, or any trie of her and I begin to think there must have been some mistake, and she never '« wL SIS''''"";^ l!'\*^« P«''P^« ^^« very stupid offorgetfur" Why did you think she ever lived there ? "Neil asked not because he cared a sou for Elizabeth Rogers, but because hfwished to make talk and keep Grey from looking so much at Bessiras he had done for the last five minutes. ® and NeilSnu'eS? ""'" *° ''^'^ '^' '''^ ^' -'" ^^^ -P^ed, !! Is there much money waiting for her, did you say ? " ih. 1 ™y^,a"d there may not be," Grey answered, thinking of spoken'"'' '" ""'"'' slate-quarries of which the peS^Ld "If grandmother were alive she might help you. She lived in CWnarvon, or just outside of the town once, and knew eve Xdy and It seems a» if I had heard her me-ition a Ro,r«r« u2 ^' .as ElL^abeth Baldwin.;' BessiesaM What a rity she is not the Elizabeth Roaers that Gref i^i hunting for, ao in that case you would get the mon^ras direct hei." here, and said OREY. 198 against which si.; was Ci* HnJ'lti?.'"';'". '" ^'' ^''»"«r''' "rm vacant chair which should h?;ebLn»m "\V'" ^'"' *'''"'*'"« "f a to Grey and said: " I wish Im, w 'l'^,/'*** "*'''''*. «'•« t.inied among the rocks. I, it very Jd"" "''^ '**" "' *^""* ^^at h^se ArchieT^^^^^^^^^^^^ forty miles or so from Boston nf""' l " ^t««'"''=h««ott8 ; about '' My aunt lives there th««, ^" •J'"" ^""'^ tho place /" ' "* Miss Betsey McPhetn! X^ZZlZ Cl^ ^^'^ -» — d, ^^-^{^:^r:^^^;^ in Allington because I called her old Bet Buttermflk Z'/"k^ bI-o boxed my ekn the Lnghsh were fools becausn I oo J ITV "'^./^'' "^^^ that I and aU cats m the woods behind he"r housr- ''^ ^'' "^ '^''^ '^^^^ «"y wiW "SheT ratC Sintl^^tvi^^^^^^^^ ^^^ -ntinued: My aunt Lucy is very fond of her « 1^'^'''^ '•««Pected in town, and he turned to Bessie " t\1 ?^ *^^ ^^y- ^''m McPherson " -ayingof me?" *"'^'^' '" ^"'"e surprise. - What was siie t"^< " SSiVeemsTo' i^ sTe*'' '" ^^^^^^^ --•" «rey re- heard she had sent for you^' ^" ^"" '^P«°*">^' y°»- I am'L f and thatrai '^TZ^stTyl^Z^:^ Z\\ T^' «- ^^ ^ut once, and sometimo I might see Cr ! • *''^'^,'"« ^"^ ^^ true and rea Bessie said, sitting uSLt in her T^^ ^" ^ ^*^" ^"^'i f^ b« " the sad expression^ upon her face whf-H ^f «""'"« ^"*« ^^e fire wkh was thinking of her own We and^i'l ^'''^yi^^'"^ there when she SV^A*^T«"""g'»fterwSrtLl^^^^^ „" But she sen? added holding to the light her orSfv / a °^ JT.^"^"^ ^ o^"." she l>ai8y had unwillingly given Kw .? ""^'^^ ''^^"^ thUng vifl^t to Stoneleigh. ^ ^ ^ ^'^ ^^"^ «" the occasion of her last ob£^dt^^^^^^^ he had not I'' ^^^tfl J^^tti:-W i^ Of that work' 194 Bessie's foktune. wonder how she would look decked out as he had seen girls decked with laces and jewels, and false hair, and high-heeled FSnch boots and all the paraphernalia of a fashionable toilet. ''Not haU ^ sweet and lovely as she does now in that simple dress and l„en taTnf TJ"*" "" ''""I T'^ ''T'" ^« ^''^^"^' ^"d then he Cn to s!^tS^^Ks^hiS?iLrrn'£ Jist^r Nothing was said of Aunt Hannah; nothing of Lucy, or Grev's It was rather late when the party finally retired for the night Neil going to his warm, comfortable room facing the south and Grey to his cheerless one facing the north, with only the 3 and the damp, and the rats for his companions, if we except the bag of hot water he found in his bed, on which Dorothy had put wooflen sheets, and which she had warmed thoroughly with her bfg warming" iBessl^^jLwLTL^'""^^' ^"*, ^ *™ ^b^ ^ ^™ ^«^« i»«*«ad of ir W S^ thought and undressing himself more quickly than he had ever undressed before, he plunged into the bed which was really warm and comfortable, and was^oon wrapped in the dZ sleep which ccmes to perfect health and a good conscience ^ CHAPTER XII. CHRISTMAS BAY. "TTTHEN Grey awoke next morning there was a little pUe of V V snow on the foot of his bed, which stood near a window the S "" the hearth which had sifted down the chimnerwS night ' ^°'' ''^' ^^''''^^ ^^'"^^^ *^*° o'^ the previous t J« ^^^^'l^ ^r^ ri *' ^« '•"^b^d his cold nose, "I believe this beats Alhngton ! How shall I ever get myself together ? " Just then Anthony came in with jugs of hot water and a huge Zl^dXZelt '" ^ "^'^ ^"''"^ "^'" ^"« *° «*^"^ ^^il« he a liltl'Zr.fATi'V^/,;^^^^^^^^ J^*h» ••:; ^^ ^egan, as he lingered • — r "^ " "'*" curittina tu auIl^t more light, n girla decked French boots, "Not half as ess and linen n he began to the talk was had any im- e of AUington cy, or Grey's ike which he or the night, e south, and the cold and pt the bag of i put woollen big warming- e instead of quickly than d which was in the deep ace. CHRISTMAS DAY. 195 ittle pile of r a window, mney, while Ixe previous " I believe ther?" md a huge id while he he lingered "Sorry, sir, I cannot make you afire in },«rn xr did not keep you awake ? " ^- ^°P® *^e cold <^^:!X^ZytSL^. ^^-'*-dthe cold at all,' me ourikft'night^of a brS n'ewTinf 7™*" ''^'' ^^^ '^^ -"t are to smoke three times a dav^ln?^''"'^,•1°'"^ e^^ebs which you order. Had it long?™ ^' ^°*^^"g ^^^^ Pubebs for your dis- FoI^^^''^:LI^:^^^^^^^^ with a little m, and wondered if the confour ' ffl'l ^ ^,^^ involved him inasmuch as he had neverloT 1*^™^'^" * ™'^*^ ^^"^ «^*^^^' hofrt:rgf;^;Vo^:t;tt^^^^^^^^^ room, whefe he found onlv S ^f,„\*«*«"«d down to the dining- andout of sortsasif fhet'wa'ItmS^^^^^^^^ -^ -«-> the\tst'^Sfd":;;d^t* T:^^^ LThef ^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^e had |11 night and was replelrdVAnthot'n'^^^^^^^ ffiokermg firelight on Sw^lUhtel? B™,™"' T'^'-S *« to be «„, too Z a. i: w» ve^SSfoS^ ^"r"'? '«'» <"*«« *«nbe, he wa. a„^„ J^h^JS SsttiV"„L".?^:Sg iHS heS t"e";T» "h?Sh'eSS>bt'"^\°l T"'' »"" "»» "• it did not commnnicar with it hf ',,,,* f'.""^ >■»■ "■""St rather wondered thatX rtelid tkl""!','"^'^ i' ™ Besrie, afd with Boeh a jerk. ™°'' '° ''"'"'J'' »■"* """od the chairs did^iorLVaeTild' rhet"ti.e'""'",™r'r' •'° ''<"■'". -i throngh the old yew'tr^.,"S teX'ar'/unS'S^ j' """'"« l^ten. and raise hi„,e« o„ CX^ ^l^^: ^.'LT^Z'^. «.<:< in'dT, "."rJttTi: s: *?."-«"* .^'"™*- - « » « such snores ! who would flvnr i^^'^^"°'^t \ \" ^^'^s*** snoring ! and 196 Bessie's fortune. it is enough to raise the rafters i If I did nn+ !,««,„ b • there, I'd swear it was a man How ca„ a dr^ and r"" T ^'J Sirfitilo st .^ISe Z:^^ !&edTs1a^ sense^soretLng lo"sror L^l?if^^^^^^^^ ?«"'« ^-rt, a and then he thou|ht of ' Bknchera^rrn Jered if she ?n ^'^^^^ how he could find it out wonaerea U she snored, and whtUf;.';™rLS\Xt„rf„d": ''"J' """r"' »-■> W.8 it resumed agaii ButNeU co^.U If 7°'* I'^^'J}" "Me, nor ful sounds which were still ringiL in Ne^V, «a™ ®™l"« h'T ^"^^*^^'« ^'^-"-*- feet painful ; but witrSsie^ raSi?^ ;/°'''"^"T ^*« ^^^''^^ *»d family were just seatfnXreTvt^ IJ^Kf "'^^ ** !*«*' *°d the sound of a vehicle ontsSe w?th vnt *^e *able when there was the r^^ ^^S:l^:r SS;';^??^ .^- ^- ^ad recog. Jack sVoX"trrrm^^\.^it'tt s^n^^^^^ - ^ — * ing them a merry ChrTstmasL he «bnnT^ ^T ^•'l'^^**' *«^^ ^»h- " Hallo, Jerrold, and Macron hnf^ ^*^^V^^^ «*^^ ^» *»"»• he said, as he saw the two ITin^ ^^'^^ ^^'^ ^^ » surprise ! " madetL watchful NeiTusrcfthTii w.^ '7'^'^° in his tone Bant surprise. ^ * '^*' ^* ^*« "o* altogether a plea- JZ:r.^, whfcKTSe utn T'' ""T ^^^« '^ f-get the niouth, with its or?y expresL^^^^^^ m London, or the%weet . with the mother when hlmlf T' x?^ ^^^^'^ ^^^ ««* to play and he had travelled much Tnllf- ^°, ""**"^ ^^e^^e ^e wasi eyes had haunted him and the Inw ""*' ^*!* **• Stoneleigh-those ears until at last he had made ^d L S^^^. ^'^ """^ ^" ^i" once more, only once and tSL T T '^ *i'^* ^^ would see her it would b^ ma^dnessVLk her to Y'''*^^^ « 'T ^er forever, for The puny Paufof Trevellkn CasSrw^'f ^!. ^""f ^«^ * year, waa master there. Onirone life not^ K ^^^^^ f-^^ stalwart Hal Bessie ; but as once before he caSedh^ If ^^ck ^nd wealth and done when he heard of Paurs deif ^™«e",^n^»rderer, so he had from him he wrote to HaM.8tl?£'rj^ P"**'°^ *^« ^"^ t^^^ught him he supposed he would be ^^l\ ^""^n to Paul, and told the old home and thin A. ^a'^^ymg now and settling down in for Bessrthat he resolv^^^^^^^^ over him so intense°a longing and the cold wS would keen him •"*'I''^u''^ ^^^^ ^^"^ *he storm have her all to himsrif h7.w^ u '" *^^- ^°"«e where he could Neil and Grey Sd th^laTt^r^of 1^'"^^^^^^^ *," ^"'^ '^^'^ both and between whom aAd himtSf i ^"'^ ^^ ^*^ '"et many times Jack was one wWuld eiSh^'^v J uo hT«Vr'*'°"^ fi^' «"* the young men warmly and Lh R«««? ^ V^elings and he greeted plained rapidly as anxious Vn„f ■, Tu- ^"""^^ "^ ^^ while he ex- to the •« Georg^^iSndTni tf J l ^^^^'^ '^^^' *^***^ ^e had gone before, but had fouid it ai^f« I, f ^' ^ '"'!?'" \^'^''' ^ ^e had done ^ '• I have comehere bandtgi'^anr^^^^^^^ 'r^^'"^ = I should like to. I «hall h-vo T^^i^'' *"V - ^P®"*^ *^e night as cradle ; anything will do."" '"'^ ** ^^'*' "'' ««*' "'^ c«b, or 198 Bessie's fortune. look n her eye« as st SnrTf ^''^^' "^^ ^''''''^ ^^e troubled grant the hosp tauV te Xed In rT/'"''^"^^'" ^^^'^^"^^^ *° doubt now as'to wh^at LTwlld do '^SeTiU oC T'"!' '^"•^ room with Jack, of coursfl " h«7i,^ i ^ "^^"^ ^"er to share hia Bessie; but into Ne's mind .n^^*' ^"^ «»'. Pe^h^Ps, thought come fi^st served was hisToHn/^'l ''^ ^""^''"^ ' ^^'^ seal-skin gloves S he had b,„i7^^ 'nf '^'" '^^P '^"'^ ^ P^'^ "f spare money, while Grev is r oh «, H To t • u^" ^ "^''^'' ^*^« ^"y entrenchin/ himself Sindflf^i °^ 'i^'^ ^^'^ ™^«*^'' J " and ease, thou/h heTal'v'eJyl'r f'r bei^^o '^ *"^' *° "^"^ ^* ^^^ a ft moments! andlmrSlv Z^r.^K *^ T '^'"^ ^^-« f- or cot, or crib ^hich th'eltef hiit^foW ' "'^"^ °' *^« ^«^' roomw™hm?-'lndthtL'f/d ^^r'' "unless you share my had insisteHpon t^kii. on n *''^'^ f ,*t^ "T*^ '''^'^"^ber which hj so much freshS ^ '°°""^ **^ ^'' ^^^^''''> ^'hich required cli Jed'tLt^SZ^Sntrt"?^^^^^^^ .T'*^" ^ ^"^^ '^^ ^^-^ -land ! Why: you^a^^ttTS^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Miss'ai-^;o;:L^rwr/sL*7^^^^^ *'** ' ^^i ""-"-;> - Grey said atfecting a teSfetL::: '"""^ ^" *'^* "«^*^ -"=-'" if you'll take mel SVour's '' "* ^'"' ^'^'^ ^^ ' ««' ^^^^ ^'^'^P' member £ 7i^e\'Vki::tt'£''h ST/^J«^"f '^^ " ^ou re- haa^proved a fat, Tr:itt:iTcZir.tl^^^^^^ ^ «w a coal pit. Do you suppose they will make me vomit ? " ^ id the troubled er readiness to re could be no 9r to share his "haps, thoui/ht entered ; lirst business liad ced ? For liis ud on his face ^hen, after the ) and a pair of fift for Bessie, Lrchie, who ho ced, and Bas- Ihristmas pre- id the gloves ful that there leir kindness, an idiot that do think till i^er have any laster ; " and ' seem at his ick alone for '' of the bed, '11 share my er which ho ich required •w you have ins i 1 Swit- 3r knew, " for sleep in orth wing," I upon him. o, old chap, "Yonre- IVIy asthma ■UCUl; IVUiL' me puflSug ait?" \-^^ CHRISTMAS DAY. 399 if Z^strjl'.^ t'k'saL'Verdv'tlr^' '"* ^'" t « ^^^'P^* *- required of him and onlv p/ ^""^ «»y emergency ; but this was not and smoked cSeSsunU^erv^r^^ *^' ^.T^^^ «^ *^« '^hite lie the stars whik dancef beLre h^ ef.r"!ll^ ^''"^ ^^^'^ «^°«Pt scarcely stand. ®^''^' ^""^^^ "^a^so dizzy he could of oL^,*a*Snre^TefuTBV'^"^^*' ^^^'^^^ -«*-d wondering why he could nnf«I ^""T^ J'P"" ^»« ««** P"low8, strangely disgu^sted and everhumS^T'^ ^^^ he should feel so had anticipated so nmch lad no? hi '" '°™t ^^y* ^^^ ^^y ^e though Jak and Grey had Inloyed Tt LZ' ^P^^ T« ^"^ ^im, best of spirits, especiallv Gr^v^ ™> u T"^^'}^^^y a»d been in the were pe^ectly ,& as if he call f'llX to:ir^:^\^^^^^ assurant: t t^e. but I incidents of the day in whici hirA^ '• "^ ^^ ''^'^^"^^ ««™« «f the spicuous part, aided Ind abe ted bv t"T ^T ^ ^*^ '''^^ » ««»" ready scholar! "^ ^^ ''*°^' ^^^ P^^ved an apt and wattVst?vl7aT'ir^/to'uW ^^ ^' '^'^^' *^-* ^^ vantf instead of the hobbW Dorothv R ^^^ ^^'^ ''' ^^ ^^^«"«d ser- tion washing the dishes to fav«+hl7' ^^'fi^ announced her inten- ''NonsenseXs^Tft » K^ii ^^ J^*''"^^ ""^^ woman's feet. Aunt Hannah," he said while Ta^k nl!«- T/*^ "^.^^ * *^™« ^^r nestly that the two wS; Toon hS/-^'"'^'^ "•' «««'«ta«ce so ear- of Grey's havin^rbTb th^^l^ £ -1 "" ^?!'^ ^'*°h«n ^proi^s, that ders, sLdinTon tiptoe toirh ^^T -".Pr^^ "P""^^^ «houl. bis mustache, and WfintrsJ^ ^"8?* hair almost touching and Grey the ySL dialect^ *ut ^T^ ^"T" ^« ^"«^ «° w«". drove Bessie intrWer cs and ,i«H 'a^^^ ^*"«' ""^^^ "earlj^ laughed in years? ''^''^""'' *"*^ '"^d^ Archie laugh as he had not pro'S^edrng, aXtirTdVatlfs L*^. "'°^.^ ?„°^°«* ^^^^fie^ could they see it.Tid if aTfcbr i '^"^t^'.^nd Blanche would say cominjr to^St„>n«yei "Ifl*. - ' ^^ ^**^ °"* "»•«*« » °^«take ij mind, however," wfen";7ter "thfdL'''"V "'""'• ^« ^'^^'g^^ Jiis apro. discarded, and AUto^g'.t^^^^^^^^ 200 m\ I Bessie's portune. II 'i u ^;^?^°" ««k! that you seem so sober ? " enjoy rayself-in just the wav--Tr«. .7™ "?* «ck, but I cannot them rather too f/ee and easjTor strlt'eT^ "^^^-^'^ ^°- ^ *hink with you. Don't, Bessie don't iL/I^*^"'. ^"'^ ^"ite too familiar There was som^thlnrvery pithetiranT'^ J"''^ «^ y«"- " and It went to Bessie's heart and wh„ .? Pleading in his voice, his two hands and kissed her lios sST ^^*?*?'' ^'^'' ^«°« between fc^^*hdrew from him ^rstrJaciTanrG^^^ h'.ck ag,i„, ,„5 They had been out for a little walk „ff I^ entered the room, turned, reporting t.e weathertas^t?;^;3tcktrellirn^^^ theLfby IheVrtL'S " ^Vst^; '"^^jf ^^ hands, and holding «ay ? " he continued, turning to Be 1"'^\* ^"l^^-^^*" ^hat do you *^« gf™« f« «^« ^»«^ they iould nlav i7 .''' ^?^'^ "" objection to round table was brought ourand tK) !'• ^^"^"'^ ""^^^^J^' ^nd the Then arose the question ^ ''^'*'™ *"«»««d for four. " Naturril """ 'iT^'^ ^"««^« PJay ? " side with an aVof oJlIlwn SiV ^''^.''^^' «*«PPi"g to her ^ ''I don't know abithaT' Tthif^ '^J"r^' ^^^^^^ = tinz-""- »"- * "p- '^S'"o :s.t .t: s^i- 5b first, drew, and lost. "'^^'^ed silence, and when told to draw SP%^^^""«"PP^^^^^^^^ f-t heart never them I sh^lS t:i^Ul^Tjlli''Zu:^\-)l'^^ it You have fixed 'I have won ; the lady is mS?'1^ *"** ^^^'d and lost, held up the longest slip of papT ' '^ '™*^' «^»Itantly, as he opge 5|;Ko?tlnfe^^ ^^^ *« ^- chair, he tookhis seat something, an7af non^of us Yw?' ^^P^ ,""'««« y«" Play for pose we try for that W 0?^^^^^"^^. ^J^^ ^?f 'noney, sup- 1 think It exceedingly pretty ''^P^*'*^ ** ^"« Bessie's throat. 'yly up to him, m, said to hun, v^irfg her closely . but I cannot 'd do. I think te too familiar of you. " r in his voice, r face between ck again, and Ted the room. and had re- 'ian expressed ', and holding What do you 3 objection to dily, and the or four. »ping ta her ghingly : 5ut8 for her j lips of paper concerned," iold to draw leart never indicating, have fixed lost, ■ntly, as he ok his seat u play for t>ney, sup- b's throat. CHRISTMAS DAY. g^- the nbbon, which both GreTand T^^ ^"" .^^^ °"'ici«'"H upon "tftS-r ^«'^"'"- *' '''"""' '"" to Jack' "and if'?„t^"-] ^'i' ^^*^ «"*« f"r the pri.e " rv«v •. mine." ' '' ^^ "^e beats there is no 'cKouuf ftt feeling :L*os?a?mufci.e'';" ^-^-«— ry energy to win' and stake instead of the bit S Scotch rib^''''."V^'^ ^^'^ a fort « ,1 And It did almost seem to £ as [f h^ ^^ V'^ ^^'^^'^ ^o dishke If, ; P'»ying to keep her from Grev ^L ' ^'^^^"^ ^"'^ ^«««ie het said he would rather give hrtha7;. ""^'y ™*" *» whom he had 8he were not for him. ^ The fiLtZnl *"3;.""«.«l«e in the world ^ that he did not hold a sinde Irnln'TTr^ T^^' ^^^e" he found time round, and Grey turfed upTv^iJ""'^ f '^ «"* «'« ««cond an? v^p"^ ™"re Jand we would wL ^ k^!^'^ ™?^"'.^ «'^ ^^ *», titn'^' was the winning side unS'thfv 1^"> ^^^ "^^^ turned, thenGreyrousedhimselfindDlS ;„? 1°°^ six and four, and carefu ly watching the cards as Wf„^? ^^ ^**? "^^«'' don« before been played, and calculating prtt^acil"r'".^ ^^^''^^ ^^at had and finally coming oflf victoriSuH^ ^''curately where the cards were, ine ribbon is mine anrl r ..i • nng in his voice and a ^armtj tZ"^^ °^" ' " ^^rey said, with a blushes to Bessie's cheeks a^sVLJ^.™^"^^ which brought the presented it to Grev who \Ll- ^?^ *heknot frem her throaf «n-? pinned it upon his sleeve ''"='""«'^ ''"^'^ '' *« h« lips and tj^u What a cad he is i ta iu * i taimng and brilliant, and s^verv conrL"P'''';i ^"'^ ^«« «« enter- he did and said, that Bessie ZZ f ""^^to^s »nd gentlemanly in all -i^w„.^iug ince, wnich Neil knnw oi,„ — r--*^" auu snowed it in >a3y and love, and doubt J>«t lay awake torn with as to what he ought to do, was jeal- H I if li 202 BESSIE'S FORTUNE. Jane and Blanche were staK^o ^ *u^°^*"il ^°"»« '^'lere Lady see his Cousin Hal ThoalonT^-f^V^^^ to Trevellian Castle to while Grey was gifaLte"r\^ar A^rNeil's^ir" the peerage? out a pang, but Bessie was full ofregret esoelZ f ^^''p "^^^ ^^'**- she would miss so much and fn ii? ' ®^P^^»a"y/or Grey, whom Bhould see him again ' *° ""^""^ "^^ '^'^ she hoped she BummeTarS m^^lCt'^^^^^^^^^ " ' ^-.*« ^-- ^^^ord next on the Continent. But before f I l?o" 7T?. ^" ''""« ^^^ a trip and I shall always rememhir ^.^^1 ""! ^ ^^^^^ '^'^"^^ ^«re ajjain, ever spent, and shall CnL kw ^'.f '"'*'' ^ *'>« pleasant'est I leigh Ld 'yo, Good'b?e -' and w th ^"" '' * '""''^"*"' "' S'*^""" had held in his all the time' he wasTa L T'''''^ "^ '^« ^^"d he felt that something very brUt Tnd «?inn^' ^l" ."'f ?T«' '^"'i B««"« been taken from her id nofh7n„1 f?"^''"'^ ^*^'l^^"^ ^^^^ suddenly by contrast with t^e' American dfdnnV" '''F^T ^"' ^^«"' ^^'of Neil as before. ^n^eiican, did not seem to her quite the satae CHAPTER xnr. THE CONTRACT. F^Lr^^^lt tizs^lis^'^ '^r'^^^^' growing his future course, and more and m 1 f ^' *»d undecided as tS evident depression of sSrits after^h^H ^V^ ^'^^ ^«««'«' ^hose and Grey Jerrold had dSerht^ tfy^Sd""! ith''^'!:^^ of Neil's nature was in the ascpnrfanf « /i^ *"® ^^*ter part debating the question whetrer^tw«r« '**"'* ^^ ^*« ««"«»«ly woman he lov^d, and share hs povir ^ TthTeTth' T^^ '""^ the woman he did not love even ihZ.L t u ^' *^*" *<* "larry year. Yes, it was bettS LT^hIT^ ?H ^^^ *«" thousand a Bessie he could be more of a man than if' J^** . ^^*^ » ^'^^ ^i^e and so one day he spoke his iSnS llf ! ''"P^^imself to be now, ^d he was a4e wX Be Si^, who s^" bvt: ^'^ T' "" ^'^^'^ the very unpoetical occupation of darntg^her faZtT T'^'^ ^" -The storm, which was ram n« "/*"""S"er rather s socks. days ago, and the wLter'sSL came^^'STh ^'' ^^^^ several was sittintr. and H'-htor' ,.r P • ' ** ^^® Window wher« nh- „, ..-a „^htoc{ up Ecasie s wavy hair and sweet face with 3d by different 86 where Lady Ilian Castle to id the peerage, iood-bye with- )r Grey, whom she hoped she e Oxford next rune for a trip lie hero a^^ain, pleasantest I 'enir of Stone- •f the hand he )e, and Bessie had suddenly ut Neil, who, uite the sarae THE SECRET. 203 ngh, growing decided as to Jessie, whose sk Trevellian B better part 'as seriously ) marry the in to marry I thousand a a wife like f to be now, le to Bangor ' engaged in ocks. ised several w where she Bt face with a halo which made Neil thinh- ^* *i. ,, , it the porcola n bal 'he d it ^^n".^'*^ •""« '"'^^ '^"^ removing from looks about as good as nit." "^ *" "^^^- " ^^at is done. Ld U inJ::^:'! 2X prest'rr «l;.r^. ^^-^^^^ the ball ft her. Had Grey Jerrold bee^? tEL 'i ^''*^ ?^^'' ^""^ed steadily thyery personification owim 'a HI )!' """"S ^'''^ thougl.^hej and would have admired the sldlwtb''rT'^^^ ^'^' «''"»l^l K forth, over and under, fill ng n th« h ,^^"^\«'^« *"ve back and even his Aunt Hannah co . d 3 I '^ ^'^^ » deftness which afraid, saw only her sofVSsr^^^^^^^^ '"f"'^'^-, '^"^ Neil, I „S deftness and thrift I, w I ""'y- ^"^ «'*'-ed nothing f , r her the whole thing-tke sock^ tht^^ the^^ "^*^"'"» '^'^ '^^in than all, the dHrnin,.«^+ e ^^r-' - ^-^«' whf haJSn^^r^S^^^^^^^^^ th:;TsTotcrirtrorJr j^^^^^^^ i ^^r- o^. m, you could be like him » England. 1 wish you-I wish ress of yourself and your thouS.?lZ» " ^.T '^"«* ^orgetful- am going to try to be iL ftrS fn •? °^ °*^.?,"' *"d' B«««e. I will be my wif« ; no* ?oi but K' *''^\'^ ^f" ^^" help me. if vo.i ' ' "''^> *^"t by and by when i have made a man » good aa Grey for a thought for a moment her. But the net any oppo- irae to believe B the material him because I always feel Worst by con- when he was indescribable I don't know it. I have id elsewhere, young lords took to the ual. Once I )re always to e expression 9 looking far 98 it is hard; ' to live for happy every if 1 live to a IS have been this plan at it will make for a great I a kind of jf it, and I eant by an mt what he r, and who Oh. Neil, ou — I wish 'iginal sub- t forgetful- l, Bessie, I me, if yoii lade a man THE SECRET. 205 ^^^':::^!s:!;^:^{::^ f "y.o". Be^ie. wmyou He had her face now bo ween K- * t *" f''*"" J"'" ' " her eyes where the tears w«r«,h ^*"''" '*"^' ^^" '""^in" into " Neil, y„„ .,„ not know wh^^""'*^' ?" '^^ "'^'^ *« ''i'" = not leave ^ny father, a J there is"B^n;;"' ""v^' ''''"''''' ^ ««"- engaged to her ; yon'said sot yo, r Ser'^' "^"^ "'" '' «""^ «'• 1 know I wrote vou so " nJ) l • .< 1 myself against doing^ju fc ^'haU hav^'l ^'T'^^ ^'^'"«'l ^<> fortify Blanche Trovellian;Vover ' If vS^t^llT' ^V ^^*" »«-««• marry forever; but you ;ill not JlesS v "^ "n" '^''" '*'''"'*''' «*"«!« chance to be a n.an. C do love n./^' """ ""* '''"'*•■">' '"y 1^8* me more when you know al mer^! "? '"T' T^ y"" ^'J' I'^^e you from your father. He shaH S« »1"' ^ ''>^" ""* «^P"ate Dorothy, to(, ; though not here at JLJ u"' '^"^ ^"^^""V and Bummer when the rcmes are in bloom k!?^''''v*^^'''^P* '' ^« ^" *'»« Lo|do^.,,n Warwick Cresce"ntf C wii? tt^ uIlvVSie'lTd^ dis^n^'rifanL'^ffTf ;htlJ'm'a^7rB^ his mother's threat of capable of ..erforming it if T ifn„ \ *"^ ^« '"'^^ »he was small house in Warwick Crescent? bT.J't?" *">""' «^«" "' ^^at ^^.™ 5 Bessie's upturned face was h«H^ T'*"^ ^^^^ ^«''« »P»n with her did not seem so verv7e,rr^f''^^J?,,^'« ^^''^' and poverty way, but he would be frank wit ^ v. • ^^'''^ ''^^^d '"anale some Jerrold would have been tni£ d^''^"' ^ ^' ^^« «"r« GrT^ going to be like Grey? ^® circumstances, and was he not jjn; tKcihT ^/rrit^^^^^^^ r '^r- ^-' - p- means me to marry Blanche and win h' ^"' '^^ ^'" "«*• She perhaps refuse to give me m^ present alln '^ '"'"'^ ^^'' * *^'"«' ^"^ very poor ; but that I shall not Zd if r^"""' '?,*^'^* ^^« '"^y be -n be sweet if shared witr^^wi^TLrwr^^ri a^li^ ''[^^^^i!7^^^:!^fi:a^^^ '-'' from his hands, " But what ? ■' Neil cried in „1 I® ^^^^ ' ''"* " and held them fast. -You are w ' ^" ^' T^^' ^'' ^ands in his you are not 1" " "^ "°* g^mg to tell me no ? Surely thinHn'g.'^that i/ t"? frfs^ ^of Sr'^"/ ^« ^^*- ^ -« -^^ you work ? " P°°'' "an t you do something ? Can't yeaVbX'e'in ZS''"!!;„PI'*>3^,*^« 8-1 Daisy to the L Ar^^.e had then answered the' rirfTarv^-^"^*!!' ^""^ ^\t^« ^^y A^r^hTe wply : «'" ^»"y» 80 the man Neil now made 2oa BEaw««'s FonruNE. I wi>ui(j work mv f iKmra /.♦r e ~ II • "VVith a HfRrf «i? 'f "^ " ^"^ '^''« woman I loved " wc..«2;:;;;;i;-;S^:';' t;;at r^^- ^ di«^renco ; ove^ body getou;:ei!:tx;^.i'S^;'^^^r"'T';;'^ his hend, and replied : ' '" ^'''''' ^"* ^"^1 ""'y «hook ity.' wher?tiJ f;;;ure"prrsid:r.t"n*'^t h.lf.civili.ed land of equal- of my boo.blaok. Tarn a, on 'Im ?„^ '•"l*'""'^'^ "^ '" ^^e jacLet be po continued : » = "' imitate , but before she could speak, he wii; clm^tu/^d wtn siie Sf^lJTj'r^''''' T^ '" *-« -other Be tied is it not, and y^u promL o t™'"'"^-. *^"' ^^^««^«' ^^ " things ? " -^ " Pi^o'J'we to be my wife when [ can fix nou1k:Tt,*fnd fald rhTr *°" '""'^'^ ^^^ «-"*«d. -d Bessie did out ^r^^i:^i'^:^'^^:^^i^^^'^ "^?.?« y-- -th. yoiirself, poverty, father ami me ''' '*^"" "'""^'^ ^^ *«^^i«» "Pon lytohimTl^riLr.l^'lerw^^^S ment after argument whv aSY), m ^^ *''''''''^' ad' ' '" ' utr'a- »nent, the greatest argLnt of :nh""''^*K '" '^ ^^'"•«^' ^"^'"^i engagement would have over him ^ i ""'S ^^-^ '"fl" " ^ » -' ' a to be a man somewhat alter thlSe^'^™ ?. '^•^^"^ ^^^'^l"""" name was mentioned often in 1 . ^ '^'^^rold order ; for Grey's when at last Bessiel consen wis won^^'l ^'^l^''^."^' °^ '"'^'' -«d his mother was reconcilprl hL T *" ^® -^*^'^ » wife as soon as V - of Neil, wirnow\tt':he"wa' Zs t""^ '"'If' '' «-A«i" an. :c-./,=ted Iwer durim. hi« J • • ' ''^''*"'® *^« most tender iWs- ^ ■■^iaDp-! than"LhL 'k"'^ ?'''y ^* Stoneleigh. and wi... ; ,:. ..^,4 r I: ,,non W ^ ^•''^'' ''^^^ '" ^^"^ "f«. though there he- r.d -.. , :... N;i 'ES ,^!:^i ferriof ' 7"^' ^''« ^■•^ '^'^ tow m io boi ..Uif Grey w.' -d W.^" 1"°*' *°*^ "^^ obeyed, wonder- .7 TT . _.u. — ,^ wuuixu liur BO secrecy. F'horson blood wero poor ? " 'I hor iiiiiifl a le waiting for not there ; ifc ; every body 1(1 work, and iJ only Hhook nd of equal- n the jiicket t'ould rather rush against roy Jorrold, J apeak, he ime mother Bessie, it ia on I can fix Bessie did I'ours with- iking upon 7 her close- 'irjargn- ''■ 111. "(. '.a iuaolution for Grey's vows, and as soon as Grey as it 5st tender eigh, and iigh there have told , wonder- "TIIR NEW OREY." body happy evorday iU the'KT^ *''^'"" *" make' some- the n.eaJ, and the^glrTwho broLhf S'" .^^ °^, ^•""° «''« bought «he bouKht their bread, and tLob,--^ " "'•-' """' "^ ***^'" door for cinders and cold bits found an Ln'".""" '^^'^ '"''"» *" *»»« ner in the young drl who «mil * '^'"^ graciousness o man «Bfed herself so*^ k ,'dly in heir w 17"'*'^ T'^i ^'^^'^ *"'l "t«r- "Phere. was imitat ng^Grey jLnU^ ^or 11 at«d people happier, even thoS;h«n'n"'^ *'"^''"»f *« ""^^e a few number twenty'thousand*' '""^^ "'^*"^ hope, like him to (( CHAPTER XIV. THE NEW onEY. lh.t he wa. incesaait ta M«™ J'„^ ''°?' ?">' '» "'>''''' h" """red her be like the Ameriom L„rZ£,T „°' '"T" '" '"'» ™°^« *"d girls, than Stoneleigh, and now thJhJ ^"^^'' «"»*«oys and girls. 3d him better there was no as not half as vere her eye- he began to p1 and played at Bessie did 8, and foimd le would say nts except a ?e of French Jading a Bo- ld nor accom- [id beautiful, nature, and iree times a rfey Jerrold, t. She had fthing were well to an- lanche, and 1, mother, I id if I had ther as he have fore- e had once 'mpared to again and 'uld be no fance and pressed it, 'en if she se as her Neil's al- money to "THE NEW GREY." 209 some one else .Tart t..««„ii' the family far better than h 11'*"' ^^'^^^"' '^^^ ^""^^ represent Pherson tastes *" ^'' scape-grace son, with his low Mc- en'rgV%?ttir:itrf^^^^ On the contrary he bent eve^ Bessie or HtoneIei..hTn he^r "-« *"\"fT ''^8'^''^ mentioned Blanche in a friendfy, b?otherlv^k?nT'f' ^"* l'-^?*'^'* ^^^^^l^ *« in that quarter and feft M^'Tn^qJ L, BjhiTfT'' K'^'"''' ?«*«« with plans f„r the future wl?,.n P ^ thoughts were busy he disinherited, for her sake (ZA '^^ T'H b« his wife and living at Stoneleigh on the me^.?"^ !^f ^''"^.^.'^d the possibility of received, and whi?rwoSdLS'K'V'^? ^' ^"^^^ ^'^hie and he called himself a sneak for .nn "^ ^°' ^1 *'°"^'^"'* ^u that, Btant. * ^"®*'' ^'''^ considermg the matter an in- -eVhe tught. '''^tJ.Z't Scon ^' "'^^' """^'^ ^^ --P-™i- could do better at that ?or h ' '' '^'^ /'/mentor, or an author. I Wilkie Collins and Geort ElioT^aS VetS' Y ^'^'•""^ ^'^^^ «*y- pens. Yes, I believe I'll try it " ^ """"^^ ^^*^ ^^^eir anfcormS'reSrlti^^^^^^ 'T ^'^^^ ^^^ ^-^ day, Bessie sat for his heroine Tnd rJv r ""^ff ^'t ^^^*""«- B"* as furiously jealous whe'"l^^3 reached the wi'^ ^°' ^'^ ^^''"' ^'^ became hjsmanuscript in disgust, I^^'.^IIIL'ST:^^^^^^^^ writing had been' Neil L^w iKu't Bel" ''^" *^^" *^« «*"^ very peculiar, and he hardl7 knew hi f ^ T" J^'^ eccentric, ''™rrvtlWe»t^^^^^^ "^4 Sfclut: ""^'-*-^ marry^BessTe:'- L sl^J'^nSV/d S'tlulerT ^.'""r^ ^" ^^^ *« kmd of way, as most any man wouW 1 '" " ^"°^^'°» aiL^oft Snadlert'thet?f *f"^ ^^^ - ^^« -^^ -nt, of crossing the ocean to see her inetl"""*'"^ 'Z ^^'' ^"^^ «^«« been deterred fro™ doing so by a fpL^^!"?" ^'^™«' ^"t ^^d either to see or hear from him ^Then h*''** l^" ^f "'^ not care waxed eloquent as he de8rrih'«^ i ^® ^^""^^ ^^ Bessie, and told of her life ofloil and Tare l^s«l/r*T'" ""'^ ^«^"^y «nd her father, whom he rep^eseTted «« wt^^h *' S^^^l'^i^hV with Then he told of his eng?,ement anV""-' Z^tTT "^ ^^e grave, tu u and tne sure poverty which awaited" Mm Yf\""'''^ opposition to h.. co^n „ he ™.„/^ a«:';„7ra ^rde'irY^^ru? 210 I'l ' bkssik's foutune. allo«r him to occupy a liouse S Warw i T ' ^"'^^'^ ^'^^''^r would him and which would save h a rent An^ f^"' '''"'''^ ^^'«"g«d *« r1 T''^' *^" ^'»*«d at the probabilftv f h^f .'• »'''^'^'"g ^«'der as -Bessie her he r, inasmuch a., ik ^ *"'^* '^'s aunt micrht makA were so he should b"Xd t^Vno^TaJSr' t\^''' -clTaidTn ligiously from Bessie until 8ucE« f.', t "^ ■"A'^ ^^^^ ^^^ secret re- answer to this letter was dcs red ^d NeS T^'T^^^ i*- A speedy "Your very affectionate nepl^w ^ iS^^pt*^ ^^ 'T'^^ hi™«««: He posted the letter himo^ii j r ,. -^Ic Pherson. " able response, went and S^^^ i^'' '^'^^ "^ '^ favour- he could afford, and sent i t he^ witVT" '""^''^''^ ""-"' ««chi letter he had yet written to her ^ *^^ """'^ ^^^^"g. hopefS CHAPTER XV. MISS M'PHERSON AND THE LETTER. eccentricity in her nature As sh« l,v i 7 ^^^'e^ ""^ » «hade more vants, so she lived alone now tith the!?' *^' > ^'^^ ^^'^ *^« ««^- but not the same house-maid^'to attend h- '^> "^ ^''^ ^^*'^^"' ned for fave or six years to a Jl . u, ^^^' ^^""^^ had been mar- Bmail white house a'c'S th^ 2^^;^!^' '^'J^^' ^ *"« for, two boys and a girl. This lR«f il' T j f/"^''® children to care former mistress, to whom she had .',.,^^ ^^""''^ht to call for her askin, if she would be gSmother ^ ^ '""^'''''^ ^'' ^^^^^^on, Piseu,'.;^.: tl^^erroSoSt^'lilft slf ' "T«. «^« ^^*- Hke Bor and even wore her best bltck si k wLn "f "^^"'^ ^'^ **=* *« «?«"" took her accustomed seat in church ^"'"'^"^ ^"™« ««d «he knelt in'r;rg pTaS, ^^0^1^31^" ]^-« l^^^' ^^ «^e "Let UB pray," greativ L f !,„ » °^ '**'^ *^°"!d »» her abstraction, , amuacmcnc oi eome young people loney on which assure to be in 'was. A few (lis father would ich belonged to Jwing bolder as >nt might make I", and said if it p the secret re- "■1 it. A speedy gning himself: re of a favour- ■e ring, such a* >ving, hopeful MISS M PHERSON AND THE LETTER. 1 Betsey Mc- > had been to he was now, i shade more I her two ser- the kitchen, 'd been mar- lived in the iren to care call for her Jr intention, e hates like act as spon- ^me and she ice, for she abstraction, ung people 211 a1Sf„\Tth^rg*hf " ^.^ S^f --. to everything except twinkle in her rounHSt^ev:"" and'l '""^' '"? *^«^' ^^^ when she at last arose and straSt and stS"" '"t "" ^'' ^^«« walked up the aisle to the fror? and tn.t^ f * darning-needle pink and white baby who was to h?.r ^ '' ^''™' ^^'' ^^"le child, and as she held it f,7r a mom/nf T^'i ^' ^^« '^ Pr««y blue eyes fixed so quest on llvn^^^^^^ ""'f ^""'f^d into itB clear the thoui^ht of another little blue fi^^^/^^f' ^^^''^ ''^'"^ *« her the sands of Aberystwyth and tJtl^ 7^°, ^''^ f ""« *« ^^^^ «« rubbed and patted the folds of W ^r!* u ""''"f? ^^^'^^ »« they after the lapse of many years Th.f h ?< u^^, '"'-'^'^ ^^^^ e^«n now sey was a horrid name^ E child ,. H ^^'^ '^^'^ *'' J^«^' ^hat Bet- and hate it all her life/a d so wL^^^^^^ would think so, too, from her, said, '' Name thlclS"«h ri^^™T't*''^"& the babj? ^"^Vs^S^mS^^^^^.^^^*^^^^^^^^ ' ''-'' '''^' m^^^VAZ''" ^^-*»-P«^ in a whisper, "it is Betsey, pared btk, ^nTl^Belb'kpWsTn In.'* If^J^bout," was whis- mto Christ's flock and signed wfrfi? ^^ "^* ^'^'sey was received back to the happy mothefgladTer tt^'f ".^ 'H^''^^' «»d gS of the change of name ^ ""^^ '^^ ^^''•^d to own because Sav^nrBLti^rc":^^^^^ in the Allington spinster washed her hands ofthe whole iffar"\^"^'"' ""** the herself. But she could not quite WfVh'.*?/^^ expressed it to Monday evening after the chri entfshe sat h'^^A """^ ^'^^^ «" the her round tea-table at her sidl IL ^ * ^^ ^^^ <^Pen fire with mind, and she said to herself ' ^""' ^'"' " thought of it in her and th?y tVu?e1:::,f ;:;^ SrXn'^r^ ^^"'* ^^^ P-*i-'> Bessie is better and sweeter every wav'" ^^ *"" ''"^'"^ ** y^'^' »^n^%srii:S-^^^^ and so she knew nothing ofXL ex en^'^b f n^ " "'^ h^a family, on her business at Monte Carb^d Z\i ^^''^ ^^' «*"Ting to every frequenter of the nlace ^.7^ T""^ ^ an adventures! some Bostonians who haSb^n Abroad Td . '^%?^^. ^'^'^ f''^™ woman who played so assiduously and a^l^^^^^^ the lovely Welsh by her remarkable beautv ^Z tt l^,^}}^^'^""^ ^'^.'^uch attention adopted as she grew older ' Mnf^i •*"''"= ^^>''e oi dress she had 212 BESSIE'S FORTUNE. il ?! the sands and looked S her iJ."'^!,?''', "';'' '"'1 »me to h™ on ires.. h.„d. N^i^ 'ZtllthMi^BT ""' ^"» ta" h 5 at disliked him, consequenllv the iS™ London, who knew Neil 3 ""«;;»? »^J>sether fLonSjle; '"'P'«»"°° «h= had received of hTm "ery indoLtrfeelfi'sh "Tf^ "5'?'" *» ■"«■ h«d said "h,.f "£"t"e'trr^rg-e-Jl«r„ed h, hi, letter, fire intently. He want« m J^! ^ ^^^®'" glasses, and reffarrfin^ m. «ioa.y,o set himself up zn buTneTs if^T' '' ^'^•^ ^"^"^^d tl s oarn 1 .3 own bread and butter !nT4'-l^^ -^^-^ ^^^"g ^ work to „,.p^Oi , ais ramiiy like an honest rk for coarse jests e was the promise hood, too, if only hot a pang as she 1 his child to their e something for The little room 'as when she ex- eas of what the the corner, the ■e hangings was ' "ght the lonely come to her on 2h had haunted ught she not to out works, and had, was it not itiiig Miss Mc- remove the tea _e into her mis- led very care- from London, »t its contents er spectacles'a , and read it ihe read, and he sometimes new Neil and ceived of him id said, "but inate love of lis letter. regarding tl-e id pounds to his father's led, or I die possibly do. Bessie ever wanted this to Work to ke an honest MISS M'PHERSON AND THE LETTER. 213 Sa'i Vto g^t itWk ''B'uf w^V"*"^"?.^ '\^ ^-»' tJ^-gh never about. It wo'uld deSe Wm U.h ?"i/^\'"'" *^*"^ ^' ^^^^k" she s^^,.. her l}e^^f^^^^^^^^ "-d !" and B^ayi^^fLre'irt Z t^''/^'^^^^^ ^f stuff, shabby clothes, and even washing !h^^\ ^"^u"^ ^^"«'^' ^^^"ng hurts Neil the'most I rltherhkltH '•'.'' ''^/'? ^ ^*^« "« ^""bt leading a lonelv life at Sff l '^ ^'''^' """^ *^»« thought of her pit of ?,y stomach^' Fofhertlfe V ^"ll' "'m* ^^^^ '^^^'"^ «* *h« I don't suppose he will take i, a he wif/Thi^k'i^ chance, though down for a McPherson an^ fl^ T , "'^ ^^ * great come- cotton mills which I had to tit T ."/ TK ^^^^^ ^here are those have been a torment tele foj the wa^tot^* '^ ^^r^^'^' '^^^^ after them. I'll offer the s tuationT N V ""-T^^^ ™*" *« ^°«^ thousand dollars a veL aL 1 *° ^®^^ ^^^^ » salary of two let him have rent free ' the W ^ ^«"*; ?V^« "«* profitsfand Pll will furnish it, too. and fave e^er^^nJ • '"'' '^^*'-'"" "««"Pi««^' «"d gets hero with his bride That rcall ! '" T.""'"^ ""'^''^ ^^^^ ^^ bless your soul, do you suppo? he w 1 takf? ,^f'^«'^''"« ^^^^ ^ut. thal-f ZrteXfAfa ^^^^^^^ -ept blackness. clropped into the pan and went out into - Bome?hirgr°Buire"hClU:e''"rr"'': "^ ^^^^^ --^^^ ^e doing ringing for herwrTtlng 1 totals thJ'l^f /'i^ ^t'''' *°»ight," an! Neil, tolling him what^sh?S Vo ?or hiS 5^1? ^'l '''''' *« America and try to help himself ^ ^^'''^ ^'^ ^'^'^^ *« and jX^enltTtacT'^a?::^^^^^ "/* ^«^»-- ™-e thought, in contact with soLvfi'rv.!^ anything else, but it will bring you to call them so^^^ndSh some" nr:,P'"P^V'=""^' ^^ y«" «h.fose well, for all grades are repirnted S'".!?''"'"?,"* °^ *^« ^^"^'^ ^ know.the future Governor of E^i J^- """^' *"^ ^^'^ ^^at I but if he is, you may be sui^nt! vf ? '' '''''^^^ *^'"" ^^''^^yj studies it ^very cZnce he Its f^r In .f ««'"«*here around and made. If you do not ohnn^ll I , " *^'^ "^^^ ^^'^ best men are nothing, an5 Bessie wSl be a fool f ' ™^ "*^''"' u**^^" ^ ^^all do enough for her to be willfna to wnrt ''^ '''"' ''^.'^ ^'^'^ '^«* *="« intontion of making her mv Lr M "^ n'^P'*'* ^'''- ^ ^*^« "<> often ciian.0 my mfnd StJl T h..^ ""/" '' ?*^« ^^^ ^ do not always had 'a fan^cXher and if von h.* ^*f ^ /"'' *^« girl-have I offer you will neve^be sorry " ^ ""« ''"" *° ™^ ^'^ ^^^^ t^r^na This last Miss Betsev wro4 bncaii-« rf i^ a ■ growinginherheartasonofi'i+^o;^ K * . , T^^^''® ^^"ch kept 2U BESSIE'S FORTUNE. have some one to ]ove an^ k • x -8™dt.!,?S ''"^ f- ^eCn'S^'';*" >:«». «M then In fa..cy she f,S.d 'h?'l!f '" ««»P' her "a ?'" °' ''" '«* cheerful and I.,. "''' 8MM whv .he „. J "'''°"' ""''^il 'he prices of ehf ^' "' T''^ '^o »■«« •" often rw*"* "> ""'«h raw" f ■rsrhther.J, ""'• "='"^-'«^' -- " res/' S S/r'' " §"■' before." "' '"' ' "<"""■ knew him t^^er4£-."4Ti5i^ir;.d9^^^ 'he terra! .t'lr T' ""<' "My Pair, o?bvJ .x"".'" "-e »lj,l, rabberh':!,et tatrSii!-,'"'*"^ in'o hers;L'y„t„t m^^ -reXvfd^or^r"^''^™".'^^^^^^^^^ omething told her rson. took another to a M188 Mcpherson this house she rounds should at 'vas not on any wrote, and then I'Jd castles with 'Pite of her lack ir. ' the cliff above ' 'heJ it with no ' every day, and ^uch she meant 3 both seeming 'heir coming to 'J/fe But she 1 to Lucy Grey, whom noticed so nnich more 'ster, inquiring rniture gener- when Hannah »at he spent a 'y asked, and r seen. J do er knew him in? what she ^"ght, " Oh, imed that it on the cJiff, '}S after the m the style ose seen on "ttle hands I called her ntie, which who clung FROM JANUARY TO MARCH. 21; CHAPTER XVI. FROM JAN0ARY TO MARCH. ^,^^tS^in\:^^^^^^^^ or agreeable than during He felt sure of a favorabL n^pW a\ f t'h^t r^ '^'^^ ''^ !»*« '«*^^^ before the June roaes were in 1 1, mm 1. 1 .u. ^"''^ '^""1^' be his a blissful frame of mind and wo l?ll' ^''f ?^ ''«' '^ '^^P* J"m in ^.r the feelings of oth"4; eve" i he hid nof ^ ''"\"'"" ^^'-'-^^^f"" Grey Jerrold and make some "ne haonv .' T *7V'^ *" ""'^^t^ did n.ake i^lancJie very hai w ami h?f ^ T.^^ ^^ "^ ^'^ ^'^«- He to them both, ana hi '.tZXng fetten '^1^"'- '^"^'-^ '^*'^»*-" week, and went to church once Iverv Snn "^ '^'^^ *''"«« » penny to every little ra^jjed chlhl L l^' ''^^ ^ave a half- Mc-Pherson was a prettyfood Lllow ?t ,' ^"^ ^''^^ ^^^^ ^^^^ any other girl who was fort^.mate emn, 1 f ^\^''^ *^'^* ^^««'«' «f -;tV :S h-nSfaSi Si* ^" ?e P--y of his own one to hear, called his aunt a namL wl.'T^ ^"'1= ^^°"« ^^^^ no swearing, and paced up and down h.T^^ ^■T^'''^ " ^^^l^ ^ike standing thickly around his whUelifs.n'r T*,^ ^'^^ Perspiration If he were not only bitterly dTsaDDont^HK .\''f'"= ^* ^»« ^^art as by the offer made to hj^^'^ ^'^^PP^^nted but had also been insulted the:e^" ^^Tj'VZ'nl^^n:^^^^^}^ *^^y-» them Never ! The old woman "s a fool " rtbi<, A ^ /■^''"^ *« t^^t ? She evidently thinks she is ddng a bii th LT t" adjective.) '< and a year ! Why, that is not mucli mofe tl i' r« T *'\""«^"d dollars and I am awfully hard up a ^s No Rp" f'' ^'"""^^ "^« "o^' little longer until something turnTun « « T ^' ^V" ™"«t ^^i* » overseer! /.'" and Nml'« J" P' ^ ^ ^"^ """"e there will An of hor friends- were spend",," the S/'^r' »i>'re severs! ob^eofion, and wro.e £ B^ S^ C^s g^g:'a^dl1l,e"St:^ 216 * I tm BESSIE'S FORTUNE. holidays and ^^k"^"^ '''*^ *» heavy S Jt ' ''''^"g^ ^"r the It was"^^ ; vain tha 1^ """^°^ ^^^othy's 1^*^^" ''^"^ ''^'^^ the ''^^Zo id! h : ' ^^^-- -^^^^^^^^^^ X hand? "' '^^ ''' P«-> too poor.- H^^^url'^ '*°'='°^' «"d^" Bessie did not tell h' .u ^^ "^^ ""'^ ^^ was in Sf !; 1 ^P*''*"/^ "'^re had come a Eh ^^^ "^^^^^ties 80 much comnC Sf'^^^'^'^I^a^sure^^^^^^ divide with you I w ""'^ ^^ '"^<^« ^e ake ten k^^xF^""'^'' something about ni ^' u?^^ generous of hhn In^^'^u"^ ^ ^'U never to speak "f FtH ^"" ^« «««» as Pos ble 1. \^'" ^ ««d to one as faiuiful and ^-^^ T"^'^ sMly Sv^e ten L ^^^^^^^d me said, and he woidd X f. v *" *^*i«^« of a ladTe?' d ' f 'T P^*''^- O'ou , as he designed it aU for «;;r in her heart lest WU alone, in case— j;ord8 her conviction h less care for or '"8 change for the :«n soon after the ations could reach. ^ to let her call a be better in a few nt a doctor, and if "ave we now on fear of troubling r, and there was tneir necessities. from Daisy, who ice she had made she wrote, «' for r money around in order to keep mt now ; but I u from Mr. Jack me of his visit air m love with •egretted that I St need it after twenty pounds, .which I will a when I said he begged me les ten pounds •But he is so with me, even foolish Polish n their place. iss he lost, he > like a Meth- 'sed to know only one life I know you ^ tind it Was ig, but you »ed it all for FilOM JANUARY TO MARCH. a?^ jt*iartitl?astt^:r„^\^P*^alf. how is your ened with softening of thfl Kr„- , ^^"^^y thought he was threaf and forgetful. GivVhim my'K td'S' ^^'^^^^^ '^"^Xt fectionate mother. ^ ' *"'* believe me always your af- Ji^est friend I ever h;d,an?tt1XeT;^^^^^^ ing tar?' ant^rek^^^.f^r^^^^^^ -ad with an ach- money so much, for her boot« w ^'^- ^'^^ ^^^'^^- She wanted butcher's bill wis unpaL and iZY^r^ ""* ** *he sides! and the to tempt his sickly aSte and l„ ^^^^"■^''^^^ ^in«8 and jellies she would have gonKrefoot an/^/^- ^'\^^^^^ sooner than touch the five noun ^ ^T^^ ^''"^'f food for a week ' •'^''^J,^;«-"-^« her recJnVgu""' "'*^ ""'' '""*^- ^^^ --ng Zt as she ^Sd:irnoie%Z:l"ieUl!'^r'.y ^'^^'" «he said have it in the house " and fj, ^""'^ ^^'^ ^nger. " 1 will w the fire whore the Tndig'nant girl wZ"''"* '1 ^^« blackeSg"on her mother and saw twrth^^"?^^^ ^« she thought of Nice, the daily jestln/and Udinlf wST^ P^^'^^™-- * lier^-second-class Americans ahfl w«^ " *^°^® People around up her mother ; but worst o^'alfwas tSe'tAr '^'^ ^°"^^ °°t S veUian, whose feelings were wroimS , '"*^''^^««^ with Jack Tre- pounds, because of hSr poverty >^^ upon until he gave her ten . ^a., It IS too horriblft • K,;^^ V -n said, and kneeling by the fire"itJt''wLi?Y '\^^'^ sometime," she ^S^ m her han^ds,'^essie p^^^^^^^^ tear-stained f^ce might be enabled to pay this dX fn ? i r^ *^** *" some way she others on whose symnathifia \ ./*°^ Trevellian, as well as ?o selfish purposes. '^'"P***^^^^ her mother had worked for her o^ '\^}^l'^^^^^ -g-* that she had bumed SI atea extra economies on her part and 3^ T''-^^^ '^^' ^' ^^^^ tell heavily upon her. With st?onl hi I r^^'"'*'' ^hich would of leather she patched herCts «?« ^^f ^ hnen thread and a bit cold, for she would allow no fire fnr''''* *"^ ""'^'•«««ed in the meat, or tarts, or sweets or Ti- • ^f^ -""^ ? she never tast^^ h^jf With A. «rpa?i':-r^^ta°LrfL& ^'^s^' ■K'm vOcat, and watchinc him wifi, | -"^."^r tatheis plate, begein? it & 218 BESSIE S FORTUNE. terrible disease stealing upon him ? Would the time come whetl the kind eyes which now always brightened when they rested on her would have in them no siijn of recognition, no'hing but an idio- tic stare, and the lips which spoke her name so lovingly utter only unmeaning words / It was terrible to contemplate, and Bessie felt she would rather see him dead than an imbecile, " But what should I do with father gone ? " she siiid, and her thoughts turned to Neil, who would surely take her tnen, even if he took her into poverty. And so, in a measure, Bessie was comforted, and watched her father with untiring vigilance, and felt that he was slipping from her, and that, in all the world there was for her no ray of joy except in Neil's love, which she never doubted, and without which her heart would have broken, it was so full of care and pain. And it was just when her heart was saddest because her father had that morning called her Daisy, and when she corrected him had said, " Yes, bui I can't think of your name ; words go from me strangely at times ; everything is confused," that Neil's letter came, bringing her fresh cause for anxiety, and seomini!, with its brevity and strangeness, to put him farther from her than he would be in Cannes, whither he was going. That night Bessie cried herself to sleep, and was so weak and sick the next morning that Dorothy persuaded her to stay in bed until she had breakfast. " Your father is still asleep," she said, and so Bessie consented to remain in bed for a time, and Dorothy brought her up a slice of toast, crisp and hot, and a fresh boiled egg and a cup cf tea, which, she said, would almost give life to a dead man. •'But, Dolly," Bessie said, "you should not have brought me the egg ; they are two-pence a piece, and father muut have them all. Can't you keep it and warm it up for him ? " " Warm up an esig ! Bless the child," and Dorothy laughed till the tears ran. " You can't warm over a boiled egg, so eat it down; it will do you good, and you are growing so thin and pale. Here is a letter for your father ; come this morning, but as he is asleep I brought it to you. It is from London, and not Mr. Neil's hand- write. Maybe it's from his father and he has sent you something." This was not at all likely, for since the twenty pounds given at Penryn Park not a shilling of the Hon. John's money had ever found its way to Archie. Taking the letter in her hand Bessie ex- amined the address, which was a strange one to her. Evidently the letter was on business, and as nothing of that kind could mean anything but fresh anxiety and annoyance for her father, she re- solved to know the contents, and, if possible, keep them from the weak invalid. So she broke the seal and read with astonishment, that Messrs. Blank & Blank, bankers, in Lombard-street, London, PROM JANUARY TO MARCH. 219 time come when I they rested on 'hingbut an idio- viiigly utter only ), and Bessie felt ihe fliiid, and her her t/ien, even if md watched her as alipping from ray of joy except ithout which her id pain. And it ' father had that id him had said, pom me strangely >r came, bringing its brevity and he would be in was so weak and er to stay in bed Bessie consented her up a slice of up of tea, which, lave brought me muut have them othy laughed till f, 80 eat it down; d pale. Here is as he is asleep Mr. Neil's hand- you something." pounds given at money had ever hand Bessie ex- her. Evidently cind could mean r father, she re- > them from the h astonishment, -street, London, had been instructed by one who did not wish his name to appear to send to Mr. Archibald McPheraon, of Stoneleigh, Ban Jr^ the ?? w„ ""n ^'"[^'•«d pounds, and inclosed was a check for the sLme It was well for Bessie she had eaten her egg and drank her tea be- rapidly One hundred pounds ! Vhy, we are rich, and father can have evorythuig he wants. On« hundred pounds ! I never had so much as that, or half as much, before in my life. I wonder dolTher good." •J'^hannisberger wine would cost, and it would it t^h«''H!^7 k''?*w ^''-hr "??'^ *^« question, who sent it ? Was mnm„i! ifx!" ' u^*' '^^^'^ ' °'^-*»'^ ^^'^'^'^ heart stood still a iTan wh A 1*^'" ^?* V^^' * ^'^"^y P'^^"-^'- «''« i^ J^'^k Travel lian who had done this because of what her mother had told him of their needs / It was like him, she knew, but if it were he, then she cou'd never touch the money, and without a word to her father ot tne letter, she wrote at once to Messrs. Blank & Blank, Lombard street, asking if it were Mr. Trevellian, and saying if it were she must return the check at once, as they could not keep it. ' Direct your answer to me," she wrote, "as 1 transact all father's business for him." "'msdci au hJl^t^.'^.i^^A *^^ '''''"'^'" ^^"'^' ^^'■y «**ffly worded, but assuring her that the donor was not Mr. Trevellian, and that her father need have no scruples about takiog the money, and would have none did l«tt«rj ^"""\*^'°"^ I*' f '»«• This satisfied Bessie, who took the hhn frvl''!^ ^"^ ^'' father, confessing all she had done, and with bim trying to guess who had been so kind to them. «« .tni T ^'""Vf,"'', ""^ ^"""^P* "^y *""* ^" America," Archie said, years^ silence"" ^ ^ ^ *° ^^^^^nher us in this way 'after so many ..f I'lfi! **l°"^^''n* ""^^ '^'^ ^'^ ^"*«*° ^^^" Bessie said, "and wfil f M ' ^^" r",*^ *° '""''^"'^y ^"'i *^^»»k them, and sLnd the letter to Messrs. Blank & Blank, in London. They know who it IS, and will forward it for me." "« wno ic frifT'^'"^!^ the next Bangor mail for London bore in it a letter from Bessie to their unknown friend. "Dear Madam, or Sir, which ever you may be," she began " l" wish I could tel you how much joy and gladness and reS'too your generous gift of one hundred pound! brought to both fathe; t^A "'!' .^"'^ j'lcss. you for it, and may you never know the want Jfl, ri "'- ^^'°^ ™^'^« y^"'" g^^^ «° ^«^y ^«l«on»« thaUn. stead of shnn,inig rrom it we could only cry over it, and be glad that somewhere in the world there was somebody thinking and caring for ua. Every night of my life I shall pray for you^^LdS 220 BESSIE S FORTUNE. ^ it; I ever know who yon are, ai cl meet you face to face, I will try and thank you better than 1 feel that 1 am doing on paoor. Yours gratefully and sincerely, => t i ,.r» a Tf , ,. "HKssrK M.'PnKHsoN," _ f. S*.— if, m papa half suspects, you are his Aunt IJotsoy, and mine, too, then I am doubly glad, because it showa that you Home- times thuik of us at the old homo at Stoneleigh. If it is you Aunt Betsey, won't you write a few words to father? It will do him so much good, and he is so sick and helpless and lonely and— 1 dare not tell you what I fear, only he sometimes for.rets mv name and his own, too, and calls things difleront from what they are. Oh, if he should die, I should die too !" This was sent to Messrs. Blank & Blank, with instructions to forward it to the donor. But Messrs. Blank & Blank were very busy with other matters than forwarding letters of thanks. Thev had just written to Miss McPherson that her orders had been obey- ed and the money paid, and so Bessie's letter was put aside and forgotton, and for weeks and even months it lay quietly in the dark pi-eon hole, until there appeared in the London papers the following notice : '^ 1 .''^P'?-*?"'^*^enb^.yf8t«i-day morning, at his residence. Stone- leigh, in Wales, Archibald McPherson, Esq. , aged 41. The deceased was a nephew of the Hon. John McPherson of this city and a gentleman of many sterling qualities. He leaves a wife and only daughter to mourn his loss. Mrs. McPherson has just sailed for America, where she intends passing the summer with friends, so that the sad news will first reach her as she lands on the other side of the water. Thus reminded of the McPhersons, one of the members of the farm hunted up and posted the long-for-gotten letter, wliich had it been earlier 8ent,might have added some grains of comfort to Archie's ^t days, and saved poor Bessie many a heart-ache and bitter pain } ft I'^^i. T''^ ''';*'^' *"^ between the day of his death in July and the March day when we saw him with the hundred pound note received from his aunt, there is a long interval of time which must be accounted for. FROM MARCH TO JUNE. 221 , I will try and pftpor. Yours [cPllEHHOf." lit Hetsey, and tliat you Hoino- If it is you, er? It will do I lf)TU)ly, and — MB forgets my rom wiiat they nstmctions to ank were very thanks. They lad boon obey- put aside and quietly in the ion papers the idenco, Stone- The deceased is city, and a wife and only just sailed for riends, so that ler side of the mibers of the which, had it ort to Archie's id hitter pain. death in July id pound note e which must CHAPTER XVir. FBOM 3IARCU TO JUNK. "\/\7'^^^-^^°^*'° '*"®"' ^^""^ *'^"' monoy was really theirs, when she \ V had It in her hand .md counted the bank-notes, her happiness knew no bounds, and .she felt rinhor tlian BlaTicho Trevellian ever had With hfty tunes the sum. To her that hundred pounds repre- sented so much actual jrood and comfort for her father, for whom she would use nearly all .jf it. But first she must pay Jack Trevellian and so she said to her father : * "May I have ten pounds of this to do with as I like, and you never as!, me a question ? I promise to make good use of it " Yes child," he answered, "it is all yours to do with as you please. ' So she sent ton pounds to Jack, and wrote : "I return the money you were so good as to loan mothor. Ten pounds she said it was. It was very kind in you to let her have it. and 1 know ymi meant it well, you could not mean otherwUe : but please, Mr Trevellian, for my sake, don't do it again. "Yours truly, "Bel;sie MoPHERso.r." This done, Bessie paid the butcher and the baker and the grocer, and a part of what they were owing Anthony and Dorothy, and bought herself a pair of shoes, and then religiously but by what was Je t to buy the medicines and dainties, the beef tea and wine and jellies and fruit, which were to nurse her father back to health physically and mentally. But it would take more than fruit or jelly to repair a constitution never strong and now greatly weaken- ed by disease. Every day Archie grew weaker, while Bessie watched over a,nd tended him with anguish in her heart and a terrible shrinking from the future when he would be gone forever From JSeil she heard often, but his letters did not do her much good they were so full of regret for the poverty which was keeping her trom him, and would keei> her indefinitely for aught he knew. J^roin iier mother she seldom heard. That frivolous butterfly was too busy and gay to give much time or thought to her dvintr hua- oiiiiu and overburdened child. 8he was still at Nice' and still devoted to her American friends, the Rossiter-Bfownes, as they 222 BESSIE'S FORTUNE. called themselves to the great amuseirent of their neighbours who had known them when they were plain Mr. and Mrs. fsafc R. Brown! and Ikr^",'f J^ "'' *' *>^y ^^^« familiarly called, Miss Brown m^l.k. ? • f-®^ '^^'"^ "^> P^^'P'^ "°^ 5 * t"™ in the wheel had made Ike a mi lionaire and transformed him into Mr. Rossiter- Browne, and with his wife and two children, Augusta and Allen he was doing Europe on a grand scale, and Mrs Rossiter Brains' ar! ambitious but well-meaning woman had taken a violentTancy to Daisy and had even invited her to go home with her in June offer" ing to defray all her expenses out and back if she would do so in Mav '^iTvlf nff ^'^^ "P my mind to go," Daisy wrote Bessie m May^ I have often wished to see Amer ca, and shall never t\ll ^'"fi" 'IT'^ *''"" '^"- ^'^«"S^ "°* the nU reBned peoZ m the world, the Rossiter-Brownes are very nice and very kind to me Lady Jane, I dare say, would call them vulvar and second class S? l""!^^^^^ ^T""l'^ *" ^^"'^ '^'y ^'' ^hat their own counfrymen call shoddy. They have not always been rich as they are now Indeed Mrs. Rossiter-Browne makes no secret of the fLt that sj^ TLr? f''" ^"'^ "^i ^^' ^""^ ^"«^'"g' ^^''^ i« ^«ry commendable in her, I am sure. By some means or other-either oil or pork or it inT;;:!/^^''^™'^" * ^°''^","/' ^"-^ ^--^^^ ^""»« abroad to sp;nd It in a most princely manner. Mrs. Rossiter-Browne is good-look- Ru^skn TaT«*^^ ^T' '^""'^'^''^ "•* ^'''' " I ^^^'^P* «ome of the Russian ladies, but her grammar is dreadful, her style of dress very conspicuous, and her voice loud and coarse. Augusta the daughter, is twenty, and much better educated than hfr mother fnJ\lf^"" pretty too, and stylish, but indolent and proud Allen the son, is eighteen, tall, light-haired, good-natured and ^a and hi^^rr. ^" '-^ther night Ind morninf, calls his mother Tr. .v« 1 ^- ^*' *"*^ ^'' "«*"^ *^*' ^"^«« fast horses, wears an eye-glass, carries a cane, and affects the English drawl Pere ArCllfT"^-T- ^^*"" ^/PP«^ •"^'^' ^''^ ^ f^«« like a squifreh At breakfast, which is sewed in their parlor, he eats with his kni^ and pours his tea nto his saucer in spite of Augusta's disgust and Ills wifo s open protestations. ^ 1.^^*^^;" ' "^"S^^^"®' you shut up with your folderol,' he will say, with tho most imperturbable good humor. 'At table d'hote I can he- have wit , the bes of 'em, but in my own room I'm goin' to be comfortabl. and take things easy like, and if I want to c?ol my tea JorStTu her "• ""'" ''^'''™ '""'* ^^^^'^ - ^--' - ingl^ltXir^Jf^tSrSe^^-J;:;; ?ir^-" -« * «*-^- It don't cost no more for five than for four/ Mr Po^if-- Browne says, and as juicy beefsteaks and mutton chops'and re^ cream have a better relish than rolls and tea, I accept their hoBpi^ tahty in this as in many other things. ^ ^ FROM MARCH TO JUNE. 223 me a stand- '* They take me everywhere, and I am really quite useful to them in various ways. None of them speak French at all except Augusta, and she very badly. But she is improving rapidly, for I hear her read both French and Italian every day, and help her with her punctuation. The x I have introduced them to a great many people here, my friends, among whom are some English lords and ladies and German baroi s and baronesses, and as all Americans dote on titles, notwithstanding their boasted democracy, so Mrs. Rossiter- Browne is not an exception, but almost bursts with dignity when she speaks to her Vankee friends of what Lady so-and-so said to her and what she said to Baron Blank. She nearly fell on her face she bowed so low when I introduced her to Lord Hardy, who has re- turned from Egypt and was here for a few days. He took to her wonderfully, or preionded that he did, and she was weak enough to think he had an eye to Augusta's charms, or money, especially as he has lost a good deal lately and calls himself poor. She even asked if I supposed him serious in his attentions to her daughter, and what kind of a husband he would make. What an absurd idea ! Lord Hardy and Augusta Browne ! I laughed till I cried when I told Ted about it and asked him what he thought of it. " ' I might do worse, he said, and then walked away, and that after- noon took Mrs. Browne and Augusta over to Villefrance. " Ted — you see I call him by the name I gave him years ago — is very much changed from the boy whom 1 smuggled into the play- room at Monte Carlo as my Cousin Susan, and I can't get him near there now. It seems that he lost a great deal of money one night, and actually left the Casino with the intention to kill himself. But he had not the courage to do it, though he told me he put the muzzle of the pistol to his forehead, when a thought of his mother stayed his hand and the suicide was p?-evented. She was in heaven, he said, and he wanted to see her asjain. If he killed himself he knew he should not, and so he concluded to live, but made a vow never to play again, and he has kept it and become almost as big a spoony as Jack Trevellian. By the M-ay I saw Trevellian the other day, ond when I said something about hoping to pay him his ten pounds soon, he told me you had paid it. Very kind in you, I am sure, but I don't see where you got the money. You might have kept it, as lie would never have pre? sed me for it. If you havs any more spare cash I wish yoti would send it to me. My rooms cost me so n-uch that I never have a shilling to spare, and I do not go to Monto Carlo as often ae I'd like to, for those Rossiter- Brownes profess to be very religious people— Baptists, I believe — and hold gambliuji in great abhorrence, so as I wish to stand well house in New York,, and another in the ci •ottage at the sea-fcide ; and they have a not at all. Thej lountry somewhere courier ■."e a and a aii4 224 Bessie's fortune. Mrs. Rossiter-Browne talks as familiarly with both of them as she min7 B„7 V"'^ ^ '^^i ^''^' '"^'^•^ ^' «^« i» their sode?J^than in ?^ ^!;« ^ •?!,'? * S""** ''?'"*"' '^"'^ «i"°« commencing this letter I have decided lo accept her invitation and accompany her to America. They sail the last week in June, and I shaH manai to spend a few days at Stoneleigh before I go How is yorfaTer? Write me soon, and if you can do so pLse send mJa pound or two I have so very httJe, and I had to borrow of Ted who I whl'TV^^"."'^ T '^'^'' "^willingly. I thought, whi e Tre'vrman whom I tried cautiously, never took the hint at all. It must be I am going off and have not the same power over the me^which I once had ; and yet Mrs. Rossiter-Browne told me the othe day tt I "^^A ^^Y *^" P'^""^^^* ^°™*» in Nice, and said she was very proud to have me of her party. What a fool she is, to be This letter filled Bessie with disgust and anxietv too «b =!,« thought what if her mother should go to America and her Ztl should die when she was gone, and then for rn"olnt there^arose within her a feeling of rebellion and bitter res/ntment against th! woman who got so much from.life and left her to bear irCden: +J.I! ^Kf^ ^ "^r^^ far rather be what I am than what she is " -he and eter and ToL"™^" /""" ^""^ '^"'«' ^^^ «-<» WgM ana eager, and lookim,' almost as youm? as HrmiA -arhr. h-^^ rest day or night, and wan pale and'^thin^nd woT wTth a S on ,-n„ t: 'ul^-'"' I *™ ^° ^^^'^ y"*^ have come," she cried and kv We ma hero aloiM, mth „„ „„S to .peak lo all day 'iZ but Jr-^'^me" ""'"""■■""' '™»'™" " "'• 'o'rible'SdK'ao it^-srij^fhet'^iriteTh'^^^^^^ FROM MARCH TO JUNE. 225 i them as she lociety than in ing this letter npany her to lall manage to I your father ? 16 a pound or f Ted, who, I le Trevellian, It must be I men which I the other day said she was she is, to be , too, as she nd her father t there arose it against the r its burdens she 18, r.he ) her father's now, seldom a great effort 3 was really I and bright ^ho knew no th a look on ed, and lay- nately for a iy ; will not ly long but nd life is so >r the tired, and stay at on and she e could not othing her -her trip to ,..^.,.^.m..-tri, )d take the " Your father will not die," she said. "People live years with his disease ; he is better than when I first came home ; at least he is more quiet, which is a gain." And so Bessie gave it up and entered at last into her mother's anti- cipations of her journey, and listened with some interest to what she had to say of the Rossiter-Brownes, the best and most generous people in the world, for they were not only to bear all her expenses to and from America, but Mrs. Browne had given her a two pound note for any little expenditures necessary for her journey. " I am sure I don't know why they fancy me as they seem to," Daisy said, " unless they have an idea that I am a much more im- portant personage than I am, and that to take me home as their guest will raise them in the estimation of their friends. They know the McPherson blood is good, and they know about Lady Jane, who Mrs. Browne persists in thinking is my sister-in-law, and I let her, as it does no harm. Did I tell you that the Rossiter- Brownes' old home is near Arlington, where your father's aunt is living ? " "No," Bessie replied, looking up with more interest in her manner. "Well, it is," Daisy continued, "and I mean to beard the old woman in her den and conquer a peace. She has heaps of money, tlje Brownes say, and is greatly respected in spite of her oddities, and is quite an aristocrat in the little place, and as 1 suspect, is far above Mrs. Rossiter-Browne, who wishes to show me to her. She does not guess how the old woman hates us all." And so Daisy rattled on with her small, tiresome talk, to which Bessie sometimes listened and sometimes did not. The Rossiter- Brownes were in Leamington now, but were coming through Wales on their way to Liverpool, and Mrs. Browne and Aug^ssta were to stop for a day or two at the " George," and take Daisy with them when thej' left. • " I wish we could show them some attention," Daisy said to her daughter. " Don't you think we might manage a French tea in the garden at four o'clock ? We have some rare old china, and some solid silver and Dresden linen, and we could get Lucy Jones to wait upon us. Do you think we can do it 1 " " Perhaps we can," Bessie said, reflecting that a F-ench tea in the garden at four o'clock meant only thin slices of b. ad and butter, with biscuits and possibly some little sponge cakes, which would not cost much. She could go without a pair of gloves, and make the old ones do. All extras came out of poor little Bessie, but she was accustomed to it, and did not mind, and just now she was so giad to Imve her uiotlier with her, for Daisy, as if a little remorseful for what she was about to do, was unusually sweet and affectionate and kind, and devoted herself to her husband as she had never done since Bessie could remember. She washed his face 226 Bessie's fortune. ■ ' •. ' '>r< ■ •irange. bewildered .ay. Then, Jthe brain foglifw' IWe ™J deared .w.y, his cl,in quivered, a„d he went ™ ■ " 5h iX S^^f^'rei7irveTy-;-s%'-:h'^.»-"^ aniSd":''" """' '"^' '"'°''' "P™ ■"'' ^'^' ''« ''uratinlo tear., wi;i,rj'eT.rereS:''a:rd\r;\'ed*'^™ ^°" ^-^ -•"p^^ Jor.»Vea.il-frn-r^^^^^^^^^^^ What birds Daisy asked, looking curiously at him as wifh -IhTk-'/" l«T*^.^^""^y ^'^^'^ '" his chair, ^andrLpHed' 1 he birds which sing to me so often : birds of the future and the past, too, I think they are, for they sing sometimes for DaLv fl^rill^V^T'^*'' ^^''^' b»t oftener for Bessie™ d a conntTv far away where she is going to be happy when we are both uoue and the winds are blovwng across our graves—over thAr« >' I^i u pointed towards the little yard wherf his fathir and r^.f v, ^^ lying side by side, and where he soon would lie ^'' ^''' aJfT ^^'n^i'^nt Daisy shuddered, and fancied she felt an lev chill sfo^g «^":s\tVorsoZ^^^^^^^ s^u^sF t' youn, to die ; death was not for he'r these Lrv-yefrs ft wlson?; ho,t"^ J"' ^'l^' '""^''^^'^ '"^"' ^hom she wL^icd back to t^J house where Bessie was. and whern tho v^-\.^= i,„ -j u ? ''°,''"8 bevo"n?r """ T« '°/'"™ °"X fieW;t„S7::try „tS*„;^ beyond the sea, where he saw always Bessie with a look ot rest «L o^Tn •■■' -V:""'^^*? "''^ »iras, ne ieii asleep, as was his wont MES. ROSSITER-BROWNE. 227 out into the I the summer m him. And little girl who )t seen her in I at her in a id a little and "Oh, Daisy, one, and you kneoling ba- le she looked easily, and •st into tears, Jgh you hare Jen unhappy an unhappy, h Bessie. I I can see or im, as, with eplied : 1 future and !s for Daisy, d a country h s^one, and 5," and he lother were an icy chill, I blast were she was too it was only •ack to the lie heard so y meadows of rest and ul, waiting i his wont, and busied CHAPTER XVIII. MRS. ROSSITER-BBOWNE. IN due time Mrs. Rossiter- Browne and her daughter, Augusta, came to the " George," with their maid, and took possession of the best rooms, and scattered shillings and half-crowns with a lav- ishness which made every servant their slave. Of course Daisy called, bearing Bessie's compliments and regrets, and then Mrs. Browne and Augusta came to Stoneleigh in the finest turn-out which the hotel could boast, for though the distance was short, Mrs. Browne never walked when she could ride, and on this oc- casion she was out for a drive, " to see the elephant of Bangor, trunk and all, for she was bound nothing should escape her which she ought to see, if she died for it, and she guessed she should be- fore she got. round home, as she was completely tuckered out with flight-seeing," she said, as she sank pantingly into an easy-chair in the large, cool room, and attractive with fresh muslin curtains, a rug, a table-spread, and some tidies brought fron Nice. The cur- tains, with their borders of fluted ruffles, were caught back with bouquets of real flowers — roses, and pansies, and white lilies — of which t!ie room was full. This room, which was only used in sum- mer, had on the floor the best carpet in the house, a heavy Ax- minster, which had done service for forty years at least, but still showed what it had been, and spoke of the former grandeur of the place, as did the massive and uncomfortable chairs of solid maho- gany, with their carved backs, and the old pier-glass asjainst the wall, and the'queerly shaped sofa, on which Daisy had thrown a bright striped shawl, which changed its aspect wonderfully. She wished to make a gcod impression upon her American friends, and she succeeded beyond her most sanguu hopes. With her ideas of the greatness and importance of the Mcr^, arsons, who, if poor, were every inch aristocrats, Mrs. Browne was prepared to see every- thing coleur de rose, and the old wainscoted room and quaint fur- niture delighted her more even than the roses and the pretty little devices with which Daisy had tho\ight to make the room more mod- ern and heighten the effect. "If there's anything I dote on particularly, it's on ancestry halls," Mrs. Rossiter-Browne said, as she looked admiringly around her. " Now them chairs, which a K^ankee would hide in The garret, speak of a past and tell you've been somebody a good while. I'd give the world for such an old place as this at home ; but, my land ! 228 Bessie's fortune. centennial two or three vears aw. " nnri d, 'T^ j "^' "**^ ^""^ you're been there It'. S, i''",'"''' »' >»<>ltB« l/tl^'^' '*?^"* ^^"^^^y ^* ^*8 you ; and yet, let me see ' ¥»« wnll I declare ; I remember now that his Aunt Lucy, who sat up witn me Isn't it drofi; though?""'^ ^ux-hurson. les, that was you, sure ! MRS. ROSSITER-BROWNE. 233 ng to oat, and see, he didn't She is tight ested in Grey Browne speak 3d as such at rears old, and because " Y run against he is a nice ite Geraldine iirst sign of t Daisy, who t at Penrhyn 3ord between pasture, and e asked, and was so tight, ives there all le wears the m years ago r, some said, )ne room all ler, and now ome say. I awful, and I fever after B. He was alked every >niewhere — lown on all grandfather sie and ask- scn cheeks, Yos, well, lip witn me, 'ore him, a you, sure ! Bessie did not reply but in her heart there was a strange feeling as she thought that before she had ever heard of Grey Jorrold hf fevereydrTamr^* '" ^"'^ **^^''*^ °^ ^^"^ '" ^" delirium and in'hL Soon after this Mrs. Browne arose to go, and said good-by to Bessie, whom she did not expect to see again, as they were to leave on the morrow for Chester, where her husband and son were to meet them. It was also Daisy's last night at home, and though she Tn w-^" T''^ """."u? *'"'®" ^"^ * '""g^"" P^'-i'^d than it was now her intention to stay, this going was different, for the broad sea she was to cross would put an immence distance between her and her hus- fi ,naf * n- ' «""* '^^ T'^ unusually quiet and gentle and aflec fnr^ft- f*^ Bessie, who seemed greatly depressed, as if with a foreboding of evil, that she would not be long gone the summer WOU.I pass quickly and she should be back to stly f^r gooruntll the invalid v/as better or worse. This was on the morning just before she went in to say good-by »rri«?K^"'"''fu-'"??'''^° welcomed her with a smib^ and with scmething of his old, courteous manner put out his hand to grert JfLn K- /,* ^^t'^t®" her own, and raising it to her lips, knelt beside him, and laying her head against his arm, said to him,, softly : 1,-Hl. Im't JT "''"''' ^ say good-by for a little while only a little while, I shall soon be back to stay with you always," she added, as she felt the start he gave. ^'ways, sne ..n^*? ^*\"? *^°^«^* '* ^^^* *° «^y anything to him of America, he safd to her "'' ** *° ^^^""^ ^^® ^"^ ^'''"^' *"^ *^** ^"^ ^^^ are so khid to me If you were not getting betterrArchie,Two"uld not go," she added, and he replied : => » . " " 1 am not better, Daisy. I shall never be any better ; but go. if you like, and be happy I do not mind it as I used to, for I have Bessie and the birds, who sing to me now all the time. Can't you hear them ? They are saying 'Archie, Archie, come, as if it were my mother calling to me." His mind was wandering now, and Daisy felt a thrill of pain as she looked at him and felt that he was not getting better, that he was failing fast, though just how fast she did not guess. Archie, she said at last, " you love me, don't you ? You told me you did in the garden the other day, but I want to hear it again." wifl, riT !^ ^"v -i"® '*''*' inq"i"ngly. as he looked at her u""i J 1 "-""\^'"-V) imbecile gaze, as if to ask who she was that he snould love her. 234 Bessie's fortune. les, and hi3 lip trouiblorl aliffla <» Tk i , and hor bonnet to HLlZno fin h« «i J. i*^'""' who gave herself then; but Bessie has «i ve herSf t,^^^^^^^ ^T '^''^ '^^^ cold and luH.g.r, sunshine tT to nr'aid &e"a hr'o'5''^['«^ my darhng Hessi*!." "'■"rm. uoa Dless tier, God bleas bei'^/af rthnJto coZ ""catv' slid '" ' ^V''^"^^ ^''^^ ^« — ' conld not nnderstand ' ^ ^'^' '"'""'^ ''^^ ""'"^ i">P"l«e she kiss he "sed^to giveC w Ztl^v rr^V''"" ^','''■'^ "''^' ^^'''^^"^ be wailil-^^foVS" ""'"' '"'' "^' '""^' '^^^ ''*'-* *« where lahaU wo^S^n^^tfTitrpre'rJanr '"'"' ^H^ ^^^'^-^ -"^J^- Bie sobbing by the doorrsheS very iSThe're" '"""• ''•^ ^««- embrace and a few farewell Saael La 1' T "^^^ * Passionate twenty minutes later Besl heard fh« * - """" ^""^' ""'^ her mother away "^ '^® tram as it passed bearing CHAPTER XTX. THE BTEDS WHICH SANG, AND THB SHADOW WHICH FEIX. D^sfo^>;i;K^:t*thrAJ:ff "an^* '^"^^^7^ *^«y --e them en ,-^,L f1>?Amert'Sd't?:fa: Wett"^"'' ^'^^'^ ^^'^ J--'^ reallfLlTLlftl^d'^fi^^^^^^^^ be," Daisy wrote. «py as I can You never is, and the character, birth, and THE BIRDS WHICH SANG. 237 chosen for you. I hked the others better, Mr. Trevelliln and the American— what was his name ? " -^^eveman, and tne y.lli^'^'t'^^' ?''ey Jerrold," Bessie replied, with a little tremor in her heart as she thought of Grey, and felt that in manv thZs ha was nearer her ideal than Neil McPherson ^ ^ ^ After a moment her father continued • r^r^tT^^f ""* !^"°.«^ whether he was in London or not, as she had SS.^infI ^'"""i^i? '".«^™" ^^y«' ^"d then he waa in P^rfs with his mother and Blanche ; but she would take the chance kiTd a telegram that her father was dying and that he must come immedi ately was soon speeding along the wires to TrevdhrHore^t l,f}^r^^ *^ ''""". '?^ *^** g'°"«"8 «»mmer day went by and Archie s pulse grew fainter and fainter and his voice weaker whHe the real birds without in the yews, and in the hedgerows and the hfs eves whtHoTi nf' '"P' ^'''\ ^" ^'^ ^^''^ f^°«' ^"^ a lighT iS AtTst t?!, It "^Tf ^""i a perfectly painless death. ^ At last the day was ended, and the shades of nisht crent in an anyway ? he matter •ou can, I the sun- I as if he c for her nd made ouse and est to bo rey tele- re not in y. Then f chance patch be ne, who, y home, vith her he is, if himself 8il were 241 only here," was his constant thought, as the day Tore on an^ ho found himself in the rather awkward positLnf Matter of cer« monies m a strange house, deferred toLd advised wtrnot onlv Vuf feS notTon,^' '"* .\f *> P«°P^« '''-' --« *" S T,i^* did not come, and the day wore to a close and tha night came and went, and it was nforninv again and Bessie who had passed the most of the orecedintr H»v iTlv,l a "^^^'®' ever a tram dashed by. She was watching for^Neil Ld wh^n at tTatlllT'V^^^f^??***^^^^^^^^^^^^ that all the family, Neil included, were at Vichy where Ladv ran« had gone for the waters and bathing. Just as he ^Is re?vhis Grev^^^ te egram was received, and then the housekL^S, Mrs^Svis " Of course I did not open it," she said, "as I did not suddo«^ ii ?rirf/°"r"f''"- ^^ «^*«" ^^'^ desUtches rom hi X^rd friends and as I expect him home within a w«ek or ten davs 7 2 It on the table in the hall. You will fin.l if T Jtt " v. ^.^ ^, three o'clock the next djy % Ih 8 he ex„Sert i ''"*°'' ""?"' I ^;;^Lt5?h?s;r r^ii:r,„e^f ' -"'-' '° "--" yolrmeMie yistlrd«y7 ^ "°''' *" '™''' ^ ""y "°<'*™'» 242 BESSIE'S FORTUNE. there. " l>eor„e. They would naturally direct it w\ta\'tZhlh'rer:°wrtn/r'r'''''«™™»"y'W"8 to " Sir Jack TrevSiian ■• rr^iS i '" '"°? »" »"'el»P« directed Breaking the teal, jSreSZV''" """""'■ *' ""'■"■"I ""•• :,7°f"»*.Trevema„, George H*rBan^gt WaL'-' ' It 18 impossible for me to coi .« wni \„S^ o ' . *'®'' • »e that everything i. donrdSSy. Id sri'tnurr"' ^'™" " John MoPhbrson." che'Ih*lTreTcL"eri'.?:itd°T.Tr"»'°" low wbiBlle, and turSnf on hTLT .^'F ■""»'<""•■■% gave a prevailed, rd™hllir.XeSy "°«'~'' '-"'''" ^ withou one of your o™ ktoSreT.';'" " i'' °?'' " " ''-'^'>" "> ^o Neil might come or mTt. •> b. ^ at »ueh . time aa this. Surely help it," Serll'stettThi^tr"!'™'™" ""»'"' « -- - yon L^rerb:t;U'\reii;:n".^'n7.T! ^ir ^-^^i^ *^^ hiaarm, "you will not .en7tSa °Sll trNeiS fXY' I S"'' ""^ to conSTwithX Z "a, S'f IS' ""'' ?? "^o """" »"' "rd.-':rti;?B!.'>~"^^^^^^^^ shape. -The old ^^ZnilZ rU'nS°Ht"o^m''o'' -"'.j' *'-7^'"' ohoae. There i, plenty of tin.e t„gel-hS;e aud"he kn™ h'er Ift^r " It may be ly direct it is anything pe directed -maid said. WHAT OBEY AND JACK DID. 243 Jfes, Grey answered him. " We wiU do what we can. " !8 : on. Please tSOlf." nd Bessie's rily gave a Jack tore to. Then quivering denounce ier nature very hot. h Mr Mc- dful to be Surely los in her J oesn't if he can instead : does not im sorry ion't dis- ugh that ^d upon ave over rent out hard at "Well, o«gh in lot if he mother CHAPTER XX. WHAT GEEY AND JACK DID. rpHEY did everything that it was possible for two men to do „n rL:iti:^:^^::^^j^:^ s« °^^ ho^r;;;hVo;e"r^; ordered would hardly hSrshTmed a dniT'^'vl'^l''' '°?" ^^^ had orders to send Bei nnW « , n ' ""^''^ ^^'^ undertaker the funeral Th« WfT ^ * J^''^ ^™^" P^''^ ^^ the real cost of atfiSnlted\';orpay-^^^^ i^:^^dr£tSS^F-^^^ worn, and it was so go^d to be eared for h^ ." was so weary and long over MoSnt AubS's dead ^ ^ ^'"^' ^''' ''""^^^ ^^^ ^"-y Bpo11ay^°o fhTn^rlh^'ol^^^^^^^^^ ''\'''' t^^^ght of a quiet tL „aj;74 ^7"-" 1-^ *;"8ia«,^''"i.?'^ ^^° ^«^* ^hen Jack was left to her ; Jack, 4o tr ieH 1 u ^^''!^°''«' «^«n though who was tender and thouStfnl »« ! k .u ^^'"'^ ^"^ ««othe her, and of the volcano raging Sin win t''';?^^''.^"^ g^ve to her no' s*gn Neil, neither of who^m e„t % word to ihf f '^?^' ^°"- ^''^^ "^^ anxiously for news f^oin them bJI ^ 'i"''^" g'^-^ waiting so the Hon. John he said : * ^^ '^''^*« *« them both. To burifd^rcen^^i; yo'u^HuTgeS^^ "^^^^'^ ^^ y^"'' °«Phew as Miss Bessie would not a!low it ^"* ^'^^''^ ^« »" bill to send you, convenient to come to the funer;i T^ '°"^ ^^^ ^'^ "«t find it her family would have been such a comfnrf f '^"^ ^^ «°™« ^'^e of that respect, was quite alone thouTr^ *° Miss Bessie, who, i„ people attended the funeral and had th«/^ '^^}\^^ hundred; of son of an earl, instead of your Sephet mnl'" '^''^ ^''? ''^^ ^^^est been paid him. I must leave here to 'nr/ ""f ^"^^ "°"^^ °«t have and then Miss Bessie will be qu te al"oT E^/r ?«^«"'*» Castle, Lady Jane wiU soon arrive toSe cht^e of her "'" '"^ ^"" "^^ "Respectfully, ° "Jack Tukvjjllian," he oolte^"d a it^w'^o' Ne"^^^^^^^ :slnowsf- '"^' ^'^^*' '• Old Boy- Whpro in +i,« , "Stoneleigh, July ther come nor w^e.' Vor a^- t^'" ''^^ ^^"' *^^^^^^^ attention to yonr cousin BessTeThan if J^'' ""' P"^ '^"y «»°r« and you had n er been nrettv f.^ • ® ^^''^ "^t your cousin, a chap like me would LoE a te^^ To'n^J^f [^ '"^ l''^''^ ^'^^^ on the sea, going to America, sLk as a hor^^ A"'"'" ^'' ™«*'^«'' i« ^ereirtt^rT Vr?^^"^^^^^^^ rs^Sf oTht and I call it a dis^?„:tl„^o"fVrtrn:tht^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^-«"^« ^-' here .hu night beiore Mr. McPhersondi^drant'sLn^Sisprsi' d to spend if possible at parting i while he . I and cure ifest itself to Bessie, felt when m though her, and )r no sign John and (waiting so oth. To ' nephew end you, ot find it »e one of who, in idreds of le eldest lot have I Castle, you and 1 sheet, ou nei- / more cousin, afraid ither is ought of her e you, errold pensa* WHAT GREY AND JACK DID, 245 mriiTeH'sV did Th?iiHl *^- ^7 ""«•'• I "«^«r Pi««d anybody in tw^e^J^ rold and miS^^^^ T*' '^''TT^ S"^' who sLd^be. funeral, she is whit7as a dIo«' r"^' ^"'i ""*"' ^^^ ^"y ^^^^^ ^^e were here.' By Jove^ Tf VAh.A^' u ^?'^ ^^' ^^^^ ' ^^' '^ ^^il have Shaken you inio" shoestrhiTr iV^' ""^n V^^ "^°'^' ^'^ ti^ves m«ch"onXTf i^aXr" "°* """^r 5"«"*^«" ^^^^ ^er rela^- now to be ny w! e^ b^ inTt l"^ ^*/"""- .^ '^'^^ "°* ^^^ Bessie cess. I think Jermhl I V. Jt^? ''/ *'^'',' ^"^ ^^'^ *hen report sue of him I need no fiu^'*^ ^u' .*°" ' ^"* ^ »"«*" t'* M«t the start gusted withTou I shair.ad*; ""^^^^^^^-"ding l\:n so dis- whenever yoichoose to comf r ''^ r^".** Trevellian Castle change of /uture.^^! u^VfyU faro^st—^^VdeJ Yours truly, j^^k." youyourtitle"^ ^ ^ ''^ '^ ^^*^^^' «^ remembered to give « Ttr ^n L ^®.^^'® *«^«*1' and he replied : "Mrs. Grnnrlv win ^.^t- i^i. i,-_ i- .i'""" • wa. her oourinrbuU ,1 ^^ tin L't" ?„!i* ''r" """■ '"'■ H«l 246 Bessie's fortune. X""5n1;:' "SS " ".?r " *"«, ''T'"'' l-k in he, eye, .„a offriend., a„d„" fa',„iil"j ""'» Ficsie would be ire'be.1 And • '^*'' ^"* 8oW *° ^^^ ^'•«™ J-ondon, NeiU Jg'ot'to rosct'tlth :Z:ir''7 ^t >'^^ ^^^^^^^ that sence were explained. P*'*^' '^^'^ «» 1"8 silence and ab- ogise f:;^;?C I reS^**7'd'a?:r'' " '^".l «^«" ^-^ *« apd. long. Remember, I am Smin.. aSin W? ^'^ ^T' ^''""^ ^'"'^ «re u A " ^*'" *° Stoneleigh very soon Alwaya your friend, ^^^ ^oo". hendTi't: talit* Klfe ^ ^ -^^his letter, and oompre. ,t;-^etter.e.ne.^^^^^^^^^^^ with its wide-8preadbg;iZei?s't;f ^^^ Srst of his home and marriage, perhaps ; Sut «Ser the 7 ! *^'"*.^ *° «P«*^ «^ '"^e will forgive me, and bel eve it is nn 5,?,"^°" '"stances I trust you looked into your bright face the%a,v2 ^"^^f" '" *^« P*»-k and I^Iossie 18 beautiful and sweet '.vni ^^'* *"*^ *"'e8* I ever saw playful kitten, which Vo^ wish to^'ci.'"^ "'f ^^ «"« *hink of a then release before you aet a sn,>° ^?*"''^*?^ caress awhile and Thinr J^'*^ ^^ a'^woS; aSd TcouT*"^,! ^"* y«"' «««««' Ihmk what it would h« +« »,„ ^°"ld make you so hannv to do nothing but rest, ^Ld you' ^7 ^^^^^^'^^ forthrmS,' tired and worn, and nn fV.1/ "^^^ '* «« "^"ch. You are sn Btrongso fa't,a,rivvouIds.yrr*'"T^ *^« ^"^« ^ou would Sow «ake you a veVy queen? wZr.^ ^'^ J^'*^ ^^^^y comfort,^^ wife ? and when I ask vn„ vl Y " *'°"^®' ^^88'« ^ Will you be mv elude vonr jpi:l-_ ''^y*'" *o "hare my home T Ho „ot — -- ^ ^ " "" ^"''^ ^^^ ^^'^^ !>« ^«lcome there'ToVroTrX; er eyes, and i^e the best ire so quiet, >u this sum- ie said, and ra London, earned that ice and ab- ■ve to apol- )ni him ere ' soon. d compre- I patiently ird of her '^ack came vhere her his home races and 3ause she the wild to be my eople in r of love rust you I think •ark and I'er saw. ink of a Siile and Bessie, happy, torrow, are so i grow ft, and be my to CX- sake, WHAT GREY AND JACK DID. g^ « rv =i ■" *"" around her and iJon t cry, but answer me ; tryii).^ to draw hor near 'to him don t you liko me a little ? " .nd you „.re ,„ ku,a to l,tL „„dZ" bTl'cro'.'bly^o™; deringly ; ^^ «• written, been." ' * ™ ""'J' ''° «""« "meoeasful than I liave face, for you are coS h^re 1 T^fT \ ^^V^^^o see you face to that horrid pokey pTaTe on th^l .^ '^•''?' ^^^ «° «*^«™« ^rom happy, never I do so win/f /"^^^^^a^t, where I never can be prfe??'sa;s"S wJ.fld nort^ropS Thatrnr^' ^^^ ^d^/- you ? and I do love the oLh« P « t P'^?^^^ ^^""8»' ^on't lovely views from every w^^^^^^^^ |»ch a grand old place, with Batin.with shade treeHiie Ind fhJr« ^Jl'" T^'^' ''""^^'^ »« and beds of flowers and frmnt),' ^"'[banks, and borders, Bitting-room you can see abrni^ ''''°'" ^ ^*^« «''1^'=*«^ ^s your With 'the braSies .f th^ tees X? sYf^^ "'^^'^ " "^^^ ^''"g' Everv dav f .-Hon dt n ^>- ' !! ^^ ^^"^ '*' meeting overhead. on Midnightrmy black "Srse S'/'V"" "'''^,*'''" ^-^ ^^ »«™«» bound. Ake suJh tlrnk':Sre V^Ta J^^V'or a^Jl^fi; 248 Bessie's fortune. love you .u.d want you o come iZ tf^'""^ "'*'," «'^'' *"°. and I Jack has told me how differenryour li?« Zl ""'^ ^' ^W^. Sir how tired and worn you are • hn f if ^ ^""" f^^"" n"»e, and weariness again. YouHife shall be o''! ^"" ''^*!' "«^«'- ^^now place y.>u over saw, and we wiH all car« f""^ ''''' "' *^« ^"^«"««t Bring the roses back to your dear face which Sifr" 1° *'"^-^'"'y' ^""^ C i *"' seventeen, Ind not a mew Ihild i '^'^f /ay« " now so arger than your thumb, and I c^be voir'. ^"^''•^ *'" "«* ""''^^ f you will only come. You musUovn St '^"'"I'T"" "''^ ^"«nd, loving him when you know how L, , "^^ ''?°^- Y«» cannot help ^^'^ il°»ld love Jim m^sdf 7 ^."t iie 'in'l^ ^^^^' ^^ ^ *"«d rea? though he does not play with anHf ""^^ "P"" ""^ ^ a child. Poor Hal ! There is sudi a pah fn mv\'"%*' i5'""?'" ^arry did so strong and full of fun in fhJ^H! • ^ '^""^^^ ^^e" ^ tl»ink of him Oh, Hai; Hal! MyZlVteZhn!'rfi^'l^^^^^ lonely without him^ Come to ml L"* ^""^ ^'"'' »"d I am so never have a more devoterfntdth^Ttt'le """""' *"^^ ^^" «^"" " FiORENOR Meredith." whl^h'oK^ finished this letter. -ive Irish Flossie, whomVhe kLw shVcS T*"'" "^ '^' ^'"P"!" the perfect rest promised her 1? T, n ■ ^*l, ^"^® «« "^''^h, while pleasant to her, Ld she was t tSlfT ^^^^^ ^"^'^^d ^o vei^ body, that it seemed to her she cS ''^' ^? *1^'** ^" "^^^ ^^ quiet spot and die, if only Jhus 8h« nn, ?}^^^^. ^'^ ^^^'^ '^ «ome ofi-ered her rest, and happiness and I?, ^ T '. ^"^ Jack had not take it, must not coBer it for « """^ ""l*^ ^"™' ^^t she must to Neil. She would be True to Nrn ^^'''"f »*• She was promised nor came. She had loved hm^fw'ava'''"JJ°l'-^V' "^^*^' ' ^^«*e was ready to take up life's w"rk TZ'Jft !T^ ^' ^^e was she If need be. And when Jack said^o h^ u^f^ *"^ *'^" ^^^ h™- Bessie ? ' She answered him sadlv - V ^?" ^'" ^« ""^ ^^^e, learn to love you in timp ,-f T ' i j /' ^°' ^ cannot. I mieht love another („ J lX/"drl& '"» """-^'g" '"^ I 2o'»s.-ir£FfrF-^ pledged to my Cousin Neil ami w! ''* ^^'Z ^"^°^« ^e died.^ iTm " something td" do, or h^m^trtnl''''^^ "^^'""^ ^°^ him to find married.'^ ' ' ""^^her to be reconciled to me, to be t that I rrold ? " lat way. pledged I am to find to be WHAT OREY AND JACK DID. £49 cllyand^o°ralLent S^h^^^^^^^ ^^ •' " "^-^^ - with resentment, as le fhon^ht o5 thi/r ''"'' *'"'' *^°" ^'^hed oughly, and ^^\t\uo:..^'Zr::L^'' ''"" t'.'" *''- principle, and that B, «ic*a li^o fthS J lu'''' ^*' ''" '""''»« ft had been with her f^S.^r K des tl 7'^ bo quite as hard a? this engagement with h » vV V) x? )f l ^kt ".""''^ "°* reconcile choJn i,' I .. "" >'"" '•""'' " »- '"J' «"-S« tL a ,ho„lcl have happy ?"/f-.h.^f^^h^^yo^rw mZv*; „ '° "S "f '° ^""J tatter all our spare ed from Jack, 'ut something )uld pay the ife, who, dis- ly routine of akfast at ten, ising for din- ening. This 3d, and read and wished oneleigh and His mother id surround- or a moment irbi ured the still hugged les with any '^ed when he elfj and he WHAT THE M'PHERSONS DID. 251 fTmlthim%\l':h':?dL'r'"^^ J-k-s letter came, in- his wiff if she wlw have him " '"*'"*^^" *" ™^^« ^Lssie penetdlt^dTL^ntto;. t^ starf ^%?'^ ^ ^'l ^^^^ ^ad hap- McPh'erson was deS he said Ind Slr^'^^^'^'S^ ^* ^^'^^^ M?. with no relation to sp^ak to anrlTf ^^\9"»"n B««8ie was alone, , in spite of BlancheVentreau' and h! f' ''/"'y *° ^° ^-^ ^'' ' *nd it, he started immedlatelv !n^ *. n "^ protestations against Stoneleigh on thnfternlon ofthe^^^^^^^ "•^'^*' ''^'^^^ mulfhte*'„:l?°"^.<'tt^/1°- I If VicV, and the letter Jack', lette?l started ^.•ndcaTetyo'"" Dortt^rT" ' ^''^ ^rir it rd^w^^' 1>°'- oversee the hands in a ooTlon m^ll *»? ?T °"" "■"■= «"d "7eslX^ r "V'"'^ M^Jlhu': fCre^t; ^ Bessie did not reply to this, but said to him aniX ° in, J^ a - :S51S^^ -^S^^^S.- «^orn. newst'uSrch'ZtrtTn'^^^^^^^^ ^"A^"^- ^^^ t^e exclaimed, with so much severZ^n hTs fnn' *.^f^^" *? ™"'" ^^^^ little from him as she replie? ^ "^"^ *^** ^^«'^« «^™i^k a be;:^^i^^:a^\^t ^:. ^tTij^r °*'v^^ *r '"^'^^ ^- it. He has too much ho^o"urTn his nSe'for it "h""'^ ''^'^' the best and noblest men I ever ^ewT ^ " °"^ °* 252 Bessie's fortune. i [ " Mayb3 you prefer him to me ? " he said •' P«„ t^ t j b ame yo« if it is so. You'd better be Lady Treveufan Ilih ^° T* of money, than plain Mrs. Neil McPherson w ifr. "' t P^®"*^ next meal is to come from %Ji)L a' "o*Ki^owing where the thouoh it breaksTy Wt'to&t'? ""^'^ '""^ ^ ^^' ««* ^^^ free, mo^: ^aTu'lha^pLtu'rl* or'i^ f''''' P""^"- ^^ P-^uctive of contrast betw^^ SfSeraL'^kT^^^^ ^^^^/^ *h« changed, and winding his arm around L; „ n H b- ' ^^^"^ ^^'^'^ he called himself a brute and a sav« J f^' ^ 5' u'"^ ''^'' ^^^^ly, their future, when he could be alwavs^wifhT"""'^ ?'' '^' ^^^''^^ of up to the point of proSnl ^^^-1^ ! ''^'*' *"^ ^^'"'^^^ himself of course, whchmusrbTwsll/f «»°e-a private marriage, time, during wkich she wo.Wiveaf1/"^*"u^^^ length of her often. But Bess^l sSk Jom f h ^^ ^'^ ' ^"'^ ^' ^""'^ ^^«i* asked what she was t^ do ?h«r;«r ^^^l P''«P««'^1. and when Neil do very well until her mot h/r^ alone, she answered that she could then tl^./ouTd^lXe t;^^^ -^ wife must never be a governess ^everTn' h "'^ with scorn. Hie idea was preposterous IndSnT. ?f "^ her own bread ! The fortune he might IchieVe^her««n^ }fY- u"T °^ ^^^'^ ^^^ the if they waited Vatient ly and s^ tTe davM K ^^^^^/.b^fo^e them ing Neil left he^r and w^nt back to LotTrom^^ir/t^" *'' ^°™- very soon, and to write every other day ^ ^"'"^ *° ^'''"^ ^S^"^ to news'tm'l'rSef "?tTar;-'"' looking anxiously forward for Bessie conSdeX expected ?ha7hr'' ,*?f «he should come ment she heard the sad Sws Lh w T"^*^ ^"."^ ^^^^ *he mo- did not come, though a "etw ?"! r^" ^^ ""?' ?^^"^- B»* ^^^^^y left-a letter w^tr kindly : not hesitate to co Jman/me '* '*° ^"^ ^"y*^""° ^^' y«"' ^^ B-3e iVhe^Cd^TedTyW^^^^^ ^'^" P^T^^'i ^-m its better before during the voyage^ awX' ''^.^'^f^"* ^^°"> what it had been she would not like toTv^cSesseftothi" ^^^^^'^ Je*^*' ^hich free now, and who knew th^rif • *^ *^08« around her. She was that handsome placfin Irl„d C^^ "«*/P« ^ay ^' "^^'''^'^ ^f played her cards well. SuSvtUM.^'''''^C'^?'"«' '^ «he only Browne, could never be he^Vai ZnTJS'T ^''^^ ^"°"«*^ was the thought which flaaheH livl'jf k. *'*^ ^^^ money. Such as she felt thf touch of SrdHardvK'^"^ *5'"."^^ ^^^^'' ^^'^'^ thetic voice. Hardy s hand and heard his sympa- -i^rgo hlri'^tt^'jl'^ybtk't^ the *^^^-^^'?' ^^'^been that she Bailed, butnowher decf8k.nin, Bessie in the first ship which buried. She could do ^good to hT™"'^-! ^'''"e was dead and a little while, especially as Kekn^wV' ^*« '5^ V^'^^^ *" well stay Browne's invHation to s^^^^^^^^ ^^^^ accepted Mrs. and see how poor folks IwX U J ,T ""'^^ ,*h«™ ** ^^i^ge House, to Augusta, fhe rSed^ • /L?,"^^ "^"^ 1«.*° abandon the field do her just ce, therewas a si«f /K-f.^'"'"''.^ J"'* ^« f*«*' ^^d, to Bat Willi her hlad boVIS'dVwn wh leVh^'p^*'" '"^ ^'' ^*^' *« «he stood around trvins to com w' i, ^1^® Brownes and Lord Hardy volatile and called Ver " mv no^r^ ^' " ^Z" '^"^ ''^'''^ ^'^ «at around her neck Allen fa^L^T ^"'W ^"S"«*» P^^* her arms what he could do and Mr rI ^'"?^' ^'^d Lord Hardy asked her, butsomeboVla^goarsTetf.i*^*" "plagu.y hard on house chaps, or they wruIdhav^^^Li^!"" confounded custom- and there'^d be a pre^tt7how dVe do '^ '"* '^ *^' *^" *^"'^'^«' on the wharf witf - Gustv to ftS'f 1!^*^ ^T^ *^« «^^P «»d «* husband pull through ''^ "** *° ^^^' ^^ilo she helped her upset everything with her f ussines^^n!? ' ^"'J '^^'"J ^''^^ ^^e'd only would not listen She wl« nT • °? ''f^ ^*°«- B«* ^^rs. Browne him numerous "ectures^n that T^^/i' ^"^ ^^"^ "«' ^^^ ^ad gC always ended them wlthTheasseSn t^^^^^^^ T.T' ^'^'had eifhor I T.,=* „.i,,x V """assertion that she wouldn't n°" dnJ-r- with her hulblnr to TeTeM ^ftmbaf' "? '^"'^^' ~^""* '^« -^^ gaged with three officers! who seeing h«; ^""^ """' '''^" ^°*^y «"" o", wno seeing her nervousness and hearing ! 256 i Bessie's pohtunr "1 tmat toyoiTr Yankee wit to get it through Mrs Vn^^Aitn^. ' --"- — """ xci^uvfieu rrom ner enoo house officera and could think of anything, the first to suggest it outright. She rv^4w Mrs Mc. , rson could not see anythir. lork, wh vas much like any great ci "Yej. much. Vm- ti«- ' ---j-^-, -juvii a pity. Oh, Mrs. Browne, I do want to Ou ,V \0 would not be i it was a pity that lerica, except New C had anticipated so .'lit and you must ad- WHAT DAISY DID. 257 in spite of her of Ridgeville, liey think she cere 1 tha' her ■ went io the hmw she had i h^r " to gjjt and on no ae- [rs. Eowditch ings had been of her trunk le remorseless ad bought in tern up, they >rinciple8 and 3 meaning of i not seem at have 'em rid- i Gusty's fur- and mosaic t wretch now ledless to say leither Mrs. Allen's over- nd deposited I with Lord sd her head id sobbed : 3w good and Oh, what he naturally ) thought so the custom- ould not be i a pity that sxcept New ticipated so ou must ad- vise me. Now that I am here, and poor, dear Archie is dead and tMnA wnnn'^l" t ^™ u""/°i ^y g°^"g back at once, do vou think It would look very bad and heartless in me if I stay a little Tam JHrlT'^ enough to see your lovely country home and rest ? 1 am so tired ! and as Allen happened to be the nearest to her. she leaned her head against him and cried out aloud u w^?^^;>^''•''''P^';""^«l ""^Ply' Augusta asked : JNasty cat ! She is as jealous as she can be, but I will stay to spite her ' Daisy thought, but she said : " Oh, yes and thit is l'«rn'- i7f' *1^° ^""^ '« ^^«^'«' though'^'she would bid me stay now that I am here ; she is so unselfish, and I shall never hZlT\ ^u Tr'. ^"'""y ^" ^°"d»" ^i" take her directly home, so she will not be alone. Poor Bessie ? " thfiir hn,^rT ;^f ^^^ ^'\"^°'' ^'''"'"y ^«"^'i n«t take Bessie to Ixoni r.i, '* answered her purpose to say so, and seemed some aS for her remainmg, as she linally decided to do, greatly to Allen 8 delight and somewhat to Mrs. Browne's surprise Yet the glamour of Daisy's beauty, and style, and position was over W Bt 11, and she was not sorry to show her oflf to the people in the ho- W K?A f "P^i^'^"l"° ^™^" ^^?^«® ^^at would be thought of anVn^i!^ fT^v^^ n "'^ "^^^^ '^^ '^^''^^ the.n a live lord and nr f^^ K f ^^^ V^® ^^''y- Sh« ^as going to Ridgeville in a day or two, but Daisy s mourning must first be bought, and in the el decTdTnL whS'^^r ^ ^'''\r^ ''^'^J °" d^««««« -"d bonnetJ, and deciding which shape was the most becoming, Daisy came near for- ^ttincr "poor, dear, dead Archie," of whom^she talked so patheti- cally when she spoke of him at all. i^awieii 1 J«' '■^^=^'*' ^-aJ of you, think that I ever for a moment forget my loss she said to Mrs. Browne, when she had with a hand-glass wlli ; ^^"S/>^^,^.r '^^fP^ ^ail for at least fifteen minutes. "It all the W''^' ' ^"* *^''' '' * "^"" '"^ "^y ^«*^t for him h.tw^ deluded Mrs. Browne believed her, and thought she was bearing It bravely, and paid the many bills, and thought her the most beautiful creature in her weeds that she had evS Ten. And & h^'^'.^^T^^^'^^^^^'^*^^' ^ith just enough p llor in her «1« f S^ interesting and show that her sorrow had rSbbed her of S •^/?!^ °'' ^' ^""^ H^'-dy «««Pected, that she had pur- Islft "'"'"'' ""^''^ ""^^^"^ ^'' ^''""t ^^'^ the sake of nof'ri.^^.K^''"r*¥^^**^^'"'^yP'^'"^««tly, and knew there was not a real thing about her except, indeed, her hair, which was wavy and abundant ntil) ar,A ^f „,i,;„u .u„ _^. ' , , "avjr ina it tn fulfA^ V."' ,"^ ":"V" ^"^ "^s very proud, often allow- ing it to fa 1 on her neck, and always arranging it in the most negli- gent and girhsh manner. Once her complexion had been her oin, 258 BESSIE'S FORTUNE. .! «rt, so skilfully done^ Jowevor 111'^'^'" ^^« »ow the work of • Browne did not. Shenev«L,p? Tu'""^^ Mrs what she seemed, and warXd Kn "^*^^"^ *"'' *°«J^ Daisy f?r society he was safe, she said "^S T. '° ^"""^ «^ ^^^r, as in her refined and cultivated ,^, ' '^^ *"^ «""'w„„ » _>^ ';"'l'''^aux, and seven nannl" M-, - ■■ "" -■m I much of her »w the work of stect it. Mrs, took Daisy for her, as in her Btting kind of St inkling of 3 strange that It be so lonely he was at the d have taken insisted that soon return, fhis will last :• how to live '■ started for in the after- '■ the Ridge le too much nucb bustle ^ was to ac- titled, was araonj,' the 'Ut an "e" jline, Miss hey owned /ered with legroes in- f all sizes, arks upon «'e as they I probably nobility, .f all th•^ STew Yoiif m twelve ith innu- JiiiuMrs. McPher- WHAT DAISY DID. 259 Bon, a French maid and Lord Hardy. He, plainly dressed in a gray suit, which did not fit him any where, but with a decidedly ariBtocratic look upon his rather boyish face as he glanced curiously at the crowd gathering around the Brownes, and greeting them with noisy demonstrations ; Daisy, in deep black, with her veil thrown back from her lovely face and a gleam of ridicule and con- tempt m her bliie eyes as they flashed upon Lord Hardy as if for sympathy ; the French maid, in white apron and cap, tired, home- sick and bewildered with Mrs. Browne's repeated calls to know if she was sure she had all the bags, and shawls, and fans, and urn- brellas, and the shrill voice of a little boy who shouted to her as the tram moved off, "I say, hain't you left your bunnet in the cars ; taint on your head : " Allen, stunning in his long, light overcoat tight pants, pointed shoes, cane, and eye-glasses, which he found necessary as he pointed out his luggage, and in reply to the bag- gage-master s hearty " How are yon, my boy? " drawled out, "Quite we l-thanks-but awful tired, you know ;" Augusta, in a Je.- ^y jacket, with gloves buttoned to her elbows, and an immense hat, with two feathers on the back ; Mr. Browne, in a long ulster, and soft hat, with gloves, which his wife made him wear; and Mrs Browne, ma Pans dress, fearfully and wonderfully made, and a poke bonnet, so long and so poky that to see her face was like look- mg down a narrow lane. No wonder the plain people of Ridgeville, to whom poke bon- nets, and Jersey jackets, and long gloves, and pointed toes, were then new, were startled, and a little abashed at so much foreign style, especially as it was accompanied by nobility in the person of Lord Hardy At him the people stared curiously, deciding that he Ster^AuTste ** ^^ "^^ * ^°''''' ^""^ wondering if he was "Her mother will bust, if he is. She has about as much aa she can do to keep herself together now. I wonder if she has forgu,^ 'u she was once a hired girl, and worked like the rest of us?" wm whispered by some of the envious ones. But that was before they received Mrs. Browne's greeting, which S^ «v,'"'^S*l^'''^ ''^^""^ ^"'' ^«'''« ^^« i««t ^^ loud and hearty. She didn't mean to be stuck up because she'd been abroad- she was a democrat to her backbone, she had frequently asserted and she carried out her principles, and sho..k hands with every' body- .^nd kissed a great many, and thanked them for coming to meet ■ ; and then, with her husband, Augusta, and Lord Hardy. ®Vi ^ handsome carriage and was driven toward home. hi alf ""^^h ' '?°* '" *^® omnibus, while Allen drove Daisy --imselt in „..e pony phaeton, not a little pruud of the honour, and the attention he was attracting as he took his seat beside the beau- 260 BESSrE's FORTUNE. ill What a lovely pom ■ i, , venture to drive ln,n / Wisy'asked iifh"^ "^'^ ^"" *^'"k I might girhshneas, as they left the h^Ih ' ***,* P^''^^^ affectation of the ren.8 in her hand" and le^' T'^ ^,^'" i"«tanti; put t ^SS;-^----« of iSH!;^ S-^,iXa Bo .e pa.8 Miss MePhe.on. houae . •> Bai., aa.ed, .. he That M the plac,, wUh II ti; ^'"' '■"'■oi«emon. ' and who is that tow-headeS chap with tt""fv " ^^« ^^ey home ? Hannah exnl,- 3d that th^n them? Not Allen surnlv 2' noon,andth.canirishrori. '"'"'•"' *' « expo^tSm Xl Jtsuts/f sS"^^^^^^^^^^^^^ -' ■^•' "" "Look! Whois^thu, tl u"^r,"P*'^"^"<>Wmin;r: face, or one like it. Oh- J.' "«" Browne ? I have seen the And she sank har^t in i. , had seen a likenesfto" the lovel'v;aci\'^ ""T ^^ ^^-e she house as the phaeton with Daisy a^ndAI]*"'"'^- ''' "^^''^y to the and with the recollection there Ltn«K^? i"" '* ^^^t l„wjy by hxdden under the floor so many y ars ^''^ *° ^'' *" *h« ^^d horr^^ ttua r..r a- iiiBcant she felt faint anH o^^l- ■'" ,i'"-""re ludden away Which the stranger fixed so steldSy upoA hef ' '''''^''^ *^« ^He ■weeter than 'hink I might affectation of nstantly put ck, watched iilefinable in ted, "xnc-. he i'ithy tak- e direction, continued, Betsey Mc- >w Bat upon :id only re- iuks, writ- ^he firm in and yearu- he thought ite was so rk of the had come 1. Browne, men. ley home ? , surely V l»at after- 'hat half >•" Miss ght have » • seen the here she y to the )wiy by, i horror n away, he gaze WHAT DAISY DID. 261 "I hope she stares well, whoever she is. Seems to me I have -een her before," Miss H.tsey said, a.lding as D^y ha^ inclTned her head and smiled upon her. " Who can it be? Some body they pjcked up to „u.ke a splurge with. A widow, at any nl.'' ^ H^i::';hKn^^St;y"-/,^^,^;-;- Hid^ ''Lady McPherson, Miss Betsey repeated. «« There is no Ladv as aried .ip and yellow by this tune as I am, while this ladv is young, and-good gracious ! It ,a she ! The JezebeP Ladv K fc" "'*' ^T ^ ''''"' ^^^" ^^^ "'^ ^'^'^ ^hat she meint.*' K il ^T^ '''f." "" *'>® ^^"'^'^^ '^* Aberystwyth years a.-o had come back to Miss Metsey, and she felt sure that she had 'j us seeH K^'^BufJ'r" """T '''''"'' '^« '^ ^-^ *hen smiti upon Lord he rseff «« «1 ^ '" "^'f ""^ ' ^'^"^^ ^ ^^"^-^ ^^"^'"^ dead ? she asked herself, as she resumed her seat and tried to seem natural. Hannah saw that something ailed her ; that shelcncied she had recognised the stranger, but she was too well bred to ask any ques- tions, and soon tool: her leave ^ ^ "^ It"mri*bJ •' fhTl H°"^*'*'' Miss Betsey fell to soliloquizing A ^ -^1 • ' *"■** ^^"'''" "^^^ written long ago ; Archie in av be a.ad, and his woman, tins painted gambler, has^'gu led the Brownes and come to America as their guest, with the S.ipper snappeTof of^hl'g^ri.'' ""'' ""'^ °"* '' ^^«^^^^« d«^d. -d wKt has EScomI After she had had her tea. Miss Betsey ordered up her old white the Ridg..v,lle road and passing the house of the Bmww wE the family were assembled upon the wide piazza, enj. " r> 'ie eveT the blackness f'h?^^^ ^''V ??,"'^ ^''^ ** ^«^ t'^'""^*' rehevinf evidtly"tTki.ig?oVr""' "^' ^"^'^ ^^"-"« ^--"^' -- -' watd fhe\^.l^«^''rV'°^' TT H^^^y- '^"d loo-ed earnestly to- ward the house, which was at a little distance from the road Mrs Browne who was watching her, ventured down the walk, bo wi^g half hesitatingly, for she had never been on terms of intimkcy wSf Miss Betsey, of whom .he stood a little in awe Rrn^n"'"^ "^ old Whuey, the lady stopped and waited until Mrs Browne came up h, her. Then, extending her hand, she Lid : »«+;i T " ""'" '''^'' ""V """»*^ "aa>n- I did not know you had come hS V in T> ^Z' \^"T' 8^ ^y ' ^^'^ *J^« phaeton, with Allen and a lady m it, and she glanced toward Daisy, who, having heard from 262 Bessie's fortune. I was g„in' to aencl y..^ wonrT've bro^ Tl" ^*PP«»«d this way. your relations. Mrs ArcKil I M '^''* ^"'"" ^'^^ "»« one of and I hope yon'il call m.5 see 1 er sLll-"""' ^°"'' "^^^^^^'^ ^^if^, too. That'.s her in black » ^ " '"'^'"^ "'''«' '*»'i so pretty, Then followed the story of thfnr""- ^^^^ '« ^^e in black ? > ' and the terrible shoJk it was to D.i^! *^T '''^^ *^» *he CWy Allen at its side.^ - Why d 5n'f sL'' "i"^" ''^^ P'^^'^ ^"h daughter?" ^ '^^'*" ' «"« g*^ home at once to her tec;rdi's?p*?l;i;*':f,- uneasily, for she de- think she would of went bnt ff tl ^"" MoPherson's tone. " I An^erica tirst. She wS 'no stlv loZ .* J^' ^.""* *'^ ««« * ""1° «f I b'lieve you have n.ver bel^ inC/f^^ti^e^?^ ^''^ " '^'^^^ »"-• with his hairpi;tedinrelSdL5''''''' ^' *^^* tow-headed man, Oh, excuse me." and Mra n^..^ i. • , "That is Lord Hard'y. We met hL in 1^ " "^^^"''^ "P ** °"°«- and we persuaded hifa to stop here first S' ■ ^' "^"^8'^*"8 ^^'^ at all stuck up." ^ ™ ^"*- -^^ is ^ery nice, and not vice^rCk t'T' A^ustr" '!r'^'°^«- "^« - P-^. my ad- boy. Good-night. It's Lrwh;.: I'T;'^' ^^u-* "^''^ f^'" y»«r a jerk at the reins the oTd lady drove ^f. "^^7*^^*?^'" ^^^ ^'^^ rather crest-fallen and disaDnS^?!.?' ^,^'}^ ^'^- Browne, wondering why she trKve a ^aTf '^r^^ ^^^^ *° *h^ walking up and down at DaisyTside anH ^ t' '"^' ^''' ^"«"' «"" ;• I suppose I am n.eaner tLn St but I .an ^ T.^f^. *" ^^'•• not notice that woman, a creature a tl hi "°* ^^JP '*• ^ ^^ flirt, who, if she cannot caotum th'.f Z^?^'^'"' *" adventuress, a with Allen ! I hate herT?! Stv J."^'''?^' ^"^ ^^^ ^er l„'ck hundred pounds at once " M Is R«L f ^'■^' ^"^ I'^^ s«nd h«r a home through the gatSSing t^L^t ^^ soliloquized, as she went And before she slept she wrotfl tr, ha^ k„ i them forward to Bessiel address on«f, n^'^T '" ^°"'^°"' ^'^ding to bar aoco-aat. ^' ^'^^ -'mndred pounds and chargi WHAT DAISY DID. b"ga7 waa her i a better view ly, and a mure , if it's ever so Jiied this way. th me one of lephew's wife, and so pretty, y compressed. lie in black ? ' ' on the Celtic, time wholly icing sharply ) piazza with once to her , for she de- 's tone. " I ee a little of I 'II call soon. leaded man, up at once. going west, ico, and not 'oor, my ad- ire for your ," and with i. Browne, > the house, Allen, still y to her. I it. I will enturess, a y her luck send her a i she went n, bidding ■nd charge s«s head. Alias liJtnoy did "ot m"^,tV"\ «"^l"*^^''«»'.'y "P"" her justing her spectacL, tol^^T rj Lai t^h r^Zr?' t"^ ''■ inqmnnglv at hor viaiti.r wh,. «.„^- u ,,. eyes, looked up of Ihe door, too^^ff her hat i, d n"^?"''?^^ ''^T *'^« ^^reshold assume so ^ell, said ' ^ '" *''^ ^''^^^^^ *""««. «he could cau:i^;s^:~' ^u;'Za Irt n rt ^^^ '-' *° going to the ncjst-ofli...- x\..a i ■ i *^ '^''"" Browne was th't: ■^,™,«i^ai;'''°T' "■"• fT »- «-' '«- in How v„y lov.ly »„., you^hf ., ,kt; ^ wa^.Tlhe .»???'"'"■ ' the door-way, and Mih^ H«f<.«„ „ i "" "7, ^'^^ »f sn« sat there in Aberystwythf and reI.;omber d yCw^r l"^" Ari'^ *^"^^«.l* when you left him T' ^^ Archie very sick 8ickIw7i;L^S;^ ""'^ti«. he had been have left him 'Ohaunfei at'\^"l"^r.^"'^ "''J '^^^^^ "^^er was dead, and thtie^s a ml , forT ^'^^'^ ^ ^^"" ^ ^eard he She adopted tlS form o s I m"" '" "^ '^*^T* ^" *^« *^'"«-" to herself wlien s le said i? tn^Mr p"'^"'^ '^ r'""^ '^''^^^^^ prettily moan but Mis" Betsey id not """'' ^^*" ^"'^ ^^'^'^^^'^ "» *he Ar:;t\'^^-ia:t1ryti:rt^.™"'='^ ^^"^ '^^- y- «P-* -ith frol'fit/'Saty^^p-lfid'l"""- / "^« ^^^"^^^ ^'"^ ^e away ' ' Why ? " '^^ P'le.l, and the spinster continued : and JJf itpe^riWteXn J IweTw"^'^ *^^ ?* °^ ^"«^-^ ^ at home, and we are so nlr 'nlT '*^' them-it saved expense and Dai^y clashed her hands to.^/l,^°", ''""'^* ^"^ ^«^ P»°r ; " at the stern facl above Lrwhtldi/"-^^ '^" ^""^ "^ remained so sharp and stonfltt^ n"ll'u^ *f "\';««*^r"'--. ?"* •• Uh, auntie, why are vou so mU tTJ/ au- 5'"^ .™petUou8ly : you hate me'.o/l har„rverl?.^edVu!"tr/VoufoV^; 264 t BESSIE'S FORTUNE. ever knew." *^ ^ -"^^^'^ " ^^^ sweetest, truest girl you ner of her apron, she be is that you to your cliild never try to You do not »all sum, nor e to her feet Miss Betsey ;hem. Men throw them throw them at paint off )ur month. fe is a wide idow ; you though you upport you >■ bar-maid i, I do not ' as you go men— and ehall you Allen for She arose to take her peas to the kitchen. The conference was ended, and with a flushed face and wet eyes Daisv went out to tlie phaeton into which Allen handed her very carefully, and then took his seat beside her. He noticed her agitation, but did not guess its cause, until she said, with a little gasping sob : "I was never so insulted in my life as by that horrid old woman. Had 1 been the vilest creature in the world she could not have talked worse to me. She said I was living upon your people— sponging she called it ; that I was after Lord Hardy— and-and - oh, AUen—even you— the boy she called you, and she bade me go home and hire out as a bar-maid at the George Hotel in Bangor t " . J ^r. "^^.^^^^ ■ ^oy^ indeed ! and I am almost twenty ! "Allen said, bristling with indignation at this fling at his youth, but feelin« a strange stir m his young blood as he thought of this fair creature being after him. Arrived at the Eidge House, Daisy went directly to her room and had the headache all day, and gave Mrs. Browne a most exaggerated account of her interview with her aunt, but omitted the part pertaining to Lord Hardy and Allen, the latter of whom hovered disconsolately near the door of her room and sent her messages and a bouquet, and was radiant with delight when after tea-time the lovely patient was so far restored as to join the family upon the piazza. .^. was Allen who brought a PiUowfor her, and a footstool, and asked if she was in a draught,' and when she said she was, moved her chair at her request nearer to Lord Hardy who scarcely looked at her, and did not manifest the slightest interest m her headache, or in lier. Nothing which Daisy could do was of any ava^l to attract him to her, and she tried every wile and art upon him during the next few days, but to no purpose. At last, when she had been at the Ridge House f.r a week, and she had an opportunity of seeing him alone, she said, in a half playful, half complaining voice : c j > " What is it Teddy ? What has come between us that you are Bo cold to me 1 Has the fair Gusty, as her mother calls her, driven from your mmd all thoughts of your old friend ? You used to care for me, Teddy, in the good old days when we were so happv to- ^®*i^y,- .J^"""^ * you like me a little now, and I so lonely and sad and all the more so that I have to keep up and siuue before these people, who, kind as they are, bore me with their vulgarities ? Say Teddy, are you angry with me ? " As she talked Daisy had put her hand on that of Lord Hardy, who once would have thrilled at its touch, but who now shrank from It as from something prisonous. He knew the woman so thoroughly that nothinsr she could do nv sa" w,^,5M ;„ ih-^ la—'- attect him now, and when she asked if he were angry with her, he replied : o ,; > " Not angry, no— but, Mrs. McPheraon " q 266 BESSIE'S FORTUNE. not prevent v„,f f * '""'P'''' ^'">"> vilZiSe, ."""'ng. I owe all occasions, andTh' ICeS^th'' V""^ ^"- to'-ouj' iroi family shall know all r K,!f \ ^^^ glamour of your oW^ x^" mises me with yoT, Thev tSf t^ ^''"'' ?*«* l^^e, even if it .?' *^^ only a fashionaC wo,2 of fh^"" ?"'•« ^"-l good^or at tliM P'?" tl e dutie. of a mother tryto re?rk ° J"" '° '""■• '"'1 by fuMlC S£/r" ^^"^« bride I"; MtlTf^"f ^^'' ^^«'"4 you vite them to your home in Irelana / tT ^'""^>^- Shall you in ^wlitf„r.s^'f.^r-/*^i«n,e't:^r„F'^^^^ " * ■ ri'-':-y.i5 Oil iiio n&rt nt M t^aa prith. part of Mrs, jjj, uK'ue In Rome. "tall me Mrs. not angry, but other what we ow where you I not reproach 'rning. j owe ;e yoii, but do 1 am not blind plied : poses of your 'd I teJl you T > your side on r charms, the " it compro- , at thfl least, d they say if ituress about y flatter and cceptation of tainly soiled, 3 boy, or for ' would have Jr says, is as by fulfilling Hot impossi- J have said is each day '^tJier ! Ab- ks for your to prolong 3ome here ; tt once and 'ishing you *iii you in- 3re to see ! and going '0 at once, tiothing to ^y, and as 'g the big >J Europe, 267 but only a faint one, for she was beginning to be a little afraid of her fair visitor, whom Augusta disliked thoroughly. Only Allen was sorry for the wily woman had stirred his boyish heart to its ,TnfTi^^P . '•'*"\^?^'? *^ }*'* ^^ ^"'^ good-bye to her, and stood untU the train which bore her away was out of sight, he felt, per- haps, as keen a pang of regret as a boy of nineteen ever felt for a woman many years his senior. Mr. Browne accompanied her to New York, and saw her on board the ship, and on his return home reported that he had left herm the cabm "asmoUin'of and admirin, a basket of flowers most as big as nerself, which she said a very dear friend had or- dered and sent to her with his name." K.,r S^ ^'^K^ f7 T^° '}T^^'" ^^ continued, " and I didn't ask her, but 1 thought fool and his money soon parted,' for they'd smell awful m a day or two and be flung into the sea. She giv me one of the posies for Allen. I guess it's pretty well jammed, for I chucked .t into my vest pocket ; here it is." and he handed a faded rosebud to Allen, whose face was very red, and whose eyes, as they met those of Lord Hardy, betrayed the fact that he was the dear Inend who had ordered the flowers as his fareweU to Daisy fart ^hixHi, CHAPTER I. IN ROME. THE carnival was raging through the streets of Rome, and the corso wtis thronged with masqneraders and lined with specta- tors— Itahans i^nghsh, and Americans-all eager for the sight Upon the balcony of a private dwelling, for which an enornfoua price had been paid because it commanded a fine vj m of the street below, sat Miss Lucy Grey, with Grey Jerrold and a party of friends. Lucy had been m llom^e throe or four weeks, staying U a pension, or boarding-house, m the Via Nazaioia, which she preferred to the lashionable and noiav hotela. Grey, who had ta~keo f.he trip to Egypt, had only been in Rome a few days, aud as there waa uo room for him at the penaion, he 268 Bessie's fortune. i I ii I interest were centered „ the ^Ti^f ' ^"'' *" ^^« thoughts and niornmg in a close, dark room ? ^^' w7 ^^°« ^^ ^^d Sn that son lay dying he verily\X^e5 ^' ^''''^' "^^''^ ^^-ie MoPher- his rest had been di8turb4 bv th- ''"^'"^ ^"*« * «o"« nnd -or s-a clear, decided, youthful wl^^^^ ^'*« 8»r« was a doc which he knew must beW to a v. ' ""'^^ * «"g^^* W«h brogue voice, often choked with tefrs * ""^, "nd was w,th a„oth.r ,„e,ti„„, or ^tt/rCSr™.*'"'' ""^PW S The younf lady j, aiCj. W,lt.' ? ™d question both : >n the carnival ew to his aunt r side and ap- though in re- thoughts and had seen that Jssie McPher- 'veryfi , he 3 a court, and » m the room re was a doc- Irish brogue, older, softer aning sound, i^^y, for this Familiar, and -e and under wn name, as fe calling for fht only the 'e quiet and of his long hich he did i"g himself ccupied the V; and the turned to a lently with I the saucy oae, which «id clerks, ', and was upted him loth : >r i " 9 replied : you. Miss he young IN ROME. 269 t''hlt?krexpTa„°r*°'"'''"' """««'"■ '"™'"»'«"'y " "■« heard p.pera.weU.,lL„ b„TfteSoa„«IlC^?r'' "!""" "' ""^ her half the time " ^ ^^'""^ Bessie's, and 1 am with Skirts,;™ "^;,J,tpti'™ =«■> the yo„„, My , " a.y •.viit: 13 TTith ner. ■ ' — •^•vn, ana 270 BESSIE'S FORTUNE. they spent the remainder of the Hi.mmn, j making their way to Paris LoctohT T^ * P*"** ^^ *he autumn time zn November : thaJhe. Floasfe ' ThnT7 '^^ *° ^^^^^ "^^ ,^«J- ^'•^"dmother, had fallen nSthrM.PK'* "'""^ *^"'^*<^ '^ith ^kes, and kept with them ever Tince th^. R '"T t* *^« ^**"«n well or happy /^r some weeks • S fl, . J ^'"® ^'^'^ "ot seemed her arrival iA K.me she 2+:!. k"'*!*^"'"** immediately aftet growing worse untiJ'now, when the Zf^''' "''^^''^ ^''^ ^^pX recovery "*^' ^^®" *^e doctor gave little hope of W " She does not know us nnw » tpi« • p.teo„.lyof heroW homeland wSfl '?!''; i' '"* f" '»"" «> rf «he died th, worM ^:„u" *e" S St S' hr"" T' ^'^^ He had never forgotten hpr nr.^ ? 0"«htnes8 for him. Bleeping and waking hours there h J?' '"^."7" ^^^^ ^^ both his her sweet face as h^e harseen i? when first\^'^'^'\^^™ * ^i«">" « and as he saw it there last nale aS w.. ^^ "'''/'* *° Stoneleigh, biy lovely and sweet. An/no w FjolIVu i'^'^' but inexpressil and for a moment he grew coW^Jf ! *1^ '"•"' «be was dying mg. !'T will go and'see S 1 M,Pr sU " Y'7^S^ mm^mg, and started for No. -.fourth floor ^^' ^^"'^^^ 8««d. Paltlnd^treyrrrfst^^^^^^^^^^^ -^- face was ve.^ and tears. All her better nlture had hf ^*'^ '"'* ^^^^ ^'^tehinj love was in the ascendant now atd in T ^'''"''^ '" *^« "^^ther? Bhe had forgotten much of her co^Setrv an^ ^"'''"^^ ^°^ ^^^ «bild "\her grief. "" t-oquetry and was almost womanly . " You are Mrs. McPhprsnn 7" n • i , . "^Sh^^^w^^iL^hi^^^^^^^^^^^ " 1 am Grey Je„o?r T t"^"' ^"'^ ^« continued : when he dieZ I have H^eJrf '"^fe"^ ' ^ --« ^^^h him daughter's illness, and haie come to nff"""' ^''^ ^^''^dith ofyou^ anything I can do for you ? " ^"^ ""^^^ ^^^ ^^ ««^^^ices. Is there ??;?y'« *««[« fell like rain as she replied • l^^".'fp^^^^^^^^^^^ ^l^^yo^e^i., to know X no one beside him on who we W ^v l-^^^''"'r*?d *h«re is Bessje spea. of you ; only last nigt^S.:Si:^d7ou b^ ^ S f the autumn, 3 Italy Bome- abroad with It the Italian I not seemed )diately afteip been rapidly hope of her she talks so back to the lere she sayg ■1J| and that nergetically, that Bessie 3ver be, and for him. in both his a vision of Stoneleigh, inexpressi- was dying, >d,and8ay- issie good- ' was very I watching e raother- her child womanly epped out with him 1 of your Is there ' know^ I there is ^e heard le in her IN ROME. 271 male friend to counTel her howS«!?}"'?- '^°""- '^'. ^^'* ^^^^ nJ the last mail from Sland'dMn J t -^ disaopointed she was that which she ,0 sorSv nfeded • hnw l'^' h^\^^^ ^^P««t«d ^""da hotel wa. in Ks charts iLkln! exorbitant the proprietor of the helpless conditic>nTa;^d"ho:'2.cr:?eC tsir'?"*^^". °' ^^' room, in order that Bessie miX L, u .. ''^^'^^^ an adjoming took ^are of her more space ° ^""^ ^'^^'' ""''' ^"^^ "^"«« ^ho addedf-'foJ ?cannoTy'/''^' "^"'^' ^'^''^P* ^''^ ^^e air," she daughter ? . Who, th'en'tt^stre of wV^°^ '^^ ^""« ^^ y^^^ aionaIlt%roVS:^eJ:^nS^^^e^t'^;^ ^^^^ .^^"'^' -^ — night, Lt r hear BessL m^ and\'*l:& "t^ "^ **"?"# ?« you are here. Good mornin" " ^ ^ '"'" "'^ Slad that at DaTsyTdtLll,^^*^^^^^^^ 'T ^^'l™ Bame;to Mr. ierrold^ -count'TnEd o^^rf M^Pher's'n^'" ,*^^ Grey's own luggage was transported to a litUelse2hthv'f''V^^ apartment, which smelled woi-sp than .1.1 ir nV ^ ,* ''^ twelve possibly have smelled withal hprK^ ''^ Mrs Meredith's could and chloride of lime S piysTcian an ^rJr*""' and camphor viewed, and a competent mSsecur'ed, id "?' 7^' f '" "'*^^- sick-room, and when DaisyToteBted ttt "1 "'*7j^»"=«d into the expense. Grey said to he? P'^^*'"^^'* ^^""^ «^e ^""Id not meet the VVrcaJ/nofrBli: r"^"^" ^^ *^^** -- = ^^-*'«-y busi^iess. rool"^n'd;!;r;grea*Arob'of ^^'^.-""--ly he entered the mgly, but had in them no si^m Sf recrjt^on t\ ^'' '"i^f '^■ hands in his and bending over her Sy S', verf so&r "' ""'' Do you know me, Bessie /" ' ^ "^ * his''v^Ter,rjrrl'!il *-'^^-- -^ pity m the tone of him curiously as ii atrus fear in his 'eemed bal- ays, during » his Aunt d and sad, He knew uld be for >r. So he id weaker i between there was tiiKJs who there was ^rey filled Neil, and to him ; 'ucame." 8 resting patient : iuestion, 273 Ye-es, she answered, faintly, and then Grey pressed his Hdb to hers in a long passionate kiss, with no thought that there was fnS?h«Tfr''li^' v*iV"/'?f *°"°I^ °f th*t fever-scorched face and the hot breath which he felt upon his cheek as he laid it against l.;«.!i*''°"/^l°^ "u*^'"^ ^"* *^^ "'='' ^''1 ^^^°^^ him, whom he had kissed, and whom he now knew that he loved better than anything n t V?' r T ^® ^^^ ^"I®'* ""*'« Christmas-time when he first at her throat ^"^ ^^^^ ^^""^^^ ^""^ ^^^ ^"""^ °^ "^^^" ^^^ ^""^^ Grey had seen mu.h of the world, and many bright eyes had flached upon him glances which mean so much, but which had never £1 M ii^- ^''^^'' r t'^' ^^^ *°»«hed him until he saw Bessie McPherson whom he had remembered always as something inexpressibly sweet, and sometimes to himself he had said • ^ 1 will see her again. I will know her better, and if——" in ?? "^^^f ?«* farther than that " if," though he was conscious that in all his pictures of a future home there was a face like hers as he had seen it in the old stone house at Stoneleigh. He had not sought her again, but he had found her unsought-sick, helpless, dying perhaps, and he knew how much beloved her, and how dark wbuld be the future if she were snatched from him. " Oh, Heaven I can't let her die ? " he cried; and, falling on his l^vffor^- ^ bedside, he prayed long and earnestly that shI might live for him, who loved her so devotedly. ^ This was the night before the second day of the carnival, when Grey felt obliged to leave her for a few hours and do duty alh^ Aunt Lucy's side. Miss Grey had that morning heard rum^ours of fever in Rome, and with her fears aroused she signified to Grev her wish to leave the city the following Monday ^ a«bJhir-*''''i'°^ r'^ ^^^"'1'?^^ said, regarding him anxiously as he bent over her chair, " and I am not feeling very well myself It 18 time we were out of Rome. I am sure it is not healthyTere •' She did look pale Grey noticed, and, as his first duty was to her, he^signified his readiness to leave with her on Monday ' 1 shall know the worst by that time," he thought. " If she is wtrf 't o''*" ^°aT;'^^ * ^"""i l!^*^"*^ ' '^ «h« i« dead, it matters little where I am. All places will be the same to me." And so It was settled that with his Aunt Lucy he should leave for goS^Z Tn ?" 'f ""Jk^ ^T'^^' *"^ ^^^^ aVaJy heit he said 274 BESSIE'S F. RTUNE. i: CHAPTER II , FAREWELL. . I T was Snndav annl fh^ repose which w« „"; ^'*'^^®" f^". had in it nothino^ ,^ Vi!^ ^ '* ''O'^- sli,y toth, «r„7°?' "' "'"-'e will. sl1''"'"''".1«iet coloui;., ,, as marWe whfle nT* ''^ ^^««'«'« cheeks and Ufi iu restlessness and nain' Th " ^^'' ^^^a, so large an!l «,? ? * ^^^'^ pale lips a sraile ^fnl\^'^ '"'''« * l"ok of recol^H '"^T^ «^ith "Hush, Flossie f'R. • r.. ^°^' »« the best man FAREWELL. 275 val was moving ^1 du Quirinale »a the spectacle •"age a; d com- tno calm, quiet y- It was not streets, or the 'indows of the ittle uroup of *Jie i. ,\y Sab- oor across the > to their ears, and left them so heavy with i> and on the 'wn them all ^y sleep, she na what had oke it to her re, and how It day heard, sie who told 'aid through heart when ' sure would out he can- e best man strength to " never see row I shall but Bessie Tell Sir Jack, when you see him, that 1 might have loved him had 1 seen him first, but it will not matter soon whom I have loved, or who has ever loved me. Tell Neil who. ^ •' comes and stands bel Bide me an.l 1 cannot speak to him. thoi :nay know ho is here, tell him that 1 loved him to the last, a ,1 had lived I would have been his wife whenever he wished it ; but it is better so. for perhaps I could „>t have borne the burden and the care again I am so tired. Oh so tired, snd the rest beyond the grave looks very sweet to ino. You say Mr. Jerrold is here. I nhould like to see Jnm and thank him for his kindness." Grey had not l.een to the room that mornin?, but he soon came and was ndmittod to Bessie's presence. Smiling sweetly upon him as he came in, Bessie said : -^ j t- *k"r/t""*".."*^'"'"y?" "^y '"'"^' fo"" ^ have no power to move it ; the life has all gone from my hands see," and she tried in vain to ntt one of the thin, transparent hands which lay so helplessly just where Flossie had put them, i- J J "Don't try," Grey said, sitting down beside her, and placing die of his own hroad, warm palms upon the little hands, as if he would thus communicate to tliem some of his own strength and vi- tality. 1 am so glad to find you better," he continued : but iJessie shook her head and answered him : " pa^^e- but not better, I shall never be that ; but I want to thank you for all you have done for us-for mother and me. You were with me when father died. I remember all you did for me then and how I prayed God to bless you for it many a time ; and now I am going so soon where father has gone, and shall sleep by him m the little yard at home, for they will take me back ; mother has promised, and I could not rest here in Rome, lovely as the grave-yard is, Flossie told me you were to leave to-morrow, and I wanted to say good-bye, and toll you how much good you have done me, though you do not know it. Neil told me once of your resolve to make somebody happy every day, and I have i ever forgotten it, and has m my poor way tried to do so, too, in imitation of you but have failed so miserably ; while you-oh, Mr. Jerrold, you are 80 noble and good. You have made so many happy. God blesa you, and give you everything which you desire most." She was too much exhausted to talk any more, and closing her eyes, sholayas if asleep, while Grey watched her with the bitterest pain in his heart which he had ever known. Would she die ? Must he give her up ? Was there yet no brightness, no happiness m the world for her, whose life had been one of sacrifice and toil ? Me could not thmk so, and all his soul went out in one continuous prayer, i^on t lot Bessie die. " All day she lay motionless as the dead, scarcely lifting an eyelid or showing that she was conscious of what was passing around her, IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) .V I/. ^ A 1.0 ^ia 1^ I.I 11.25 ^ 1*^ 12.2 :^ 1^ 12.0 6" M. 11.6 p^ <^ /; ^>> w 4^ "Or -^ Photographic Sciences Corporation 33 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 ^ tflf ^ r 276 BESSIE'S FORTUNE. cannot give vmi^n*"^^'" ^°,^ moaning crv " R^»-- ""easily^ an J?ai"/:' «"""^«d ^^roug? iS'roo^'''r^A^^^«e, I 'Don't mother, please • P ^ , ^ "'°^«<* —and you— von \i;ii i ' ^°*^ ^nows best W^ ■„ for him»lfV„" dLw'" '?'' ^" ">"* to d7,-,; !l^ "fl '""m™ 1 cannot ask von f^ . , ^ <*>' twenty Neils h«r, her phJsicLn w^''* *"<* ^^^'^ ^eavyTair ««/'".°^«' ^^en "ft ^llZcZltnT'''^'^^' to Je cut off '"''* *° ^'''"^l^ For a few moment- n "** <^^08ed give back the Iif« n KT-^^ fervently that^Vn ^u,"'** "«^er for- if. oh, Beaaie, 1 '■hen she moved iil care for you .excitedly, "i '"» my Heaven- »t up and made , »nto the quiet ^.e was to leave '^ng bills both ' in case Neil I would stay »cy," he said' "gh she knew twenty NqH^ ss you for all parting, and Nation in her iiietly, ;,rhen Ke it, for he race looked «^8. When *o trouble and so the n had been apidly and id uhe pale ' nineteen. ' he Would 'Pmg. So wd closed worn but heart, so ever for- >d would win the >r, httle 19 h&Qd9 fAUEWELL. 277 r^^'il't'^Jafff^^^^^^ f^ht take you to my you die just as I know how n2h T i ^ '"^''^ ^^^^ ^ «»nnot let you wiuVet be mine We shTu J fn In^""' ""'^ something tells me Aunt Lucy, and Hannah' and all ^" "^^ ^''^ '° '""°^^' "^^ mother, away, and Bessie was there with him «? '''• ''^. Pasture-land fa? often sat when a child on thrSn« K ' u '"^ J."'* '^h^''® h« had so against the wall, beyond wh^^*h^jl?°,t ? '^e wood-shed close 8hadowhad,inaVay,TrkeLd hi-w/i •^^''^'^"'^ 8''*^« ^hose know'rfcaVn':>'t%^rbTirw;s'V^ ^ ^o^^'* on which his hot tears fSl fa so^r?^ ^""V'^' '*"^ ^^eeks mayneverk^.ow"Lw iSlwrvTlbl l'" *^'« --'"^ y- may be permitted to tell you how it^brAu 1 ",*^^ "'^*' P^^'^^pi I mg BO low and to know ihat I mn^M ™^ ^''*'* ^'^ ««« y^" V- good-bye," and with anoTher kiss uoon trV""Y ^^f^ing Bessie, head to meet the wonderin7Lz9o?h"Jf' ^'P« ^? lifted up hi^ instant there was a puzzled ffj/li ^^"® ®^®'' ^" ^^ich for an with tears, and B.Sf' '^t K^IT''''' '^''\ ^^^^ ^"^^ quivered as she said- ^' ® ^" ^^'^ ^a* stiU burning, ^;^Don't, Mr. Jerrold, such words are not for me.—, don't you She hesitated a moment, and he said: and IXlnrltLTyt Sf ol dT ^°" ""t^ ^"^^'^ ^^^^ rapidly: aV h^s^w ker abo^t*??' elk "^*r""7''' °- - ■ , w«a" fi^ T.- T . ^ *J" not gomg to trouble » -.,,_- — „„„ uoi ttuouc to spea you now; you are too weak for that T »,« u °"""s "" "i^uuio for I must leave to-morrow but hi tLZ ""^ l"" '^^ good-bye, as something tells me you Till be -!_!»' '"'"''«' ^^«" y«» ar« well, and FfesSL^fmrii?' "'*'"'" ^^^^^^ ^««*"' J"«t «« the door opened flusSTheeKnd'Gr:;^s-wrte"^^^^^^^ ''/^« s'^"^^'* ''^ «««-«'» exciting had taken pYaoe ^*°«. «»id guessed that something pre^:Saumm^e?hltrSrrL^^ uaa m stnot confidence told Flossie why he 278 Bessie's fortune:. and ^Xng t'lL^nd^tleTSr ^/°"'" «'- «-d to him Jhite paper in which was carefuHv l> "^^^^"^ °"* » P^ece of 8o7t curls she had cut from Bessie's heLFf"^ ""1^ "^ *^« W silken >»g you might like it when von 1; / '""'""^^^ *hia to yoS thinE she^^jd. i„ a choking v^fce ^ '"'"' ^" *^^^ ^^^ she /as dead/' Ke^Tr yoTfof^Ji^^^^^ package from her. "e» Tork, and toll me howahe i. W u ?,""» "" ^o<'m, Hole! .«.S:rAtie'':,t£\rre"'.io™ .he broad <,i,ht „, CHAPTER in. DEAD. met him in Flore^nce and S^^u^^^^d'' f^^Th*^' ^*"«' accSen"a5y who was so sick with fever AdoTnh« f^-^i f "^ -^"""^ ^"^lish girl ence his home, on the e^inJ^of th« «! ^'? ^he Quirinal forFlor. the bridges which cross the river Arno *°°^dentally on one of as if he\e hadTeeifsmLtn w/I^ ^,^^*^ *°.^^« «P« «nd staggering be dead? They told Tshe^i^i'.ter'r ^^^^^^ " ^^^ S" «hf did she die ? " *^** °^*'^^ the morning I left. When A little after twelvn " tv u ,. , Did her cousin come-a ^n7n2'f ^' *^^ P'^^ «o«tinued : Yes," the boy answer«,r o^ *" ^'"°'" Naples ? " ""'ell, who swore awfJlTv at th« ^''T P^^^^man was there-a bi^ end of a row." '''""^ ** ^'^^ ^^^^k about the bills : there was n? t^- aJ ^ ti ^^:i\^:rOrey thought, for he had paid ^eil but did not to Grey, even essio. And he le least suspect fved Flossie out lie said to him, ' a piece of soft •he long silken 1 to you think- ihe was dead," age from her. Venice, Hotel here a day or road flight of DEAD. 279 he Quirinal. accidentally Englislx girl nalforFIor- 's departure ly on one of i staggering ow can she 3ft. When JontinueJ : ere— a big are was no e had paid ^S'aTa by?hT'p^r?;4ttf IZt :tnT'^*^"* 7^ ^^ ^- across the river ^fth a lofd^o? h?.7 ^"^ «'«. b'>y, he walked on feeling that life could never bo to h '' ^'""- "' ^'' ^^^'^ '^"^ a before. On the Jn^hT^k^^^^^^ nurse, and inquired aft"? thnatlnf,^'^ t^^ ^« ^»d seen the well and seemed a littbbet er ^^a^^*'^^'"' ^^a reported, had slept loved so nuich. £>ea 1 in all " hi « f^"r '^' ^*« ^^''^'- ^^e girlhe of nineteen summers A;onhe? he ,d 15!"^ t*^ ""^^ '^^ «»°» there with her to takea la t look a t'h«? /" ^u""^' *"<* ^« ««* ed rapidly on through street after !tS«t' ^*°V^^'='^' ^ ''« ^«lk. sometimes touching his own and m.lfn ^'^''u?** *^^°'« ^««'de him, and dead. ^ """ """^ ™*''^ng bun shiver, it was so cold '^^^^^^tZ\f:^^^^^^^^ he kept repeating to him- spent so many hours LdirrrhTfi" *^' T''' ^^^^^ ^e had and gone forever. *® ^^^^ ^'^^^^ the girl now dead agrin'andZfdtr\t"^Cmi.L*W^ "^^ ^ -uld but kiss her mustgo back and take the mSr awav fr' * '?^'"r"^T^-*^ ^^^^ 'h'^the Bwear at the expense, howeTgreaU^ wT ^'''~^'''' ^^^ ««"W Wale's rJbrry'S^rL'Sl^rT.^r^^^ *° ^'^^ ^^-i home in wall-the Bpot which whttsaHwr'^J^^^^^^'- ^"^ the be her .rave, and she so young and ifr' nfl^ '^'"'T^^ ^^^^^ necessitate his telling his Annr ( n. fl ?"* *" 8° back would her alarm and anxieV or h^ afet/ s?h ''"^"^ •^"'^ *° «^°i*« i° ed on mile after mile, until tL„LJ; «)?^^^*^^u* "P' h"* walk- and he realized how la e rwas and f hat m '^'^ T^ beginning to fall, lous about him. Hailin , a carna « t . * ^ "* '"'V'* '^^ ^^^'^S anxl and found, as he expected h s aunt «1 T' ??'} ^^'^'^ ^'^ ^is hotel, sence, and still mori aSied at the i^r*^ ** his protracted ab- strange lo,.k in hiseve^ H^ I i whiteness of his face and the orthe'fever, and heTonld^ot '^.T'" *"'^ i''.'' ^'''^ °^ «««^e! had walked too far and was ti°d R i,"Tj u ^'^ ^e merely said he ing, he said, and asked peVrnTsfi >^fnr7^'^ ^^ ?^^ "^^t in fhe morn- he could be alone wit J Errow ''""' '"'^^ '" ^^^ "^"""^ ^^ere a long^st^^tWrS;^ ihe^l- r&r wi; "^''^ ^'^y' -^« ^^^ -de anxious to leave Ital/^" soon al nn-^' i'" '''" ' """^ *^ ^"'"'' '"''' not agree with Grev who S n„f ^ ''"i'^l^"''^^'^^ ^^e climate did Egypt and joiuS W in Rol f ™'^. ^'"^^""^^ «^"°« ^e came from vrJ f~ ,•_--,; - , ®'; ^" -l^ome. Arrived in Verii-'« G^ev's fir-^ -^ 280 Bessie's fortune. n I too ; he knew how lovely an ^8^6^ she w^fl^'p ^"°^" ^'''''' i^oeBv^hichlooCdmBldW^^lLt T'''''^ '8^* upon the white Slo y. ., Jack had m41£^1 W.^ir^'S'Lt'^fCt iiust be on their 'art he journeyed >re, at the Hotel ;ered. It would i known Bessie, 3rey must speak pon him, or the nen sat opposite nd on it a single upon the white imb silence the d told his news. ly, as, after ex- unexpectedly, 'orn look upon '^hat makes you nought it would 'd hit when hit how it feels," ibered the time sie's voice had DEAD. 281 atingly. You ply leaped from it down again, , when he said, When did she 'wly, word by e terribly un- id he stared at before them, i past. ew that mere nee of grief as , like himself, ■ever to them ight that pos- ly Bessie had > not listen to. i be plainer, d strength in md from his in her friend, her sickness, BO glad he was there as a cr«nf l«.„or. f • i **y"*fe ""^X that he was hand but for a momenl and kiwed h»r dear fa»?!li •' """ ^"^ „ V ,! y,"", '■"'»'' BeMii, MoPherson ( ■ tolling S to-'yt. 7Ek tZ^etrJT^'''- ",'. ''° ™' ■"i-"> dem„?e, old-tahi„„ed little fhZ ^1 to'l"?.,' first «„ her a yon ever saw, siMine, with hep f»fh J i„ u j" t°°',"" ""' <•'»> ingat thepaiers-b/ Iwatched he. ? i 'i^' ^"''- ""' '"''''- shl was, an^d then at iaJlTventt^ to sZt 't'T »»"*'ri"8 "ho by her ehair, told her who the p'^^pe '^^ and t^,f„°f ''?''V°« t^tTwa^bS's ffi£ IrZ :,S »? ''i^- 1 wTrSn-hrserw^nSiSSS'?^^^^^^^^ Sd^: sign's t.sr'^^^^^r^ pv-rt^r Christmas we spent together at Stoneleigh You r^^H n^ ^ perhaps, how much I loved her then or thaf t i J ^^^ ^''T' her to be mv wife if T h!^ !!X* I ' *''** "^ ^""^^ have asked J^aftorthetoeraH went .gain-to Ston^Sgla'^&dtX" 282 BESSIE'S FORTUNE. Jack pmuod a momenl, and leaning forward eairarlv n™. -j K,,;:;;,.';."" """' -^ "'. "■« '°i^ - "i" »« P^hta .'^Ne^; est Moreey until his motlSr wh„ S .i f */ f ""'"«• of .triot- was reconciled, or L?.Srd »metWn!'"„'irh'' '^ ,*""><'■■" him, without any effort on hi. ,"arl Neil M„?h "'"■M '"l-port him ert himseltf or deny hi"S eitWr o™ t '1?" "'°"''' ""•<" "'■ and, Grey, I .p.^k Ihe "tS wtl" e'R fo ."hTn" IS '"S'"' know that Bessie was dead than to see her'^Neil's .ifc " "^ """^ facrLrt'i;:'e"-r:So„^-, r*s"^L"„cr BV ,'' •'^• .^etching hi, hand across the uK^s^^S, tr'^ tit^S' -^ . '• Ve?t^°y".'„rre^rhir- "'iTvi^d'KrS" ,d , wrecked: at leas' „,toei..b,.tw J T' """'«'' <>"' lives are fntnre, aid on S S V't th ' dU-roverneT^o^'.'" '" ' "-'"^^ blesa you." ^® * "®^ o"e may arise to as^^'ThilSs'lr'firedXtt'Lie'S'" ""»^ ' —»'. Eem?,Tw\^neXe'rto''^rafK* r^e^l r"'"^»« ^^ i CHAPTER IV. POOR DAISY. G'^lS^mirasr.So'ktlrLtL' '4°J ■S''-?W -"""i* ^ comprehending it. meaning, .id;wi.h' . tight'S^okuT:'" 'ly, Grev tnted / '^ said rOOR DAISY. 283 niitht not now i«ch. She re- ghted to Neil, )088ible, for he 'i" Grey ex- td experiened e will marry iviise of strict- isinherit him, I support him lid never ex- nan he loved, would rather I." pallor of his iiiddenly, and ow, and very i won Id have lot foi- Neil, our lives are 11 be a happy may arise to *r a moment, remaining in layed round id the aiuile I odour : without hor buzzirur about a i.l «t r^;„ .1 ^^''^ '^ ^'* '"""some have serious thou.iUs o i.T^ ii ^o ? ff, '^"^V^^ ^'T^H^' *»'** I mother, to take lip her abdl 1 . ^«':^''''t^ her grand- The ser'vants PiZ, t^"" Z^^^ii Xr^^' FJos«ie\ack. would tire and worry me to deaH. JS I !, ^'^ "'^ "'^^"* ^he When I lost Bessie [ lost tl"; hinf an? Thar nTh*-"' T^^i^' her memory-not even a flowe^i w& s^fe 1 a .vorn " ^"'' ^''' ^"* wS^St/yZS t'^SSr^S^ « package long silken curl, 8.ud to JaS' ^ ' "^ ^"''''"« *° ^^^^ ^^^ he;;htrtdr.s: tC ^rs s?t i^r f^ ^^^^^^ -« «* ^*- from me, I will divide w?fhv"n " *^? '^"'■'^* g"^'^ ^no'V^'h to buy it one-halfWX bSt tress^^^^^^^^^^^^ carefully he laid seemed to cling with a lovim, ^«nH -^^ck's hand, aromid which it Bight and the Kch' o? tto^t^^^^^^^ J-- the the young men who Inrl lo,ro,i u ^ , '''^^'"g'" Bessie back to broke doSn entirely and lavhi't?^- ""TS '^"^ ^^^^ '^^ «'«''* «f it. sr?KS5' 3S S ■■■•-"? = word either from Flossie or NJ^InnX^^, 1?"^ never heard a could not yet bring hn self Xeak of k'' """""^ *° '''*^'"- ^e thoughhesometnnesfdtal i:%tieted to hnn and tell him of his loss And Jn +5, ^ ""* """te one day toward the miicTAnrtl when H T^' r",*-°"' ^"^ at their best and the hv-lZ!ih. \' *''® I^nghsh skies were yew-shaded V^ In atloi^^^^^^^^^ '» the down the broad eraveS St% httle band of mourners went in the narrow ^'JXteVtk^^^^^^^ ^^r in rCnrbrttl' " ^'^^ --/-»- bo^had^Vort 1 to Grey floor, h^Hied about i^Zi?.n'Jri'r' f^^""^^^ ^^ '' "" *'- -™« his rather limited k.owTed"" of EWlil ^['^k '^T'.*"'""' '^"'^ ^^th her "'i*h Ra— •- •^"ow^eage ot l^^nghsh the boy had confnundt-d 284 Bessie's fortune. inquired, and thua had been the cause of mimi, «««ji Borr.,«r to both Jack Trevellian and (V^^ much need ess pam and Naples on the niornin/ trai ierv tirtd Lrl ^ ^'^u T'^'' ^'""'^ EKypt and a ^ood de^ll oTt\7ZrtrbecauseTa TeUer''; '"^ *.° out of every farthinlyo'u havTwhl^^he da ^ht 5— We?l7d^ pi Jned .„ Neil, who ESi t^VJ^tlZLZ^Ubl i^,"\^''- jealousy as he reflected that only a strongersent Z,./ il ^ ^^ ""^ friendship for Bessie could have actuated fv J ? ^*? '"®™ as he knew liim to be actuated Grey, generous and noble abl? tii'iirarutV'persSn' th^ ""''V. T^^''"^" *^^* ^« -« it "No; certainlynorronTv thMe^^er^r/Z^^^^^ .akea hold of a great hulking fellow like myse";i, and jusfn^il POOR DAISY. )dless pain and »d ooiue from nth his trip to atter received oundly for his that the check his return to marry Cousin V of Archibald t you will not will fleece you - Weill do ' keep clear of the plague. " ney to defray be wondered }n he reached k'ery low with r destitute of I she had bor- pounds, with tearfully ex- great sinking (thing dread- iness enough i what Grey >f a pang of t than mere us and noble that he was into where he dead, for ft her hand, tears rolled Jver-stained t still be in- he smelled QOSB, as he arpreted it I of me?" tiiing vvlien just now I 285 he retffeir ''"'' "' '' ' " ^^°««'« ^^^^^ ^im, very demurely, and " fshoTlci IZll Sfd^Te^/SecideX* '' VT*'^ ^"^ ''^'T'^ ' " great earnestness and e;ide;[cSrn''MiT"' Tr"""'^' ^'*'* bit afraid, and he was in Hi«r« „n ?[ *• ,, J^""o'J .was not one twinkle in her b]acrevo8r«hr*^^.u™^'! *^"' '^i*'^ * «a»cy guessed its cause "To,; L !T *\^ ^'''^ '" N«"'« f^<^^ and finued. w^thThe utmolt gra4"°* ''" ^^^' '' ^^""« ^ " «h« -- think^-!!!-'^'^'" ^' *"''''''°^' P^^^^^'y- " Do you think-do you youIr?'a'fool'.''?^Vrf'^' decided!, , adding to herself: "I think IT '^GraViis a^r^id Tike'^oTlo" ito: 'I \f "^"^ ^^^* *° Let me bum a match or two urTSi your nose so that Jh^T'"*'^"-^; saturate vour face • fh^f nrJii „ your nose so that the fumes will person." ^^^ ®^^° '^'^ave tile small-pox with that about your he'lhXhToi^we^Sng ^bS^i: """^ -^^^'^V -^^ a shudder, as odour hi abo JS^ ''*'°"' ^'' l*^"^" «» obnoxious leek, whose de:^:;?:j^i:r^.^^;E:iJ^^ you can endure a good S86 BKSSIE'S FORTUNE. bJood-vwssul. ^ ^ "'*'' """ ^"'''' ^*"'* ho should burat a Minphor. I'M fix it fUr y„„ " '^"'' """ '"■• "■« '•«' «iiU he was right. I Th "k h „ 2 i? V"'V'f ^^'"^''^ "^ ^'^''«'''. «"d smell, Uiough, when thrLk .ol ^"«f «• ""'««d ! Won't he fume ! Phtw - '- and hn linl *^ ""*""''^ *^''*'"8'* ""^ begins to aa Flossie rZnStt U^T al'c^^n.T ""'* "^ ''«''"^ *^- ^*' -»* temt^he?t.;i!Xdt;n!i'i;;ni;s^^r r'^'^* '^""^'^ not leave without beini at Lti.., 1 *"?""' '"''""' ^^ «»»'d Grey had done for them telli."^ her Z^^"'"'" ' ^'".'V« ^'' ^^at dith twenty pounds LTd\,n&h! t * '^^ °f'"^ "''^ ^^"- Mere- be started fo?the>n n 1 L„S ' ^'^ -* subscription paper to were her acquaiS/ces she m. «f !? ""' ^"^•''''' ™''"V "^ !^''«™ Bities and pay tSwils Cirf«I?"l "'T'^ ^'T'''^^^ their neces- touch his .ltherTwrnnouLiLn'"M '"'?;"* *''" ''^'twould right. Neither she nTi 1 er m« wT "^ ^'^"^^'^'■' *"^ ^'« ^" contribute to the nLds of env Z w f '•«'l,*".«'^ve the;r friends letter which Lady Tme sent I hi *'°''" their name, and the which she bade hhn use to tLbUf «*^" «"nt'»»ed sixty pounds, he was to leave Rome as soon a^h P°««/j'J«.«dvantage. adding that This Neil wou?dg?Xhave done ff h« ** with any show of decency, letter arrived it foS^l inrplured fn. '''' ^"f'''^?" ^'' '""^''^^ » ties from which he could imtexSl^ complication of difficul- been stricken down w th he flvlr ^ ^TT^^' . ^'"^^ ^'''^ suddenly assumed so violent a form tha^N^il's'^^^"^^^^^ and patience were taxed to the nLf strength and courage cumbed entirely had^t nnVhl * ™^'f*' ■*"'* ''^ ™'Kht have suc- emergency and tZ re Id !u h" ^^T'^^ ^^J* ^"« ^^"''I *« ^"7 of^hffevS-h..e:is^h^:t:!gSt^Lrs '''-'' *^ ^«* ^- -' afrlirsheri^S f^y m"oUJ^r'^ "^^'^^ ^^ «'- -« -* mirthful, and theroses on h.r J I ■^^^^'r.'^•' "«* «« «*»cy and been up half the S soSthit t^"'u'^^r«-^* ^^ '^ «'^« ^ad not When, „ M..e Ud ^^rj^a^r Si teli^a, i^^jj^^t-i POOR DAISY. nd brought on iliould burst a Plied," Flossie r tho look and d them up for his uiiiid, as ue itfiolf. wiitdied him itants. •' Sir F Bessio, and ! Won't he uid begins to ;han its wont ion of affairs, lom ho could ng her what 1 Mrs. Mere- ion paper to ny of whom I their neces- is last would and he was he:r triends 10, and the ■ty pounds, adding that of decency, lis mother's of difficul- id suddenly 'apidly and d courage have suc- lual to any ret her out he was not saucy and lie had not y, and en- n her esti- I window, rable, and 287 «« id t.; ^ ''' 'n'^"'. d""^l«-r"o.n which ho had occupied at siotwi" n« h "l"""*""', ''■■"' f •M^«'"'ive one. This ha^^ '""-"^l i"*"- ^ha? 3ar3 S^T,'-^''''^?^'''''^''"'"*"''*^ the small-pox. Don't be I know T wlf u T^ '?"^' *^'": ""'^ *^« P''^°« perfectly fumigated. thinrh,!fTl f '^iT'^ «aw them take in fresh mattresses and tai h.?;^,;. *''V'''«'i* nea'-'y finished grandma, who kept a dish of Ls a tl"Vv 7 "^*"'^'''' '••^'' ^^"«•'' '^"^ «"« vaccinated three o\H\n\ilTi^, [T'' ^ ^''^^^•nation. There's a small room vacant whch wS i *'*?u-^^^**' ''"'* "^'^ «** '«'^«t t«» Prunes a day bS who o/'''" H^'"^ ^^^^''^ «™P°»' ^"dices, and lemons fS Nefl'fnS^^ w\'-*''T.""^' *"^ "»^^* t« have them." coouedSS ^•'^1''^' and giving up his large, sunny room, TZV^TvI^-aV'' 1^"^ r'T/^'' ^'"^ *" be arat-'holo, or rathe^ ou?hMo ht^ •' 1° ?.*'""Cy ^''^ *h« ^'^ "'nind him of rats which t&tlt'Tr!f; ^^uT ?"" V He learned to deny himself many SK'a" , ?* ^T'*"'^ ^^^"^ ^^^ hurned itself out. IT., gave u J iave un ti;.'!'^ '""'.5' S"*^ .^^^l? *« *he restaurants outsi^k-. He KronLdTh ^'f''" i^' ^'"°'r H^"' or having carriages at all, and E na as F L f^^^:T! it"^ />«>«ibuses when he went out f^r an airmg as Fossie insisted that ho should do each day. eneriti'cS^JL?^*/ "''u? "!f^r>" "^'-'hing of him in time," the Kfui al Sil f^ * ■''"°^\ u ^"*' ^^'■'^ "^« ' Bessie would just eve™ now sh« wnf""f ?\T-^ ^^ '^ P"''^««* ^l'^^^ *«all his caprices ; ?ng him7 " ^"" ""^^^ "P°" ^""^ ™"^h for fear of tir- Apri" morSn J^f7r'"l°" ""^i" *^° ^'''^^ ""^'^ ?«"«' and then one the bote thT^nLT "^^''P'r^^ *r "'-' *he few guests remaining in packed thL^f 7*' *«"'" '",*^" ^•''"«' *"d ™"'-« trunks were almost as snent'a,"!'? ™^''' P^'P.'? ^«^^' ""^'^ *he fourth floor w.s beautv in hi?lol . ' T"£l ? T^"'^ ^"^«y ^^^^ '^'^'^d, with a strange the rLhness inS In r ''•'^ had returned, as it sometimes does, fu some fair vo"n-tirT',°^ ^'' ^^V*'^' «° *hat she looked like upon her bo om ^nJ' '\ ^7 ^'?'',". ^"' P"^°^' ^^^^h her hands saTto those ar;„{;fhrr:'''' '*' '"^'^^ *^^'"' "^^'^ ** *^« '^' «he •'It is growinu' late. I think I will retire 288 Bessie's fortune. ^io^ts^'2'i:'^:: - « -^ ^ -<'. -^ who ^ an remorse for the past and praver« for f ' *''°' T^«* thoughts of heart during the lucid SrXwhth^T^^^^ ^'"" '° h«' had been delirious from the first anJi^,? ^^f " gJ^e" *« her. She things which made poor Bessfe' shudder '^if'^'"'™ ^^ ^^^^^^ "^ much more of her mother's Ztthnn I! i, J^^ ""^T^^^^*^ *« ^er so Monte Carlo was the fiplrl t uu l^^ ^^'^ ^""^^ ^^ "own. and there, at thrgamfng tb ^ Zt2'' ^'"'^ "^*.«"««* ^^^^^ flight, excitement of the oWen^tmes Ssinl anT"' ^°^"^ through the losing-sometimes with Teddv n/L ^^""'"'"V^-^^^'^ng and other men of a baser lower tv/« ^*i^\"^«' ^"d sometimes with the play was over coqXn^.^n'onK"'"'^',^ J^«*« ^^t^? was too horrible even for the iron nil ^yi,"g-P;"ow until the scene there were moments o perfect con«Z ^^°'''' ^ ^"^"'•«- ^hen spoke rationally to those about hZ ZT-^ ''^^" «^« ^^"ew and who insisted up^oahavrgt^We'^^^^^ ''""'fo^t Bessie, might see her mother, if she c3 l^, • • ? *^^ ?°"^ «« *hat she Once, startled by kelxvvelS Ti^T^^' ^"^ ^''' said : ^ expression of the faces around her, Daisy to 'S"olZ fX to 77, ' /" ' 77 f^ ' ^^ 1 soing let me die! Don't -Sn't" ' '"""ot die ! I cannot ! Don't long after the lips which utilvJih 1 * ' ''*"g >" Bessie's ears Once in her ?aWn7s Da sy saS ^^^^^^^^^ ^''*^- some improper proposal ^ ' '^ *"" """^ v ho had made her and^^s^^^rrhUL^ya^e'SutaVh^S / "^^ ^^'^^'^ ^^^ «-* band-the best and kiLest Tan If ^ v ^/"^ *'""« *« "^^ hns- don't you know I have a daughtet sr'ti^^^^' '1^ my daughter ; ever shone upon and the purest No vn^i^^^ sweetest girl the sun have, and could vou see Zr onn. ' ^ " ?j1 "°* ^""w it ? Well, 1 could never temJt're^'arnrnCr'orfer'f^X *'^-t.^" ^^"•'^"^d 18 my safeguard, and if for a momenf T^ li u^^^'^ ^'*^®''- Bessie to you and think of a home in ItX wif h '^ ^' persuaded to listen would save me." *^^ ^'^'^ y^"- a thought of Bessie ItwoTldt^'soihtll^^^^^^^ Bessie moaned, when hermotherTasSe-the"'rtt T'*^'!!^ *« comfort her ove so much during thl^rioume^na^ f n "" 'i?'" 'H ^^^ ^^^'•"''d to the best thore was in her and leeSV"?^^^^'"' *"^' who had shown her return from America B.iT^f '^'"^ *.'' ''«^°™- When on saying she ™uld sdl reJdbSS^tSlv',?'^* '""'^ ^'^ ''''''^' "^ "'^■" "'^^ ^^"'^ ^"'^ «""««"ted on condition tiiS he;^ ,^o?hTr 1 who knew all t thoughts of been in her I to her. She had talked of lied to her so own. ist took flight, through the winning and metinies with ed jests after util the scene dure. Then he knew and nfort Bessie, 1 so that she I her, Daisy Am I going mot! Don't iprieve from Bessie' n death, d made her ?h and flirt to my hus- ■ daughter ; irl the sun ;? Well,! II your gold sr. Bessie id to listen t of Bessie led. )mfort her learned to lad shown When on [o abroad, "S, jjcSaie r mother POOR DAISY. 289 sears anH i i «« ^^^''""^spect as a Methodist parson's wi?e'' she sail • and she kept her word as well as it was possible for her to do ' me an the pa^landXrels so mu?h iT'- ""^n"^" " ^°^^^« the field and leHi«r iiaL'i! I *^'"^.*hey finally surrendered 2.90 Bessie's foetune. father, asking him to go down to S^^l *«'lg^«Phed to his their arrival with the body. X the Hon tI ''"'^ °*^'"* ^^'"^ "" the pout, and only Anthony and n«..?' ''"^'" ^^^ suffering from and Flossie and Besste came the latter nf. T 'i''' ^^«» ^eU able to sit up a mo»,ent Ster en er n Jh'i;'^ exhatisted and un- her to her old room, which DorothvT/i ^""'^- ^« *hey took , pleasant as she could • and therf^n,^ i'"'"''^'' '^^ comfortable and while the kind neighbours canftP-*" 1"^' ^^^^ *« » little child cemetery where D^sy Ts CTedTnS Th'^ '"Z"^ '"^ *^« yew-shaded more of the McPhersons. '^^*'" *^«^« ^^a room for no "Now what ?" Flossifl aniA +„ XT -I and they sat alone in re ;arS,rS:5T *^' ^'^"^^ ^«« «v«r and when he answered, gloom iV « r L ^*Tr",8°^"g*«do?" flashed her black eves n,^ ^^^ ^' / *"" ^'""^ ^ don't know " she Then let me tel y?u . marrv C«i "^"^^''^ ' " ^«" d.m't know ? do J Surely youU noT^ve^C hetXe r""'' ^^" ^'^'^ y^ •'Bu\t7n.Lri^7L*;ir.^-^-."N:i/said,desponding^ ''/ciL"ot\Iarry£rd :?arr ^'^''P^^' *"^ ^« replied : no means of my oL Ld lofS' *' u /"'"^^ '^^^^^^ ^^- I have I brought her BeasiX my w e T, V"™T™f ^''°'" ^^^^ d««r^f with all these heavy b^s^It ^as f f. ll-\ l^^'"'^'^ ^oing to her McPherson home, and 1 said so a? tl.t I?°''«h^thing to bring Mrs. a curse to every one with wtm,^ i *'"'°- ^^^^ ^^man has been •' Oh, maml p'oor man Z '?1-Tr'"'"^ ^" *=°"*'^'=t-" are," moaned, o; father g^e^ I St wvT^T ^'''^ «« y«» standing just outside the C and h!d\ f ^n^tx ^''^ ^^^^ ^^s Bessie had remained ud 8tS«?« i ^^f** *" ^^'^ was saying when she heard vSces"rtS« * i "^'f i'^' "^"^^ «"dure it, and and Flossie were there, he aroL tnd w^T' '"? '^"^^ *^«* ^ dressuig-gown and sha^l and cren't dotn «T *! '^' ''^«' P»* «» * ^/•if'^'s question arrested her stensa^d^''"-*" ^" *^ *^'^™- ^"t of the dour, she heard all their cSr^l^f leaning against the side ness there was in Neil's heart toi^!7 ?'''"' '*"'* ^'^^"^ the bitter- said than oy the tone of S V^^s helS'*^/' ^T ^^^ ^1^** ^e a cold, hard ring which n.nrL i^L u- ^^^^ **' ^^^ there was in it bed she had quitid, wlere he WmoT '"^ T' t'' ^ack to the had thought it out and knew whaTshe ,^""''f'/''5 ^°"'"«' ""*" «he no lung of her decision either tT, Neil or pf • '^t^' , ^"* ^^e said left her the next day to ioin h.r „ a V"''®' *he latter of whom and had written forir ti""omra?rce™°''"' "'° ""'' '"^ ^^^ou to «o horetnd'm::.';r tl"^^^^^^^ ^-^^J *« ^«--« Bessie, and dr«adi„„ - mee. wft„t he i.uow he must meet when he told hS POOR DAISY. 291 mother the amount of her indebtednesa to Mrs. Meredith who had Bignified her wish to be paid as soon as possible. '''''''***^' ^^° ^^^ nn?S" 1.^ "*"" of perception as lio was, Neil was vaauelv consci- ous of a change m Bessie's manner, but he attribntedYto 'Irief for f.2r ""a \l' "^'^^-^r' ^"'"J^rinK a little that she could mo" rn so deeply a death which, to him, seemed a relief, for Daisy was not ^ person whom he would caro to acknowledge a h s mSr h -law thl ^^u^u^!'""^ ^""l^'^ *''" ^"'^' «»'« ''«^l overheard and thou-^h they might be true, she knew Noil „ught not to have spoken them to a comparaive stranger, and she bega,, to realize as she neve^ cor'd w rii ■ f 'm^ ".^'"" ^''"'-^ -'^ niuch whlcWid noTa:. fiSr A 3'".'^ ,""** """'y *'•»« thoughts of Grey Jerrold S hU Tl' w /" \''' half-waking houPs at night s^heherd agam his manly but tender voice, so full of sympathy and felt an ^^^:r^:^t^r^:tsf!''^ *- -- ^- -« partSadlv^n^ u'"^' ^"V """'l ^'' ^" ''"'P y"""'««lf ^ I will do my wai s ::s rrsts '^^^'"« ^^'^ '^ -^-^ n^f sis^airw^i "Ban'^X"*'''''^ ^l' T *° '^^ ' absolutely nothing." askeranVXS.'"' ""^'"^'"^"^ '' '"'^y -»^ ^* ' " Bessie •* Yes, if they want it ; but I do not. You know as well as T tl,« IZf'""^ ^"'T^ P'?P'f "^ "^y ""''^ '^^'*i"« woi k, uch as cLrk! woTk '' "'^ *''^'' '"^ *^''' ^'^"- ^« «* ^-"l^ th*^ McPhersons do not son a^"you "'^r«l'''''""'^i'? ^'''^' '^"'^ ' «"» «»« ™"°I^ a McPher- Z tho^ught. '"'"^'''^ ^"'"' emboldened for once to say what mrj^"'" J® answered slowly, "and I am sorry for it You told me at one time you thouuht of going out as a Lverness Nnv«r harbour that idea again, if you care for me. I ctnnot ra;e oeonle Bessie bowed her head silently as if i^. acc.uiescence and NeU L 'irCdid'r';'" ^nf '« i» ^-^^ ">'-*' nrwhen L bade wa^fntk^B^l^frroi^^^^^^^^ -^ - -tion which 292 BESSIE'S FORTUNE. CHAPTER V. Bessie's decisiox. leigh m obedience to a letter fr^n Be, *« i Ti^" i"-^ ^'^"^^ *° ^tone- see him on a matter of importance ' *'"'"^ '^^ «^« ^"hed to S-S^Cr^dlVJlnto^,^^^^^ My passage is en. " We] ," and Neil air.il Ju- ^^" ^0°^ care of me " not suro'burtLt VSldea T^r^^h^ thou«htfuTy, "I am den. You would bo lik'eTy to suc7e^l 2"^ *^l ""^^ ^""^^ i« h- aaid to hi„rq*u!:kiyV" ^" """'"'' "^'^^ Bessie resented, and she -ther Xm no{'sp7arorhj;?hr"s^f/7t ^^etsey, 1 .ould dop "re of that, Nexlsaid. " But what do you mean to NeirS;"fm-i:yand'thr21f ' ^ ^"^^^ ^"-«-'^' <^-dedIy aunt she would become rfSriL'd":^* 7' V^** ^"''^ ^i^^^er fortune he so greatly coveted eventually an heiress to the to W hef ontis' mh!^^ "T^^ *"^ f«" i* -uld be a relief not leigh So. on the who ''si" fad d7ne w'^'' 'f ''^^^ "'s'-e- goto America, and he did not olo It l'^7^^" ^'^^ Planned to Liverpool the 25th to see her oT Hp Z'^^"* '^"} ^^ ^""l-^ ^^ in necessary funds for the v^a^e ],«"," ^'f "°* ^^^^ ^^ «he had the score, and was not likely sS to' for J ft, ™"^'^ enough on that «on of scenes, enacted at TTveman%. 'T^' "' '''^^^^ «"««e8- bxlls were presented to his mother wh^bn^f "'\'' ^?- ^e^-ediths have repudiated them at once m Ill.t"^^''\^''*™'^««*ke. >vould obbged to nftx. °°^e ** something she waa n^f u~«-n-^ BESSIE'S DECISION. 293 3a?" Neil said came to Stone- 1 she wished to 7 passage is en- 's. Goodnongh, f me." tfully, " I am woman in her ^oiild fail, and nted, and she 'taey, I would "nd to father goins: after, le somewhere lerica. But, s no disgrace you mean to lecidedly, ice with her eiress to the a relief not e at Stone- planned to would be in ihe had the ?h on tliat her succes- Meredith-a ake, would i5t lawfully Neither did he inquire who Mrs. Goodnoueh was and h,,A n« and^dZ '^'* 'If- ^^^ * P*^""- ^"'"^" ^^>« haS woZd in thefielSs ?ng out to Xf Ynlt ^r r ^""f ^"velih,.od, and that she waS go! ing out to J\ew York to hve with her daughter, who had sent hsr money fur the passage-not tirst-class, nor even second but steer age, and Bessie's ticket was of the same nature Sh^Ln money for a first-class ticket, and when she heard from Mrs Goo^ Am&a'^LT a «? '"^""^ "^ """^"^^^y' ^"^ -^« had been oirfn anTtS'iit;%tsvr3:t^^^^^^^^^ '''S^im'tlV^*^^^"^' lM ^."^ saii\'o"^Sloltghr"' swerved ^ "'^' ""'^^ ^'""' *"^ ^'^'^"^ »!"« Pl*« shf n^ver rather from his mother, and her blood was hot whenever The r^coT in Kome-bills which she meant to pay to the uttermost farthin7 If her life was spared and she found something to T in the new world, where to work was not degrading, ofe thrn^shrn^LT Se-r h^w^'^iri/u^^ ^'""^"*' ^'^^ «^« tiiidi;":s£"f,:s%o"ri "Enough ! I assure you. Those Italians are rascals and cheats m J " ^t^-A^ '\T ' u^"* " "^^'i "°* *^«»ble you he debt 8 Jn^ '« n '"''* ^ ^'r*'^ ^'"^"^y- ^"t "Bessie insisted on know iW tonlH ( m""^' ^'■'^•" ^^"^ *h***^« hundred and Sy pounds would probably cover the whole indebtedness. ^ ^ " ?""t".? """^'If' ^u '"^ ^'^'^Z" ^ " ^«««i« »«ked, and he replied • h! ! ' ^ K^V*^ \^'' \°™^ *"^ *" ; *hat was a useless expanse '' i.^t T\^f'''^-^^^ *^^"«^*' *"d ^vhenhesaw how qSly the tpZ t !a?r' ^^^^' '^ ^^^^"*«^ *^« -*' -'i «to2pmg C: Ai I'/'^'/^'J® ™®; ^^"^^®' ^ ^^^ «ot mean to wound you • but mothpr ''T: 1 w" S ''"%.'''^ ^;^ "°* ^^'^^ yourLother.'' "''^'^ Hk«a » « ^ " P*/ *^^™ *"' '^ith interest, compound if she had fbrn''''^ ^"Tr'^' as she withdrew herseff from S'am he Trerel'fin I^L'S t"""?! *'■"?'')'• ." B«"i8 tae^ where Jack 294 BESSIE'S FORTUNE. He never wrote to Fiossi« " u^^ -j ., know where Mr. Jerrold i 'she wrutTto'll ' ?'^'' ^««« «he ingiy'^'^^rou-r ^e s:!ii Sit!;5^'ii;1« '-''-^< ^-^^■ you write me you have found that Wn, "''^^•» J""" »« soon °aa Do your beat, little Bess, and if you caS ^'' r *'\«"^^^ *"«r. purse strings nobody can " ^ ""* ""^^^ the old maid's bodeTr^tToS; wiLTef^e^trrtT ^ ^-""^ -^^c'^ come down to Liverpool and see her off! '' * ^^^' P'-^^^^ing to CHAPTER Vr. IN IIVEBPOOD. I^'^erSth'Ters^oflTverr T^ ^"g"«h skies can pro- looked dirtier and blSerth^n«r^''l'''^*y" b^^«k and diVtv son walked restlelly up and Iw^the et ^^?. ""''' ^^^P^^^' western Hotel, now\LningZpnesT?r' ''"" *" *?^« ^^°^*^^- taken to the Germanic, and then f« I- ^"-PS^ waiting to be rain falli.^g so steadily ^ ^°"^'"« ^"«f"% out ujon the -1'; ?f i;ir:i S'rwt w"„tf; rj ^^*^^^ ^^^^' ^ --^ i had self, as he began to realize what it To S l^\^Y ^" «^'^ *« ^m- ated frou, him the breadt? oUhl gre^rocean' *' '^" ^^«^^« ^P- bepaSeTotd^;\t^irh-^^^^^^^ '^^^ ^« ^-^ Bessie on his heart and a lumo in h^! S^,* ^""'^^^ ^"'^ there was a load She was to sail that Srnoon at hr ^'aVdh^' ^' *^"^^"' '' ^-^ don on the night express to n,PPf if ' , ^® ^"'^ '^o'"« from Lon- and^ ther, and BL^clVe'r^l.ti^.r? ^.^i^^ «f ^^^^-^ few mdes rrom the city, and he wa/tojorn the^ fcn tt^^eu! ' Jack was aome- hemian life, and 1 Castle that he 'n Play, then in leither does she Venice, but he 3me." )robably see him )ntinued, laiigh- you as soon as re going after, the old maid's a feeling which , promising to IN LIVERPOOL.' 295 3kies can pro- 3k and dirty, Neil McPherl to the North- mting to be 'Ut upon the I wish I had said to him- Bossie separ- loved Bessie ■e was a load >uglit of her. e from Lon- His father, I's house, a m the even- and in her delight at the 20od ns„f .h ,"," *? «'""« '" America, »ee her„ff, b;,t actuallvh^anded TL \ fi ""' "T" '''"<™°» '» wastogivitoBe.»ie„ith hlrhlr™ , ""r '"'"'"' ""'». "hicli he happinL in the „T„ „'SlS ^"^ ""'"" '"" " I>'<^"»»"' '"Jage and oJ.S.°,int"t't3l;„^"iS' """■' * "1'^ ""^ » ""-1= atood at the gate when B«s,Te^^,„. ,t T "■' ?"''• S™"? o»', he GoodnongI,, who caSd hi L J "*' """""Pa'^ed by Mrs, unde?hi.^^f„'r.lhotU1 rSg^r-aht'e i^iSt^^^^ -d^^who .a thi, won,a„ b„b\inf np irr^fSn^tSl'lo' waf "t*.;* ^tCVSrld^ri'' '"'" **"■ ^■""i-'mK who .: ^Slrie i/iSt ?!■ --" Whnra\i.e a •< Sh« ;= „ ^ ^ °"^ ^° °^ * steerage passen-'er > » said,'!; q'uictriuTrr' !,T'r^^"*-'" B-- burAed him ^' ^""'^ '^'^^^P^'^ ^^^^ hand as if it had upl^hTrtdXl>infs"dI^^^^ '^ «^°^-™^^' gl--=^ down answer'ed"mS'/ri tow ^.^ '^^ P-^^^^^^cene here, please," Bessie paler and something shoneTnber;v:^'\\'\?^r!^ ^^^^ * «h*de there before. ^ ''^'' ^^""^ ^^^''^ ^«il had never seen thrct?k":uhrb;Su''rd InV?'" °"^ ^"^ ?"«^-'" ^e said to Bessie at his side, Lk //her o teU hin";'"T?\^^' ""'' «•*'•"§ ^^^^ she was steerage, too ° " ^'"^ ''^** «^« ^^a"* by saying forl'lTtTsCtiSc^e'^^^^^^^^^ no money steerage. Many resDeorahl« ^ T ^^ ^^""^^ ^""^8 »« much as ts.t; viorau aiici nice i >i.i>i no*- noi, j .- •; , ^ "■i'--' liiienis thing except the debt JnlT^ ashamed ot it. 1 am ashamed of no- 296 BESSIE'S FORTUNE. 'i V which affects xne as mS'LurUoer^ou ''Z ^^ *'"' degradationT change, and you must do it '' ^ * ^""^ '* ^« «"* too lato to Kt^^pii^l^^c.^^-^ enough to get there, as it ^oip^l^^y;:;;^^ SS t? tt T^^r "*«• ^"^ that quickly as she said : ^^"^ *^® ""*«> which she put aside • r^'^i£!^J^:^JZi T\\ «^- ^* ^-^^ to her I shall pay the whole aordly^L 'Crn it >'' ""'' ^"'^ *«" h^r bhe emphasized the last words L/"' '*' Neil exclaimed :■ '*^' ^^> "^o^e angry than before, were a"common^cWwomf„7 ^?nft '" '"''^ nonsense, as if you going to Aunt Bet^e" wTh the h^ne tn'^."' ^^" '' ^ ^^a* y^u Tre you unquestionably will!" ^® *°^^t """"^ of her money as America becareSfcTwo"^^ / ^ am going to according to your code, I cannot " ^^'^'P^^ted, too, whLhfre, of cattCf o'r ^miS^^^^^^^^^^ T^ "°* ^^^^ -"^ * lot a spectacle forth! other passZlr-Ji^^ and do not make yourself as they will be sure to d^ Tffo^have'n "^"^'i*"/ wonder about, have no right to disgrace mi ^ W a ""^ P"'^^ for yourself, you some day,%hat NefrMcPh'w7wife ^^^ *J""^ '' ^"^ ««»«d, Have.you no feeling about it?-' ^^ "*"* «"* as steerage? Ji^tas^s:*^:^ -'^^ '^- to^AifSal^to^t LV^ ?id-- ed. ""t^^'ffe^^"^;^^^^^ Te"co„?'^';* ^« * ^"-t->" ^eil rejoin- to the PoinUyoumCt either J^Jru;''thT'''''^ '• "^"^ *''««« can have no share in this disgrace w^hinWif*"^ F>" «»• «»«• X forget and which mother woufrne'veTfS,-*^^ \7^^ ^"uld never come from the steerage." "^^"^ ^"""^S'^®' ^y wife must not He spoke with great decision fn- u^ moment there was^ perfect Xn/rbetw^f Tk"^ ''"S^' ^"'^ fo'" » Sarded him fixedly, with an Tx^sionTh ^^Z""' ^hileBessie re- -asy, for he did not ^^^Zr^^l^:^)^^ IN LIVERPOOL. 297 ^^^^^^^'S^^^Jt^:^-^ *« this fragile little g.l, '• ^"M"«a» it. Neil ?_mean what 'you spv ? " and putting it into hL har f - r „r^ ^''^,''!'' «"^'«y«»i'^»t-ring There is your rinj. it is 1 1 pn / i k .''^''''"'* '* '"""t be steerage that it is 8... I Sv'e thoL fo. ^^^Z'"'' ?• ^'"^ it is bett^ happy together wUrourcSi^nikrZ' *"t"', *^?^ ^« ^""'^^ ""t bo fiomethint^you did not Hl^^J Tm/ tVi ? ?' V,''""''^ •■^'^*>^« ^'« J<>ing Besides this we need nor;i!n • "''"^'^ ^ '=""Jd not think was wn.n/ that your mUTrwm e^erShorr^'^T. ^''"^"'^^ ^'^^^ ^he hop'e will not and as wecZZ'Zry'^SZ^^^^ '''^'^^ we should part ; not in anr that, wife. We are free, Kof u - and ITT'' ',"* ^ "'^^ "''^'^ '^"^ ing over her a nu.^t delidoul 'sense of leljt ?"'" '^"'L* '^T* were being ro led from her ar^A Vu7 ■ ' ^^ " ^'*'"« burden that of aylingl^rl wT^o ha'dTul hrnrP'"''!?" "f ^''' ^''''' ''^' "ot And Neil feltVe change i^Terand^rrn V"' "^•'" '^' ^"^«d. that he would not give her up though llf^.^^"""'* ^*' '•'y'^'S times, and in his excitemeni h« off ' ^ . ^''''^ steera-e a liundrel she w'ere willing anftake her at m .'i*" k^*'^">^ ^'' that day, if not shut the door against theS thZlA T^^^' ^^« ^^"^"Id But Bessie shookTer head and ««i?\ "7,*''" "^f"^ ''^' done, was saying. It wasfar bettPr tht i v, ^t/u"^.""* "^"'^^ ^^^at he time he w^ould tlSk so too ^'^'^ ^^« ^^""^d be free, and in a short thrb^e^fof fiSs ati;: '' sie'^sr^'d*^"^.^' ^^^ - «^^" ^- to be content, but hisffce was v S; ghromv" an Hh ^' "'" "^""^^ of pam and loss in his heart whi. oP T^' " *"^^*^ ^^^ » sense winch was to take Bessfe To 'the wh^y^'* "^^ ^"^^'^^'^ the carriage on t d^^oXtTly N^if t^^^^^^ ^,V^g^g? -d see that it was he should be. ke ra^n was ; m f^nln ^ ^T^^^""' ^' ^''^'^ ""eant and hansoms crowdinTthrdoS whe^Neir.n] «'' ^''' "^""^ '^^^ " Where will you go 1 mth!h.Il *"*^ ^^o'''° ^^^^'^^^ it. ven's sake keep tLe vSl ovYr your fa^^^^^^^^^ YA^ f-Hea- any friend of mine who mLht I . I should not hke to have said, impatie„tly:id"Bes"fr:ptd"" *° '^ '^^^' Bee you," Neil There\lV^o".,Ynttdistrc^Tif ^ *"^ *^^- - -*• well alone, and a; it ia%tr^^^^^^^^^^ m the carnage, lou cannot help me &nv J.T '' t^ «'^"d-Dye an xnstaut, ^and then added : " Yo'u ^ghTbe reco7„ise1r''''"^*'*^^ 208 BESSIE'S FORTUNE. f-'llowud Bessie's advice an^^ * '"®*^ *nd a coward RmIT is dfrSe'r '''''''' P--ngl'- tL:r; '^-^-"o^ed v.icu ijie Jittie ngiire with *k« . ' "® ^^t a mompnt nn^ Isack to the hofpl " h^ • ■, . direction. Ther« ,ra» "^«rro'd, who was drivino- in o., ^mie to C.rey through the wiSdow "^ ''^'' ^"'^ ^« ^«« shaking hands wTth IN LIVERPOOL. 299 as thore whs a little trip I wished t,.fuk«.t^ V^' '"™« ^"«"d8, her at the wharf. You bVJ lut'iu^f ^'-^''f- ^^': ^ "^all find Chester. 1 was only in L .mlon or a! av Z7f '.? 1^' *•""'" f''""' to see you and learned thit you were mit of / " '"'^ *? your house note for you. Neil "— and f'i^.,, - °; *"""'' «" * '^^t a little ^peak of fhe'de. dL.. Tli^e 2^;"^? T' ^^""'r ^« ^'^ ^'^^'^ ^e been for^,,« ^ --^^^te'tV^L.^- ^^ hn'S? ^''*'^ Stopped, for since his interview with Un\c Tr. ir he had never mentioned Be8^iH'H .„,...„ V **''^ Irevelhan, do so now even to xNeil, who hav n^/. id"^ ^'^.V'*"'^ ^" ^""^^ ""* which Grey was labourinrand s' EsinSe "of ""' '""'"''« ""'^^^ nng^to l..sy, replied w^tll an indiC^^Jf tU^ ^G^ltS^ hal'eJStS^^V. &^h?d r n^it^To T^Z^ ' ^^^^ *^ go through the like a^'ain. Those land w!lV f^ ^ ""^^ "^^^^"^ the whole of then,, and ought to b^ScS "' "^^ "' '"'"''^''''' me^t. ^ts r^S^tlTt^aXf tllfe^^'-ld" ^\"\-tonish. event, the mere reme.Sance of wl' -' - '^"^ '^''''* - " "^ *" with anguish ? Had he reaiW nnnh/ ■ ,'nade Grey's heart throb recentl/dead that he couds'^eak thus ^fth^ "' VV ^""."= ="^^^ «° her death had caused him ? Grey co^dnil fill'' K^l'u"'^ ^^I^«"«« as near hating Neil McPhersm, !{ )?! ''"^ *fu^'.^"* ^"^ ^*« "«ver felt a greater desire to thrash Snf^'''''f *^\ ?»'^'"^"*' *»d he when t.!e star.spangirb:nrr\ar;nSed'^ ""'' '"^^ *^ ^^^«^-- conTerr!lT;s';S,f,^VjSt^^^^^^^^^^ «« !!« ^'^-^-d the heard since he^ef't hinx m vtt'^^irki'n ''•°™ "^^"^ ^« '-^^ ««* I haJe\7^,;Si\o Mi;?£ih n^^rr^'^^^ — - dude I have no fronds ths side the vvJ^^ * '^" ''''"^*' ^"^ '="'^- fear tat «„s,e fhouH brta1:^^d1o;,^^lt™..'4Vd^^^^ whuro she was. " *^ •''>u^ea i,u ceii 300 BESSir** FORTUNE. Ddirlngr his interview with Or«^ u- been waging a fierce battle tJm ^Lh " T.""?'«"o« «nd his pride had Be88.e, who possibly might' nt t! ''"H'"8 ^'"^ ""y nothing of had promised him to kX\trott\T ^^^i"'^ *''« voyage a^^ahe £ toil r-r" T ^^** ^''^ P"^'« counselled «f h"" ""«''* "«^«'' be ally p..t his head from the ^n 1 L^K '/'r'"'^^'*' <=<'ward. a"Kt"" overtake the carriage they had Zt" ""'^ '^' ^'^^"'"" ^-n back and the wholetrr^l^-e rall^^d^'llS^ "-• ^'^' ^^^e -d confss, where he passed a miserable thi««^ '" ''''"* '"**^^ ^'^ the hotel for the dinne.at the house where ifis^Vr''' '* *^«« ti'ne to dress It was quite a large dinner-imrfi "*•''''.'' """^ ^'«'ting. and elderiy men so f h^f w • ^ '^*^' consisting niostlv of mo*. aud he wa^the^en?re of aniVP"''""^" ^a« haile^with 2'^' «lfk t""'''^^'""^"""^---«"-"-Hat ^yJ^'e:tt,\V:C^^^^ and that Nei, had which he turned to her, or the b?tter or «?"' 1. -^f *h« white face . Yes I am fretting for that aS ." '" "'^'<'1» he said : f'^n?' Sf "^ ^« b'-'^' "er'wtr'sris'S'^^'-: ^"^^ ^ --^ la ^one. fcshe is lost to me forfix.^- j V '^ this minute. But nha . To this outburst Lady Jane n'n ''"^ ^ ^"^ ^ ^^''e dead " ^ her son's face, there flashed uTon\"" ''^'l^' butasshelooke-l into her opposition to Bessie an H X ^'' •* "^""^t as to the .Zh.f «ot be better to withdTawTtan5'l2t"T'"\*^^ to whether i ;^^!, if S Sp-- - would .iSrti^St^- J by his n.-....'.. .crds,Ld /o. the'r'.Si%?!/t ^-^"3^«--Ied i-i-aox ux the evening was as ON THE SHIP, 301 hlne waterproof, with he 1 o'.^ t;", ''\'" f'^' ^'"'^r'F.ecl in a J';-' sight thruni,'h the niin in h , v '"'"•J. ''i'"W>I'«ari„g from Bhe waa doing, and if C^r^'CLu Sj'S^lll^ ""''"""« '^"** er li wf '^ifi CHAPTER V/L ON THE SHIP. N^ll!,^J"wtVlh«t! ^"!r ^'* '" ""-'y d-"'^te -d Wend, through the crowd of dr^JSri?^ *" ^''^ ""*^ ^'"^''^^d her way Mrs. Goodnough w^s waitinl for ,' '"'^ ^^P^e^^-^vaggons to whore dear old home. Jay bohS h^r tZ^Tc ^'i ^^^ "^"^ ^«f«. with the and the "ncer ai.ft7as "o Th.V il ' r^'." ^''''^' *h« broad ocean Added to this thert wal al>f f^^«f"»'>^d find in far-off America had loved too long to fori 1^ of '" ^Z ^'^V* *« N«''' ^h"™ «l*e far better to bo free she S. ■ '®' ""l'^ although she felt it was loneliness, and inexpressTlI >. '^"r^ * '''"«'• ««"«« ^^ !«««. and herseutiAthetug7hTchwistotT«f"''%\^^^ '^'^ ^' '•*«* t«"k to the steamer moor^S in The river '*"'* ^'' feHow-companions corne;'rereTssi;;ttUirif"^^^^^^^^^ had promised Neil to avoid ob^Ln^ ^"''^^l ^'""'^ ^i«^- She keoiang hor hood uve? hir Wd Z r"i*' "" P"'''^'^' *"d wh ch hid her face from sUht 1 1 I'-'i T' '\ * '''''•'^ blue veil, )vhich fell like rain, as she sS with ij'^'^^r' V^", ^'=^''^'"'? *«*™ were too much abs.'Xd in findin^'TF ^/^^ ^'^'P' *"'^ ^hese their luggage to pay any iLn^foni "■ «***r'"o«'»« ''-nd settling German and EnXi, 3,n"?« ^ '^' °'" ®''®" *" ^^^n'- of, the few the middle deck And so no ' ""'^^ ^""* *« their'ov.n quarters Z tunidly to the We,shtlrn.Tnr;ho":S .!?.l f}^ ^^ ' ^^-^ - Everything was scrupuffJ^XlttT^^^^^ ^/^ 302 Bessie's fortune. toSS bSSJ^^LS^;?-- ^^- - nothing .ris- Btones upon the hi«hw v as f1 »^'''^««^7, she would have broken Neil himself couJd noT^h^fve 2n*''; ^'"'^ «"™«times dojandstm roundings than she did for a fevt n ' "'"^^ '^-tly agains her sur not e,,d„re it, and tha fshe 'taTd tlf." '' 1'^''"^ '^^ ^^ «»'« "o" W into the sea. «taid there she must throw herself ^■p^^^^^'^ieJ;C^i''r ^-^-"^'-aid ten- Sie d';d" :';'.^ ^pVtK^"' ^^"- ^--^ - better thfn her usual swee? uSstes's^^.Id th" ^^^.^'^I'^^ '-^^^-^ but with tried to dry her tears sHln A ^v'=''^f"^»«8« for others shfl J^hen the latter suggested tLfi ^"^ ^''''^«« her companion and • Liverpool and thefeores as tllM^^V"!'"^"^ ^^'^^ ^' ^le Sks "f led on her veil, and wi^h h rXclfo' tl'"''^'\''^ ''''' '-°^-d trom the upper deck, where the fir.1 , ^ "''*" ^^^ ""g^it see her gated, she stood ffaziii^ nrf)! 7 ^^^^'^'^^ss passengers were cont^rf Bensa.- i„ , boCSdltl ^^fpSi^Y ^T¥' ""*" "^y be^th which she did not learSirf ?; ^ ^ ^''',^'^^ ^^^^ ^^r *« her She knew when they stopped at On. /^^ ''^y^ ^"^' "^^re. little respite from the roS roiS "'!°^"' ^"^ ^'^« ^^^d for a her wild and made her so Sdir., T^' T^'''''' ^^ich nearly drove when It came out laden witflrfsh on • ^".' '^' '^''^ "«* «ee the tl sent to the rear of the shin whpr« Tme?" she said, V/rein motion. (^li'?" she cried, ;h, who tried to " she said ten- Wiey'll not stop a channe to go I is better than terain, but with for others, she Jnipanion, and it the docks of ) her hood and "light see her 1 were congre- until a chilly eat her to her id more, v^as glad for a, ne\rly drove >t t'ee the tug I there was a women were conscious of )und of sup. in her ear. B floor, with ilsively, and ig for you. * e dark and We might neck which 3ses of hair 'f a golden •:o3 and ta?Ce^?otrhea^'^'"f Ln^'^ '''''f'"^ «"^ ^- ^-'^ father old, and whylfd yoAve Wm " ""^ '^^ ^^"- ^« ^^^^ wonderingly, then as if hv «nr.Z t'u ■ . .^^ "®* ^^^ '^ moment the differe/ce tSe was b^t^n W * ff ':^^'Z' f " "^°^'T«^*^ beauhfu face fascinated her so sJrcJS"; llfelid" '*""=" "'"^'^ : .s'if 'mfira JoTa/e^mefo'ti:'"' '^^" ^' ^"'^ ^^^ '^^ ^^^ the is so high, and the r°nt lo hia fnf ' ^ ^^^ '? P"''''' ^"^^ t^e taxes enin' of^/s t^set us n the road .nvf^' ^"'' ^^'^ ^r^'^'"'! ^'^'^'^'^'^t- in' to Amerikv to tal« „ ^1 ^ ^^'"^ mornin' ; and so I'm go- if I doesTenlL^an^t'e^Vt'?;jersrrL;^^ '"^ ^^ '"f-^' -^ and ivery penny I'll save to hr^L fi! i fr i"^*" P"""^^^ *^ "^^"th, lady, cannot be Joiig out to woJk^nd h"! ^"^^'^ ?'"'• ^"*^ ^^^ ;'My father is deadrrndrthV;o,^*^y«l^ left your father ? " sob. " I have left thsm h«?T, • fi • ' ^^^^'® answered, with a work, butThave no pCe wSinitT^TlT" ' ""^ ^.°'"^' «"* '- "'In' f:itf 'tf ^" tLTorr*^ ct hVm:.'^^"' ^"'^ ' '^ '''' Bessie.^" You 8poLwida,^T''l^M^^^^^ ^''^ ^^' J^^nd « fit to break, iSmese1fwms5fni'l' *" "^t ^^«" "''^ ^^^^^^ ^^« greatest lady in the land t ^i; I. u ^J' 5^^' ^°' *''« '"^ y« ^^s the the loikes o^ye has noiK ,f fn^^^' ^?l^?u ^ ^"^"^^ ^^^y ^^11 that them spalpeeifs daJes toll ^"^ ""i*^ *^« ^^'^es of me ; an' if will sho^velTu theTr eves wS T"" M * ^'f""' ^* y«' ^^'s meself oa every ship, and he^re on Z I heaJ/"""^ > ^^^^ ^^« I came aboard. ' By Jove Hank % Jf^ ^ """f ?.^. ^'" ^^^ ^'^^^ ril cultivate h;r.'%uirate me^'indade ' rii*H ^'k^i • ' "^^^ him come anigh you or me, the bl'a'guard - " ^'"^ ^""^^ ^^* bla\Tard^tio"se tttwaf ;' '^' ¥ "^«^"* ^^ ^P^^P-ns and what NeU Td saiTabout C ^H^T' °"1' ^"^ remembered deck passengers,lfd tolted'mo ^Ju iTthan eTerTk ""."^^^5 from sight as much as nosaihlA ^.'"y j^^V.^^ *« ^^eep herself nXQ GOUHir* 11 spake a good word to the lad !y. who take;a'fa:nS^'' '' ""^"'' '^''*''' ^"* ^''^ ^^^'^ *"^ "^^"^ ^1^«" «'^^"« ^^04 BESSIE'S FORTUNE. next twenty-fo„r horn .when Tt T. '''''A'' ^^^^'-^tion SSin. Z '' An' ; >", " '^"^y- ^ ' ^°^" '' gently as 5 yo-Xry^tL^rS™-? *™..I. .1.3 .hip ttat .here ™ . heave ,t back, for whn7hi?I^./°" d«!^n anythina i -« S!f"J/?.'^n* ;K„f. s%ht^« r ">"l"-s'. :fr'° - - ^' - ^fV«-^^^^^^^^^^^ tW sHe-II ate for • ^ """^^^' ^* «n orange would do S»£f '^^^."P h«r the next stomacJi, T _' ""° ."tiu. •• It X could -^j- : r? "V?" ate ror I 'Toader u an orange would do Tt.»£? ""^^ -"P ^«^ u ao u , and counting her ON THE SJIIP. 305 httle stock of raoney-six shillings in all-sho took a few pennies and going to the stewardess, bade her buy " two of the finest and Bwatest oranges in the bn tier's pantry." ^ ^""^ n««« ' ' 'T^y ■ r^"''"'" ^^'^^ "''11 turn that nasty, crcepin' sick- ness, an make ye feel like the top of the m,,rnin' '' she said to Frrt:,lVX:r* '^^" ^««'^" '-' -^ ^-^^ ^ PieSe ofthe^^'ic*; Mr1"Go'!>dnolgr : *''"^^ *" ^'^'^ '* ^'"" * -^«« ^^^^^^^ «-d to I can doX;?^;^ fTheT"'''"'' '"^ ^^°'' ^"^ ^^^« ''^^^ *° «- ^^ swlet" sTd far*!!!"* " "»df ^-'i.'.'e^l la. « * «, ' lo tfte state-room of her CHAPTER Vlir. °«^^ ^O HIS AUNT. he saw alwavs t"),.^ "1." ^^« ^as dead and Jt.. 1^^'°"^'^* *hat have lookedThen 'm " ^''' '^^^te and still I!T]'^'^ ^'^ ^««t heart was so hard . t^ "\^^^ ««««. Sometiml .? ^""^ ^* »"«* of his ^orZ^:-V:ayTU''^ ''' ^-^^ half CS to'te'S'E^ ^^« and Bessie's nam« ^^^ ^'^ sympwthy. But Si!^ i^ !^' ^'^ *"«* dead. "*"^« h*d never passed L l/^s .!"; ^1 11^1^°"^' . R n^ Heard she waa ^on nnist noft romise to NeiJ." ' Miss Groy re- luiid so fajiiiliar 'y at tlio tear- a»d lavo Miaa ■gain." «» she thought leard so much, 'horn she, too, 't so strong an ^ out and niot m charge, aJie for Miss Mo asked, in sur- ir as posiblo, 1 a tumult of ■room of her OJIEY AiND Ills AUiNT. :m Since the lost all in^ ^nt wislied •ed in the rd a word, ught that > he went w^ it must tin in his I Ilia aunt iiot done, i she was t" / 1 A '"'I'k^' iK.nsolf, Lucy 8Uf,-est,.d that thoy Ho homo, and form the tears which h., folt would coo] the l.urnin- pain ov.t nro sen wUhhnu. So .t Loudon he left his aunt iu"c m 'oXC f ivpr " ''l ' H '" -'""«.'"•"»' i" ^lH> «H,uo ship an.l wouhfsoe her to &he had^ZTl '""T *" '\f " -'.»'"«i"-«, 1.0 Haid, and an she Knew lie had hoen thoro two or throii times before, Lucv asked no questions and had no Huspicion of the nature of the Sess which In hor hurry to secure a compartment, Bessie did not sen tho young man alighting from a carnage only the f, urt frmn th« nn! she was entering, and a. both Ana.or.yL.dl) ; ;/w ", tVeTt the station to see her off, went aoro«. the bridge to do sm errluds before re urunig home, no one observed (J. eyas ho huSd al n^ the road to Htoueleigh, and entering the gromuls, stood at a t b? b,^g^.i;;;tildS:,S1'"'^ ^^^"' -''-' «--^ *« -^ ^'^ Darling Bessie, can you see mo now ? Do you know that I am Joui t;.'""^Vy<"-«rave, and do you know how much 1 o'™ a.dniyhear[i.bri;tng-.;^h,!^''i,^;;;-:- t^SS? r^?-"-^ as ^; ^f.pf^i:^!-^ p^rb^tf^^^^ thank God, I haye not lost your memory. Good-bye, ii'rli^^; gooS- He stooped and kissed the rain wet sod above the irrave thpn ^alked swiftly away in the direcUon of Bang -r and took the S thrmigh tram to Liverpool. On arriving at^ the hotel he leaiSed that his aunt had already gone to the wLrf with hi frie.^ ']! ™ i taking a o.b he too, was driven there, meeting, as wo ha'^ese^en 308 BESSIE'S FORTUNE, Absorbed as he was i"n l^- ' him withouf reccKVrSon"'^ l''^' ^^««i« ^T^hthZ^T' f ''J"' «^d down the river, if S f ^V^'^^'' ^« the™e «T''^''^ ''^'^'"^t Liverpool, hi, 'eye dk ' jn ,' ^ ^'^^ ">'""tos lookfn! . °.?^P'*««in« yho i« with her I'S? *" °"''» "" Cd ZX°*'°'.T- ' l-'d lie Weill aliuoat im,,;,,?- . , """''i™ "f the shin k '"'" """w Ills aunt wJi„„„ V- "n™, when the ^„', °'' ''« «»arcelv «-ra,e'p«e„':rraS''f t"' '' '''"^ -rl^tri'""''* "'"^ '.'»re~^elr»^t.'tftS%"eXdr r^^^ ™^ ^°":.i,i-s ""iiii'v ™^»'rw\?^. t,"&' "'■- ■<■« ,. " I have hetrd vou tlf™'"'^ ^ ^^ ''"" '»''«» fey had no thought ^ge or cabin, and. L T^'?^ against ig at the docks of ' girhsh, graceful t^ie deck beloflr, near ]ii,n say • oteerage. I h,,d he old harridan e If she chose, so few days." d probably have iiin' bla'guard," thmk hitn sorile ?an to affect him ich he scarcely ^aa visiting him, sick among the Br case puzzled ticent withre- loon she made % whom she brought into ig on deck as '> down beside eraon, at Al- McPherson. 'ere she is ? " larble, while " Oh, aunt you speak of *> Lucy re- :o her ; Kome last were there, vyou would talk of her sweet, and GREY AND HIS AUNT, 309 caress ng]y,JsShklteL'."' l^"^''^'' ^'^"''«' and holding it about her'Sf yoVcan irsX 3he '* ^ '/" ^? ^''''- " ^'«ll ™e "Yes, sure," he answerS^ ^f rnt/*^' f"'^ ^^ ^''^ «»^« ^ " but I know sh^ is dead, and 1 have ^^^"k T ^^' '^'«' '^ '^ t^^e, eigh. That was where Iwent when T 1 ^ ^.^^grave at Stone*- to her grave, and Auntie Tbeli^ve T ] Jf if" '?. f^n^on. I went with her. l' never thought I conlrl ! t f "^ ^'^" '^"'^ «""! ^^ere "" Yes^r'^^'^*?,*^"^'- ^^-'^^^^^^^ but it ing bac'k weTr/ly^tTis' c^hS G r'e'vT l/^^"^ '''« ^y^' -^ '-- with regard to Bessie McPhe^orwho tZ T?'^'""^ ^'^ '^"^^ whosegrave he had stood beside in th^v ,^^\,?''^'^, '" l^<^'»e, and too, of Bessie's engagement to Vt ^f'^^u^ St'^neleigh ; told her, Jack Trevellian, and orSVanlinf J^'n^ ^'' ^^^^ ^^^^^ from "•'Too^iSiJ^r ^^ 'n ^^^^^^^u^T ^"'^ -^^^- -^^t:Vlr;uZi:tZ'C r'^^r"- "^o^don-tknow dead, and pefhaps i is beUer so tL^T'i^ '^' ^''^ '' ' b"t sheTs Grey was very weak from recent "^^^^ "\ ^''^ *^« ^>f« "^ Neil." the great tears rolled down h?s cheeks J Jr^^' ""'^ t^ ^^ t^^^ed words how dear to him was tt l^irltt"^ rLtTe/^fo ^b^ Bto^X'"'^^^^^^^^^^ when he had finished his for on? brief month \"'btltTl would""* ^'"f* *^ '^^^ '^^ -- life," Grey said, and every word wis a S ^/IV^^"*^ ^^^^s of my had nev^r before been mo^ l:n:Al^'.hZr?Z^Z^ whiL^ £tiri Ltf tTh'eif hr^ptr t"^ 'v'f' ^^^' - dLfin S';"', tT'V" ""'"^ '^'^«»* ^^^ fl.fi stone-hape or the likes of U and of f 1 7"''*"'* '« Juried in son'o the ship and won't come to her 4?^ *^'"^' ^^"' «'»" «'vys, is on as o to try yourself what ye "can do f"" '"'' ^""^^ ^« ^e so ki,u" lalkniij of Gphv ' " t than she h.fd been before -V^'"?"'^' ^'" *""«« "»ore perplexed who is she I ■' Then turnin." Mrrr'^ '""^ '"3^ ^^^S .^l There is some mystery here wh^h f ?""' ""*"='»' «•>« continued and made her promise to kepn f i b"*,/"'»« "f her high fr ends ii "1 lipme, but she got wel a d fw- T ''"''"• ^^^« had the feve^ Jou have done no harm " t ,. BESSIE IS PROMOTED. 311 »en said to Lucy p close, hot cabin ner father and I Jennie tried in ' ? " Lucy asked, 'O her head, and tbout her father ' buried in soino '. she says, is on « ye be 80 kind "ore perplexed y nephew, and >iie continued : J fancied this ;oueIeigh Park, iit she died in be no harm in know ; not for igh friends is, i but you are ^t Stoneleigh, lad the fever 5 died there; tone liarm by the contrary ice have re- ean sJiare it . and in less ser, and the iJeasie was eu to Miss inge under Ind Kfr'air" the tn.:'"! '\% ^'^'"'^ ^-« ™- -om when, after her dintr K ( W r«l *" '7^". ^'' ** ""«« '^"d found Bessie slee Zf'mietTv w7th S 'jer state-room she watch beside her The next mnrn! ^ ^'''"'^'V -^^"'"^ J^««Pi"g nie, who had ins sted m .n i tS SS? ."'"^ ^'''''' «"^ J°n delighted to Hnd her foior' go^l^l^ iXr"r r^.f/rt^"^^^ "'^"^*' ^"« fell upon Jennie, she asked • ' '^"' "^ ^"^'" ^y^» ste'^r^e? m^:';^!^'^''^ """^ ^'^^P^-'^ ^ This is not the Bendnig over her, and kissing her gently she said • " I am glad you are better." ^' ^" ' Iherlf"" ''""'' ""'^^'"^ fa: .eringly; " but what is it ? How came ^i'olZlTClt^^^^^^^ that she had to remain where she was * ^^^ ''""^'^ "°* *^""^ her Bessie answered her • ^lowuou place, she said, and be so angry and disirraced, he said." ^- ^^'^ ^'^^ ' Drat that Neil, whoever he io i " Tot,,,;^ i • i thef:ik,ia,»'"a„'t'doi?'' ^ "" '"'"' 8o„,elim», when halt m„1L*LTlt?SKo1l*°t' '?" ''r "?' ""■=■" """ hor think you .^ .t„„/ei°.:h v:,i':„Xcjty"r„'i b; i"^? ^°" " Yes, oh, yes. He will hrin'» Ston-lpicrli K»nl- + x. JM when f..h» Oio., ana in " A"ev:^?,:i %:" ^^^rji!: 312 BESSIE'S FORTUNE. eagenil^wticrshow^'itaSni if' Tl''"^ "^ *^« ^o^ng girl's 13 yet up. He ha, 1)^6,78^11 the vT """'"''•, •" ^ '^""^^ ^^ «rey I --t prepare hi.n first. "'iftilTo f ^^3 ''^^^ '^^^'^' ^^ jtant^rtLfeT-tSai^'ir f«r"^ ^^ ^ ^"- I do not understand." * ^""^ ^au he think so ? ;«UtakS92h^\e^t;t JJrLy^Tr^,^ ^'1 «^« ^"^ of the Grey m Florence, tJmt uS had Zdth.T '"T'" .^"^^^ ^'^ *«J^ 'Oh, yes, I see," Bessie re o „ed ' - If ''^ "^.^^ ¥ ^«" ^"'"f^- on the 8a,ne floor with ,ne. Fl « e told mo'^r.*''" ^'""T'^'' «'^1 them taking her away that n;,i\„^°£ Ne- York, „. the .hip, b„e never ooeur to vou thil „„fShl„ "^ 'P*" hufwdly now-" did it Be„ie'. death-^tlut if rfht i';r,„r„'S»"f •''? ^'* 'egard to "•■! wL?i''=2,rJ l^t^-'i{r-°^'p " '" '" "°"- ho young gii-l'a I tloiibt if Grey very weak, and ing for an in- n lio think so ? he knew of the when he tolr* he left Ronin. American girl and I heard 'ad ; and Mr. there came a mamma who fey looked a > engaged to '^ to see him. 1 little ; but I must have ly three days irent away to that he had ting by him- led look on id on which he thought jould waken '36 to hira, g. Do you pearer New 5 ship, but V—" did it I regard to d in Rome he stared what you BESSIE IS PROMOTED. 313 «n«ll'"®*";"u^" *"",* rep^i^ " that Bessie is not dead I have seen her. I have spoken with her. She is on the si. ip She is in my state-room, waiting for you. She is the sick giH*! lYd "y.lu poSe7to™do so " T^"'* h° rJ"? I'''''' ^'' '^^''' but had not the h^tinrwhisptit:;' h'eiid'r *"^ '-'-'' ^"^ ^« --^ ^-^ Be^;ork:nrTi;lt^^rh7l:^'""^^• '' ^^ "°*^-- - ■> ^^y Be8sie^am<''nwi« f '^' ''"'^' ^"'^ *^« Particulars of her finding her room ° steerage passengers, and having her removed io said^-R!,rwr^^"J"^TS"!^ A''^ *^« ™^«*»^« occurred," Grey '« H« tT I I'l^ """u ^^'' ^'^^ ■"« ^« ^^^ been to see her offT^ BteeJSe H^;f "^^J ^^^"^'^ 5" ^^' ^^^ '^""^ ^^at sho was in the •' The coward ! If it were not wrong, I should hate him • " whiln and thafT '''^^S*'^!'^"^^ his heart that Bessie was boind toS and that, though living, she was no nearer to him than if she w«r« dead and in that grave by which he had so lately ^tood """'^ l.,nl L" r" "^ ^^ something to see her again, to hear her voice to look into her eyes, and have her all to himself for the rema?nder of ^^St'r^T) ^'.""^ ""''^'^ h^d just commenced '°^ Z^^^.^S:^^^'-^' '^^^ ^ ^^^^^-' oalnieitoSn" It was nearly an hour before he felt himself strong enouL'h to rin It, and when at last he reached the narrow passa-^e fnd knew ther« was but a step between him and Bessie, he trembled so tLth^^ aunt was obh„ed to support him as he steadied hhn elf alinst the door of the ^tate-room. Glancing in for an instan Miss^Sev m.? her finger ui>on her lip, sayiui. to him : ' ^^ P"* ThlT^"^ •' ^t^ i^'^^l'ieP ; sit quietly down till she wakens " ihlhlVr \\^^'''S i« Gtrey's ears and a blur before his eyes so that he did not at once see distinctly the face which lav uS f^« pillow resting on one hand, with the bright wSg Sr dil no abou the neck and brow. Bessie had fallen asleep wUe waSI ^^:t.:^;:^st!^t^ '-' '-'' '- Ko^::n?st ^ " It IS Bessie, and she is alive," he said, under his br^a^l, „p^ " M / T' ^' ^'^r^^^f kissed her forehead, saying as helid so' My darling ! just for the moment mine, if Neil's by and by '' ^11; 814 BESSIE'S FORTUNE. tako her in his arms and hrBnit« K V /" 'j'^xr'* *"^ " longinKto love. H. boautif,,ri wTs in tha/ '^"l^''^, ^"""^ *«" he?of hia every point of beauty, ron^ the sheen n'r'^'P I J*"'l ^'^V "»t«d it shcukl never know toil again '' ' ^ """''^ *^"^i'°'*" ^^ miiie, out : *™ "^'"' ^nd raising herself up, cried thiifknfw yt'Tre'^;,.! Z "^ht"^ '/"*^^"« " ^*" "« dreary now not my fauIt'lhatTou oimdt^' "u/r T" *''^ ^«" ^'^'^t^* ^«^ At the mention li Nei a feeTin^ of T^ ?^ •""'^ ^""^'y- " and he ,uietiy releasedtisV^fro n^B^; Lt^e^ ^ T^^">^• to her words he ouirht not to sav f n /^L i ' **** "® should say ther. And Bessie Liced the cYange?njTi^" 1"^ W«^ *° *"- in a Krieved kind of way, as she said ' "'^ ^*"* ^'P quivered " oh^Btst'^TdSa^Irt" "r.T'^ J"«* ^ ^^*"« ^" himself "you wiSnever know how so,^^' ^^Y">*nagod to control you still alive ; but you must not tVkJ7;„°'' ^''^ ^^t^ ^ «»» *<> «nd 80 as to go on deck and gersome strength an^''"^- ^7 '"""^ ^««t. your^cWs. Xprom^^^^^^^^^^^ do?e?ret^ra;&rhraLiit^^^^^^^ ner. Bessie had never for^otLn the 17^^'^ * ^'"^^ ** ^" ">»«- and which she had said he'^tt nlver re^^^^^^^^^ '" '"'' '" ^"''' loy^^7^:tr:y7Zet^^^^ her ears. "I you will be the sweetest m^l'y of"; h"fe ^^tV7 '^^« ^'^^^ she had lived ; she had seen him aS InH t \Y "''* '^'^^~ Perhaps it was better so, she reaso^fed Tn^ ^"""'[him changed, conscious of a feeliiw of disannnfnf mi 7 ^,^ ^^^ «^« ^^8 vaguely joy to know he wa near herTnd that hv' ^Ti *^"S^ '' ^^ «"«h her again. And he did come luerlt^ol 'and fh'^' would come to her on deck and wrapped her in MiJJ Pr. ' ^^^ ^^®*^*'''^ «»"ied himself sat down beside her Ind taJked^f ^ ' 7'"'" ™g. a«d Grey told him that she was no^goW to t ^ burd^f i"^''''"' ^^^ she a guest very long, but to work and fiarn ^ " *° ^^^ *"'^*' ^r even ^er debts. And rxr«v Z ^2! d^^-i*"^", '^'^"^y with which to nav ■ """ "^^ ^"»«' "^ '-ae talking, and even pro'- . i f n slept again, while eart and a longing to Neils, tell her of his eep, and (Jrey noted ■ golden hair to the ti carefully upon it ; uldonlycallitmine, en the blue eyes had looked wondoringly wing her hand from ag herself up, cried i half so dreary now tell Neil that it was ery angry. " It crept over Grey, , lest he should say as plighted to ano- nd her lip quivered i"8t a little?" managed to control >wglad I am to find ''• You must rest, ome colour back to ■ I will come again I woman could have a little at his man- en to her in Rome, i in her ears, "I her you live or die he had not died— und him changed. t she was vaguely hough it was such he would come to le steward carried rm rug, and Grey America, and she her aunt, or even vith, which to pay ng, and even pro- BESSIE IS PROMOTED. 315 ^.X'^rt r ir^t2^"'"«*-' *" - ^^ ^« -^^ «nd he said^UtraTe^ry lookt tf?' ^"" l^'l'"^'"" *^-« '^ ' *"-V' whosethickveil waso Grh«M "^'^^ "'f '''h '^«« !««* "" Besme, waves bearing hersoWtlarTlh'''''^ "''"' T *i"""'« "«' »P"" ^^e going. ^ ^ *"'^*'^'^ *^« ''^'•ange land to which she was o:iyTC':c^j^:] tr^h^fattatf f '"™" '^r ^^*^ ■eemed ahnoRt as well an, hr^S ''*"*^ '^*" "' »'«ht. she eagerly upon either 8ho?oanrl*^^ ^' ■^''''l ^' ?^° stood looking picture. Itha bJefaiir fj!^r"«u^r^^ ^^''^"tif"' «« » at the hotel whh Miss Lucv^lnH fh ' '" '^""''^- l*T ^"'"^ ^^^ h"»" come at once without st'^ warehouses, and L S CHAPTER X. BESSIE MEETS HER AUNT sme, she heard the whiatlp „f f i. i **'® roun,d tea-table af )i«n the Allinaton station As' si ' ^^.Tf ^^ '' '^''' ears stoL^d ^t her so Miss Betsey was now-tli In", ^''^ T^ ^^«* '^^^ we saw looking, as she sat in her hard iv.^?/u"°T^^^' ^"^ severe and as fli .? "''^ ?^ ^* *« take away her h„V» 5 ,"^ ^^"^ ^ead. as flat as a pancake, and full of hnr^^ "er h,ur and make her person flying in His face to pad herself ^"n T'^ ^°"°^«' ^«»Jd it not be cotton as some womL d^^a /d to wet\"?r°'''"= ^"* ^ ^^^ «? wi i . ^•'""^'^^ *^^n «he really wasT Of ^'^°^ ^'^ ™«^^« her- one. until w Grey ..S tot, '' °"' '"«^ '^'i"'' fal« was alone with Jennie, t her know if she heard mion. daughter, but Jennie's r husband to the ship, fehouses, and did not Id to Bessie, whom she "tmg ; alpeensan'bla'guards ye. Good-bye; God to Boston was late ™ and another at aicf'herson's mantel iind tea-table at her 1 tlie cars stopped at a last time we saw ^r, and severe, and chair, ],ke the very I her dress to the Jack of her head. 1 make her person 's,. wouid it not be ■hing but a bale of piece to make her- y t would, and she tiffly against false 3.re to break your idence to have it id had some new 8 to tell that they he fact was plain BESSIE MEETS HER AUNT. gj^ "'^"^tht^tasTh^^-r^^^^^^^^^^^^^ '^' *^^^*^' ^^^ ^-^ somad^^L*e^l;^;4f;,-^be- ^^^^^^^ though it did make me on^he. and to know that fh^ L^Z t^^tVi^^^^^^^^^^^ hafa^*':l^t^*aS^L":L* tn^t' ^- -horn her brother dependent, and wJs, for augff he tnew':l!'°"' ^" *^? ^"^^^^ and It is impossible for m^ f/ ^"®T' * very nice girl. ttVf .^^''^^-'^'^^^^^^ wrote^;andasmy the body home, she will do no more Sn ?*^°T^ ^"f ^°'' ^""g^^K for Bessie. I should think you would hL « '"''' ^'^^ ^^^ *" «are you in your old age. " ^ ^"^^ ^'^® «ome young person with her teira&:lThatIumtr''ntht 7hSt' H 'jTf ' ^ ^^^ «at by I suppose it has come to that fnr r • "^ of John's letter. " Yes call me the old woman when f ordl fl '" "^ '^^*^^«' ^nd the boys Ti'^'ll ^''^ almost al^nn^a tjidS °"* "^ *^« ^^^erry tree! died Oh, Charlie, my lii would h^lK^ years ago when Charlie lived ; » and in the eyL usu^?v In t ^^T '" different had you were great tears, as the iSy Joman W^** "ncompromising there / Ti. ^"'^ *h« awful traSy Xh h«^"^ •- ''^"* ^^''^ *° *^« And then it was tJiaf . "'"^'."y wnicft had darkened all her Jif« little girlish figure, dresidlnbi*''! "''^'' "^ ^'' softened ^ooj a timidly at the VA door Be^s^^d Sr^,*^*^ «*^P« andWked and walked to the house p^iS out /n J' "^f^^'" ** *^« station? ht : '-' -'' -^— ^'- "^orhe? t way^^'Sd^o^Si ^'Ad^j^sSSspiht?^^^^^^^^^ "P through^themTt ff.?si o'rSVaS' 'T''-^'^' ^^^^^^ looked ner usual with her. and wh ch maJe Be71^"l^'"^ inquisitive man- as she advanced into the room '^ ' ^"^^« «^'ako under her Who are von ? " tUa i« i ' *o have il p„/i„to word, £,17™. '? n'. """ ""k™' ""Mng t'li, Aunt Betsey, do von ^^1'"".^ ',..,, you on the Terrace at AberystwvTh v^^L* ''*^ f''^ ^^^ «ame to Herson to whom you sent?r2 ? Xe T il »'^^*'i' ?^««'« M«- *fa -Here it is, and she pointed 318 BESSIE'S FORTUNE. IW to have you keen me nnf +« r ^® *^ America— to you— not hundred and fifty pounds to T IZ j } *° P*"?" '"^ ^^^ts. Two burial, and five p^ounds to Anthonv '^S'/"^^"*''^^'^ ^'^^^^^o ^^d and fifty-five poi"nds. Wilt vouLtm^^^^^^ '"l^^ ?"m-two hundred me something to do ? " ^ ^* ™^ '^^^ *«-"'ght ? Can you find st^dr wi^itfL^^^^^^^^^^ - f « told it her face was a which came and went so rapTdTv but a« «^« *« ' ?'- ^"^^* '^^°"'' It white as ashes. Miss Be^s Le Ls a studr?'** speaking left her spectacles, she regarded the^ir1«?^i^',*'i°' *^' resuming ing ; then, moti.mingTa1ha'r,'shiS!^ ""*^^ «^« «*°PP«, and mother is dead imerica— to you— not ou know ; but to earn pay my debts. Two mother's sickness and e sum— two hundred -night ? Can you find told it her face was a id the bright colour nished speaking left y, too, as, resuming til she stopped talk- u are pale as a cloth, seyou are hungry." md toast, which she could take no more en removed, " folks II me now what you over there, where I hall not eat you ; at )od light, where she ok her eyes, as the first, making some p in which she had something to cross nd Bessie replied*: a steerage passen- lere. " id in her surprise nee or twice across ndering if she, too, lings, which were ir seat after a mo- ' ? What can you »d German. I am and her Aunt re- 3 are more fools ts to learn them, reuch at twenty. BESSIE MEETS HER AUNT. 319 d\T"A7nctrdee*Jrlf -- - more speak it than a Jack- '-'^^PT^^^ tf ^r '-'' ''^ -'- ^^eing "^' Yes T""^"' ^" «''^^' ' *-''™' ""''" ' ''^' "^^'^ *" get the HvTcSpkinV' S 7^^' • ?'"' *" «"* ^^ ^^^^^Pe, and Bessie, fearing that everythW lt'7y '""^^'P^^^^i i and then/poor choking sob : ^erytiimg was slipping from her, said, ^ith a situ'aSiSo t L^Tnd^fwouldZ TX 5"^^^^ ^'^^ -« ^ueh work for less than other ^irls of ml! J "" ^"''^ *° P^^^'^' ^nd even you must know of some" place fnrJTT''^- ^^^ ^""t Betsey" one ! You do not know how grea 1^1 de J."" ^^ \'^^ '"« *" ^^^ These are the only boots I hfvr* Ld Z '*.' ""' ^"^ P«'^'' ^ ^^■ boot, which had been blacked nn'tiwl 1 ?,P"* ""* » much worn apart. - And this my only deceS ir«-V'""'"^ ^^ "'^^^^^ «rackeS 1 do not care so much for thai T?' !''f I\* * ^^^^ calico. But pay that money to Lady Jane -' "°^ '^"'^'' ^ ^■*"*- ^^ i« to 44^n7roTC':^:S'Zt^^^^^^^ «r «■« «yes. and start- and shut it saying a* she d?d «7^'^<^"°" ^'^^ *« an open window hide thelet Tn trTe" an^d'ct ' 'f-^^* '" ^-"^^ = «he did it to %otit*^ herLTsVelSXSrtir ""'"^^^• ^^J thought you were engaged to &efl !-he wrote me to that Bessie's face was scarlet as she answered • " Dfdr bS'it*?;^ *V.J^ ■' ' am":? no.,. " Kid noTw'i^h miw^"^ McPherson, and Bessie replied • between that ^n^hLZnT^TrnZtZZT 7i ^'^'^ "-^-e bla&reT^^^^^^^^^^ little round, ^""^^^'^^^^ arose, and *' W«r« «i "^ "^"^ "''®°«» sbe continued • tion «Xr^Vi^f""' ""^ '"»' -i"™- would take . ^. BESSIE'S FORTUNE, "'"£ wit "'"*''' ^^^"^^^^^^^^-^'i' andherAunt My fe'onj^^^^^^^^ •?« than a stranger, she r and 1 have no one as yetTn hpr nl ^"'^Tr ^"° '-^o^e fool and fill it as well as she did/l w S Jiv/in'"' ,". ^^ ^^" ^^^e it, dollars and a half a week, and ToreTrJ,? '''"'. ^ ^"'^^ h«^' t^vo say ? " ' ""'^ niore " you earn it. What do you that, sTiMiar^alJitmiSirse^/m^ unhesitatingly, feelin,. do that «.a„ go to a'Snge? ''< fS tke'th"*' ^'" "°"'^ '-^"- best I can, and if I fail in som« +!,;« x^*^® *^® P''**"®- and do the to do How long wni ^irto^^^",^^*;;'"^ pounds at two dollars and a half a week 7» "^''"^ ""'^ ^^^y-^^e the^;^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ag^m for she rushed to who, If she had not been quite so a^tt, A f^''^'''^'^ to B.ssie, felt amused at her eccentric behaS; ""''""'' ^""^^ ^^^« firVfivXu;i"!tt"o tlla^ird ^^ hif ^'^ ^'^^^ *- ^-dred and .•'.Then it is a bargain. anS vou .rf * T'^' ^''' ^^^sy saSI willing to do a housemaid's duS and t^ak«'"l'""''*^ '''^'y' ^"^ Do you understand all that includes ? " ^ ^ housemaid's place. share tie cooTC W "' '*"^^^''«^' ^^^^^ering if she should have to next my own^he little room aftiS heTd /?rr"V -^^^ ""^ °''<'"Py up there at once if you li£ „n5 T ^^f ^ ^H ^**'''«- ^ou can /o brought :rom the station." ' ^ ""'^^ ''« *h*t your trunks afa of gra^iul'w^u^criCaSy uL:f SiiJ^"!'^^^^^ «yf« tiicre .^as a look aoid did make her open the wLow „ f '^'■'°" ' resolution again stairs with Bessie. '^°'^' ""^ «^« P'^ssed it on her way up Just as the room had hft^n fl++«j pecting the child Bessie i^sfsolt^/"'" "^?' ^^^" '^^ ^'^^ ex- eutered it. The same sin-T bed J^Jh ^^ ^'^T-^ *^« ^^'^ Bessie '" ^^ ^'^^ ^t^ niusliu hangings, the went on : home all my life. cPherson aeemed 'd; and her Aunt tlian a stranger, ago .'—more fool you will take it, 1 gave her, two t- VVhat do you tatingly, feeling he would rather lace, and do the vill tell me what d and tifty-five r she rushed to ■ an instant she lerself, " I may irned to Bessie, 'US, would have hundred and iss Betsy said : lid really, and semaid's place. ihould have to >u will occupy You can go ur trunks are ■ee was a look 5lution again, n her way up 1 sht- was ex- 3 girl Bessie angings, the BESSIE MSETS HER AUNT. gg^ "why/a w"e*;y^i,SrrTorr^^^^^^^ across the threshold, - if was^me^an '''''" ^ ""^^ younger "'* ^''°''' ^' '^ '*' ^^^ been and asked Sm to g'ive"''vmf f^''^*^°^^^®" ^ ^rote to your father would let you comrbJtTe^did not^anl IV ""' I'^-Vh* S" 'I never knew you sent for mp " R • *^f ^''"'" ^as waited " not have spared me ; and oh Auntie ?. ""' TS." ^ut father con d me feel to know you have kent^n' '-^ ''*"""* *«" y«« how it makes Let me kiss you ; do " an/thL '\^'''"' '"^"^ ^11 those years neck, Bessie^obbed hysLrlallwra^^''"''™^ "^°""^ her /S^s face bending over her^ekxed in it/Z™r"'^^«' ^^ile the stern like the room ; gia^d'yl' atVert' V'ou td r^?' ' ^^" ^'^' ^-^ not come down again." ^"" ^'^'^ better go to bed, and ^ofih^ c^uttiSid^r^ on her head and know what was right to'do,'and b TcoXr"^ ?f* ^^^ ™*gbt r^ r\°'\P^'^""*"*'«« «he began in Dart fn ^'^'^ ^^'P *« *be wo- glad to be there, so glad for th! !l u^ V° understand She was being a house-m'aid d d not tronbK '' f ^,^^™«' tb«* the fact ^J something said to her, and comtrted^ith^r "'** ^^^ ^^e,'' ?ll"|P',^bde thinking what she w^uld do t?'' *''""?" ^'^ «be fell hard she would try to please. *^^ *^® "^xt day and how CHAPTER Xr. MISS MCPHERSON'S HOUSK-MAI-). B'^lelr SO *;.' t ThaUhVV T' '^"^ ^'^^ -- - tired and the long clock in tl^Z^A'tM^^Z:,'!' ""*" ^-^ened by 322 BESSIE'S FORTUNE. toUe?^" " " '^ '>'Sinning," she thought, as she made her halty home, she put it on, togXr wSi one nW'*"'"!* ^'^""'^ ^'^^^^8 A clean collar, with cuffs at h«rw t '^'^^ ^ *" «^»« «ould do and it was a very nea^Sractive liu/e ho,r™P^'*I^ \'' ''''^^'' the room where Miss McPherson «„- i ^^"^^'T"* ^^'«^^ entered breakfast of toast, and tea, aTd "gg? "''^^ ^"^'^^"^ ^'' ^^^^ sorry I 'oXC I^'wrve'Tt^re^^S^^^^ ^^ ^i^^, ^^ I am so shall not happen again. What can T ? 5^ ^^'^ 7^" «« "i^e. It you a fresh slice ofltoa^t » ^ '^^^ ^^'^ ^^^ ^ ^et me make likl^VSe^isey^^eplie^^^^^^^^^^^ *'\- ^^^ table if you niece curiously as she^Sered . n^f^ ^-^^^ '''^"' ^""^ eyeingher the kitchen, where sheCk her?wf L« 'S'l'^ to " " Stt Sv^^^ dutil's -K^^^^^^^^^^ *^« cook, who soft B^eTht'?^ouTr:7u rigTt'^^^^^^^^ '' ^^ get the best to cet on the soft side Ind who^f '*'? t* ^"'^'" ^^^^ ^id her the fTnitt'e tufr^us^T ZTf kTT ^^^^^^^^ - quickly, or and had Bessie bfen 1 traced stva'^^^^^^^^^^ she could not have waited unonW 1 ^"^^ the queen's household f uUy than she did. C theXfn uton v,"""'" ^'^*^? «^ r««P«et- upon her, and after her dishes w«r« ^ v. f ''T''^ ^^S^^ to tell by the cook that ther^wS not W '^'^' T** ^^^ ^^ assured time, she went up to h^ room fof TvV^ ^'' *° ^^ "'^til tea- dashed up to the doo?, and The beS rani ? ''f^' ^S«^ « <'*"iage ever, had Bessie reached the hall on h£ 5f '"'^ ^'^''^^y' ^o^' when her Aunt, who. it seemS tn if ^^^ ^"^ *"«'^«'^ the ring, watching her, daVted c^ut f^oTso J nuart'eri7''^ P^«««°t shoulder said, quickly • quarter, and seizing her by the JDon't be a fool. Go back to your room. I'll let her in my t/nTdto^:rroXtir^^^^^^ as she re- head upon the pillow while a Jew hntT ^ *^', ^.'^ ^^^^ ^^^ tired as she recalledher AunT'sXrXt *^57,^°"«d down he^ cheeks to her. Was thi. to be all thrcZrenit;X"w\?f "^"^^^ — ' '"v was lu fxiceive ' made her hasty ecting from them ist before leaving tty white aprons red. ?ht, as dhe looked aighten her hair, all she could do. ;ed her costume, d which entered ishing her plain side, "I am so ivas so nice. It Let me make he table if you and eyeing her carried them to I the cook, who t if you get the lie who did her le house almost or quickly, or ged for dinner, en's household tly or respect- i began to tell e was assured ' do until tea- hen a carriage Scarcely, how- swer the ring, vhere present ing her by the let her in my- ed, as she re- aid her tired vn her cheeks le had spoken ■as to rtiCeiTS MISS a'PHEBSON's HOUSE-MAID. 323 £ntpZ'£ ':)ZZ fZl h^* r '-'' -^ *^- be. W ' T- T '"''^^"Jy « sound came in fnr'f"'" """^ homesick- ll^'^i'^^ ™*^° her start and Sen^Ln ^?J'T *h« P^^lo^^ be- she had heard that loud, uncult?v!fp5 ^omeihing familiar. Surely ment ,t all came back to' C-thlt- '"*" ^ "^ *"^ ^^*"^ * '^^• at home when Mrs. Rossiter-Brolr/^ly '" *h« ^^^^ old garden gusted her with her vulgLrky Zd^Sj ^" ^""^f' ^"'^ ^^^^ so diV had come in state to call, and who ff/^ ""?' .^•'«- B'-owne, who H"k^^ to kill cattle, and sayi^^/hafp '^f'"''"^ *h« ^^'^ther hot i^-f '•'r .°^ the fourth floof^and It t '^i'^^^'^P^^ Zti ^""^.yi^S J««t« with ?h^ younlTrishl T'^l^'""'^'*"* with looked on with a sorry expression nn^- * ^"'f*' ^-^^'« ^^er father which brought a rain Jf teSs to Bessie . ''' ?,? ^^^^ "^'^'"^''y of ten to his mother a descrintion nf T .^^^^ ^"^^ ^ad just writ- MissMcPhersonherversSoJit VlT^'.' T^ «he wis givSl ,she said a regular English swell and fh^*I^'^ ^^'^ J™"«d themf tion, and the people Sere so curSil J'^ ***!:*«ted so much attenl actually obliged to travel in a ""So \T t^'"^' ^^^^ ^^^y were that was she was sure she didn't know S^f ^ ""^^ ""^«'' the sun most everything there wal goin' L 1"*^"^^ Browne, Besslff^J^tXttars^d^^^^^^^^^^^ ?' ^- ^ossiter- heard her mother's name ZhL .^ •^'*.^** hysterically, until she ngid as a piece of marbTe/ for ^hat mJs ' r"''"^^^^ gre^ quiet atj "And so the poor little critTer l^I ,^'"''«?1,'^'d was this : was about the prittiest wLmn I ' ^ ^^ ' u^^"' ^ ™"«t say she just whati s'posed she was Xen Ttook ''' ^* l^"^^^ '^' ^*«n'? was a bom flirt, and mebby couWn'f ), , ""S V^'""^ to her. She let Allen alone-a mere bov mV i?'^^ '*' ^"t she might have her that he fairly lost flesS7andI^J' „! T ^"* ^^^^^''h-d S never see another woman he ifked 1 Z^!?^^*"' ^^'^^ ^^ «ho"ld fnU K • ^'' '* "«i*h«^ if I^ord Hardv harlnl ft ^'l'- ^"'^ ^^'^ never told him something-lVe no idl^^ Jl . r *^^?" ^'"^ in hand and me, only it did the bulfness and 7h' °' "^""^ ^°»^d never Si for that woman." ^''' ^""^ ^^^^^ was no more whimperin' hsr f?^' ""- f •'f' •' P^'o^ niother ! " R^ggj. _,.,,, fier faoo with her hands, feelina iCn'l ^^ moaned, as she covered she could bear. ' ^^^^^ ^^^^t ^^er shame was greater En 324 BESSIE'S FORTUNE. whl'ltS^fr.^'^ ^^"^'^ '*' '-' - did not hear Mrs. Browne I'd'sltr^t^tSrthf *^i' t'°"^ "^^'^ "^ ^«- "ke an angel call her> ' ''"""• ®^« ^^'^^ y««terday. in the Cemamc. I will " Crying ? What's that for ? " ghe sairl +n p • the room, and feeling almost as Juf^.T^f\^T'? *« «^« ^"tered some wrong act. ^"'^^^ "^^ '^ «h^ had been caught in Bessie sobbed • " Tha a^ she IS dend, and she was'good ^l the last ,'•• ''°' *" <'"8'>'s''. «nd do,,9:?» ^„d^rSp^j?.««''^™™ - «™ read, .„ HardTiisXTirKrcrti' '"^f-ne, .nd Lord „h„ told w'^'ihrdfd rtZkt'rseSrb^s ij\*'- «-"-. that she guessed sea-sickness had w . "^''fd that was a fact- better keep herself swaddled ud in SlnT T'f"* ^'*^ ^^'' *"d she'd used to the climate whiohtas ll^ot^ikeTng /„" '' '"'" "" ^'^^ ^^^ 5J B&k r^rreS' C^ Auntjr me,>she continued, nght on for Mis^s Je^olSas ver^s^ck^^'*'^'^ *° *^" '^"^ *^ «o™e Yes, I saw Miss Grev SI,« 1 ^ . answered : "* ?'l».<'idg„direcuJ-t„B»™/°'^ '""""'"'"'"" ' ™ .Wly';!^^^^^^^^^^^^ Je^oldr- Miss Betse, asked, «.ve lt"wS„ahrM,e^r, r"'"""' *= '"'■^Po", I be- for, too. Geraldtafattl' t.'Ll h 'r T"'"^,.' ,»•">■<• been sent b. is better, the ol/'mS-slS? .t'?h 'It '!* • "»' *• cords, nerrous prostratio^anTtw 'it' "wf"' T''^'' '^^^^^ ■ -"^''^s Her heart. ilumDu{j J ^. wMrs. Browne MISS M'PHERSON'S HOUSE-MAID. angel. like an her ? " >t a part of her t yet ; but her •manic. I will as aha entered >een caught in ^ knew it was igh.- I heard laughter, and iven ready to e, and Lord you. Wash ^rs. Browne, was a fact- or, and she'd 1 till she got e continued, t have seen \ ship, and I em to come ich her aunt •ed ; when I was etsey asked, eport, I be- i been sent k ; but the ad not good Told pretty k and call, had every- ^s, spinal ilumouy I stopped to takeZeath^'^SJ,^'^'^ *^° conversation all to h. u one who often talked nA ^^^. "^"^ ""* an ill-nat»rp/l ^"'^^^' »«r„„ „C af err ?""" J"" 1»™ come aL7l h '"""«• "k" -u/ri Sr/'"p'^n -Sf .St^^^^^ con. <»rri4e .nVhtiZiST"''"' »»"' ™ "„"£« hj/h"'' T"* » foe b"""' ^■'""^^^Z'LT" >""'"« '- w*" ''""''°°'« myself 'ii? Z r. ""' ","•' "» tM to mr"tK'-; T"'? '»*er, ., "N» ; perf3y rii'.i V°i ' " '" ^™ Inwfew.L?'*'"**'''" "'""'^°"™»«k. Hew did 6 «ae jcn^w .the signs, for she had I2G teESSIE'S FOTITUNE. had her day and experience, and from the very fact that Besaifl ^^- You had seen Grey before jou met him on the ship, had you »i!l^'^" ^Ti® answered. " He onco spent a day at Stoneleich me tl'"au'rione"?or".."'^"''^^'.^^ ^^•^^' -d wfs so wt he did fllr^fJ; ' "" "'?*A^'*' y''" ^"°^' ^»-' on the ocean, and he did everything a man could do. Then, when I was sick in R^m« cteToSTe'r*'°(')?"'A«T "P,^-- ^r *« "-tLr^nd'ook'ever^ wlVn^ f* ^'^^ A"ntie, he is the noblest man I ever knew £v il 'k '•''"", *^** ^" ^"^'^ *« "'^ke somebody happy eve^' S:;rhXpie;^tarh^\\\teJ''" "^^^-^' -any people wiU have ra^fSrfo^oktrat\:^;S ^^--^^ *^'* Be^ie^-airthS The next day was a hard and busy one, for there was Bw««nm» to be don., and the silver to be cleaned, and the drniZroom whf dows to be wiped i and Bessie went through it all patTently a" d un- owTmeaS^^Tr^ t^^T* '' ""T^'^^' ^^ diCerrtakSg her haded°Lrc'h ^^Z^^'^'l ^.''"T^ *« *'«^' ^^^ sitting do^n'n the against ?h« L.lf ^J'^^^t^hen door, she leaned her%ching head Et if u ? °^ ^^.'^ •'''^''' ^"'i f«» asleep. And ther? Miss W ^'7.^°^?'^ '^^'^^'y ^««* «ghtof her dSring the day found her, and for a few moments stood looking at her inlntV notS^ ^.n^ ;^^?^ ^'*"^ ^l^'h r" ^*^® ^^'i a hard time, I know." she said • r/d t^;zt^\:^ ^^^-^^ ^-^^«' ^-^ -^*^ ^^^^^^^-^e asleen^" mIT iJ^'f ^^"^ ^T^ ^"'^ ^•'™' ^^^^ '""s* have fallen let me ha^Jif' '' ^''''' *"^ ""^' " ^^^ ^*^« ^"^ ««^i-g. Please ,^ Iw ^^'* ^°." *.^'*«'^ ' You look pale." Miss Betsev «.k«d .. tidd- ly that ccssie s iip quivered as she replied : ' fact that BesBie lusiona. But to le ship, had you ■y at Stoneleigh I was so kind to ti the ocean, and 8 sick in Rome, and took every n I ever knew, ly happy every kindness ; and )eople will have tier enthusiasm (vho was watch- But she made . T one could see rey would pro- I when later in bsie was at the was sweeping ing-room win- biently and un- er, taking her g that she was But when the g down in the • aching head d there Miss he day, found itly, noticing in her throat ry expression lild, and had IV," she said ; a bright smile it have fallen lewiag, please tsked so kind^ MISS M'PHERSONS HOUSE-MAID. 327 I should like to do some- th;jS;r^'^-^^-ot mind that. ..._ „„_^_. Cr7't^'^^^^^^^^^^ fresh air and stay there till Wheel, she walked away to her 0^";-^'?'' ' *""""« °» munion with herself womwfn i. ^"^""^^ ^^^^e "ij^ held com- ougl^toholdout. -iTvetZv.'"'' "'"."^ ^""««^ she could or flinched a hair ; but I guess I wm '^I'lr"/ ^^"' '^"^ ^^e ha nof have heard from Sarah?" sLthoLirt Iff .Y- "^ *'"'' '""g«' *"! ^ not carry out for two reasons on« fl \^"u ***'« resolution she did wh,ch she received that aScZ and /h ^ T ^'""^ ^" *^« '«"er tea-time Bessie collasned ^nS' *"«,*^e. other in the fact that at months ?ha?''natu're Sed"l'"lf''''^ '° "}""^ ^"^^g the last few than a headache which Sed her Th«Th ^""Z^'"' ^''^ ^t wa^morl arms, and carrying her to h«r !^" ?" ^T ^"•'t took her in her then^at down LSle her ™' ^^''''^ ^'' »?«" the bed? and "^^fer^T^sVfl^^^^^^^^^ u^xTIT^^/ ^«««Je answered with TTI^^ wipe them away. Zi^f to do right and have wanted wort"^'"^ ^t' " ^ have tried have found it I am afraid T „«! • .^^ *° '""ch, and iust &« T and cold and shiver^, ilf alUhS l^^« «'«^^' ^«^ ^ f«el sCtrange Kneeling down by the low T? -JJ^ .^"^""'^^'^ ^«»3 agitated. to see If you were true, and now tW ? l ' ^ "^^^ °"^y trying you. liev«\T* *"^f y«» *« Wheartal: child 'I^"" *"^' ^« ^^^ think lieye I have always loved vou rL-,! ' "^.^^ ^ery own ? I be- looked at me in the sands^of Ab«rl«f ' '''T ^^^ ^"t day your eyes so much, and tried so many timeBTo tlf*^' ^'^'^ \ ^""^ wanted 7ou • I am kneeling now, I have oft«n V f.^l^''"' ^"^^ "ght here where for you years^o. ^nd ni^*^":.^"/.^* ^y this little bed. nren.^J ana send you to me some day "Xd H?^^ ^T ^""o^ent and pure, kept you pure and good, an/sentjl^^ t '^^l^lJl^^ 328 Bessie's fortune. most I am a queer, crabbed old woman, but I believe I can makn you happy and by and by you may learn to love meTlitt e Few Jne a'nd heTh^^* ' "' r^' ?, ^^^'' "^"^^ n>y mother died, but one, and he-oh, Bessie, I would give my life to have him back 2 S *^"" '7 "^^ *" ^""^^ *hat it was well with him. Charlie' oh, Uharhe, my love, my love ' " v/«»rue, neS"otiMrH?rr'' *" ^"'^ ""''? *"^ ^'' "'"» ^«'« around the neck ot this strange woman weeping for her lost love as women never weep save when the memor? of that love brb«s7ar more paS you SZ'^Snfff'i ?'""' r^ " ^^° !]?' ^"'*« understand what you mean, but if 1 can comfort you I will, and work for Trr,., + .^ •• H;^;\t,jr,*^'"n^'^*'''^^ I mldotm"tyng%';;ky-" she Sew 'htll M.S3 Betsey rejoined, almost impatien?^ as sne drew herself from Bessie's embrace and rose to her feet '' Never agam tropble your head about debts. I sent the two hun dred and fifty pounds to my brother's wife yesterday and toM her" what I was doing to you, and what I meant^toTiTiou passed the ordeal unscathed and any time you choose you can^wrirto An! mS7iryt:::i^r **'"*^ p^""^^' °^ '"°'-«' '^ y«" niTe mau mine is yours, so long as my opinion of you remains unchauL/ed I did not like your mother ; 1 am free to tell youTa I wa ^atrv theVeThVYed' W77V"« ^^^'^^ '^"^"^^ »*'" whenTJeJTo^ JErnfwittifa^Srdder/' '" "' '''^"*" "^^'^^^' '' ^^i'^" ^ "-" Miss McPherson had seated herself in a chair bv this time and my boy lover with the suit brown eyes and hau,Tnd the sweet nitui moods. That was more than forty years ago when he walked talked^^ftheVi^^ rose-scented lanes a^nd\old iJ^ of his lo^r and dreamed th J ?Ff ^,"*"'-t ^f>«" ^ ^«"W be his wife. Alas, belittle T «w?? it *^« future had in store, or of the dreaty, lonely life I should lead, while he-oh, Charlie, my love, my lo^ > " ^ poterfSremotfoITT'A''^"" '^' T^""'^ *^y^"« *° '«Pre8« «ome vTwu ^'n^"*^"' and then resumed her story • When he was twenty-one, and I was twenty, we went abroad S StTE:/"" T' '''''''!.' ""! •»^"^' "^^ ^^^-^ ourreTves atlast weSo ?h« u^' rr^^ther wa« with us, and together we fr^ini^*'lf"K"'i'"lHi-^-P«n -'1 ---Bell tgeir souls e I oan make little. Few ler died, but ve him back, m. Charlie, e around the e as women ur more pain irstand what or you, too. tig to pay — " )atiently, aa iO her feet, he two hun- ind told her a passed the 'rite to An- B. What is changed. I was angry n I heard of ich I never ' time, and her hands that place, le to-night , the sweet [ was in my he walked 1 love, and *8, he little lonely life iress some mt abroad Ives at last )gether we iheir souls hat I must oachfully, bade hjm MISS M'PHERSON'S HOUSE-MAID. 329 Jiii^dhu^^^^^^^^^^^ and bad- and then he put dowX ,tt?"antaott r'" ^'k,-^'"''" ^"'^ *"». aometimos, and always winniW ,i ,> " VJ^""^^"'^' »"J ^ everything. At • the endpCefhi^irtt^r? stCt? k' ^Jll r^^^ -" - am resolved to stake everythfng I half R^?f tV ^T ^'^«*' ^'"^ I »t IS my last chance. Don't look « "* whether I lose or win. member you taught mefo play tt JoHLT'i^k"^ ^'u""'' 1^^' was the desire in me to do it A love for ^V. °* ^"°''' ^°^ ^t'-ong setting sin of my family, and I had sworn . ^""'"''S-tMe is the be- but you were too strong forme • so wW *« ^on^^er it in mys df. me too much. And n?w g™e me kit all' ^'^P'"'' ^° "'»* ^^-"^e "How handsome he was in Thn m r t^"f ^^^^ ^^ ^"'^cess. beaut ful grounds arounJrhe Casino w">'^!' ^'f ^« ""^'^ ^^ the spot close to a bed of great wH?!T.~^^'^\'**"'^'"g '^ a sheltered xnade me a little faint.^ I J nno smi {^A ^^"'^ P^''^"'"^ «^«« Sen pain they are so assocS with that aTfT^-^^'^""* ^^'^''ob of Charlie good-bye, and went bacrt^L ho Jlrr.^^* when I bade nor did he wish it. I disconc«rt«!i i • I ^- ^ "^"^ "«* So with him my window and watched the fu^lfni"""' ^' '""'• ^"^ «« ^ «at & and U«t..«„j i„ "-^i-ueu me lull moon risina hm>.n„ „„j u- , -^ , " — •••■ •-•-' tiio moan and (isiaii «* 4.u ^ — .=" — ' ""^ "^Kner. 330 BESSIE'S FOETUNE. twelve o'clock, the hour for Hnainrr »« ^ t xi men and wom^n, you^ and old Soleil T JV "°^^« "^^^ «"*» had won, and leaninrLm the ca^«2J t . ^*? ^"*.*"^ *^°«« ^l^o lie, but could not. ? eralmost su^e tL.V/t'^ '^ T^^^ °"* 0^^^" f ul he would stop at my door and teH m« «^ A^*^ ^'^^^ ^"''^eas- " As 1 Bat and waS I cannot tlirt '"• *^^"1^^ ^^'^ "'^^ ««'"«• which took possession of me A^^VZt th^""' ""^ '^^^'^'^ shining-that patches of silvery n^htLv.ttv ™"°1 ^""^ «*"^ the shrubs and flowers out8id«h,.f ff"mg upon the sea, and and I actually groped rSywav'tom!b?d "" """k-^I*? «« "^^'^"■ght. at last shiverif wuh cS ToYthe OctS °" ""^''t.^ *'^''"^ '»y««l^ from the water^ Tor Tfew Lmentn T «1 T '''^f ^J''"'^"^ "P «hill '^?te' ^TH^ he^rtchTrrcll/^^SL^"^ *'^" ^'^^^^^ -'^■ note of agon^^/d fl^r' which 'rr,''^'' ^"'^J" ^^« ^^^^^ *here was a tottered fo thVjfnt^^^^d'looketouT ^'"^^ ^" ^^^^^ ^-^' - ^ bloom'an"dt:u^:td\t^'fl//Zn?^^^^^ -*^ *-P-l to the west, for it was paJt two o™Zk ^" "^^ °°"^ '""""^ ^°^ to t^5:CdlpTL3yrtilt^o™^^^^ "'^'"r* I --* back my door and sp^oke to me in a voice I L^o^ f ^ *'!°*^«'' ^^•"^ *° was so strange and unnaturaf ''^' *' ^"* recognise, it wh^e^a'ce," '* ^ " ^ ''^''^' *« ^ ''^^^^^ ^^^^ door and looked at hia dreldf^uf nl^s'f ''"'' '''^^'''« '°*° *^« '^'>°'»- ' Can you bear some ^^^^i^r^X^S:SZ^^r- turning dead^^sih\"d7oft l::x:f^jt^:,z ^;^^ ^^-"« -« to the very spot where he had f itL^^ ^ T ^^^ ""^''^ ^^ ^is ruin there had^pu? a bullet thrSS^^h hT\:il''lf:t'r. '' T' ^"^ h ies which were wet with his blood wC'tW f . ^^ t^ ' ""'^ °^ his back with his fair youne face untnr^fiii ?^^. ^"""^ him lying on a smile on his lips as iftRrath stru^de hlVh' "'°°"^^* ^''^^ ^"^ ^ " 1 knew then that at the las whe?hi« «n ^''" * ^*'"^"«« °»«- his body, he had called my name and I had hi Tk^*"^* "° ^'^"^ often hear him now when I am all Sone In f^"^ ^T J"«^ «« ^ one. is full of moonlight and beauty ' ^^^ ^^^ "'«'^*' ^^« '^'^t buHeTtn^teatrm^Sf^"^^^^^^^^^^^ M-ve, where I into the sLnge'unlLable womt'y'^u'find Te Vu/d'*" ^^"^"^ fivrt^it'rtirfco^^^^^^^^^^ of her so often at Monte C.l^, ^S^SOl^l;^:,^;^ jrowds come out, it and those who single out Char- id been success- le did not come, rror and dread moon was still )on the sea, and tck as midnight, I threw myself lowing up chill en started sud- ice there was a rory limb, as I b with tropical r moving down nt I went back rother came to t recognise, it i looked at his you bear some were turning FI' ^ Charlie was sne of his ruin ^e to me, and the clump of him lying on 'nlitsky, and painless one. parting from im just as I iht, like that ive, where I '. have grown do you won- id those who fhen I heard I where your BESSIE'S SUCCESSOR. ggj g^^fa«.er ruined himself (for he, too. waspossessed with a mania you,'' Be1,S:k';°Irrinrhe?^^« ^"ff-^'*- --^ how sorry I am for and kissing her througrhfr tear^T""'' ^'^^ '^''Ph--n^^ 8he continued, " and do so mnoh f. ^ ™^?.'' *^ ^o^« JO" so nuch " not mind being yonr houserat ^tl^Jl T ^'Ji ^'' "'«• ^ ^o andpayyouforwhatyousent JnT J '/"'^ I would rather work haps. I feel so tired a^nd sick t S I fn t^' ''"'^ "°* J»«* y«t, Per and wholly exhausted, she sank hli "''^ "u ''*'' ^^''k any more ; " lay for a few moments owLteandSlK P"^T' ^^^^^ «he pang of fear lest the prize she so mnoh ^^ ?^J *""* ^«'* » horrible Tut'St:i??.^^r«''«p-^^^^^^^^^ ""'' '^ '"'^^"^^ ^^Jut after a httle Bess, rallied, and, smiling upon her aunt, said hope ;ouri??:fc^r:ta;- ifrsjt ti? 'i f^ ^^-^^ -^^^y^^^ and i you meant by trying me?' ^^ ''°' ^^'""^ ^ ^^^'^ understand what earnesnff,f„t,f;,^^^^^^^^ "to see if you were in n»oney. I knew the McPherro„ rJ^"'"^ A **° anything to earn some of it But I ^^noTh7£r S^^Ylt^^^T^^} ^°" ^'^^' h^ve you, and do not want you as 1107,-^' V?^® ^\^^^ you and proved need you, for a new gir^omes to ' :r'^ ^W ^T,^'"' Nor shalll I told you. She is in N^York "^XTrh " h"^ « °°"«'°' ^^ ^hom tram. A regular greenhorn ifmaSli ^\^^l^ °" 'he morning honest and wiUin./. I can soon V.°u*' ^^"^ *« ^^ J but if she if will leave you, for 'you must sleeo'to nf '^H ™^ ^^^^^ ^^^ now I row, when your successrarrives • '' anf %l° *' ^'^ ''^ ^«" *o.mor- Bes^efelttobe almost a ^^^oti:^^^!^ ^^^^^^^^^ CHAPTER XII. Bessie's successor. her niece to observe more thJf Jhrt"th''''*r *"^'«»« a^ouT bright, and clean, with a wnr,!?* ^''®. ^irl was fresh, and ringing voice. Mi^ Mlphe*-- - ^^""^n ^'''"g"^ ^^^d a d«"r who. after carefully e^amrnin;' S? ni "^ .''^ the village doctor,' ferui, -her from Lrvous StrJJLnC^,^:^! ^^f ^- ^ 332 Bessie's fortune. tell which, until he had Been her amin •' +T,o« •. • quinine for the hitter and i orW w / T' P'^««°"bing left just as the now giS au^red an 1 V^"" ^""'T'' *^« and earnestness seemed to fill S honso A ^^ ■ m' ^'^'"l>i'ity Miss Betsey ,ot her into the ki irand1.LC'iV;r'r'''^ went up to her nioco's room. closing all the doors, *' I must havo been asleep." Bessie saifl '< f,,.. t ^ , , heard Jennie's voice, and I w^is T, Ik,1 fi . •. '^T'""** "»'^* ' thought I heard it agai, She w^ the^ Ih /' T^"" '"''' '"'^ ^ to me on the ship, ^ou renlZr noi";on°of'h: " "" '^ '^"^^ I Yes, ' Miss Betsey replied, •' I think you liked hir very much " **rt1;ifr ^^^r"""« so stZg and £ rab Vu t? '^''^ ^«" mo?ni*;ra.reTee^2 ;;;;/SteS"^ 1 ^^" ^^^ "^ ^'^^ hushing the new^girl, wh^i^she once bade ttjo"^^^^^^^^ not quiet her in any other way. ^^' " ^''® *'""^<^ "I have a sick niece up stairs, and you wUl disturb hor " <.!,„ • , to the girl, who replied : » J' " ^ .u uisturb Her, she said "An' sure thin, mum, I'll whisper." the end o[ the h„n ° ^°"°« "^ ^>">" W""' "» «t young girl who at eight ot Er p»Z^,^ wtl X '™ i"' T? *» • ^^Je„n>e, Jennie, where did Vie^t^Vrh'/nS ;;ir;x"r::^i':f'' "'°*- ^-' --^-^ fcm£ Mid drying, untU Bessie s«id to her :' ^' " '«°stang, 'n, prescribing lio former, he her volubility My 118 poBBible ; all tho doors, 1 roamed tliat I I'oko me, and I Iio was so kind . » )r very much." •eat deal to see liould jret well t her." ;ho rest of the vas constantly y, if she could her," she said e, and Miss oa and jelly ay which she I room was at BESSIE'S SUCCESSOR. >ckin' feet to said, as she reathlessly at but did not i tiptoe into at once the d, glad cry : 'iif I am so nd then the oor, the hot er lift them ash togeth- meself was I, if it's not Bessie the d laughing, 333 , She did look very whit« 3 ■ I ^* " '"^ strength away " be calm, though 11 ^t w r'oW. L";:';'"'";;' ''''''' -'^'iried to the dehru on the floor, /u.d Sh " m V "^ /" "''" *^"»thered up *^T":^;^«;«-ying to'hormT^L, .'"'"* "'"^"^ «^P^"««i"n took i? An faith ifs a bad boirinnin' IV<. ,„ i pay you every farthing with mv (lif '^''' *"""•' ^'it sure an' I'll I'll do up m/fut, foA:^:zSri^'Su\r''-:^w'r- ?>«-" The foot was proven not to hn ».i' ! i^' ^'*''^ '^'''n tay." other tray of toast an tea nrl ^.''''''^.'..^''^ '''^^^^ f''^, and an- herself to Bessie, . Ei„rtha?''r"''- ' ^^^ ^iss Bet ey took But Bessie .•) efider] f,ir f i. • i ■'. P"n^"se at al . " ^ and who, she feirstt,' J ft: j^" '<'»dne- of hefrt she knew, judicious training, and that at ,S T'"""^ ^^ '^''^^^ «nd she began the mouldinjr by tolC h.;r^^^'^*'"'"« """^^ "P *« her tTpTear ''-' ''- -- ^ "-y ^^rs'^'^\^! rJp:^^'''^' *« ^- "Pen-oyed, and when she was through wuii ; :^\:^:,:r:j:^ \zirT ^'-^-' -' ^*^*^ i to a pummice, if that will please hnr i Y T^ ^ '' ^ate raeself you and get me tin shillingra week " ^ "^ ^"""^ *" «t«y with t^he case seemed hoDelosH „»j t ■ but for the serious iUne rwlS """'" ""«^'* ^^^^^^ l»st her place away all her vitality and nTakf''?'"" 'V '^"««'« «'> fast, takZ It was then that Jennfe sirwe7w 7"f '"'l'^ ^^^''i'^««« as'achUd^ tenderness and untiring devotion in,.r J"'"" ^"'' ^er watchfu her awkwardness. ^ '^«^""on, more than made amends for all ffii^'>i::^7'if!Z''it' «^f^^^ -n the sick room, tenderly in her strong arms Zl i 1" "^ minister, lifting her and down the large cLmff^nto Vhi T 1™? ri^'^'"« ^^^^ her up the physician aaid thathersickneL m i\""' ^T^ been carried when she was suffering from all tLTr *^''* ^'V'^ "'««ks' duration, for ^^1^5' -hen the'strain"u;on*ttrs ha"l br"^ ^''*^« ^-"^- All through the remaining week« nf ^°''" ^'^ g^'^at. tys winch followed, Bessie^irfn her h";,?''"' ""^/^^ September i"g which was passing around hi ,^^> '!''*''^'^^y noticing any- bent over h«r apf^.p^- h • - ', ""'^ ^^^'"f *" li«r „„.t „ "-- Tired, 80 tired, and itis nice to rest." she 334 BESSIE'S FORTUNE. great deal was told by Vs RoasSr n7 ^'^ 'T' ^"^ "^ ^^om a stood at Mias McPhefson's door £; °''"^' ""^^'^ ''^'•"«^« often self, and ao.netimes IZsta who C^'"f sometimes the lady her- was busied with the pZarations of ,'«*"™«d f^-^™ Saratoga, and take place in October ^ ^^^ wedding, which was to «eU :Uh"e"l1Sgf ?,S1^^^^^^^ ,^^-t' and established him. which M^sMc^he?rn7ro";!tfyrrS *'™" '^"^ ^^'^ ^^« ^^^^^ , Bhesa^d';td^t'dno^L?e"ft A^^ 7^-* * ^-tune-hnnter, her, except that Aiigust^was th« vnn ^"'*'' P'."^"" *^^" ^^ ^id for' ^^l for his aintion-^trr K ^T^o^ aS^^A pof;Da";.tSe\tts''cS^^^ "^' "'T* ready to forgive For KessiJv, sakfshS th^t le ^'ouirdo"'"" ^^'."'^'l^^u"^ ^«^- contrary to nature, but she co„l5 r,^f * , 1° ^?'"®** ^««1 *hat was Neil, even if Bessie had loved him n'^ kmdly disposed toward particularly antagonistic toward him tZ'-' ^"r •>"?* ""^ ^'^^ ^^^^ ' ceipt of her lette? to h 2 Sh^r n?V • •''"^^'^\''*«^y ^^^^^ the re- pounds, and saying that she inV«n^ ^"'i"^.*^^ hundred and fifty child, Neil had written h«r! J"*^"^^'^ .*« take Bessie as her owi the particulars ofTisbreakinJZ' J'"'*'"* M*^' recounting all a coward, and telling of his remo !« ^*^r'"*' ^'^^^^^ ^'™««" »« resume it again. The etter oToT;?* vf "^^ ^«8ret, and his desire to forbidden to do so. he should ««-« y^r^'"}^' *hat unless he was renew his offer to Bessie *° '^'"'"°* ^" September, and dia?uiVrd^£%arg'SheTptt'^ ^"'l^? fP-ions of as a small umbrel a, ah" staXd f Hi, /l'""^''*^ ^^^^^"^ ^ large hours later Neil McPherson t Tr. j ^ telegraph office, and five ing laconicd espaS from iilington "' ""^ '''^^^ *^« *'«"«^- " Stay at home and mind your own business ! " BETSEY m'phERSON." aft'e?alf -' ?hl s'lrrThothT' ^t' ^^^r^^^ '"^^ ^^^ "^es him But it was toTla e now and foV?h ^^^^f. ^^'^ *« ^'' ^^^''' was far too anxious to think of „I !t- "^''* *"^° "'^ ^'^''^^ days she much worse, and eemed o wlriid"!'^"'^* ^''r' ^'^^ -*« that the phvsician InnW ^ J_®'*i *"^ "nconacious of everything . . — i_„K.a ,erj. Kx-avo as He came and went many illington became , but of whom a le carriage often IBS the Jady her- m Saratoga, and r, which was to Jstabh'ahed him. d left his card, fortune-hunter, than he did for 3, and then she tering along by ak Daisy, who, ir astray as she eady to forgive linking of her. b deal that was isposed toward Jt now she felt , y after the re- el red and fifty ne as her own recounting all ing himself as i his desire to unless he was ptomber, and (xpreasions of most as large ffice, and five ig the foUow- PHERSON." irl likes him her house, ree days she sie, who was f pverything i went many i BESSIE'S SUCCESSOR. 335 P'l^AZiZt^^^^ MissMcPherson's request, hear for she lay like one n a deep B^eTZJ^l'^ ^'''^' ^^ "«* mg to breathe. ^^ ^'®^P' acarce'y moving or seem- upon a bench near a hepd ^tnn^ uuV^"''°'^->'ard, sat down ''Sacred to the memory of Shr^l"'', ^T *^'« i"8cription^ Charles Sandford. who JLd January I'stis"'" ""'t '' l'^"'^-- dead who die in ihe Lord " ^ ' ^ "• Blessed are the many men are in their prime ^V„ * ^^ ^'^^y-three, an a^e when as if the burden of life wTehe^vv anS' t'^'T^ '" ^''' «'^o"lders snow, while upon his f aceTas a ZAi, v, • ''''' V"" ^^^ ^» '^h'te as patiently borne, can wHte ^0! t»,« V. '"'"'"'^ ^"'^ ^^''^ discipline! had he borne it'until he alS for..?'^r/l'''^''- ^"^ P*^-ient& then one day it was removed and bvt^lr v' "^"^ ''^^""8 '*' ^nd felt he knew how heavy it had been ^ ^^^^"^'' *"•* ^'■^«--™ ^^e upon he"tSstni;tfl*„%^ir?^ *^'« --"P«on and the spot on the knee of his pants thL 'T^ coat sleeves, and at his boots, which certainfv hi;! f'V'^*^ *'™"'^ threadbare ''Poor Martha ! What would shLavif^^ been blacked that dav which, though they may not look well a-fv?""^'^ T ^^''^ «'«*he8. as his eye rested upon the IZTiZ \ ^^ ^ery comfortable." Then lie, I wonder, whic^Jhat i, t'SiS: rtt"^' m " '^ '^^'^ IS Martha's fault for sh« v^rZ I *®'""g *<> the world ,' If go it all the detaib of 'heT ft e^aT and" hX^^'T",' ^''"'^r*' «^« -d-«d fancy of hers to a ,k that Hanlh I ^ Preceded it. It waa a strange Devoted would have been beir tha"" A '^ ? V"*" ^'"'^ Martha! tried to do my best by Lr '' and w^v, i'"'^ A"l^ ^«^ '^""^^ I been and what might have been thlipf "^''' ^°*^ ^°'' '^hat had home, meeting at the gate of Grev\ p'S^Tr'* 'i""'''^ f^^his was in AlUngton for thl first f;,„ J«»"i« one day • ^''*' ^"^^^^'^ Be««i« een or heard of meant her, and lave been read- 'die." lence, "yon do d in his voice 8 secret to the "ly boy ; pray t make a way owever small, ■ w^as a prayer We trust she ore than any- "•• You have ugh I feel as ^rdlife. You his face ard ired. iown, if you iring which ston and his tly as an in- hat she was to the girl's d when she 1 left your w he bade t was such er aunt or 1 who was er, Bessie ot as glad few who BESSIE GOES TO GRET's PARK. 337 of t^i?; 'a:7yTtJeT; ;;;r^iSr 'm^ s? -^-' ^^^ ^^^^^ every day to inquire for you the pra te f ;.^:^'*^ i'?« g^"*'7 ''^min' very room,, and the f,.ine pintjZan wlf/ "*'" ^'' P''''y«" ^^this down stairs three mortal hours waUinfn T ""*.^^ «^'P « «'ttin' dead or alive, and thankin' g'u whe . it wa^ T '^ /"" ^^^'^ »P was. ^ wneii it was alive I told him von colour oo^TZl heTte^^d r ' " ^^««? «-^--d. a faint hearin.that Grey Jerro Shad been tr/^^ BParkling .vith ddightJt hours for her long sleep to beendeS """ ^''' ^""^ waited three -nts for^y:f klid^LSd' ^ll^tf^^ ^« '^^^ ^^^ -pli. Oh, but he's very tine, and Grey?Park 2 ru '^u^*'" ^*« ^ett^r. ^^^^^""try where the gran deesTives" ^'''' ^^'"^ P^*°«« i" the tharat^hfdrt*;:^^^^^^^^^^^ r:s ;h- h7 bSh ^if f «SiiSerSer.- z^^ watched her with a tenlr Si itude'asSh'"'* • ^'«« McPherfon impassive as she had always seemed tote "^' ''' °"^ ^ ^''^^ "-^^ CHAPTER XIII. BESSIE GOES TO grby's PARK. I\Tt1oTri^y>fCk'SlS:l'^^^ ^-- ™«de her first scriptions from Jennie, X took her th// •''''^•^""^ glowing dt for the purpose by Miss Lucy '" ^'' '"^^^'^ chair sent the iepZ^lZt7J:t^^ ?- --t rains, and equalled in summer. ^ brightness to the place scarcely dens/'U'alXtinld'asK"^ - '^^ Kensington Gar- at the beds of flo'wer" X w' nd W w^^^^^^^ ;*^*»»7. ^hich Captain GrerS brouSt frl ' I"""/.^^"« ^"^ the thmk I should like to live here^' brought from the old world, '« I eametohera thought of S. :t ^^'1'^^ 'K*^^^« 338 BESSIE'S FORTUNE. .I.e*^tr^rd,t;L*^heri:l?r ■■« "'-' «■»-. me* her .i were joined by Mis, M^Pk'." """P' "'»''« 1»"- He d™n till .1" "I think it „i|l5' '• '"" ■)""» »"» «' it, if everything s„e, well teL:il.""!"8 «* I." back oartiv *„™.. ' as - - ™.„^ x„ w,j,_ - -., „ "vrryminggoes well ™ to be married. For an^nS" »'>« l?»«rd that Or^J^^i «id t^hf^'r '!:«^ '■'^"oX7t'htdarin"'r°"' »"•» ''««?»> 'tL' '-17 ™ '"'" *• »''- ' •» ««k and tro to the rose arbour Jh ;- bu only Jennie heard fo. Besl™'! ^^'''" Miss Lncy said :|^\lr!""™ - --'/^ K tXTi I'S McPhe„„n even u> the firetda,. ifC en^aXr^herh', "'^ waa 98. met her at down till they 'ch, which was ?t an invalid. )wing stronjjer )eautiful home ;ture of Grey, ore the great of the assiir- ted upon the 18 now in his make some- Bessie's eyes y still sat in in so brightly omen talked »bly do, now i^ hope of his ggoes well, ladies, who for a mo- rey Jerrold lier turned B could not id his eyes en he had 'ear again. >r pain and II sick and down en- ■wo ladies > the gar- "oy said, the blow 8 passing ler Grey, red Neil 1 he was BESSIE GOES TO GREY's PARK. ^99 eKeTo^^tt;- ha^s^dTo' htVhlt ^i^.'^*^ '^^^ ^^ --. had been so kind to her on S^ -V ^ f ^^ ^'^- ^^"^ ^trey, who Bpeak, and whrhad waited sSlon^^hv";^ ^''^'.^ '^' ^"^« ^' ^id not she were better. How Tad he chfnted «o ''"''"''"""? ^T *° ^"°^ ^^ some love of his boyhood before he Iw I ".i ?"^ ^^^y ^ ^^^^ i* into being now that he had returned f! S ' u^'^}'^^ ^*^^^'" «Pr«ng dreary the world looked to\'h you'*; ""X'll ^"^.^J' ^o- Grey was lost to her forever. She dfdS iJ- ^u ^«'"*a.»P*y that mer-house into which Jennie wheeled hpr aa"^ f^^ ^*"''^f"' «"™- or think of anything exceot her dp-f ? y ' ^'^ "''^ ""^'''^ anything, *'" AtsT^f ^^ Jurs^^h'e^Ltnt^e^rd'blTr^ *° '^^^°'^'' ^^^Please. Jenn.e, go away," she said, '< iTouM rather be Betie':o\td:pi?::j;' *^«" ---^ J^- face with her hands, mI'^I ^Iwa^^r^o^StilntCer^^ '^ *"^ ^'^^^ ^- -« ? that I could die ? " "'^ ^°"®^y' ^""^ " it wicked to wish she^^eSeTs^t^^Tr^^^^^^^^ V'^ ^^^ « «-t effort live over again ever^ indden ?f h«^tf ^^""^ '" ^"" ''^''i'-' ^egan to Jerrold. And whiS^she thn« r^!2 . We as connected with Grey at the Allington statiot airBCh arfthe rof^^ "*°PP«^ started on its wav TwAnf^ tlf ! , x ® '^^^'^ *"d the ring as it her the sounds o^'footSfiaX'^^^^^^ """^ «^« heard behind toward her, and th^t^Tf she thou.'ht'r^iT."^ ^»":^i"g coming to her. But siSv TflnnL'^? ^ *"' ^^^^ '^ ^^^^ Jennie eager L this, nor wer"'"tn e"s hanr'sTofr'''.^ '" ^^P^' ^'^d hands which encircled her face nor tL f^^ •*"*? ""'^^ »« th« said to her : . *^®' """^ Jennie's voice like this which '' Bessie, darling Bessie ' " onS^eltSr:^^tS^:^''ZlT^^^^ "^^ ^'^d been knew that he was coming' and had «h^""^ fi!\ ^'«« McPherson visit to the park and thf^ h^A °^°^®° *^*^ <^ay ^or Bessie's her of his pr^obabirmarrS^e*** er^'^y '^^^l^ *« *hey did before for Lucy had told mTs Sherfon nfT "5 *^°*her's confidence, Miss McPher8.m had dI^hpH fh P'^^^ ^^^« ^"^ Bessie, and fectly the nature o\^ietetetg7f:/h^^^^^ ^^'^ ^^ ^"^^^^ P- left t^rm^rCt^ ^u^?t';:tnf i? ^"^^' ^^*- «-- ^^^ , And so when at list Grercame Ind T""^ "*t^- " . ladies, asked after Bessie, ^ssZ^C''. fi^L^-"? -''^^^ .*^^ ouu iiad just letfc them for th« aa^A^r, j ^--P'lGa oftc was oetter move to go in searcHf her «S L' *"<* *^^e°' ^s Grey made no the e^pl4ation ; suddenly turned upon hiu, ^it^ 340 MSSIE'S FOEITOTE. " Besfli« ^„ r r. ^ ^'^ ^"ice said Th« jf ' darling Bessie ! " •^?™-crK,'a.:r'.''"""' '—-"-• "» you think of SeJ-a'difr^ht ">• «nd I_„h, «,„ . , must ...6„ .« call you ; the girl f BESSIE GOES TO OREY's PARK. i-ded hor with ^" she con- niece, and I * shoisnot." "What are » before she pleadingly ; i-arbour." ction of the 'id thus did s voice said nd in front kissed him tears. By said, as I lips, iobbed, as der, tried surprise, "■ey, what ihoulder, ame that ia,— that id that I leant by n, too — ^ VViU that he ' been a ' words tears—. lerson, > girl I b r — ^*^ f "»y clioiceat treasures and L ^W^ ^ ^"^^ i' «till, asS from your htfiH in ,.'"'"*' ana the curl of hair wliinl, iri • fhaf *■;. h, i" '^"™e whenwethonrrKf , wnicn Flossie cut that tress with Jack TrevelJian fh! • !. ^"" "^^^'d die. I divided with breaking hearts, "acause we W ^'■^'^"^'^'^ together oj you told mo then of his love ^vr „ ^r"'^ ^^^ vvere dead. He >«ry of the time X I fi" ^".t^t"^' .' ?"?■ ""' • " ">= "niver- >s K^ ';^ »«j^; »»o' ' ™" ""' °'"' have lasted, we have no Llns'of nn''''>"^.*'^« interview might tt S 1 " "J.^^^ °^ that:rstliVf7;j.«' 1- -. «,M cry inthe arms extended ready tfiggt^'"^^"^" upon them, with 3 ~ unfS t^cotfS^^^^^^^^^^ ha^ visited with'the mistress, who must be geJttg tireS T' 1° "^*"™ *° her young the summer-house what wS her witff^" '*™« ^^^^i" «4?of with his arms around Bessie «n^ T *'' ^ee a tall young man to teke her from the chair "'' '''^' '' '' ««^™«d to her,^ tryfnHo thr.innirn'^l-^^- there isn't a spalpeen ■ BulTtSiSttf^^^^^^ ^"' bones,. >^ai^d^S eyes and moutlf surveyeThim a 'J^^' ^^«^*' ^"^ -^h wide-open '^'^rj^t^tS^^^^^^ ^ *^- &f ;rr.tt'-^^l f ? -£^^^ -i5?; l-i« !>^.«^>^ ^i ''-fy .ittxc Upset and disconcerted. " '*'^' ^caving ino 342 BESSIE'S FORTUNE. heJ inTis^a^,^, rato'd Si f ^^ .'""' r*« '"^^ house, and tak.. he put her down up'n tr/couch'"' """"^^""^ *« -^-^ ^Te alfd "af Christrf'^E;^i; aid'^cSltJa; "dI";^^^^^^ "/« *« ^^^ ^^^tle wife on who will make the old hous^ hrtuU T *" "P«"^ ^^'^ with you Then «oinK up to mL MrPh,"L, f''.?"" !"^'' ^* ^^^ ^'^''^e.'' Aunt Betsey, because 1 am to K« ' ^^ """f'nued : <• Kiss me no longer a fool." """ *° ^« ^our nephew, and because I aS MoPh^errn tid"'^'^ ^^ «--' -^ then, turning to her ..ce, Miss CHAPTER XIV. TBILINQ BBSSIB. A 'tittt^irrji- r^^^ «'-«nified her wi.li„g„es. ahe had reme^mberedL :'lo\'eChiir^^^^^ ^1*'^ Bessfe'.whot «JJ "*^* ^"'"*" ^«« living I would r.^ ""^'^'' h«' '"^'her. nage " she said ; " but as it if T ^""''^.never consent to the mar that in your traU atSd Vo;. J„f ™,^'»'"g. ^^""gh I had hop^i English girl with a title, bJt it"?B* jiT ^""."'^ '•''"« high-bSrn I^dy Jane, and I dare say M L McPhT ^'°--,^ "'""^ » "iece S heir ; so I will welcome her as mv I ^'?" ""'" "^'^^ *h« g^^l her brighten up the house, which is aUimp-^^*"'^ ^"^ P«^h«P« «he wfll father growing more and more siVe^f ^"T'^f''*'*^^ ^»"' ^^^^^ yoi" -houMnotwonderifheweretoVerejS?^^^^^^^^^^ it SrwJiiXjt^J: feaVef^l^irH-aa inpart what '='" ■ ""iiwc, and blanched I use, and taking honi he said, aa y little wife on here with you t was before." : " Kiss me, i because I am »er liiece, Miss 3an make you be very lonely lext day Grey was still with 'ecret, and at that she will willingness from which a good deal ssie, whom mother, io the mar- had hoped high-bom a niece of lie girl her •8 she will with your 7 day. I ur grand- ?art what blanched his hair to TELLING BESaiE, not Sixty yet. Jt »nowy white unusual to 848 one of his for \ oor but L '"':J''°*' ^'"^e Hannah r/'n,ni; *""'' ''^'"'*« ^" «"y -^"e but he repulsed her so fierce! v t' ah ' '''«*3"'""'«thi„fj to hini. ddn,t guess what efforts (irev h Z "r ^ ^^'^^^ "g^i". and he o^^^Joel iWers. Like his ^J, iX^tl 1' '""t l^'^A^^^^^^ heirs pent Beasie was a desirahl« „!! *■ . ' -''ot to Gr.'v's enirairfi inherit her aunt's lar^r o^tune?' 'T ^^"''^ '" ^H probSftJ and ,n all Boston there w^ o't a h '^ > '^^^^^^^^^ his^appro Ll^ morning when, with his AuryH ^'*^'P"^'* ""»" ^han Grey Jn th« ton, telling he^ when he bl k"*''' *"« "^^ ^««t started fur AUiut l^ould bring Bessie "o ELtHy^thl ff "'^ '\ *^" station tla'k'o' it was a most lf.v«i„ *»* i ^ ® '"""wiiig day Its tP^^^'^ int^paS-fnjf ,«T ^^^ «-- whioli he had told her on Christmai f1 . "cP *'' ""^ «'d house, of years ago, and which seemed S.?r^ *' «toneleigh almost wo -trong an „„pression had his de cS oTrn "*'"""«" *« ^^^^^'^^ «o Ihere she is j that is Aiu.f H ^ ? ,,™*'^® "PO" her. w^CT"'.!" * P'"""'-k ia,t 'It' "^hT """'." " ""'. "•- '?,'¥?' ■« ^» '"toi her from u,e d X„ '" '"''• •'«' «V cla.p„d by the aolt, warm o,?e. ', V *"''' "" '«' ■"'M kmds wars was It confronting her now? I f * ^'°*Y^ ^^'^^'^ ^'f« and form !nd ^. Beaaie. come to „e at ,aa.. I i.,, „,,, ,„^ ^^^ ^_^ long, Almost the self. *" ■'" "' -"* '^« «^-Cst^s;t.» Sr„tor;-23 344 BESSIE S FORTUNE. ^rT Jif r/lf ^^'^^^ ?l1^" {'■'' ""^f *^« «'*' *^^ i" i* t^'8 same young girl with the eyes of blue turned so pleadingly to her T.. Kr"b*'^' "'''^"'! r" ^^f ^"''^« ^ " ^^«y ^ai*^' and then the spell S,1 o 1' ^°*^^^^°g *he girl in her arms, Hannah kissed and SfanTs t^tratLrag'ar"" ^^^^ *'^ ^^"^'^ ^'^^^ ^^^ ^««" -innTif'' ''f''"^^ "^u* *^^^"^ *° ^^"^"^^ *h« feeling Which took posses- low n d r .^-"""i^" moment she saw Bessie standing there in the low old-fashioned room, with the October sunshine falling on her wor,rfrr' *"^ ^l^^*?^ "P ^%' ^"^^^^^^^l ^^''^^ «*i" Pal« a"d a little Z V info fhlT ''"''"k'''- • ^* T'*^ ^^ ^^ ^'^ angel had come sud- aenly into the house, bringing the peace and rest she had never known since that awful night more than forty years ago To hS d«rinr,r ""^A ^r^*'^' 5"*j^ ^^^'^^ ^^^ been a restless^pirlt wan- dering up and down, and through the dreary rooms, Bessie's pre- rav.rr''^. I>rx? ^*""^^ ^^^^ ^^^ ^^^^^^^^ horror rXg away as she watched Bessie going over the house, with Grey, now t?«iL °f ^"^ 'l*''* *° *"^ ""^""^ "'^'i^r *he roof where Grey used horirL^ li\^"l'T'i ^^i^ *'^^'-« ^^« «*i" the remains of a horse, and a boat which he had sailed in the big iron kettle by the chtnT i-T *^^ ?'iH ^^"""^ t*^ ««« *h« foundation of the big tnni o 5 4^ ^^l"" ^^^V "^'^ °"* *° *h« ^«11 where the bucket rn^n lil ^ of the house beneath which the terror-stricken old man looked on trembling lest the boards should give way and now but ^HTr.K^'^'^"" '^'^'•■^' ^"^ *^«^« y«*' du8t andUes now, but still there and Bessie sat down alone beside it. while Grey shivered as his grandfather had done, and drew her Iway as quickly as possibio. ^ +l,r7^^'\^-T*^''l^*'^*°^" «he asked, kying her hand upon the door which was always closed, and had been for forty yeaJs^ u.;a if ^T, grandfather's room. No one goes in there," Grey ««in i"""! ^' f ^^ P"* his arm around her, and told her she had seen enough, and must rest until after dinner. He took her to the pleasant south room, where the early di: ner was served with the tiny silver teaspoons, marked with the initials fnn v.?h" a "'''*^f '• *"^ *^« hits of old china, which modern fash- ion had made so choice and rare now. And Bessie enjoyed it with wiJh^nTJ',''? ' yeturning appetite. She had improved rapidly within the last week, and declared herself as well and strong al ever when after dinner was over and the dishes cleared away, she nestled down am-ng the cushions of the chintz-covered loun4. itiis is such a dear old place." she said '* that T -hn"''^"";"— t" W^AT ^^''T- ^^""P^^ ^^y there is a skeleton in every house'; a^d qmw"''^ """ ' ''''"^ ^^''^' «^«'ything seems so peaceful TELLING BESSIE. 545 I same young len the spell I kissed and ich has been took posses- there in the lliiig on her and a little I come sud- i had never JO. To her spirit wan- Jessie's pre- rror rolling Grey, now I Grey used emains of a 3ttle by the of the big I which the the bucket to sit and bricken old ) way and and ashes a it, while her away land upon y years, are," Grey er she had rly diuner he initials dern fash- ed it with 3d rapidly strung as away, she iinge. iry house, > peaceful " Why did she make that remark, of all others ? " Grey thought, as, with a face whiter even than that of his Aunt Hannah, he sat down beside her, and drawing her closely to him, laid her golden head upon his shoulder. " Bessie," he said, and his voice shook a little, " I am goi?. ; to tell you something which perhaps I ought to have told you betorel asked you to be my wife, and which I should have told you had I thought the telling would make any difference in your love for me." " Nothing could make any difference in that," Bessie said, lifting up her sweet face to be kissed, and then dropping her head again upon Grey's arm, just as Hannah came in and took a seat on the other side of her. Hannah had been upstairs to her room, where she now kept the box in which lay the picture which was so like Bessie McPherson. " More like her than I supposed," she whispered, as she gazed upon the face which seemed each moment to grow more and more like the young girl below, to whom Grey was to tell the story. He was only waiting for her to come in before he commenced, she knew, and putting the picture back in its place, she went down to the south room, and taking her seat besid 3 Bessie, as Grey motion- ed her to do, waited for him to begin. "Bessie," he said, and his arm tightened its clasp around her slender waist, "there is a skeleton here, and it has darkened all my Aunt Hannah's life, and thrown its shadow over me as well. Can you bear to have a little of it fall upon you, too ? " " Yes," she answered, fearlessly. " I have always lived with skeletons until I knew you loved me ; they cannot frighten me." " But, darling, would you love me as well, think you, if you knew that, in a way, there was a disgrace clinging to my name ? " he asked, and Bessie replied : "A. disgrace ! What do you mean ? I cannot imagine you to be in disgrace ; but if you are, I am quite ready to share it with you." "Even if it be murder?" Grey spoke the last word in a whisper, as if afraid the walls had ears ; but Bessie heard him distinctly, and, with a great start, she drew herself away from him, and sat rigid as a stone, while she re- peated : "Murder ! Oh, Grey, you surely do not mean that ? " " No, not exactly ; it was manslaughter, done in self-defence," Grey answered her, and, with a sigh of rexief, Bessie asked : " Who was the killed, and who the killer 1 " "My grandfather did the deed, in the heat of passion, and the victim has lain under the floor of that room into which I would not let you enter, for uioro tliaa forty years. Now you know the skele- ton there is in this old house." 346 Bessie's fortune. h.. '. .^T rr'' ^^'^^ * ^^^'^ "^ *^"'^'' «nd pain crept into her eves ; hut she did ii„t move nearer either to Grey or his aunt Inaeea, it seemed to both tliat she drew herself into as small 'a compass as possible, so that she might not touch them, and her face was very whue and still as Grey commenced the story, which he made as sh.nt as possible, though he dwelt at length upon the life An^.T"'' Vf ^'i" ^"•'^"^i^ther, and the heavy burden ivhich his Aunt Hannah had carried for years. At this part of the story Bessie's face relaxed, and one of the if' Ti ^-^d been c asped so tightly together at first, went over to Hannah s hand, which it took and held until Grey told of the lonely days and dreary nights passed by the young girl in the old horrorhaunted house, with no one but Rover for her compa- nion. Then the hand went up with a soft, caressing motion to the face which .<-rey had once said looked as if Christ had laid His handg hard upon it and le t their impress there. It was pallid now, as the face of a corpse, and there were hard lines about the mouth which quiv.rod with pain. But, at the touch of Bessie's soft fingers, the hardness relaxed, and, covering her eyes, Hannah burst into a par- oxysm of weeping. ^ " Dear Auntie," Bessie said, " my Auntie, because you are Grey's how you must have sufiered, and how I wish I could have come to you. There would have been no terror here f.-r me, because you see it was not premeditated ; it was an accident, not a crime.' and iZt'J f". ''"'"«' forgave It long ago. No, Grey ; " and nov^ she turned to him, and winding her arms around his neck, went on • It IS not a disgrace you ask me to share ; it is a misfortune, a trouble ; and do you think I would shrink from it a moraent-I who have borne so mnch that was disgrace ? " ' He knew she was thinking of the frivolous woman whose name was once bandied by men the thought of whom made Bessie shiver but he said nothing except to fold her in his arms and kiss her nushed, eager, face, while she went on : /'But who was thi' man ? Where did he live, and had he no friends to make inqumes for him?" « "o no Grey remembered how that he had simply said the peddler, with- out giving the name, and he hastened to say : "He was Joel Rogers, a Welshman, from Carnarvon, and it was for his sister Elizabeth, or her heirs, that I was searching, when I nrst cameto Stoneleigh." *' '"" -^ ^^1' ^\ ^""u^ ' " ,*"? ^^^^H 8P™ng"P almost as quickly as she had done when he spoke to her of murder ; " oh, Grey ! what if it should be my great uncle, whose grave is under the floor ? You once told me you were huntiner for Elizahfith Ro.roro ■>n'^ t »„;j t ,j T Anthony, who knew everybody for tifty miles around and for a hundred years back. But I forgot it until after father died, when lin crept into or his aunt, ito as stiiall a 1, and iier face ry, which he upon the life- en which his id one of the it first, went Grey told of ng girl in the )r her compa- motion to the lid His hands d now, as the iiouth, which 't fingers, the st into a par- )u are Grey's, [lave come to because, you a crime, and ind now she ck, went on : nisfortune, a moment — I, whose name Jessie shiver, md kiss her i had he no eddler, with- 1, and it was ing, when I y as she had t if it should 3U once told A woiild ask d and for a died, when TELLING BESSIE. 347 It came to me one day, and I wont to Anthony and asked if he knew any one in Carnarvon or v.cimty by tho name of Elizabeth Rogers. No, he said, 'I never know Elizabotti Rouers • but I knew rhfrt";;*K"'\^"'"l"*;\"'^'^*"'' b«^' she'waVmarried and she had a half-brother, Joel Rogers, twenty years older than he -- A ini '*"'^'' '^^^•"•"K kind of chap, wlio wer-i off to America, or Australia, or some such place, and never came back again. He eThty^fting not'*''" ' ""' ^"^^"'"^ «'"^' ' ^^ ^ '^'^ ^« -" " ^'^en I remembered that when I was a child I once hoard mv irJl-T. '' f"'" '^'""^.'^ ^^'''^'^^"^ ^''"' «he said, went to The States when she was a girl, and from whom she had not heard in many years. He must have been very f„nd of her, for she had several choice things he had given her, and among them a picture of herself which, she said, was painted in London the only tiSe she was ever there, and whicii was very beautiful " ^ wftrft'^fn !fi"if'7»' w^"" r^ ! ,^""''^ y"" '^""^ «»« like it if you repild : '"^' *" * constrained voice, and Bessie AiH^^ii/^^ ' **""* P'''*''*'* " ""'^ ^^ Stoneleigh, for when grandma died, SIX or seven years ago, mother gavo it to ine, and I hfing it in "^^JuT'u ^*'^^' ^'^'^ ""'^^'''' ""ly F«ttier, 1 think." ^ While Bessie was speaking Hannah had risen, and goinc. from the room soon returned, bearing in her hand tho box which ?or so many years she had secreted and whicii Grey had not seen since he waJ a boy, and Hannah told him the sad story wnich had blighted ITv hie. He saw it now in his aunt's hands, and shuddered at if it w2 a long closed grave she was opening'. 1 A ^V '^- '^^. '^''^?^" «h« sai'J, with a strange calmness, as she laid m Bessie's lap the silver timepiece, whose white face seemed to Grey to assume a human shape, and look knowingly up at him° UP since''' HanTh '^ "* ^'^'T' ^'«^.*- ^* ^'"^^ "^^'^^ ^^-^ ^«" ^d hands continued, pointing to the hour nad minute Without the slightest hesitancy Bessie took tha watch, and exam- n^ '* ^Tk" '^V'^^^' ^' "^'« *i"«d the key attached ' to the oW- fashioned fob to the key-hole : ;v,rA!° 7*^" *^x^"^ ^^ *""''^ »" i^ I ^«''« t" wind it up ? " Then eiv- mg the key a turn or two, she continued : <' It does. It ticks Look, Grey," and she held it to his ear. iV,ff A ^'^''^u^ '''*,*/ ^''""* '* »» if i*^ had been the heart-beat of the dead man himself, and rising quickly began to pace up and down the room, whila P^iooip ne-rf +--L- +K • t • • • 1 r. "." """" striking a likeness:"' ^' "'" '"^ ^''''^' """ ^"^« ^'^ h^A it^^"dmother I It is l" she exclaimed. " He must have Lvely r ' *""' ^^' ^'""''^^ "'^^ ""^^ ^«' ^«'- I« «he no? 348 Bessie's fortune. " She is Uke you," Hannah replied, "and it was this resAm' blance which startled me so when I fiist'sawyou thirmor. „g Oh" Bessie, my child, your coming to me has cleared away all the c ouds and I can make restitution at last, for you are the rightful he?r of the money I have sa.ed so carefully-heir of that and everytWng nah Ln^!^^ V, ;^ ^ understand you," Bessie said, and then Han- nah handed her the will, executed in Wales, about a year before Joel Rogers death and in which he gave all he had to his sister Elizabeth and her heirs forever. ■A '^^^\} ^"^ "^,* '1'"*"'^ ^""^ '*• Explain it to me. Grey," Bessie said, with a perplexed look on her face. ^' Thus importuned. Grey sat down beside at^r, and, as well as he .could explained everything, and told her of the' gold to which h^ aunt had added interest every year, so that the heir , when found should W their own, and of the shares in the slate quarries in Wales, dividends on which must have amounted to quit? a fortune by this time and all of which was hers when she was proven Jo be the lawful heir of Elizabeth Baldwin, sister of JoelTogers „r.of f • '^,r**"?"'''^'/ '^® «*^^' ^i*h * quivering lip, and the great tears rolhng down her cheeks. "There is money for me somewhere, but, oh, J wish it had come in father's life-time We Cf^ PTt**""" 'i^"V '^'^ ''^^^^' '^' ^ br .St smile biTke over fess br?de." *'" ^ '^ ^"' ^""' ^'"^' '^^^ ^ '"'^^ "^^ ^e a pennl- Did she not then appreciate the position, or see the gulf which her relationship to the dead man had built between thenf iTnot he must tell her. and rising again to his feet, and standing over her' Grey began with a choking voice : ^ ' "Bessie, you do not seem even to suspect that, in the eyes of the world, the fact that you are Joel Rogers' grand-niece ought to se! parate you from me Don't you know that the blood of yourkins- wfth you" ^^ S^*"^^**^^'' « ^*"ds, and does that make no^dilference " Difference ! " she repeated. " No, why should it ? Oh, Grey you are not going to give me up because of that? I was notto blame ; and in Bessie's voice there was such a pleading pathos that when she stretched her hands toward him, Grey wen^t Ker at once, and taking her in his arms, felt that Lll his doubts and fears were removed and Bessie might be his in spite of every hing For a long time they talked together of the course to be pursued" deciding fanaliy that the nmtter should be kept to themselves until Grey and Bessie were married and with Hannah had been to W Z Rogers'"'' ^^ ^ ^*^ ^'''^^'' '^''^™ ^"^ **^« «ff«°t« of Joel There was no longer any talk of waiting until Christmas Eve for the marriage waa to take place as soon as possible, and when Grey as this resem- moruing. Oh, all the clouds, ghtful heir of id everything, .nd then Han- a year before I to his sister jrey," Bessie , as well as lie , to which his I, when found ;e quarries in uite a fortune proven to be Rogers. g lip, and the oney for me fe-time. We e broke over 't be a penni- le gulf which em ? If not, liug over her, le eyes of the ought to se- of your kins- no difference [ Oh, Grey, . was not to ading pathos went to her doubts and ■ everything. be pursued, iiselves until jen to Wales ects of Joel nae Eve, for . when Grey WEDDING BELLS. 349 took Bessie home to Miss McPherson, he startled that good woman with the announcement that ho was to be married the last week in November and sail at onoe for Europe, taking his Aunt Hannah CHAPTER XV. WEDDING BELLS. rpHEY rang 6r3t for Lord Hr.rdy and Augusta Browne, who had J^ intended to be married in October, but whose wedding was deferred uatil the second week in November, because, as Mrs. Ros- siter- Browne expressed it, "Gusty's bridal tronses could not arrive m time from Pans." Everything pertaining to the young lady's wardrobe was ordered either from Londoner Paris, and could Mrs. lirowne have done it she would have bought the Arch of Triumph and transporting it to Allington, would have set it up in front ot- her house and illuminated it for the occasion. She should never have another daughter married to an Irish lord, she said, and she meant to make a splurge and astonish the natives," and she did bhe had a temporary ball-room attached to one side of the house and lighted it with a thousand wax candles. She had a brass band from Springfield and a string band from Worcester. She had a caterer from Boston whom, with her happy form of expression, she called a " canterer." She had coloured waiters in white gloves in such profusion that they stumbled over and against each other. She had an awning stretched from the front door to the gate, with yards and yards-of carpeting under it. "She had not been abroad for nothing, and she guessed she knew what was what, she said to Lord Hardy when he hinted that a plainer wedding would suit him quite as well, and that the money she was expending could be put to a better purpo'ie ^" I guess we can stand It, and still have a nice little sum f..r Gusty, she added, and patting her future son-in-law up.m tiv back, she bade him " keep cool and let her run the machine." And Lord Hardy did keep quiet, though he never was so near a tever as he was during the week Avhich preceded his nuptials. For Augusta herself he did not care at all, as men are supposed to care u"" u/u ^^l *^® *^""* **" ™*"y- He did not dislike her, and than his own ; but, strangely enough in these last days of his bache- lorhood, he often found himself living over again those far-off times Bessie's fortune. himself, now that she was dead • . f), '"' '' *' ^ ''"''^^''^ ^er. to her faults and .nisdemranors ^'s^u hS\^' " ' "'^ "^^"^^ «^«^' *'-l and he had at times hated her fo i butthe^'LT^' "' '^'"'^"•' pany for all that, and he often caught himself ^-^'i" ^^^^rT would say if she could ImAu, ♦),„* n^T "i?*®'f ^' '^idenng what .shf; ^3i« mothLin-iawSi:S;^t?JlJ^^^i^"^-S--e .a« to be portion would b/ a,r' L ff. ' ' m '"""'' Augusta's wedding Irish home to m^^^iSuiI^'ul 7^^'^ ^° ^T*''^^ ^««*°"»S hi! ^e.. Browne mai.v!S31-y'Jl^Z''l^'^'*^°"- ?"* o"^hi8 content with tije Kvv.i 4 c^ «,!!«' ""'^ i"® "^^^ ^^''^^d *» be time. She had m.Jp minn . in • ^'°T^ '^''^PP^^ ^roii, time to her daughter-V u ure Ee 3"f i!"*^ '""^"^ ^'^ ^^'"'^ >' ^anor, drawing^f it so tirshe kn'ewtst how r"''' ^' ^\' ''^^'^^ ^ and how they were furnished ^^ '"''""' *^^^''^ ^«r«' ''InJtm'lii^SX-SlTwSZ^^''^ ^'"^'^'" «^--d' sleep in a h earse, anl LshSl^Tt l^ u^ ^ t"?'^- ^'^ ^^ ^'""n mattresses, and mabby I shall f, ^niT'o ''''r'^'^'^''""^^' ^""^ ^^^'• very possibility SS a cla^f^^^^^^^ «^ .^»^bride ? ^he the tips of Lord Hardy's finrr'L +1 *^^ P^^piration ooze from he contemplated running awalTndfi-^ '??%°^ ^''^^''^ '^"^once for Liverpool. S wKe . " ^"^^1^- ^"* '^^P ""^'^^ ^^^^^ to swallow everything even thl m^f r'*- ^'' ^^^'^ ^« concluded was to sail the last w^ekTn VovenXr a^^'t" '^ ."'"l"^^^- ^e his state-room nothing 1i=.ri j'^^^^Pfr and as, when he engaged Browne, heTomfo Stseff ^^tHh/h ""* f.'!T^""« ^«^ ^^ «• tate going with him S m ^ u u ^"P® *^^* ^^^ ^id not medi- which tiie he m ght b! Sad ! ^ 'thf ^^^'l'^"'^ ^" *^« «P""^. by tresses which abounded at the Sd- w''' ^^^«*?^d« «nd hair mat- more in accordai ce w1?h hi« 1 ^^ ^f"'^' ^"'^ ^^ich were really high four posters whLh had donJT,? *^?|,*h-^" ^f^^er beds an J years than he could remember ^ *' ^^'^^ ^""«'' ^''^- "'^^e peop e than if her nai-f-v ha,i k ^ , ^"* ^^e did offenr ^i„ .^ *o„.„ z^ £;-- L-stiHe-Vafc, ::ii^° WEDDING BELLS. le bad laughed ) calltd her. to closed over all ise of his rain, : ' n jnhy nom- ring what .sho y< ne vrna to be " he ti! ought., sta's wedding restoring his But on this obh;'ed to be I froisi time to aardy Manor, I had ,.iade a as therj were, :k," she aaid, I d as Boon ads, and hair I with wilier must he pre- bride ? The ion ooze from air, and once I which sailed lie concluded lessary. He I he engaged one for Mrs, lid not medi- e spring, by tid hair mat- 1 were really ler beds and lor for more Browr mJ offenr . » Mrs. jf.QT !>«'gu >5ur, ion .--..^f she nri ••■fld who tuti;'>.Ti vv-hen 351 she went out to work like any other hired girl ; and when Susan tTo°n"heard Z^h'^'J •*''?t'" ^^^'""^ «*"°° '^ as an acSommoda" lL'in.T^ i V.'' ^"^"** ^"°y ^""^^' ^ho worked in the mill, Tt on.Jtl f "^ !?' '"'' ?''''' '^^ V^'^^^ded her n.other to roll up at once the four dozen pieces which had been sent to be washed and return them to the Ridge House, with the message that ff she r»>,M "^ ^TJ^^l" ^ ^"^ *° '•>« ^«^di"'' «he wan't good enough to wash the weddm' 6n.ry. This so disturbed poo? Mrs. Cwne of luen LT\"**" P'«r ""^'■y^^^' '^''' but for the interferS offi^H i "'"'^* '^\ """"'^ ^*^« g""« immediately to the wliraftrSi::^!' ^'^ ^p°^"^^' ^^^^ - — * -Ve.t t: add,-?cThtfTf P^YV*ke,a,3k any more of the scum," Allen said, beei slighted! " ""'"'^ ^"^ °^ ^^'"^ "'^ ""^^ ^°»ld have "Well, I don't know," Mrs. Browne rejoined, with asiah • " I ''oi'}h"''fr^ ^'^"^ ^ ^^'''''"^ "'y««'f' -^<^ know howft felt." ^ffWir n ^ ^ ' ''°^,«^«'-' everything went smoothly, and the grand ffmv« ?^ ^"^^'"ber night when the air was as sofTS a.E r^^ ''™™"'' *"'* ''^«f"ll moon was sailing through Wlv Lht' / ^' ""'■".r ^ft«\«'^'-riage made its way to the bril Xclffi fp^f tt "^'' *'?'''"'^ *¥ •*""«" '''•"'^^ «f °»"«»« people which filled the road in front, and even stretched to the left along the garden fence. All the factory hands were there, andall thf boys in town, with most of the yortng girls, and many of the TeTin". ThaTb^rf' Z ''t^^ "^ "^^* ^"^ called th^cumfor! foo wS^nfK •'"'^u ^^'^""f ™™"y ^^ ™isht have been here w Ji'®'"^ Tk-® *''"'' bridesmaids in all, and their dresses and trains TnTthr^ulhTf^r"^';^"^ '' ^'^^^^ ^^ '^'y «^«P^ down the staSs and through the long drawing-room to the large bay-window where sta^fd L r^^Tr "^ f '?'^^.' ""'^ •*^^li^^' ^»d li'i««. they were to fil to or^R^ J^' multitude This was the part the' most distaste^ fn i^ u Hardy who would greatly have preferred being married in church, according to the English form-and, in fact Augusta tTsT and'"' ^'^'i '^'''' *r '■ ^."* ^^«- ^--"« ^^^ - staunth b'p tist and opposed any deviation from the good old rule, and so Lord Hardy was compelled to submit, though his face wore the whL 7*v"^^^'* ^"PPy ""^^ ^« he went through the ordeal which made him Augusta's husband, and then received the conjratu ktions of the guests, most of whom addressed the bride iTady 352 Bessie's fortune. the next day's papers ' « Feati vif i«« ili^-l t ^ ** »™P'« J "stice in WEDDING BELLS. 353 me soft, fluffy Is in her ears, ' the ocoasion. rey, she went ng one of her of a stranger ier be a quiet Bred to Grey, ti at the gor- AUington be- ffair, and the pie justice in •aded the ool- le bride, and he workshop was given to int manners 1 perceptible taste every- 8 also dwelt streets, but iriea, " Oh, )se favoured Y the multi- )on his rare wn out that so many of gn title and Jrownea are 8s McPher- ^py and the was pretty nmediately unted with le mill and as charged ding brass norance of as she ex- at and ac- " I guess I've whipped 'em all, though I'll wait and see what Miss McPhersou does," she said ; but Misa McPhoraon did nothing. It was the wish of both Bessie and Grey that the wedding should be as quiet as possible. Anyone was free to go to the church where the ceremony took place one morning the last week in November, and which was filled with plain, respectable people. But only Han- nah and Lucy Grey, Mr. and Mrs. Burton Jerrold, and the clergy- man, Mr. Sandford, went to the house, where the wedding-breakfast was served, and where Miss Betsey broke down more than once, as she thought how soon she had lost the girl whom she had learned to love so much. Grey and Bessie were going to New York that afternoon, for they were to sail the next day, and Hannah was going with them. No good reason had been assigned for this sudden trip across the ocean at this season of the year, and only Mr. Sandford knew why it was taken. Hannah had told him everything, and while he expressed his pleasure that the long search and waiting had at last been rewarded in so satisfactory a manner, he added sadly : "1 hope you will not stay there long. I shall be very lonely without you, Hanny." It was the tirst time he had given her the pet name of old since Martha had been laid to rest in the church-yard, and as a penance for doing so he went the same day to Martha's grave and stood there at least fifteen minutes, with the November rain falling upon him until his clothes were nearly wet through. " Poor Martha," he sighed, as he turned away. " She would be fidgeted to death if she knew how wet I ain. 1 guess I had better drink some boneset when I get home. I believe that is what she used to give me." And he did drink a whole bowlful, and tried to think how lonely he was because Martha had gone across the river of death, than how lonely he would be when Hannah was across the sea. He went with the party to New York, and so did Miss Grey and Miss McPherson, and the loungers at the Allington station made some joking remarks about one widower going off with three old maids, but each of the old maids knew her business, and cared little what the rabble said. The Brownes, too, were in New York with Lord and Lady Hardy, who sailed in the same ship with Grey and Bessie. Just how much Augusta's wedding portion was was never known, but that it was satisfactory was proven by the felicitous ex- pression : f Lord Hardy's face, which beamed with delight as he said good-bye to his moth ■/■-^ -law, whom he actually kissed in the exu- berance of his joy. r , flis countenance fell a little when he heard her tell Augusta not i j be so down in the mouth, for she should be over there herself early in the spring in limn to see to the house- cleaning ! S54 Bessie's foetunk th,ir g„„d.hye, „ ,„, , „ G^eCj B 1""°" "" "''*'■' ""'"S CHAPTER XVI. BESSIE'S FORTUNB. bench where Archie oLe lay sleeS^ wif^^n ""''''^^ °" ^^^ ««™e »ng the flies from ^im. ArJhie a?H rJ ^^'7 "* ^'« "^e keep- Jerru).! the plain Y,.nkee woma^^'^whrJl'r'K ^f *^' '^"'^ Hannah laid hold upon theirs, wasThtTi'nThrnl/t^^'^ reached out and tion, and coming to hLr down ?], },^ ,^"'"® '" make restitu- people she had seen i Lr vTln ^7*^^"^^ walk were th. young face was wonderfully biLntrfrar'elirA^/!^'^"^ ^««-^' -!'«"« said to him something Xch made h 1 * *^^'' '"'«band, and aweet^mouth from which the ot'^tir^d"! "Z^^^tJ^^X muct Tnd ^S.^ZJ^'l^f^J'^'^rh ^^« ^^^ ^-e - near as if a halo of joy shonV '" her dll K?"* ^'"""'^'^ '"' «J'« drew every feature of herVV'u.tenlnce^ ^^"' '^'' ^""^ ' ^^'^i'^ted to me:;' :i:VJd?r she':aJrwn^"bt"'Hal't^ '''\l'''' '^ '^ ^-- half wish we were goincr to 8^?^ ^ ^ ™nah r the bei,ch. " I -^ -ag down to their frugal brefkfkst'f 5 ^^ '°"/'*^ ^''^« J"«* carnage from the vtation drovefnto tL -« ^ ^- *'^ '"''"" * Bessie was in Dorothy's arms llulhi! ^^I^' ^}'^' '» ^ moment, the dame K5.„„iu _ •' .""B' laughing and nrvinir or,^ A.n..-. .' - -_me ..r.«.h, ^.ese.uiug Hannah asher hu8band;and heT'fus" Indian summer B wharf waving cerni'Ie among md Miss Betsey and sails to-day BESSIE'S FORTUNE. 355 jorae true, and h, on the same his side keep- , and Hannah ached ont and make restitu- ere the young Bessit, wliose husband, and i and kiss the k had nearly had borne so I as she drew nd "radiated ace is so dca I beiich. " I Lni erica very as Grey him- by surprise, igement, she expect to > lie were just tea when a 1 a moment. ind her hus- band as her Aunt Hannah, in hor joy and excitement at being home once more. * It did not take long to explain why they had come to the old people, who entered heart and soul into the matter, Anthony offer- ing to go at once to Carnarvon and hunt up some one who could swear to the hand-wnting of Joel Rogers and help to prove the wi I, while Dorothy said she had no doubt that among some papers, bills and receipts which had belonged to Bessie's grandmother and which were still lying m an old writin .esk where Daisy had put them when her mother died, there were letters from Joel to his sis- ter, vhich proved to be a fact. J''*Arv,*""''°'i"'".r*^l *'?*'"«''' ^^ ^*« * Sood bit older than I am Anthony said " A little sandy-haired man, very kind-hearted and honest, though rather touchy and quarrelsome if he had too much beer in hun. I shouldn't wonder but he died in some spree brought on by unnk." *^ a«, ^^'^n '^'^'*,'",*^P''^^ brought on by drink," Hannah an- swered, sadly and that was the only time she was over called upon to .<'!• i,k of the manner of Joel Roj^er's death. Inu.od the whole matter was managed far more easily than they had feai l ^so troublesome questions whatever were a«ked. for there - ;,o one enough interested in Joel Rogers to ask them, «fo>.T"f i"?^""^^ r' ^r^"^" *"^ ^^^^^'^'^ •'*•'" ^^ his ricjhtful heir established, G' found no difficulty whatever in obtaining from the company ^^ e the deceased had owned shares so man| years ago a f.i 1 and correct .ccount.of all mon.ys invested and the divi- dends which had been accruing since, the whole of which was at once made over to Bessie, who found herself an heiress to so large ^'^.fw'l"" T "^y ^°^^ her breath away at first «n+v,r f • ^"" "°^'' "L''^ ' " ^''^ exclaimed, and then, as the tears gathered m her eyes, she continued : " Oh, if this had come to ) while poor father was alue, it would have made him so comfortable and we were so poor. ' ' Then she began to wonder what she should do with it all, and how dispose of it to the best 1 vantage. Ja y *n'" "^^7, u''!^ P"""; ^""^ ^''"^'^^ ^*' I should be so glad," she said to Grey ; but you do not, and so I must do the best I can " It never occurred to her to use any part of it for herself. Si'e meant to give it away and make a great many people happy. And within a .lay or two she had decided what to do with a pan of S at least, biio was sitting alone with ( irey round the bright lire in the drawing-room one evening after the- late dinner, and Grey was sayinii her, as she sat on a low stc ,1 at his side, leaning her head on his kneianrl hnldin" ^i" >.».<» J- i ^ •'It will soon be two years since I first sa\.' you, with your face against the window looking („it into the darkness at the big Amencan . I dare say you wished me in Guinea " 35 fi bf^sie's fortunk. and, "^ret'ndi^'jo^rve Z rSa^^^^?'** ^°" T''^ "«* ^'^^^ i^ chamber, with the storm tndlt^' T^^ ^^" Preferred the north honestly'l did not want yo 'fere l^th '1 1?'^ Tj^' ^^' «'-«^' in the way, but I am so glad now fnr it u^T^^' y°" ^""'^ be never have been yonr wS " Zi T ^"" ?,'''i ""^ ^'"™« I might which was her riXf ,1 l!f- ''^'"*' "^''*'^ ^ut I happy. But I like him ver^ much an J a^ T "'"i'^ r^"*" '^''^^ ^een cared for me. I wonder wTaThfwm.t 7^ t*" .^''"' ^^ ^^ '•«»>ly ried and am here in WaL^ He dTd no7 '' '"/ ^' ^'*" ^ '^"> m'^'-- I think you ought to writ : and tef S ZZ ^""^ ^ ^*^ «»'"'^8«d- here for the holidays. Do vou tHnV hi ' ^'^ Perhaps, invite him " No. Bessie ^luhtl y°" *hink he would care to come ? " ■'I would rather apend thHr's't St '' ^"^^1 '""'" ^^^ r«P"«''- place where I first saw you but I am willTn '^ ""' ^^'*^^ ^'^^ '" »he wh^, we go to London^I lu^C oYS^ rd^^^SlTe^ a lZ'lo/Zs?:XL foX itt' h^"*r ^^°> --'^ - -*h fire-light recognised Na?1>«k ^ ".•^®'" ^^"d and bending to thP she sa'w her nfwl'merMrs '^Grr; ieS^^^^ ^.V'««^ ^-'^^^ '« was the first to address her thus ^ ' *"** *^""8''' 'h** ^eil Breaking the seal, she read as follows : " My Dear rnn^rw . v " I-ondon, December — , 18— written be'r^ ?h?"„d~coS3ated 1^' ^*""°« ''''' ^^^^ ->* But I did not know of t iSf Hi ? ^^"."Pon your marriage. the Continent. s,™monedbv thTn^ *« V^" ^ '^"'^ h«"^« ^^om ill. Then I found ^telpl-.^ f "^^ *.^** "'^ ""^'her was very •Bessie was rrrried yesteS to7Z''j^Z'.^''l'y^ ^'"^^^ said^ Liverpool.' I was norarlof i^ -^ '^,®"*''<* »"d sails to day for Grey.^ I know he is wo?thv ^f '^r"'^^' ?1^ ^ ^"^ «'«d that'^it^a happy,_e.e„ if I am^rh^eVLH^nSt^? L^^"^ ^^^^'i "e ■ eve. „..s .n my lUe before. Mother is deadandwe ha.e juT^ BESSIE S FORTUNE. deepened hor rid with you, " 'Mir own coay J," Grey said, d not take it, sd the north • Oh, Grey, ^'oii would be some I naight >r to the arm ed her fond- been Neil's, I could not i true, but I >r have been if he really 8 I am miir- as ensjaged. invite him 3omo ? " rey replied. you in tho Neil, and >u shall see "^e in with ing to the flushed as that Neil -, 18-. I have not marriage, lome from was very liich said, ;o day for that it is 1 both be e 30 than 9 just re- 357 turned from burying her at the old home in Middlesex. She died of typhoid pneumonia the day after my return. I did not send for you to attend hur funeral, for fear it would suem lii^ posed; b„e B..,ie, J Tit be, tS VouU Ito ]! ! 1'w>""' "T offer it to h ni. He haa m^,.^ ,,,. u j x, "'^'^,"» or like you to hard to bear, bat it wiirnot hurt S Onf.'^" '^'''- ^^^''^y « vr-^_i, f,,_ u.v. >• ■ .^\""i' "urt nun. Un the com r-arw ho,,;,,,.*- ^ trl^r mair" Se i^lltrt''' ^"^ '"^ ^"r i« -"£-:arS hundred pounds a year it ^r^ZW ""^"^ '"^*^'^ «^'^"' ^'-^ *^'-«« p lus a year , it is more than many a working maa haa 360 Bessie's fortune. anxioustodisposeof and within r *''°"^t".'^ Pounds y,.u are so chooses to stay here i The rest ^f fh« /.t^'''°" ,^henever he vest for his use as Ion - as he Ifvo, .n^ 1° thousand you can in- to his present moderafe Tncoml Whlf ,^' '" ^^^ "^ ^^ ^'" '^^d " I think it the ve y besHhat .onU J""" *,^'"^ ^^^ "^ P'^" ?» write to Neil to-nii^it Vu willL ^ l'''^ ^'^^'P*"'^' ^nd I shall Bessie said, and before she 1^ li,^ ^ J ^^^ ^^'* "^^'^ to-morrovv." telling hi.n'fu-st o? the tnil tutlf T.''' ^ ^'"^ ^''''' *" ^eil, ^^r i^;s^rptz'4^^"' ^^ ^^' — =t" ''' '' ""^^■ leftsLTe^i^T^q t r^^^^^ Joel Rogers, who sessed of, and felt\erse"'a dch wTnan "'^ '^'^^ '^'^ "'^^ °»«^ P««- su.1s^t:riy'to7'so* rrr4e^:?1tr*^' "although .he t^:^ o1 lor S r anTtr- ^"- ^'-^^^ fi^n^rs, t-ilyl- talked over togeth r and w£'\\.^ '" ^,V°^ ^^^^^^ '^"^ ^ h^ve and that of your father " ^°^'' ""'" '^eet your approval hirr:^JSffi -S£t;::?f « ^^- «^^' -^^^^ ^^e begged oldageTslX'rrtro^^Si/'" T*^ '' to know that his you part of my S le fur u^^^^^^^ f^ '?' ^ ^^""^^ ^e dad to give and perhaps he is right Tl^ldTeirS "^r ^""^^ ""* ^'^^ ^*' something ; J think vou wil? h« J.?' ^'^'^^h'^* Y"" are going to do and 1.0 much wish'^;^ o t hTpnT Is T ^^ ^-th InWss. some day, and always re mem her IhFF' I ''^^ ^o" ^i" be Grey and your CouS. S " ^"'^ '^'^' '*^" ^^^^^^^^ ^^'i^^ds, dofn'rsrtSSkCt: WsTSat^t ^?> '^"^-^--clfrom flaunt her new name in Nell fact r. "'" ^^ *^" ^"«* ^'^ scruples. Looking over Bessie's shoukS^' r'-'"'"^ ^J*^^^ ""^"''h he saw her start to make Se' ' J ' Zl 1. ' f "^ T'^^^ ^^' ^^^t^^- and put down her pen he took it ,fn ZT ^'^f/hanged her mind, with a flourish «ayin.%s he dret L?h T'^^ '^'"*« *'^« •'""^^''^d kissed her for«hoad • '""^ ^^^'^ "''*'''" ^^^^''^'da him and e your sympathy father is old, and Jt born at Stone- 7 continued ; I loss of Elm Park ony and Dorothy ge. How would unds you are so this place into a ion whenever he sand you cm in- est of it will add nk of my plan ?" )ted, and I shall lail to-morrow." g letter to Neil, to her so unex- t. el Rogers, who le was now pos- " although the 'e than I ever 3r3, I am dying rrey and I have t your approval lich she begged know that his be dad to give uld not like it, re going to do with business, re you will be incere friends, 'efrained from •e the iirst to J had no such led her letter. ?ed her mind, te the Jerrold arda him and BESSIE'S FORTUNE. 361 I think Bessie 4g ti^^i^ -r colon., ,... ^ _ ofthTtJoid^^Vest^^^^^^^ head to rest against her husrand's bosmS w^t' f '?" ^"«^^<^d heJ and cheek, and said the fond foo i h ' 7 i ' ^ .^'«««d her lips wife however old she may be i^ ever tilT /l' ''•^'°''' "« J«^i"g words which, if oftener sp^okoi wmSd l« "V^'^"^ ^°"'^' f»«"«h hearts which have been bCnS^Zt fer ^ *''''' ^""^^^ *^« ^^^^ i» It was three davs beforo nn „ ' ''"''"®^' n that time she developed a mosTLV"™^ *" ^^««'^'« ^'^^^^^ ^nd ture, or rather for devisFng and plant' ,X^'"/ '"'""* ^"^ ^''^'^'^^- a house. At least twenty shee^tl of l^ ^ *" '"'^P^''' ^"^ improve plans she drew of what she meant to ^T' ^u^ ^"^^^^^ ^'^^ the windows here, and balconies There a ,l1"' .-^'^""^ ^""« *^ ^^ ^ow- chimneyswere to be moved as rl^l^^/""'^^"^"•'*'^^^ P^^^^ 5 been pieces of furniture ; nartit?on« t?.7 ^ ^^"''^ ^« ^^ *hey had and portieres substituted'. A^Mhe 3 '^n^ was to be discarded, and liyht a rv ,frtS / ?'^'^"'"^'^ furniture willow work and brass bSil'S'*;; ^f^ ^^^P'^^e. ^^^^ Manor as a gift from Mrs. Browne 1,1 a ^l"'^ '^'''^ *" Hardy told Bessie that she was ontdoTn"' the vfV* ^"^ "u"* ""*'^ ^^^Y change, and asked if she wnr« . • ,'i''^^^ ^" her desire for that she stopped to rest IZIL T^r?^. ^^™- ^osaiter-Browne Neil before 'sL comme^nced the "v^ "k o'J I" ""t ^°f ^ ^«*'- ^^^^ mg out, as Dorothy expressed i? ""^ knocking down and haul- after* ^i^^^ir St^tM^^ S ^^^ ^^^ ^^^her, who, he was glad to accept, wroteTfollows ^'"''°"' °^^^'' '^hich ter iJ fc^si ^to :^r:;:;:jf '^-- ^ r t^ ^-^ ^«^- greatly changed, and does not seem ike h m ^T'^'X ^"^ '^' ^e is ing your letter, and passing i S me h« -Tf''^ ^\ ^"' ^^^^' ''^^^ blankly at nothing, with a look on >n« f ^«r%I"ng time staring derstand, and when I asked him wh ^"'^^r^'''* ^ ^""^^ ««* "n- put his head upon theTable an crt T "'^ °^^""^' ^° ^"^^ally cept they are gVeatly motd, "a d f rL7?o"^ n*^" 'I'^T ^^^ «^- not tell, iinless it was for all the troull J' ' 'i, ^'°"^'' '"'^^ ^ <=««- at once, the loss of mv wife fh« l r'*^"''^ ^^^ «"™« "Pon us that Neil must now Sn ,l;,5f ^?' ^^ «"'* home, and the fact i'ut I do not think he rmTdTfl^'l'^r'^f^^"'^'^*--^^" his '"'S and when! began to cry, Wop 3 a o^^ ' *f ;'"« '^^ght suppose, and .aid our lot was not a harSne bt Tnv '^ *"'^ 1" comfortme with what many had t,> «,ul,"l iL-?^.''"^ '»'"^"«. ^hen comu:.r.,ri to b«stir himself, that heliad'been'a 1^,^' ^ ^'-'"l '''^"'^ ^°"have i™. enough, ,.a *- « a wer;:S;,r,s;!-"'rrs 362 Bessie's fortttne. frl?;urt:^f„rslresTi^^^^^^^^^^ «f yo" were the to MS. I am sure I cannj/ ^or "an f f «S u ^^'i ^^"^ generosity at StoneJeigh, in my old home I «,n «] ^T ^""^ ^*PPy ^ ^^^^^ bj incumbentffor onithere ?do no?Ll '^'Vu",^" ^*^« « ^^^dy I have seen all of fcheTor'ld I w^sh t!lZ J>f ^*" ?"^« *° ^«*^« i* Stone oigh will be very grateful o me ' I Jh nt T"* *"** P^^''^ «f the winter I shall remain in London wK. f i "^' ^o^e^e^, that for Jerrold, whose fatC and iter ^^^ Park. I do not yet know whSi No?! Ln ^^T ^^"^ ** ^^^^-hyn within a few weeks, and^« Jn I "hal Ihr" ' T ^' ^"^^'^ = P'-^baWy bless you my dear'Bessie Ld gf"e vou '^uf^l' ^.^** ^fod maj Berve, zs the prayer of your affeStHncli. ' '^P'"'"' ^'^ ^«- 1 " John McPheeson." CHAPTER XVII. OLD FRIENDS. OTouM^t^J g:rs tt ^^°' °A' ^^*^ ^- ^- - Grey's why she cried she said sLd^dno^r"** ^^'' ^^^ ^^'^n he asked very dreary world S no' on, perfeSr; Ta'^ '^' T^^ «^«"^«d * selves. But Bessie's t^ars in f h^. ? ^ ^^PP^ '" '* ^^^ept them- and she was soon as joyot" and Lvl.T ""'''. ^'^' Aprifshowers aoul into the improveafents «n7l !!^ ■ «^?^' »nd entered heart and leigh habitable L tl e Hon Jjhr w^^''^ Z''' *° ™*k« »*""« least trouble or be at all in the wfy ^^ '"^"''^ °«* '«*'^« ^^e always ?n t: 'w;^^Td"wrBerr„i*^ "^^* «p«" ^--^^ « most during the weeks whicrfSowed K''T ^f ', '"."'^ *'^ '^^^ "*' Icnew what was needed bXr thin II,/^*'?^*^'^ ^^^ ^^^'^ ^'^y would httv^ *.,-^ j-_ "««ser tnan she did herself, fnr wKn^ .ul -- .V WT^ uu..^ .uo aaj, wi«t had beea done the'daybeforr said you were the jrld, and that nei- 'or your generosity V happy I shall be will have a steady II care to leave it. iiiet and peace of however, that for to see you and Mr, ago at Penrhyn India ; probably ^ That God may lappiness you de- McPheeson." r face on Grey's when he asked world seemed a it except them- e April showers tered heart and to make Stone- 3 their astonish-- ley were ankle nd all the other e. so lonely in his ndlady, that he d not make the ipon himself ia taxed to its ut- r for her Grey F. for whilft "h" ihe day before, OLD FRIENDS. 363 pro^el^X'dly 1^^ ^^''^t'^y> - that the work reallv possession ofKe%7ri,ZiZV'' ^^'f --^^'hn McPhersonSk been expressly designe^for'ht anT^Thf .''"^"^-'•^«™' ^^ioh had and furnished with a refereS ?n . "^ '''' *'^«y were fitted up were exceedingly homelike an/ ., ™^'* ""^^^er than elegance gentleman perfectly '^' """^ P^«^«^"* ^nd suited the London said JU£;'^^:t^ ,b„^-^ng yo ^^^^ self in an arm-chair by a window wlnT^^^'/'^" ^"^^ ««^ted him- the Menai Bridge not vi; Zraw '"^ "^^^^o^ked the park a"d He was very fond nt nL . '*7 • and once whfn slL stood bThTm^h^ "^."^^ '^'^'^ " ^ear child » kissing her fondly said, "I Jishvouc.SM.^'' ^l"" ^^out her and It would have been th^ making o^rNeiP^ ^''' been my daughter : great deaUhe bes"t°^' bS'*^"'*' '^^^here is Grey, whom I lov« . from him half Sng'l:?a';;r;had"r'^'^' a^she d'w'herTel? g-^ndHot^,wt/^^t^-^:W. ably7r?efrom':^CisSlntTnt -^r'''^'.^^ ^^*«^^i«w was toler- o^er, Neil found hi.3 conversing ' >' ^?* awkwardness vvL although in his heart there was a "f^?'*' naturally with Bessi? tions as he stood with her Sin f/T"^*^^ confliotina emo' remembered voice. ^' ^^^^" ^^'^ *" ^^^^^ and h.ird h^ well- How lovelv shp maa i^ U Old tired care-worn Wkl,n!f/°""E' ^^PP^ wifehood, with all tr. t^e^^^wfriT-fp-^^^ conn^i^^e^^iLr delutf ^'s' ^^? J P"."' was something of a bride with everything wl'ich e.^1J t ^'-^^^^^g^ted to adorn his wore her plumage wdT, S was a m 1"'^ ^' '^"'"^^ ^** ^e^^^ the girl of fifteen, who, n her washS i *"'''°*^ "°"*'-'^«t between bons, had once stood up in the i^^r^ '■" ^''^'^' a"^ ^aded rib- Neil, and the young matron of tSwh^^'T ^"" ^'^^^^^rchietl dress, with diamonds m her ears and' k" ''^ '" * ^*"'t'«» dinner to meet her cousin. And ^el? *" '" ^T ^"^'^''' went forw^d himself growing both hot and / m"^"''^*^ "'^' "l^ff^rence, *«d f^t extended to hin! so cLtlly Id lo.i'' T' '"' '^ *-* ^'^ hS whom, but for her bright fate and .1 """" "P'^" **^« ^""e lady would scarcely hav« 1....'"., ,_® ''"'^ 5'«ar, mno-ent bluA «v.= ul And for p moment Neii'felt as ^f h«Tf ** 'T .''^^ t^^nsformltlo^ S64 Bessie's foetune. gant rooms and diachan^L L^^ ,r '^ ^f T"'''^ *^''"* *he ele- thoughtfully a3 he hS 5<^^^'e at S;i \^ ^^"'^^^ ^nd cracked and the Sver waH ^ h! IT/ A ""^^ .*^" "h^"* ^'^a formation was such asTt sTon d , j^^ , *k^^™'^^^ *^''* ^^^ ^••a"«- though out of place on iS n' *"^ *'^tl'^*'"' ""^^ diamonds, he shivered when he heard a servant address he;, hi ? "" ^""^ which he could not bring himself to give her^^^^^^^ Tn wT"' quired all his fortitude and wXn ^7 ^ *^ T ^^'^ ^"«* *hat it re- "Do you remember the game we had af <4f«„^i„- u two years ago, when we dfew cuts for you and '^?.^°'"' ^^^^ Huccessful man : I believp h« T,a= j,„^ ^u • ' • . ^^^y ^^^ the and if I had not been so conceite?and bl nS ?'t \Ti '''' «^"^«' there was no chance for S«.t? "^ ^/^""^'^ have known sure to win ° ^ ""' '"^' ^"^ ^''^ ^^' always qul7n7gai^'^wTa?d\^ ""?:•' ^r'^y^^S' ^°^ ««« ^ ^ave the ^^li^'-^^p a-ftd c^t '.ti^i - ^^- *^« ing/^MaTsw^^ed'rie'f"u5ly^"af/etV^^^^ mising hand?" JacUs'in town r.*'"f"'^'r ^' '"'^'"^ ^is unpfo- upon'you. He 1^ coiVt^et^n^n^' '^^^' ^"^ "^*^^^^ ' lor a moment Bessie's cheeks were" scarlpt a« =1,^ +i, u^ * meeting at the same time the twT men who \«H f ^:?"?^* ""^ much and who, for aught she knew, loved hrrstm^tHrr ^'' '"^ membered his last interview with Tnprt i. tl' .^ ^^^^ ^®- were breaking ove^ the suplsed death n?.^S "^ *^"'" ^^'^''t^ now , sat by hi side as his"K^^ ^\t ^^l^'^:^^:^ brought in a card wit^ Jack Tre:e WstamT Zf U. MT.^1 momen. J.ck wa« wuix fcaem, shaking hands cordially'with'both , and the flash about the ele- as kindly and the china was hat the trans- nd diaaionds, 3f Stoneleigh, ioston. How er new name, ad called her her, and aee- e he knew so ch a tempest ost that it re- tirely, and to Srey had in- r. I Grey, Bes- e he said to ;h more than rrey was the ik ever since, have known was always I have the ' to view the ilutely noth- his hand of ut a single his unpro- ;ends to call ♦ thought of ived her so le Grey re- iheir hearts ng girl who happy with lie proverb, " a servant with both OLD FRIENDS. 365 while she, a shy country girl looked on 1 ^^ ""^^ \^^ P'^'P'^ ^«re, quamt remarks. She did noUoofc liLT'^''^^^'^ -ad made he^ Jack's eyes followed her admSnSval,^ """"".^'^ ^''^ "o'^. and with a faint flush on her cheek "S a Verv rj^^r^""'^ '^' '^°°™' m her manner. Once whpn JIZa- ^ "*"® shyness perceptible either shoulder and ?o\tg"dotn i2 CV""' ^i^P"/* ^an'd^ on /' Do you know, Mrs Jerrold hni ,^^® ^^'^ **^ ^er : when I thought yoa we e dead and ^.rff^^ '"^ t^'' ^^« broken of my life seemed blotted out Bu S i^'ir^!"?' *^" brightness very much alive, and I am aS f. '\u *" "8^* n«w. You are wife^ YcHi will be veXt JSCm.*.^^' ^°" ^ ^^^ ^--Id': Wingw'h"^re^L'To^^:eS^kTd%'"^T^^' ^"^ *^-' — ly where she was. ' ^"^ ^'''''* ^'"^ abruptly for Flossie, and made for sunshine. I wish sL^?; m Pi*^ P^""" ^^oaaie, who is should be so glad to have her 'dT ^^*^ '^'°^"°* ^^^h us I ^"- Ye es-n{- "^^ ^j''" *^ ^'°^ "''''''' """*' '"'^ '''' ^""' ^^ it «eemed%o''gessie thl^lTaiw tr^^^^^^ while for a few moments in a browrs°ud?rff "f ^'' ^''''«' *»d he sat mmd. Then rousing up he L?d h J '^/f Solving something in his at a party at the wesf e?d, and JwasTi';'* l'"^" ^^«™ ^« ^^^^s due When do you sail ! " he asked Si ^^^ ""f "'^'^^"S ^is toilet, passage was taken for the last of Mav he J!?,^'^'°^ *^^^ *^** *heir that time suited him " T d n f ^' "® "odded approvinclv a« if lian Castle," he saS; "and if'"ou w77 '''" f^ ^-f '^ "* ^^e" " Bessie to the bigeest foTT..!-^ J^ ^^^^ ^^"^^ ^ will treat Mistress hounds and horseTa,dFlosl" -star T\ ^ ^'^^ "^ «"d " she can take the highest fTnceanS .1 ''^.k' ^°"«^«™an- Why changed a meaning smile for'^hSn' T^^^ ^^ey and Neil inter- though it was doubtfu whether B^i. ^ /'^^ ^"*"^^^» *h« lines, she wrote to Flossie, urging her to'" ^fu^'ir^' ^«'' ^^e next day aavimr aUa „i ij , ' ".aV's "er to go with thom +^ a .• . < 366 BESSIE'S FORTUNE. hofeirh%h:;\tVad^^^^ He said good-bye at the and Bessie wenJw'th Wm to sZth'". ^*'"^ *° «"« ^'"^ ' ^ut Grey It was hard for Neil to s^em ^heSfH^*",?' ''^'", ^'« ^«« *« ^'"bark^ very well until the a^t^Xnte saW ^nA'^''^''^"* ^« «"^^««ded broke down entirely, and takiLhor^n J'^^ *° ^''«'«- ^^en he if I /v^r il7hin'ro?n?yX?^rt H^^^ ^^^^ ' -^ bye, and may God bleaf youTnd lke\l .'hTh"^ *" y.""' ^''^^d" the world as you deserve to be T m«t n^ happiest woman in may. If I succeed, and reallv thJnt 7 ^^"^ '^^ ^^^ ^8*^"- «nd I as you have always know^me I shi ^"^ \™T' ''"'* ''«^' * «"eak and show you that thlrltl ' . u • *'°™'' ^"""^ *«> yo" sometime selfishnessCd c;:;^ So^rbTe ^^'"^ '" """^ McpLrson besS d«2:g'E^?tl^?„e"had'r ''^y^':^^. ^«^' *"™^d to Grey, who them,\nd stood lookTn^frlThrwS^^^^^ ^""""^^ ^^^ ^^^^ "P«" tall, handsome cousin were kissinrhi^-f ""f"'^''"«^^y «« if "o He had perfect faith irSssS and ^^^ TiV'^'S ^^^' ^er. when the latter offered him S^ ha„d he tni^f^ '°, '''''^' ^"^ warmly, said : ^*"'* ^^ *ook it, and pressing it at '^iolVlo^PoT'n^^^^^^^ n ^^"' ^" *''« ^^'^ '^^y^ as I live you will have a friend fn i.^ r i^",®' "°^ ' *»'i ^« l"ng India, but if you fail try "merea You ^^"^ ^"'! ^^" ^"^•^^"d ^^ If you only have the will S r '^""^^^^ sure to succeed there Good-bye." "' ^^ ^ ''^^ ^elp you some, perhaps. ps^Je'd ortm\r:Ktn^^^^ it' ""-if' ^^"^' -^^ ^'^^ ^^ for failure or success "^'^' """^^ * P^^^^^y eq"«l chance for^itSal-b^t^tC^^ *^e Jer-lds sailed Flossie, who was at her iandmoJL;- I '^"^'^^^ » letter from who wrote as follows 7 S'^*"^"»°*her s home near Portrush, and you f^rTox.?S inJi?a"£ t L' witlt*^ '°"^ *f ' '^^ ^^-^ed I should have liked it of al^hinlTn thl ""JT ^"'^^^^'^ ^ome. know whatit islikehas bee hXam o^m^S V/'"'"^* ""'^ paradise of my countryman f il j !? • x ^ '"®- ^"" know it is t he entered when JoZS^came out f'''*'^'^^'^ ^^^ ^"^^ Bridgo? I must decline your inv tatfon anA iJ"" ''*"''"' '"^«°"«' h"^«^«r, it. but the begiLing and the end lie Z T""^ *" *.'"/"" *" »^°»* away back to the time when owin.. 1^ .. *'' -^P^*^ *''** ^ """t go an tK^.-e-Kf — -, ]• "• *^"®"j owing to some miatakfi .To^i, t i® -H ™....„ght ,-.a dxea in Rome, and because he thought^o he^S ?ood-bye at the him ; but Grey was to embark. it he succeeded ssie. Then he ssed and cried he said, ' and to you. Good- )iest woman in Li again, and I id not a sneak yon sometime, lerson besides to Grey, who, lis back upon rnedly as if no ing over her. 3o much, and id pressing it 1 the old days ; and P3 long ill succeed in succeed there me, perhaps. and thon he equal chance srrolds sailed letter from artrush, and i-nd thanked irioan home. America and now it is the ind Bridget s, however, r>» all about t I must go .1r T<„ 1° 'vrciil- 10 he made OLD FBIENDS. 367 ianX'^whirno^XlX"^ 'Y Y^' ^^' '^^ ^avar- the civilised world wasVhatL£n^^ f ""n """ '" ^' ^"^^ °^ body could communicatrwlth him for whTn ?'™"" ^^P'"'' N^' ward, as he did someti. L I,«niT' ^''^.7'^f^ he wrote to his ste- him, or wherelrrs StxT ''"^ ^^'"'^ * ^''''' ^^"^'l ''^'^^ Paris^ltte'^rrd:;;^^ ^^ ^^' - far as and I was in the Ce d« fii^i?^ ^^ *" ^''- ^'"« ^^^ last August, who should turn from a sfde i-T^''?^' "^^f ^'^^^ ^'^"dome, when Jack himself, looSvery rouS L.l ^ ' '".*'^?"''« "^ »^«but shocking hat He did w l^^^ J^"^^''' ^'^^ ^ '^ng beard and had to r°un to overtake htZT' ^"1^*' ^^^'^'^ so fast that I tured him if I had not takln'',h« ^'V^'? ^ ""'^^^ ""* 1»*^« c^P- it into his coatSar be Idnd ferir ^^"'"^'^""^"^^^"^ked nearly threw him down Y^u Inl^lt^ ^'"^ *«^ stand-still and ^o^^ll^^ ^^at are you flopping it'if^^r'""' "^^ ^^^" ^"'^'^^^ *° h- coat-collar and laughing^tmi"iLfaUhfcn^ ^'^^^ ^^^ ^^** i* -'' I Baid, theVs/ers-l^?ot^^^^^^^^^ 1- P-ented, with ridicilousTbiwe trf sti^^TL^f " t^^ ""^ '"^'^ *« ^« ^^^^ he was telling me wLre re haSeen°anlthaThf ^ ''""^^^y- ^."^ way to Trevellian Castle, whefe fed tarX'^rLXd "" ""'' have (elTh^ sTy2 h^wt; L^ttr ^^, FM^ ^"^^ wiih^hVSolranVtSntt*^^^^ ^^, ^^^ I hooked him ingthetruT The^we wllt^i °'^^''**.'"^' ^'''"^ ™« " ^ «^as tell- where we sat down and Ttlld hf" ^' ^^'.t' *he Champs d'Elys^es, in Rome, and aft^?'we left tW« ^/erything which had happened hehoard half J w?s::yS.g%'h;:; " oin^^ But I dSSbt if stand was that vou were not ^\Ta ^, ?u ^ he seemed to under- ca in the same sWp with Mr JerrcJw ??*' ^'^ Y ^^^^ '^ ^™^ri- that, and to him l^eiLrSyj"?l'!\l'7.t\^''^\''' had told me ceruing you. Uut T dr. nr>f +urri' "u "^ ^"'"itJi mt . matiou con- 368 BESSIE'S FORTUNE. house. And v.e went, and 1 wa8„«r?« fi \*^''"* ""'^ ^'^dies i„ the Ik was my ho.ae, and it is g^^ L^bf ^'^''-P^.-' /?'"' -^"^ '^"«'^! Jack 18 changed, and how he .mod to^ n "T V^-^ ^ *«" y«» ho^ for hours ah.ne, and co,, • back wifh ^"'r»3^,.by himself, and stay and ask mo to tell him .In of Mr jt^'rth^ «" J"« f'^^'J gome. Grandma said he was in loll' Jul '^ " '^""dness to you iu But wait till I tell you how 1ml u'*^ y^"' and I think so too ingyou there as Mrrirro^damlTo-'*''"' ^''T u^""^"" "^ftS ^el and grace, and elegance, and ?le Wlv'r^'^ "^°"* y^"'" beauty, he called, yellow he said he LlioVeT/l,*''' ^i*'! ^"''^ the night • have one like it, as if what became ^otr mie/"^''' ^'^"^^^ '"^ *« my black face and turned up Irish nose ftf f '^ f"'^' ^""^^ suit colour or anything else, at least JaT;i "* ""^^ ''""^ "^thing of when I tell you, iU evertmrtVtfi.'"^ ""*' "^^ ^^ -" ^^-w of ^;f'"^^t-':i:^J-^^^^ to M. .en.ld instead letter came, and J:,.k houUt 7t '"" ^°^"5 *° *^" /°« ^oTyour while I read it, ana .h..:'hetid ^^^'^'^ ""'^ «tood Staring alml " ' Yes^' lln!''"'^ ^r *° ^" *« ^">«rica ? ' ;; ; S you"rgl:f ^^"^ ^-^-^ "P ^ and he continued : , other]llceYn*a^i {he'^tori J '^°"^^ '^'^'' ^^ *° ^'"erica than to any " st*e'thin'Tn hfa'^^ote "'*'. "« ^ ,' ^« -^'^^ ^"^ cried with all my you. I am sure I could not if T J^ ^°'' ^""^^ he help loving married in June, here in gSndma's C ^ ""t""' ^"^ «« ^« are to bf minute «he heard of the f^gement ''' "^^'""^ '^' ^^""^^t me the under tX'ZS' tZV\^t^^^^ ^r"- «-«« ^ day wo'rS'.^''^ ^^^"^'^ddenlytran K^^^ «! ""^ Promise J work the harm. ^ ""srormed into a monster, who would grandma and me ; any ladies in the ; for, you kno\^r, jill I tell you how himself, and stay look on his faco, uidness to you in id I think so, too. jondon after see- out your beauty, I wore the night !ie wanted me to roses would suit know nothing of 8 you will know Jerrold instead T rather, if you rey, as any one I you how your I staring at me continued : ■ica than to any lei— and then ^nly found out Jllian. Yes, a or Sir Jack ia d he told me -«^ell, I j„st with all my I I know I am e help loving we are to be ^ught me the Castle a day ny promised ", who would OLD FKIENDS. S69 going out to sit upon the rSn and ««'". ^yf' '^'' '^* ^« «e moon rise, and shall inevitaWv sentin ^nf " *'^« «':"'" '^ the tell me how much he loves me Z L T ^''•"^ "''^ ^'« ^^^ done thafc a hundred tiu^os and ' ten hi I T^ ^'' ^"'^ ''««>«: »>« h«8 strative I ask hi.n if he loVefme bettell "^^^1'"^ ""'^ d^'"""" quiets hi a, for like your DreaTdHnf n.!,- " ^^ ^''^ y"»' *"'i that from It 'tSi^fS^:X^::fy^ ^"4 '^^ - ^'^ff--t nfer that his love for /o was ;S?« ^""'^ ^ f""'^ *"^l «« I 'Sh, biemjemiscontente' «^^^*«' and his love for me black. me' brrr;rtLr41rf.W 'f ^^"''^' '■"' h*» i" hand, and bids her dat.ghter married an Irish lord w) r ^o^- 'Jer-Iirowne, and pet so few Americans thatTmusf reallVjZh •'*'' ^"^^l"' ^ '^'^^^ js^better than a play to hear hef t7k"^ g] ^^^ ^^^ and ,8 she a fair specimen of Amerfcans^ «nf nf ' ^'" * '^« ^"""^ I k.,w better than that. Mr ZrZL w , „''rT ""* 5 even 1 fancy, are his people Mrs Rnol! ». *''*''" ''""^ ^^''-n^ither, is to spend the summS with W^a?L ^%' '/^"^"'^y «"i^ed, and with her. She talks so fTinny and S «''' " "" ^'''^^' ^^" " ""* grammar so droll that I find h^er chlmTn. .?V-. '" ""''^T^' *"<^ ^er cans are like her, you are to h« .J^ ?^' *"i^ ^^ ™*"y "^ ^he A.oeri- variety. Once m Jre^ good'bye '=°"^^''*"^;«d, as you can never lack " wh^^d?yo^/lwS -'S'^Brw ' '• «^%fi»i«h«d reading the letter Flossie has^seen her and thfnks he'r'!.;^ ^''^'"'^ at Port Rush, and to be married to Jack TreveTiian Ar^""'"^ . and-and Flosde is " Not in the least I think I for.,« ^.? f «* «"rprised ? " gether in silence and sorrow and Ln"^ ^Y. ^^?° ^^ ^^^ ^ «at to- was dead," Greyairwered^'sheetrnX'^^v"' '^f ^''^ ^« '^^^Sht wife, who was each day growing morfanl'' "" ^l'^ ""'''''' ^^ ^"""8 dear to him. ^ growing more and more beautiful and more IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-S) k A ^/ ^J'. :/ 5r «:/. <^ 1.0 I.I tarn 12.5 S IS, 112.0 Lil 114 11.6 Hiotographic _Scieiices Corporation m ^ # 'C^ 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 o^ 870 BESSIE'S FOBTUNE. CHAPTER XVIII. HOME AGAIN. come to her none excenf P^ "fiu ""^ ^'■°™ ^^'^"^ ^^^ ™oney had atory fearlessly and remnv«?.KK^^'' """U^^ ^"'"^d have told the resting-Xe, burCrerand Mr% «f her kinsman to another Hannfh'8 sake and f7tSet5^ of r^^^^^^^ ^^f' b'^*'^ ^^^ borne the talk it would have ere/te^''^ * '^' who could not have he^d'lSl^r's'cSsx'on *^** ^^^^ ^^en he somebody, if heonlXei who?W *»>** restitution was due to better have told the trXJ tL^,-* ^^'"^body was. «' Hannah had business altogether anH r«^»,-t;"i ' 5 ^*^* "® abandoned which he called his' office In? wl. T*^^ ** ^"'"^ '"^ ^ '<>o°* Obliged to see TLZ^yUiZ^^ltV^^ -^"I? *'^"«« ^« ^*« but which he knew was 1n?JniW ^^''^^ '"^ Hannali's name, in the mines and qurriefSwl T\r/ ^'^' ^"'^ *he shared knew well that somewhere iLI^oVlH^^ him greatly, for he they belonged, and he oltimes St thSTf\?'' J^ ^'- *° ^^'^'^ guiltless of their father's crim«fT^t . , *"^ ^^« ^^^e"" ^ere bers, because of the silence unonw JIT* t'' S'?^« ^"^'^^ More than oncerecentlv h« h^^ ^^\ ^® ^'™«^^^ had insisted, decidethe matter and S tls nln'^?'''^ '" *?.^ ^''^y' ^''"^ !«' him on the mornfn' when 1 aaonT" *^'' '^"'"^ ?^"§f ^^« ^'^^ brooding HOME AGAIN. 371 Allington over Ose of all when no mean for- her money had id if they had, lan forty years i awakened no i have told the lan to another 1 her, both for could not have light when he 5n was due to 'Hannah had storm, which mself, and he hom his wife, father, if, in- )re and more would shun e abandoned le in £t room those he was nnah's name, nd the shares eatly, for he >ple to whom is sister were eves and rob- had insisted. , and let him was brooding had reached re waiting to lid not. He 38 all dav in his room just as his father did. I wonder if there is any insanity in the family," she said to Grey, who answered, cheerily : " Not a bit of it, mother ; and if there is Bessie's advent among us will exorcise the demon. I am going to Boston to-morrow to see father, and shall bring him back with me a different man en- tirely." He found his father in his room, moping, as his mother had said, and was struck with the change in him even during the fow months he had been away. He stooped more than ever, and there was in his whole appearance an air of weakness and brokenness of spirit pitiable to see in a man who had once been so proud and strong, " Grey, my boy, how are you ? I am glad to see you, very glad," he said, as his son entered the room ; and when Grey sat down by him, and taking his thin, white hand, pressed it gently and said, " Poor father, you are not well, are you ? " he did a most astonish- ing thing. He laid his head on his son's strong arm and sobbed aloud : " No, Grey, I am sick— in mind, not in body — and 1 have been sick these — how old are you. Grey ?" " Twenty-six, my next birthday," Grey replied, and he continued: " Yes, you were fourteen when your grandfather died. Nine years ago, and for nine years I have been sick— very sick. Oh, Grey, if I dared to tell you, and ask you what to do ! " " You need not tell me," Grey said to him, as he wound his arm around him, and soothed him as he would have soothed his mother or his Aunt Hannah. '* I know what you mean, and have known ever since grandpa died, for I was there that night unknown to you or any one ; was in the kitchen by the stove, and heard what grand- pa told you. Don't you remember how sick I was after it ? Well, that was what ailed me. Aunt Hannah knows. I told her, and together we have tried to find his heirs, and, father, we have found them, or her, for there is but one direct heir of his sister Elizabeth, and that— and that— is Bessie, my wife. Oh, father, look up, bear up ; you must not faint," Grey continued in alarm, as he felt his father press more heavily against him, and saw the ghastly pallor on his face. . " Bessie— your wife— the heir ! And does she know what we do ?" Mr. Jerrold gasped, and Grey replied : " Yes, everything— and knew it before I married her. Listen, and I will tell you all." Ringing the bell, Grey bade the servant who appeared bring a glass of wine, which he made his father swallow, and then, still ^PPorting him with his arm, he told him everything, from the night rriicii he had kuolt upon the snow in the woods and aakeu to be for* given for his grandfather's sin, down to the present time. 372 Bessie's fortune. only L Btm .„d brSded^ .U vou ifave foJ^nTh '^ "''■""J '■•.™ to AUington ? " ^ '*^°' ^^**^ ^^'"e do yo« return Grey told him, and he continued : life •" veiling, roor Hannah ! she has had such a lonely in the pl,„»„t so,.th room wCe th« .n^l)!?^' "?"''' '*'""« *»» ».r„.. the „u,d„„,, and th'e"e„,y luUT "t* XunT, J™'* in who% she "aw fchlS Iff l.T.V" . S'" "<»' •"' ''""•'«'. And he did feel youS "d hl™,W '.k"""!;''',?'?"" 'P""^ thing 4erd1di\'re tto":VTa. STd 'VV""' down in hirWei^Xf, .>,-^''T°* '^ ™''°"' ""i "ind., aat him again hr both mm f,.^ i r°t^, '['"'■'^ ''"'''» Wm and told and h^w theVdSlerS LledTer ZS "■''Tr"' "" «''»">«». brother stopped her, and said • ^"' *"" ''"' ■.tLI",!'.":"'.!'?'.' ""■ '»«»¥'i *.t what father did wa. d„„. i„ rying to hide it ed while I have heir in Bessie. I, my boy ! You from me, for, irt me as much, lieve he was so know. I must do you return bhen to Grey's such a lonely «e house in the the station to ie greeted him I since she saw nd was a little iily taking tea s were trained >king in. well you are t hftr brother, rn young, n nine years ; > did immedi- ipal object of ndows of that jrey has told lie— the— the Would you -how it com- Iroom, threw d Winds, sat lim and told v&a clouded, i a liar, and ^ut here her wsm done ixi luitted him. We should JOEL ROGERS' MONUMENT. 373 have lived it down, though I might never have married Geraldine and never have had Grey, No, sister, you did right, and having kept it so long, we must keep it still. No use to unearth it now, though I would give half my life and every dollar I own— yes, I'd give everything except my boy Grey to know it had never been there," and he pointed to the corner of the room, where the bed was still standing, and under which was the hidden grave. •'Bessie is willing we should tell, and if I thought we ought, I should be willing, too," Hannah said, but her brother shook his head. " It can do no good to any one, so let the poor man rest in peace. You have found his heirs, and restitution can be made ; the money is safe in the bank. Does Bessie know of that, too ? " " Yes, Bessie knows," Hannah said ; " and she means to use a part of it to bring over the father of that Jenny, who lives with her aunt, and who was so kind to her on the ship. There is a small house for sale near the mill, and she wants to buy it and settle the old man in it with his daughter. She has thought of so many ways with which to do good with her money. Grey has a treasure in Bessie." " I believe so ; yes, I am sure of it ; and now I must go, for Ger- aldine is waiting for me," Burton said, adding, as he stood a mo- ment by the door : "Heel twenty years younger than I did, and you, Hannah — why, you look thirty years younger, and are really a handsome woman for your age. By the way, shall you live here, or with Grey ? " " I don't know yet where I shall live," Hannah replied, and her cheeks were scarlet aa she said good-bye and watched him as he drove away. CHAPTER XIX. JOEL ROGEBS' MONUMENT. IT was a very merry party which met next day at the farm-house, and Mr. Jerrold was the merriest of them all, though he could not understand exactly why he was so light-hearted and glad. The fact that Joel Rogers died by his father's hand remained the same, but it did not now affect him as it once had done. Bessie seemed +.n havn tnhan n" iha ahnrna i"') r\"'— =— '^~ t ' J -f -- . _ a... ^ .,!„„!ie (4«i-t pain arrBj-. iic >Ta3 \x:ry luiiu lil her, always calling her daughter when he addressed her and when, after dinner was over, she came and sat at his side, and laying her 374 Bessie's fortune. T^Slll t "?T ^"' ""'i t" ^™' "Father, there is something LT^v .•*'^'^"hlf ^^"""^ I ^*"' y"""- consent," he answered - Cnl"^'^^ T"" «5»»\ave it. no matter what you ask,'' ' Ihanks, Bessie said, with a triumphant look at Grey, who was SS n 5 ^^'■''^ ""^i^r ? ^orseeven than the Americans, in my ?f "'IV^ P"" ?°^" *«'! build up. But, you see 1 have so mu™h money that it fairly burns my fingers, and I think I must have lived S«« /?!?* n"f ^T".^^ *°>^? *"*"8'»* y^""* fever for change, or else the smell of plaster and paint at Stoneleigh awakened in me a "iV^mJ''"''®' J"'' "^""^ ^ ^^"**« do is to tear down this old house and build another one for a kind of homestead, where we can SDend pur summers. This house, though very nice and Lmfortable^isSl nf ?. n^ff '"': ""'^ will tumbledown in some h^gh wind. The plaster- ing is otf in two of the rooms up stairs, and a part of the roof has fallen in over the bedroom and wood-shed. Aunt Hnnnah says the snow was suffered to he there last winter while she was with us in T W« *hf r" T '^^ ™"«* '^o something. Grey admits that, and t2v. ?i ?f ^ V^ such a pretty place, which I want to call S one- ir?l h iT *f*'' "7 «ld home. Your room and Aunt Hannah's H>, !,*?;! Pleasantest of all, with a bow-window and fireplace in both and there IS to be a fireplace in the hall, which is to be fin- ished in oak, with a wide staircase and a tall clock on the landing InA f h! J'"*^"^« ^^« *o have little coloured panes of glass at the top! and the floors are to be mlaid and waxed, with rugs or matting i£ stead of carpets, as we want everything cool for summer, and we riiiTf ^^iPJ^^^\J^''T ^^ °*" have tea or breakfast, or even a dance, if we like. Won't that be nice ? " • . =" h^!^T ^^^ ^ii^^ 7f y ^"P'^^'y' ^^*h * f««li"g that she did not have the sympathy of her hearers. She had conceived the idea of ?n w f u *^^ "I'i house and building a new one while she was m Wales, alleging to herself as one reason that both Hannah and Grey would enjoy themselves better under a roof which did not cover a grave, while the other reason was not then quite clear enough i^iS^n ir Tn *° ^^ P??* J"*'' ^"'^d^ «^«" to he>-self, but she had Jhl «?,hi?^* to Grey untd the morning of the day when she broached the subject to his father. Together with Grey, she had gone over th« old house which, from having been shut up so lon|, seemed more dilapidated than ever, for, as she had told Mr. Jerrold, the flZ^^^'^f.'n^^''^''^^ P'*?^ """^ " P^^'t of the roof had partially fallen m. But Grey opposed her and Hannah opposed her. while Mr. Jerrold grew hot and cold by turns as he thSSght what might possibly be brought to light if the house were removed and an S- JOEL ROGERS* MONUMENT. 375 3re is something ," he answered, t yon ask," ; Grey, who was ne, if Giey did. mericans, in my have so much must have lived r for change, or akened in me a this old house re we can spend fortable, is fall- d. The plaster- if the roof has nnnah says the was with us in imits that, and b to call Stone- A.unt Hannah's ind fireplace in ch is to be fin- 3n the landing, jiass at the top, or matting in- immer, and we akfast, or even at she did not 'ed the idea of while she was h Hannah and which did not e clear enough if, but she had n she broached had gone over long, seemed r. Jerrold, the : had partially sed her, while bt what might ed and an ex- hat was in his I do not mean to have the new house just where this one Btands, but farther to the right. ' We can fill up the cellar with the debris, and then have ever so many loads of earth brought in and make a kmd of plateau, ten feet high, with a torrace all around it. We can make that plateau so lovely with shrubs, and flowers, and grass. I onco saw a plateau, or mound, like what I have in mind, at a country place in England, and in one corner, under a willow tree, was a little grave ; the only son of the house had been buried there, and I thought it so lovely to have a monument of flowers, and trees, and singing birds." Looking into the blue eyes fixed so earnestly upon him, Mr. Jer- rold read what she meant, and said to her : «' You shall do what you like, if Hannah does not object." Hannah too began to get a glimmer of the truth, and so did Grey, and when she said to him. ' ' You are willing— it is settled ? " they answered yes, and Grey went with her to choose the site for the new house, which, in her impetuosity, she declared should be commenced at once, saying she would remain in Allington during the summer and superintend it herself. It was Bessie who chose the site, a little to the right of the old building near a great flat rock which she said she meant to have in a comer of the yard, as it would be such a nice play-house for chU- dren. *^ "^ " Yes a very nice play-house for children," Grey said, winding his arms around her and kissing her blushing cheek, and then they sat down upon the rock and talked of and planned the house, and Bessie told him all that was in her mind in regard to the plateau, which she meant to make as beautiful as a garden, so that no one would ever dream it held a grave. ••I ought to do something for him," she said ; " and as my grand- father was fond of flowers, and grass, and singing birds, so I am sure was he, and he shall have them in abundance, and maybe he will know that his sister's granddaughter is doing it for him, and be glad." " ' In the light of this new idea Mr. Jerrold, Hannah, and Grey en- tered heart and soul into Bessie's project, and within a week a pla,n for the cottage had been drawn, and a contract made with the builders who were to commence work at once. Neither Hannah nor Bessie were present when the walls of the main building went crashing down into the cellar they were to fill, but when it came to the bed-rootn and wood-shed, which had formed what had called a lean-to, Hannah, Bessie, Grey and his father sat under a tree at a little distancs, watching nervously while the men took down tim- ber after tinahor. and 0'»T'"'1 tVip-v. n.^n— .i-j-M ^u- i -1 — I. , — i,,.,j me.n nrraj- UiiEii tile 3pot vvtw ciuaT, and the ground as smooth as it usually is under a floor where were u no cellar. S76 BESSIE'S FORTUNE. "Oh," Bessie said, with a sigh of relief "T am aUA *i,»t -t. • know when Bewie »t„le.oftly toher.id°T but when the vounl ^W wound her «rm aroimd her neck, and' ki«in7 h" r ,oWy fa?l They have let him into the light, and I am .o cUJ • it j^ ; .eem now Uke.a hidden gr.ve/thi ten.l„n on hef nl^e gte wa V XtAln-hTlh^TpTtnelS,-'?. " '"^"^ ' '"""'^^ Yielding to Bessie's earnest solicitations Grey decided to remain sTi the wnrlf "1?^^°" ^"""« *^^ ^''^^^^ and superintend 1^^ son the work which, owing to good management and the creat nSm ber of men employed, went on so rapidly that by the Lt of OctobT; yl d nevf; occudv fS« h *"*""" **'"" ^l^*^ ^"«^" ^^^' Hannah rha w^^r ? ^? */^® ^°"*® "^^^ as she went there a visitor ^i^T ^kTu^"*^^''" ™*"y y«a" before by the rTv Char?e; " y^s cJarif«'°ir^^^^^^ *?^ i^^^ '^' ^'^ iliswer had been : « «u ' ^^^^^'\'^ yo" do not think it too ridiculous for Deonle as old as we are to marry. Why, I am almost sixty/" ^ ^'^ *ha .1 ^"5 .^ «^*'" *"•* y°»"8 *o "6 as if you were sixteen " was the reply of the Rev. Charles, who was quite as much Tn love ashS roldSoTeSrilfe'^^^ ^^^" ^«^°^«' ^^^ ^« -^«d H^annlJ Je'r! ,.n?L°°"''r**i?*^'' '*,7^ ^«"'®** •»« ^e^^t straight to Martha's OTave and stayed there all the afternoon, and did a little irdS around it and trained the rose-bush around the head Btonf '°f JiostrLh^d T'^.'^'T''^^ P'^t it in his^button-holetnTsS^nSy hriL^il ? ?\^ •*'^ ''*'"*'' ** ^" f««t. telling her that thoueh tLZTa * *^ J""? * "^'^ ™i«tress to the home where she hfd cSsttnTreTha?:if ^ "^^ ^ ' '"T* ^«'-' *"^ ^^ould so ^afas wa^ ?Xt-f ««« that all her plans and ideas were carried out esoec- SSjalT/w^tpeH^-lrr"^ ^'^'^ '■• ""^'^ '^°S- fi^'t^'rd'&XrJvT g:?,'!;''i!^f!.'!™.' r--.^' IlfTed H«.ny her the best." " " ""»^ ". I Umik i love JOEL ROGERS' MONUMENT, glad that it is pound my neck ley are walking y 80." r, but her eye ped tightly to- intently at the did not at first the young girl tr softly said : 1 ; it does not Jrves gave way, she ever shed •tter now that len everjrthing idea, she felt f a far nobler ed to remain ntend in per- ;he great num- iast of October 8 to be put off 1 that Hannah lere a visitor. Rev. Charles : had been : •us for people sixteen," was t in love as he Hannah Jer- artha's grave :le gardening id-stone, and and silently that though here she had so far as was i out, espec- ked thought- loved Hanny iliiuk 1 iove 877 Then he went and told Miss McPherson, who called him a f^^i and Hannah, too to think of marrying at their Se of ll h.?J said she was satisfied if thev were Thmi ].a V,\i i r ri ' °"* an elderly woman in her fifties ^n h« /nU Ki '"**®*? °* wd predioted th.t the recL Zh be f. hLS? Jr H*^' -«.to flU her pl.V.„d r« JclS the ate, orihet"""?" their hfe. Fifty and even sixty is not so very old at least f o fl^! who have reached it, and Hannah neither looked nor feTold wh«n m her becoming travelling dress of seal brown she stood "n in .k ssrs/i^^"^^^-'^ '^"^« «"^-- street :irri:rMt This was early in February, and six weeks affpr +1,^ rj, .l E,e when there came to thS'.ame "Le o„ fit'L *'reef ',!', Su ''wl*''^'"°™^"*«^«^«°k«d at him. exclaimed ^'"^' Why, Grey, he s exactlyl ike Neil ; his eves his hair l„= . pression, and NeU will be so glad. We must hav« tfj -t®^' taken at once and sent to Neil, Lh a lock o?Ws hair' ^" ^''''''^ Orrey did not rep y, though to himself he thought it doubtf.,1 if Neil would be quite as enthusiastic over Bessie's Lhl i}^ ' jeemed to think, but when a few hours ?ater she drew IhLTdo^ to hers and whispered to him • ^^^ ^°^^ t- 'Tfi.'^vL?*" baby Neil McPherson, won't we?" hefonrll^ kiwed the httle mother, and answered hesitatinc^Iy ^ ^""^^ Yes, darling, we will call our baby Neil McPherson. if vnn And 80 with a birth, a christening, and a wedrtin,r +i,» • i. passed rapi^y at No.-Beacon streetXthy\::t7oiX;'lt 878 BESSIE'S FORTUNE. Bie was again m Alhngton, armed and equipped for settling Stone- k «h Cuttago, and giving the finishing touches to tho^plateru which wuh the advance of Bun.mer began to sho,v marks of «reat beauty, and t., attract general attention. Bessie's idea of raisin J it two feet above the ovel of the ground had been carried o?t and the sods whicli had been placed there and upon the teriaoe armmd It m the autumn showed fresh and green ks velvet in the elrv ffi'^e'en'SntL/withT''' '^"1^'"-' ^^^ «-eri„g shruUwS naa oeen planted with so much care, not one died, and manv of them blossomed as freely as plants of older growth The Zteau was Bessie's especial pride and care, particularly that corner oM over which the bed-room once stood. "^ Here she had an "ramonse bed of pans.es, heart-shaped and perfect in outline, and"n thrceii- trea cross where only white daisies were growing Grrandmother liked pansies and daisies the best, and Ithousrht perhaps he did t^o ; and then mother's name wi Da Uy ^ou know," she said to Hannah, who rightly guessed that this bank of And very beautiful the heart-shaped bed of human-faced nansies with the daisy cross in the centre, looked all the summer long and many admired and commented u^on it, but only sSperS' ever dreamed that the white cross marked a grave CHAPTER XX. AFTER FIVE YEARS. '• Noiselessly as the cpringr-time Her crown ol verdure weaves, And all the trees on all the hilU Open their thousand leaves." 80 noiselessly and quickly have the years come and gone since we first saw our heroine. Bessie, a little girl on thi sands of Aberystwyth and now we present her to our Feaders for the U time a sweet-faced, lovely matron of twenty-six, who, with her h\?s- IZt'Tl^''"'^ at the Allington station, one brighrjune after- noon, for the incoming train from New York. Just behind the station, where the rather spirited horses would not be startled by the engine, stood the family carriage, a lar^re roosr- v-hM- " v - comfort rather than show, *ud which"Be°emed To%e f utofThfd^^^^^^ settling Stone- to tlio plateau, marks uf great iea of raising it sarried out, and terraoe around 3t in the early f shrubs which i, and many of . The plateau at corner of it d an immense ind in the cen- and I thought, as Daisy, you t this bank of acle but to her •faced pansies, mer long, and : persons ever id gone since the sands of 3 for the last with her hus- t June aftwr- I behind the ;artled by the c, bought for 1 of children, AFTEB FIVE TEABS. 379 though in reality there were only three. First Neil thn hn^ nf «« years and a- half, who. with his Jark ey;, and ha^r and bri J.t .Hvn hairnL .ill Ki'''1 Sf'r^?''''-''''' ''"Wn, with blue eyo» and Kolden dead so long ago, and who seems to have been repeated in his name- Next is the girl baby, who came nearly a year and a-half arro Rnd •^JZS7 7^' ^''^"- ^' «"' *""k ^«^^» his arms : *°"' *°^ 8nr«ti„ ?. i'- .°' ^'''"'- y°" *« ™«' li"le daughter, and I am Z«L^. ^^•'"u* *»y«»f mother did when she hrst opened he^ ey^s and°wavt C-'^' "T *^'^ ^*^' *> ^*^^ ^^^^ ^^'''^^' blue ttrgiveih:"„L?o^^^^^^ lat^^^ ^^""^ ^%^^\^ "".^ ^" *^® ■'oomy carriage, standing o'n Nurse Jenny s lap, and playing peek-a-boo with RoWn while Neil stood on ibouTws owr' «"Saged in a hot alteroatioUith another bo? about his own age, who, dressed in deep black, which gave him a peculiar ook, was seated at a little distance in 'a most eKnt Sr- nage with servants in livery, and who, when asked bv8°ome one standing near what his name was, had answered : ^ ^ wl,« •*™ • ^f'^^^^^J' Ha>^dy, and I am waiting for ray mother who^i^^comuig from New York, and who is goiSg to bJ^iiTme a r^l^'X^'^^ ^" '^® b°y'« toJio of superiority irritated Neil, who had r;!,.*i!f?_°r ^'"^ *^' ^ntec'^dents of the BrownesThoTouVMy ..._i Sno^ uyi,Ym servants, and he answered back : ' Brownrwho"-!!!j'''" ^^' ^'''' ^*'''^^' ^°"' grandmother is Mrs. 380 BESSIE'S FORTUNE. . ?"'^' -.?*"'• °^^ " ^''^ y^"*" '**^" J '*"<^ looJt where you are •tandin'. with your dirthy fate on the cushiona. Come down di- rectly or 1 11 be afther helpin' ye!" .aid Jennie ; whereupon Neil turned his attention to her and a spirited battle ensued, m which Kobin also took part, and which was only brought to an end bv the sound of the train in the diHtanco. ' ''There's the whistle ! Out with yo, or ye'll not be in time to grate yer uncle Jennie cried; and with a bound Neil was upon the ground, and rushing through the station, joined his mother, who with Grey was looking anxiously at the few passengers alittht- mg from the train. * * First came Lady Augusta Hardy, habited in the deepest of crape. Poor Teddie had died a few months before, and with her little son Kossiter, who was now the heir of Hardy Manor, she was spendins the summer at home, and with her foreign airs and liveWed ser- vants brought from Dublin, was creating quite a sensation in AUina- ton. AVith a bow to the Jerrolds, who were among the few she condescended to notice, she passed on to where her coachman and footman waited for her, while Bessie ran hastily down the platform toward the roar car, from which alighted a tall, swarthy, sickly looking man, who almost tottered as he walked, while a sudden pallor abr)ut his lips told how weak he was. JJ ^^b' ^,t-' M *"^''' Rlttd-and so sorry, too. I did not ihink you were like this ! B.-ssie cried, as she took both his hands in hers and standing on tiptoo kissed the quivering lips, which could not for a moment npeak to her. " You are very tired," she continued as Grey came up, and after greeting the stranger cordially, offered liim his arm. . 'l?^r Ta ^^F ^u^^ ^''°"' •t^® ""^y^K^ *"^ ^^^ J«"™ey here, it is ■o hot and dusty; but you will rest now, our house is so cool and the air here so pure. Then, let me help you, too." And in her eagerness Bessie passed her arm through Neil's or rather put it around him, and, thus supported the sick man, went slowly to the open carnage, where Jennie and the children were, all but the little Neil, who, iinding himself over-looked was cultivating the station-master and telling him that the dark-looking man Waa his Uncle Ned from India, and they were to have ice-cream for din- ner ill honour of his arrival, and he was to go to the table and have two saucers full. >.„^ hi *"^'?/ JTu^^'' cousin Bessie had forgotten her children, but at the sight of them she exclaimed: ' '1 ?u ' ?^''' ^°''^ • . ^®'® ^^^ '"^° °^ ^y babies, Robin and Bessie, and the boy over there throwing sit)ne8 is your namesake. I hope :hey will not trouble you-Robinand Bessie, I mean- for vou and I are to go m the carriage with them, and Grey will take NeU in the phaetoa. ' ' where you are 3ome diiwn di- hereupoii Neil Buod, in which to au end by be in time to Neil was upon d his mother, iengers alight- apest of crape, her little son was spending i liveried ser- tion in Alling- ; the few she soachman and I the platform (varthy, sickly lile a sudden not iihink you ands in hers, lich could not he continued, iially, offered ley here, it is 8 so cool and jgh Neil's, or k man, went Iren were, all IS cultivating :ing man was ream for din- ble and have ler children, 1 and Bessie, amesake. I jan — for you ill take NeU AFTER FIVE YEARS. 381 eyes wearily, and d d noi ooen *f h«^ • "^ ^'"•"»i^«. he closed his than half w^y to StonetUl^Stt^ir '"''" ""^'^ '^«^ "-« ^^'^ hi. iSe din;;;;ed tKTeS;^^^^^ -r"''^' ^-^ Is you s'eop I " ' **"'ed one, and said : on^ti:-;* s£::s rch:'n„';ri'i'^ 1"°\«^^- '^^^ «"* t-'^ felt since he tirat knew that sh« IJl \^' .^•"' l"'^''* ^ he had not over again he had a 'id to h hntlf Slt' L' ^T iT"''- ^''' *"d the very thought of them In r f 1 1 i *^® "^""''^ "«^er know how in his foolish anger he hLh* •'"'i»^n"'«' maddened him, aud how herself sent to hiS Wht head"of hlr fi ''.'l^ ''^ ^"^'^ ''^^^^ «''« ha3 himself again, now thS hoil, f h«r first-born . And he said it to though ev^ory 'ner^e . Su^ IZvVSJ^"^' "l'^^ '^' "**'^ ""«"' "^"^ handonhis,hetriedto:;nittd3'?'^ ** *'- touch of the soft mylit;;emaTi?''''''^^^P-- ' ^™ -'^ ^"^^- What is your name, than yo^^^^^^^^^ no bigger '^^hSSFE«^^=^^^^ ' brushed them'away u :kf;*wh7le B *'^ '''^ .'"'^"'^ «y««. ^ut he to tL tnse™' TlS haTfoTmtl T^ T-^'?^ ^«<^ ^^-^ the highway under Bessie's supervision^rS tf" ^'*i'" '"^''^ *»>"» « l-^"! but avenue, bordered with trees anSf, f'?v. ^'•'^"^^"rmed into a broad beneath the trees,™ chth^uiv*^*^' ^''f^^'' «^''«' ^"^ seats already cast cool Shadows upon'the'^gS ^'' ^"^^'^ '^^^'^'y' *°<1 P0int4^i^h^'LPt^'h:r:V;ey^ B-- -id, boy Neil at his side ^ "^^^ """"*"« f«'' them, with the co:;fn"uei;^t^t^ he is like you," Bessie child to her cousin "^^^^'^ ^"^^^ the carriage and presented the whf PS,; ^^^:fi:i^:^iX ^^^ *^« ^«^'« --*^^ -mment, ^Heaven forbid that hs «hn,ii/C i:... . .. XTiey took him t K" " ' '"^•" whose window. ovcrlooked'th^nL'f ""''^-the pleasant south room and from which the roofs 8^d^otT' " ' "^ f^^^^^^ with flowers, seen. " '"^ "^^^^^ ^^^ chimneys of the village could be 382 BESSIE'S FORTUNE. I "You must lie down and rest till dinner. I ordered it at seven to-night. I will send you up some tea at oiice. I hope you will be comfortable and ask for what you want," Bessie said, as she flitted about the room, anxious to make her guest feel at home. He was very tired, and sank down upon the inviting looking lounge at once, saying as he did so : "Oh, Bessie, you do not know how glad I am to be here with you and Grev ; nor yet how it aflFects me, I am not always as bad as this. I shall be better by and by. God bless you." He drew her face down to his and kissed it fervently ; then she went softly out and left him there alone. Poor Neil ! he was greatly to be pitied. His life in India had been a failure from first to last. He had no talent for business, and as he thoroughly disliked the business he was in, it was not strange that he was dismissed by his employers within six months after his arrival in Calcutta. Then he tried something else, and still something else, and was just begining to feel some interest in his work and to hope for success, when a malarial fever seized upon him and reduced him to a mere wreck of his former self. Then it was that his father died suddenly at Stoneleigh where he had lived continuously since he was first installed there, and as it seemed desirable that some one should attend to what little there was left to him, Neil returned^to England, going first to "Wales and then to London, where he took the very lodgings with Mrs. Buncher which Bessie had occupied years before, and at which he had re- belled as dingy and second-class. And they were just as second- class and dingy now as they were then, but Bessie had once been there. She had sat in every chair ; she had reclined upon the hair- cloth sofa, and that made it seem a luxury to Neil, who remember- ed just how she looked, sitting there in her faded gown, with her blue eyes troubled and sad because of his ill temper and irritation that she had not sought more fashionable lodgings which he would not have been ashamed to be seen entering. How sorry he was now that he had wounded her so unnecessarily, and how well he under- stood from actual experience the poverty which could only afford such apartments as Mrs. Buncher's. Except the little his father had left him he had scarcely a shilling in the world, and the future look- ed very dreary and desolate on the first evening in April, when the once fashionable and fastidious Neil McPherson took possession of his cheerless rooms on Abingdon Road and threw himself down upon the hair-clorh sofa with an ache in his head and an ache in his heart as he thought of all the past and remembered the sweet-faced girl who had left there an atmosphere of peace and quiet, which re- conciled him at last to his surroundings. Of 4II his large circle of acquaintance in London there was not one whom he cared to meet, and bo he stayed mostly in his room, ad it at seven lope you will 3 said, as she )1 at home. eiting looking be here with ilways as bad 1." ;ly ; then she in India had for business, a, it was not n six months ih^ else, and some interest A fever seized ormer self, jigh where he ere, and as it it little there to Wales and Mrs. Buncher ch he had re- jst as second- ad once been ipon the hair- 10 remember- wn, with her and irritation lich he would y he was now rell he under- d only afford his father had e future look- )ril, when the possession of himself down an ache in his e hweet-faced iet, which re- liere was not ' in his room, AFTER FIVE YEARS. 883 only going out at unfashionable hours for a stroll In v^r,a- , lent which toM NeU that .1.??" '"P'T"? "' f'""'* »"<' <""«"■'- - wuh he/h?„r<£i,tor„='eh= ^&.'iri^ ilia waters, too *" "'""' ''" """'i"'. and van- thf a™'".,* 'H''' T. """Siting to tall, Mis, Belaev drove un white's »£l 'S'h\re''„X'V"o''" '"" W"* ""™a„"S herleV^ "^Vr"^ ^^t ^"'^^ *^ *'""'^ ™« * scarecrow," she said to S84 Bessie's fortune. as you can hold out," she said, sharply, and Bessie replied, with tears in her eyes : '• Oh, Auntie, don't be so hard upon poor Neil. You do not know- how weak, and sick, and changed he is. Just think of his lodging with Mrs. Buncher in London, and coming out as a second-class pas- senger." ^ " Did he do that ? " Miss Betsey asked, quickly, while the lines about her mouth softened as she went upstairs to meet the dude, who looked like anything but a dude as he rose to greet her, in his shabby clothes, which, nevertheless, were worn with a certain grace which made you forget their shabbiness, while his manner, though a little cojistrained, had in it that air of good breeding and courtesy inseparable from Neil. ""cojr Miss Betsey had expected to see him thin and worn, but she was not prepared for the white, wasted face which turned so wistfully to her, or for the expression of the dark eyes so like her brother Hugh, Archie s father. Hugh had been her favourite brother, the one nearest her a^e, with whom she had played and romped in the old garden at Stoneleigh. He had been with her at Monte Carlo u"i: i^'j . ^? '^'^^ brought to her dead, and in the frightened face which had looked at her then, there was the same look which she saw now in Neil, as he came slowly forward. She had expected a dandy with enough of invalidism about him to make him interest- ing to himself at least ; but she saw a broken, sorry young man. as far removed from dandyism as it was possible for Neil to.be, and she felt herself melting at once. He was her own flesh and blood, nearer to her even than Bessie • he was sick ; he was subdued ; he had crossed as a second-class passenger, and this went further toward reconciling her to him than anything he could have done. " Why Neil, my boy," she said, as she took both his hands. " I am sorry to see you so weak. Sit down ; don't try to stand or rather, he down, and I will sit beside you." She arranged his pillow and made him lie down again, he protest- ing the while, and saying, with a faint smile : " It^ hardly seems right for a great hulking fellow like me to be lying here, but I am very tired and weak," and in proof thereof the perspiratiun came out in great drops upon his forehead and hands, and about his pallid lips. 1 *?*u-* ^""l^^^ '*''*. "^'^ ^''^^ ^''"g ^'*^ him that night, but when she left him she promised to come again next day and bring him some wiue, which she had made herself, and which was sure to do him . good. ' ' Sleep well to-night, and you will be better to-morrow," she sain. ' I replied, with >u do not know of his lodging 3ond-class pas- rhile the lines neet the dude, eet her, in hia a certain grace inner, though J and courtesy 1, but she was i so wistfully e her brother B brother, the romped in the Monte Carlo rightened face )uk which she id expected a him interest- oung man, as ail to. be, and than Bessie ; I second-class g her to him is hands, " I o stand ; or, ti, he protest- like me to be if thereof the i and hands, )ut when she ng him some re to do him . orrow," she AFTER FIVE YEABS. 385 row "Sir'l"n* "!f 'P r"? ^""^ ^« ^«» °«* better on the mor- have%ffLdmer„™y»h. dared r" T!i rM '"'"k """'I understand me. I knowvou and ("»l T °?°' '"'' ''° "'" "■>- very sorrv. Will muffive '--r f- - « ( ' ' "^ ^®^^ ' ^^^J"' .ad j«k^erbufarthrUy > #'™ """ "^ "'■ "»* "'-'P«^'. na 386 Bessie's fortune. This was the day before Miss Betsey came, straight and prim aa usual, but with a different look in her face and tone in her voice from anything Neil had known as she asked him how he was feel- ing, and then sitting down beside him, began abruptly : "I say, Neil, why don't you rouse yourself? I've been talking to the doctor and he says you have no particular disease, except that you seem discouraged and hopeless, and made up your mind th&t you must die." *' Yes, Auntie, that is just it ; hopeless and discouraged, and want to die— oh, so badly ! " Neil replied, as he leaned wearily back in his chair, while two great tears rolled down his white face. " What use for me to live ? Who wants me ? " "I do!" The words rang sharply through the room, and Neil started as if a pistol had been fired at him. " You want me ? You ! " he said, staring blankly at her as she went on rapidly : " Yes, I want you, and have come to tell you so. I am an odd old woman, hard to be moved, but I am not quite calloused yet. I did not like you, years ago, when those letters passed between us and you would not accept my offer because you thought it degrad- ing. I am glad now you did not, for if you had, Bessie would not have been Giey's wife, but yours ; and, excuse me, but you are not fit to be her husband, or in fact anybody's. You are only fit to live with me, and see to my business. I am cheated at every turn, and I need somebody who is honest to look after my rents and invest- ments. You can do this. It is not hard, and will pay in the end. T am old and lonesome, and want somebody to speak to besides tho cat— somebody to sit at table and say good-morning to me. In short, ^ want you for my son, or grandson, if you like that better. I shall be queer, and cranky, and hard to get along with at times, but I shall mean well always. I shall give you a thousand dollars a year to manage my affu.irs, and when I die I shall divide with you and Bessie. I have made a new will to that effect this very morning, so you see I am in earnest. What do you say ? " He said nothing at first, but cried like a child, while Miss Betsey cried, too, a httle, and blew her nose loudly, and told him not to be a fool, but a man, and go outdoors on the plateau, where the children were, and sit there in the shade and get the air, and try to get some strength, for she wanted him very soon. Then she went away, and he dragged himself out to the plateau, and let Neil and Robin play that he was a balky horse who would not go, notwithstanding their chouts and blows with dandelions and blades of grass, while Baby Bessie pelttd him with daisies from the white cross and pansies from the border. ;ht and prim as )ne in her voice ow he was feel- ly: ve been talking disease, except J up your mind iscouraged, and leaned wearily his white face. Xeil started as {T at her as she I am an odd lUouaed yet. I ed between us ight it degrad- issie would not )ut you are not ) only fit to Uve svery turn, and Qts and invest- aay in the end. to besides tho 3 me. In short, better. I shall it times, but I 1 dollars a year with you and ry morning, so ile Miss Betsey >ld him not to Bau, where the air, and try to bo the plateau, rse who would dandelions and aiaies from the AFTER FIVE YEARS. 387 ins at tTmL fjl V. / •^"V""^ required of him, even to oversee couS on n?y beSuTbr^. happy, especially when scouring the ding him down f-^r T H f « ^u I ^^^^f' ''"'"y^^S a horse and bed- ten i "and pound "^ FiK' fh° ''" ^""^ ,'f""'' *"' »'"■ >* "" for old Anthony and Dorot;;y 'f.h°S c" ?'"*?„ "t„r.:''S^ both ."Se anS abritf .„d ^''Tl 'l" '^'' '' «""" ™ ■"""»»'. in th. ,i„,„ '"? ™"f' '"<■ k" k-tohen ir. a regular ,oud h»ua^ Jack 'vIVh™'; V ''"V^BBar "n B..,lon kuows Mn. Grey jerrold iill 888 Bessie's fortune. W f WJ, \ ^"^ Grey-well, you ought to see how he worshina her ! Why 8he is never within his reach that he does not Duri.! hands upon her somewhere, and if he thinks no one is "oSt in hked"?"?' And?"' Tt^ •'•°"«' «^« k'«««« him back as ;f she mitv klf 1 ^''^"' ^ ^^^^ ** """^ ^i*h a good deal of equani! Sng actstl^To' ThTU'tr r^olr^^"'^ f' f^'^ "Neh McPherson.'' And now our story winds to a close, and we are dronnin„ ih. curtam upon the characters, who go out one bv nn« ^n^f '^ f ® our sight for ever. In the cozy rectory Hannah JerromVC ,1°'" are passing happily ^nd peacefully with^he Sev: bhar/es ^IndforT who loves her just as dearly and thinks her just as fair as on tW night, years and years ago, when she walked 4h Wm undS/u* chestnut trees, and while her heart was breaking wth ^ts load o? fraut"2r;.otte.'^'" '^^"^ ^- ^''' - otherL;trtioS:i At Grey's Park Lncy Grey still lives her life of sweet nT,««lfi«l, spot quite as attractive as her house in the park ° Miss Betsev and Neil still scramble along together he indolnnf ^^ times and prone to lapse into his old hablt-TS luxurious ease for which she rates h.m sharply at times, but on the Xle humouring - RovriiMT«*i: '^'v"r ' P^"«/ * h""-*" being before "^ Hoys will be boys," she says, forgetting that Neil is over thirty UD w/.r.' r?if° '^^ ^'^^'^'' breikfast warm fo h m anS Ri2! H ^"^ ^'* t'™ '? "^^«" ^^ b*« «taid later than usuafat the Ridge House, where he is a frequent visitor, for he and An«n Browne are fast friends and boon cLpanions Together thev ride and drive, and row on the lakes around Allin<^ton • toLwVv. smoke and lounge in the easy chairs on the Cad pTa^^^^^^^^^^ Kidge House, but Ne I never drinks or nlnva «,;+u a li ^ ^^"' °^ ^'^^ B«^ „ ii — ' Z'~, ""•'"""" oveiuuat which comes neariv to his fnnf ap'^. a collar which cuts his ears. He is a graduate from H^wd,' AFTER FIVE YEARS. low he worshing loes not put luj 8 is looking on I back as if she deal of equani- 3d, and bo I am wife instead of •r her children, ive anything to to Flossie and Id, [cPherson." e dropping the and pass from fold's last days irles Sandford, fair as on that him under the nth its load of planation than veet unselfish- xcellence of the who know no he indolent at rioiis ease, for lie humouring afore. is over thirty him, and gets 1 usual at the le and Allen her they ride together they piazza of the m or any one that he never oil his hands iwfnl tragedy mything like takes per- / y to his feet, )m Harvard, 389 Bhe can't contrive " ^"'^ '^^^ ^°°^ the money went ter!'Se Lat t^uXrVifo^nnl^^^ P -^ ^t her daugh- a retinue of servants and he? Sl«T "^f ^^ «yery summer with dreadfully, and calls hiifL lor /nJ"p^^ ^^'^^^''' ^ho stammers and who calls Neil JerJo Id X l^°:''''-''°«*^''-^'-'>wne Hardy it-little Ya-Yan-ke^' Xle keTl^" \'' ^^^ry with him, a h t- by calling him a freckled te^ paddy"? '^ ''*"''^^ *^« compliment air oftcSerss^LtSiS* i.V'-f » ^^-ts her by the grandchildren, of whom sh« f„ 1 "^'j ^ .^"""^ ^^''^ modified hands and baby prat le hive ™undtw'^ T^^L ^""^ ^^°«« »^«by iM'^'r ""'''''' * less leifirwoi;;:;^ ^'^ *" ^'^ ^^^*' ^^^^l high:s':v1rfo?SrsTar"an1^rad^^^^^^ ?^«J^« '^^ ^^^ as grave under the white cross at S?onS Z?""'^ t''""'' ^^ *h« Bessie spend every summer nr rll "\^°***S®' ^^^re Grey and summer, for GveyVZTereJlliT'jJ:'''^'''^ spends ^ever^ ness now, and many go to him for "®,- ^® " * ""an of busi- except in the hotteft ^ratherktosH- • "?? ^^''''' ""'^ *^"' week. But every Saturday XVnooTthe?«r?i?' ''^^ ^"""^ th« 8ie and the children in it, stands behindthw •''*"'*"«' withBes- tram the first sound of which in the dlf ^ ^*'°'' ''^^""g ^^"^ the peatedbyNeilandRobirwhileBabvR "^^ caught up and re- and calls out " Papa is coiiW '? TJ fj'J' '^^P' ^'^ kittle hands broad-shouldered, and splendfd-lookbl wfth"""" ^^^^ "°™''»' **». feet content in his fine face as he ki««!« h- ^^c ^^P^^ssion of per' then in the delicious coolness of the k^at^^^^^ and babies, and shaded avenue to the cottage where th« t, / ^^'^ is driven up the flowers, and whore the daisy cToss Jfh i^ *®*" ,'' *" ablaze with gleams white and pure in th^^ surmTrlnehC^^ "^^' °^ ^'^'^' THE END.