CHAPTER XXVII. BESSIE SAYS "YES" AT LAST.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2239, 13 November 1886, Page 1 (Supplement)

CHAPTER XXVII. BESSIE SAYS "YES" AT LAST.

That Philip Soames after what he had stated of his intentions to Dr. Ingleby would be lonp before putting them into practice was not very likely, and the very next afternoon saw him striding along the causeway to Dyke—mightily determined Bessie should answer that question in solemn earnest this time, and that there should be no further mystery between them. Miss Hyde, to tell the truth, had passed a sbepless night, a night of starts and shivers, hopes and fears, such as is the luck of few of us to escape experience of; she knew now she had staked her very all upon the case, for she no longer attempted to disguise from herself that she was life bankrupt in love should Philip resign her. She had talked bravely enough about not being a clog round his neck, of never being a social drag upon him, of giving him up for his own good, and she meant every word of it; but still she had never realised his giving her up. That might come to pass, but it was at an undefined distance, not an immediate question. She might still hope at all events this last stain might be removed from her family, that the step-father she had never seen might be absolved from the murder of him who had been so good a friend to her, that Phil's love might triumph over her own resolution. All this was in the future ; now she was face to face with it. Thirty-six hours, forty-eight at the outside, and she would know whether all was over between her and Phil Sonmes. If he had not spoken before to-morrow night the chances w*ere she would never see him again, if he had not spoken before the night after, she knew if ever she saw him again it would be as no lover of hers. To say that the announcement of Mr Soaraes made Bessie start and colour would barely describe the girl's agitation, but it had to be mastered, and though she knew that was ridiculous, that Phil's early visit was an angury of the best, and that it was impossible for the best intentioned and most ardent lover to propose if the object of his idolatry persisteutlv refused him opportunity. So the held her ground, and showed no sign ot shiver in her manner as she greeted him. Mrs Fossdyke welcomed him wirmly, asusual, and Mis Hyde, albeit her hand shook slightly, handed him his tea with yery fair composure. * I am very glad to see you, Philip," said Mrs Fo-sdyke. She had aged and become much more subdued in manner since her husband's death. 11 hear you have got a friend stsiying with you.' ' Yes, an old college chum, whom I hope you will permit me to introduce to you before very long.' 'Ah, it's jretting 1 too late for me to make fresh acquaintances. It is not as it was when John was alive. I'm not going to mope or shut myself up, but I do feel all the spring's out of my life, Philip.' ' You can't expect to get over s ich a shock all at once,' he replied. 'Is ie true that you have taken that cottage of old Morrisons close to us ?' ' It is and it isn't,' said Mrs Fussdyke. ' I have not as yet, but I am thinking of doing so. It would be quite big enough for me and Bessie, and I don't wish to stay at Dyke even if I could,' • It will suit you admirably, and you will be close to most of your old friends. But I have come out, Mrs Fossdyke, to beg a great favour of you.' Miss Hyde gave a slight *tart. 1 A favour of me, Philip ! You should have come in the days of ra> opulence.' 'There are plenty of favours to be craved at your hands yet, as you will find in due time, Mrs Fosslyke. What I have to aak is your permission to win this lady foi my wife if I can,' and Philip rose as he spoke and bent hia head to Miss Hyde. 1 It's madness ." exclaimed Bessie, faintly. ' Yes, sweet, and with method it it; but let me only have Mrs Fossdyke'a permission, and I'll endeavour to explain it.' 4 She's as good a girl as ever stepped !' exclaimed the mistress of Dyke as soon as she had recovered from hor astonishment, delighted to find that her pet project was on the eve of accomplishment ' You have not only my sanction, but Bessie, my dear, if you take my advice you will treat him kindly.' 1 You know all, Philip ; you are sure you know all ?' faltered the girl. 1 Dr. Ingleby has told me everything, and now I know your secret. I laugh at it, as I have always prophesied I should ; and now, Bessie, before Mrs Fossdyke, I ask fid you solemnly will you be my wife?' 'Stop,'cried Mrs Fo»slyke, 'I don't like this ; more mystery ; there's usually misery with mystery, Bessie,' she continued, sadly. • What is this secret of yours ?' Alas ! It has brought woe to rae already, the bitterest quarrel ever I had with poor John was about that. Is every one to know it but me ? Am I to be ever hearing of it but never hear it ? I think, child, I deserve your confidence betttr." Bessie half sprang from her chair, then dropped back, and with wet lashes cast an appealing glance to her lover. Philip responded at onee — ' Mrs Fossdyke, spare me Bessie for a short time, and on her return she shall tell you everything. I trust by that to have obtained the right to advise her. Come ! you came for a stroll with me not long ago, and I hope you will send away a happier man to-night than you did on that occasion.' The two ladies seemed swept away by this decisive, dictatorial young man. Mrs Fossdyke simpiy pressed his hand and wished him success as she bade him goodbye, while Bessie quietly got up and followed him out of the room, took her hat and flung a woollen shawl round her as she passed through the hall, and then they stepped out and he led her to the now leafless rosery, there he stopped abruptly, no word had as yet passed between them, and said almost brusquely, ' Bessie, how is it to be ':' (To be continued.)

Cora (chewing on the last caramel) : •'What makes you alwoya twirl your cane, Mr Merritt?" Little Johnny (who is always around) : "Because he ain't got any moustache. " A case of poisoning, through eating tinned fish, has occured at Wallaroo. A woman bought a tin of Morton's herrings, and the family consumed a portion on Friday. On the following day five of her children ate the remainder, and shortly after were seized with poisonous symptoms. One died the some day, but the remainder appeared to be getting bettor.