Part 3 (1/2)
”Turn, stranger, turn, and from this sanctum rush,-- The fires of genius burn when Bessie wields the brush.”
And this: ”She won't let me in! _Hinc illae lachrymae_!” This legend was accompanied by a chalk picture of himself shedding large tear-drops into a tub.
This morning, however, the studio was not in a state of siege, as Tom and Gem were both engaged in a work of great importance in the garden.
Seated near one of the windows was Bessie, her eyes full of tears, and her face the image of despair. A low knock at the door interrupted her reverie. ”Is it you, Hugh?” she said, rising.
”Yes,” replied her cousin, and in a minute he was admitted. ”What is the matter, Bessie?” he said kindly. ”I saw at breakfast that something was wrong. You will tell me, won't you?”
Bessie hesitated, and a flush rose in her dark face. ”I suppose I must!” she answered, after a pause; ”I always tell you everything Hugh, and I want your advice; but I don't know what you will think of me after you have read this letter.”
”Never mind; give it to me, Brownie. You have always been my dear, little cousin, and it will take more than a letter to separate us,”
said Hugh, opening the envelope. The letter was as follows; ”Miss B.
Daril: I don't want to trouble you, but I must have that money. Bills is coming in every day. It belongs to me, as you know yourself, Miss, very well, and I've a right to every cent. If it don't come soon I shall have to send a lawyer for it, which I hate to do, Miss; and am yours respectful, J. Evins.”
”What can this mean, Bessie?” asked Hugh, in astonishment.
”It means, last winter, at Featherton Hall, Hugh, I got into a wild set of girls there, and one of our amus.e.m.e.nts was sending out for suppers late in the evening; the servants would do anything for money, and they were always willing to go over to Evins, and get what we wanted for a small bribe. The bill was allowed to run on in my name, for, although it was understood that all the dormitory girls should share in the expense, it was more convenient to order in one name.
Then the end of the term came, and there was so much confusion and hurry, that most of the girls forgot all about the bill, and went home without paying anything towards the suppers. I fully intended to give my share to Evins before I left, but the amount was so large I could not come near it,” concluded Bessie, with two tears rolling down her cheeks.
”You have not told Aunt Faith, then,” asked Hugh.
”No; I do not want to tell her, for it would make her feel badly, and besides, she would pay it herself, and I don't want her to do that, for she has already taken ever so much of her own little income to buy me new summer dresses in place of those I have torn and stained.”
”How much do you owe this man?” said Hugh gravely.
”Two hundred and fifty dollars,” said Bessie desperately.
”How could you contrive to run up such a bill in one winter?”
exclaimed Hugh in astonishment.
”Why, you see there were a good many girls in the dormitory, and we always had plum-cake, eclairs, and French candy; and then I have no doubt but that the servants took their share,” said Bessie, with a half sob.
”And why was your name selected for the bills?”
”I don't know, unless because I was,--the,--the,--”
”The ringleader?” suggested Hugh.
”I am afraid so,” murmured Bessie, hiding her face.
”Have you got this man's bill?” said Hugh, after a pause.
”Ah! yes. He sent it to me weeks ago.”
”Let me have it, please.”
”Oh, Hugh! what are you going to do with it?”
”Pay it, of course.”
”Pay it! How can you?”