"
"Yes, he will marry Blanche," Bessie said, softly, and the old, tired,
sorry look crept into her eyes and deepened about her mouth as she
thought: "If I had a fortune! Oh, that _if_! What a big one it is in my
case. And yet it is impressed upon me that somewhere in the world there
_is_ a fortune awaiting me; very far from here, it may be, but still
somewhere; but then, Neil will be gone before I get it, and I shall not
care."
And as it had done more than once before, a sharp pain cut through
Bessie's heart as she thought what life would be with Neil making no
part of it. So absorbed had she and her father been that neither of them
had heard the train as it glided swiftly by, but when, after a few
moments had elapsed, there was the stamping of feet outside, and a
cheery call to the house dog, who had set up a welcome bark, Bessie
sprang from her father's knee, exclaiming:
"That's Neil; he has come, and I am so glad."
She was out in the hall by this time, waiting expectantly, while Anthony
opened the door admitting Neil, who kissed Bessie twice, and told her
how glad he was to see her again, and how well her stuff dress of dark
claret became her, or would, if she had left off that knot of Scotch
plaid ribbon at the throat, which marred the effect.
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