The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1853-09-22

no confidence in her, though great deal
in Mrs. Dilling. 1t was pity he could
not have foreseen how crippled and dis
figured the poor child would become
while in her care. They didn't either
of them know Mr.. Templeton as we'll as
she did, or they wouldn't rest so easy
after such an accident had happened to
the child"
No answer was made to these remarks
and after while she asked Mrs. Dlling
if she ever, saw Mrs. Templeton, the
mother of the child.
81 never did," she answered.
1t is very strange" said Elsie, q" that
your child should look so much like her.
He's the very image of her."
She was silent minute, and then
turned to Dilling.
"You didn't say" said she, "wheth-
er or not it would be convenient for you
to let me have few dollars, am poor
very poor-don't know when shall
be able to pay YOU"
1 have but little money!" said
Dilling. "The child's illness and my
wife's have taken the most of it. l
can't let you have more than FIVE dol
lars"
"And I can't do with less than ten.
What an uncommon nice child yours is,
Mrs. Dilling. The very image of Mrs
Templeton. I Imust take him and play
with him few minutes"
There was something so peremptory
in the manner Elsie said this, that Mrs.
Dilling yielded the child into her arms
without saying word. The first thing
which Elsie did was to raise portion Of
the fringe of soft silky hair which circled
the back part of the neck.
"You were mistaken, Mrs. Dilling,"
said she. "The spots are as red and
bright as ever. Don't be alarmed, Mrs.
Dilling, 1 can keep secret if 1 am paid
for keeping it. Ten dollars will do now.
Your husband will give more as soon as
he can."
Mr.. Dilling went to little maple desk
which stood in one corner of the room,
and took from small drawer the sum
demanded. 1t was ali he had, except a
few shillings. Without speaking, he put
| it into her hand.
81 have had a pleasant CALL" said
she, " very pleasant. You may expect
me again, Mrs. Dilling 1 shall certainly
dream about your child tonight, it is
such an uncommon nice one. And the
poor little Templeton there in the cradle.
Pm sure he's to be pitied-very much to
be pitied, for all there's such prospect
before him. Thousands and thousands
more than he'll know what do with"
The smile with which this was said
was anything but pleasant one.
"Do you. return to the city tonight"
Dilling asked, as she was passing out at
the door.
"No, it is too late for the stage. I
shall 90 in the morning"
"Do you walk as far as the village,
this evening :" =,
"No, as far as Mr.. Lenter's. Good
night-you may count on seeing me
again soon."
What we feared has come upon u.s."
said Mrs. Dilling. cit will be give,
give, give, till all is gone, and then she'll
betray the secret"
Dilling, who had stood in the same
spot where he did when Elsie left the
room, and turned suddenly to his wife,
and said -
"No, that she never will. III take
care of that, if I'm suffered to live, for
by the" then suddenly checking
himself, he said, "Did not hear you
say you wanted something at the store ?
Some tea or sugar :"
owe are out of sugar :"
Well then, it is such a fine evening,
1 will 60 over to the village and get
some"
cit is late, almost dark"
"I'm not afraid of the dark, as it
happens, will 60"
Mrs. Dilling looked up with the in
tention of saying something to dissuade
him from going, but the dark frown was
on his brow, and the fiery gleam in his
| eve which ALWAYS warned her to bel