The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1867-03-22

ing Ncllcllence OF manner, 40 you be-
lievc I'd tell you lie now?"
No answer still.
"Bill! DO you think I'd tell you a
lie noW" said she, as though her life
depended on his answer.
"No, no lass" said he at last, az don't
think you'd tell lie any time-but
now" and he hesitated.
"Whcre's Jenny?" interrupted the
woman.
"lIere said one Of the youngest wo-
men, standing up, so that she might be
seem" "What do you want ?"
Jenny, you'll find the key, of the
green trunk in the china mug with Mel
ly' on it. l wish you'd look in the box,
and get me my old Bible out"
The girl found the key, and asked
where the box was.
80 dear, forgot, its under me-" said
the woman,
"There, never mind" said he, 81
don't want any fuss about it,"
so, Bill dear, wish you'd lift me up
a little, and pull it out. You can put
the broken chair under to keep me up
then"
"No, never mind" said he, "it'll pain
you so.'
80, Bill, dear, l don't mind, | wish
you would"
lie did it at last and after some trouble
and few suppressed groans, the box
was pulled out to the middle of the floor
opened, and there, wrapped up in pa
per and neatly hid, was the Bible; the
paper greasy, from contact with dsused
head-drcsscs, garlands, bands, and 9TH
er small accessories of the Queen of the
Arena. They gave it to the woman,
who soon asked, "Wherc's Nary"
80, she is here now" said one of the
women; and a girl about fivecame run.
ming in she had only the part of lit
tie fairy in the just finished scene; hel
wand was still il her hand, and the
guaze wings on Icr shoulders; she took
them off, laid down the silvercd stick.
and came to the bed.
| HldlN, tHdF itre you tnCrC
"Yes, mother, Pm just done, and the
people clapped so when Julia took me
on her shouldo."
"Put her on the box, she can't see
her." suggested someone: it was pusheC
to whore the child stood, and then tho
mother said:
"Mary, I'm going away"
so, mother, where to?"
"But before l go, want You TO Sc,
me and fathers friends again" Tn
child stared with wonder; but the wo
man, not needing her, continued: "Bill
dear, have you got the paper off the hi
bic: We'll, open it at the New Testa
mCnt.N
"llcrc one ofyOu women find it. JCn
ny, will you" said the man.
Jenny did it, and gave it back.
"Now, Bill, raise me up little"
80, never mind" said he, 81 know
you'll get hurt"
She only looked repetition of her re
quest; and taking the open book from
his hands, said: Bill, dear, you knoy
you said there was something Wron,
between that London chap and me.
told you ut the time there was not, ant
you didn't believe me, though you didn'
say so and you don't believe it now,
she said with increased energy. "Now
Bill hear me swear that,a believe Ir
Il dying woman, there was nothing, bC
tween Us, and this child's your own, q
much as Mary there is" She kisse
the book and said: "Do you believ
me now?'
eyes, yes" said theman, 81 do, [ do!
rs though some spell over him had brol
en-. 81 do, Nell, l do! o, Nell. wha
a fool I've been, and what coWar'
not to believe it before O, Nell. fol
, give me, forgive me, Ive done 40
wrong"
The woman raised herself bya grcl
; effort, To reach his hand and kissing i
said: ~ do, Bill" knew you'd do II
justice some day"
; 80, Nell, it's not too late-not tc
late! You'll get better, and We'll be {
, happy as We We're before this"
The woman only drew his head
2 her, and kissed him; while he, rousct
: kissed her again and again. "Hou {
believe me, don't you, dear""
? so, forgive me, Nell! O, fOrGivcmc
, were the only words he could find
the rush of his newly found trust.
, "Bill's wanted" shouted some one
| the door. sold Whips called you thr'
= times.n
"lIera's the white, Bill" said Jcnn,
D "you want touching;" and shc brougl
!, it, and with the lamp while he paintC
out the traces of tears on his checks
n front Of broken Iooking-glass.
| "Thc red will do, Bill; go on, or yC
will have him in here, and she wor
t like that"
Bill went out, and the doctor arrive
= Il few minutes aftcrwurd. lie was
II short, stout good-humored looking mi
with brisk way Of speaking, that
@ once secured obedience.
"Now, them" said he "what's amis
i could make nothing of that fellt
h you sent after me. Ah!" said he, alt'
t. ing his tone rs his eyes, growing Us
to the light, look in the woman's fl
I on the bed.
J. "What do they call you?" tul
ing to the youngest of the assembl
" women.
g "Jenuy, Sir"
"Will you stop. All the rest 60"
a, The women grumblingly obeyed, a