The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1876-01-14

low cheek.
"Bettine, those are diamonds 7" II,
said. "They are worth mint of mon
ey. We can pay the rent, and have
enough for food and clothes. You neeC
never be hungry again, my poor little
Bettine."
"But it isn't ours, Karl" said Bet
tine.
eyes, it is ours" he answered, stout
ly. "Nobody saw you pick it up, and
what is it to those rich peoplei Only
an ornament, whose loss they will forget
in an hour, while to us it is life ITSELF"
"What would mother have said, Karl?'
said Bettine, reproachfully.
The flush faded away from his cheek,
and he was silent for a moment.
"But you don't know where the lady
lives, he said, hesitatingly, at last.
"She lives at Norwood, the girl told
me. You know where that is, for we
have often been there and when we get
there we can inquire where General
Faulkner lives"
"Well, perhaps you are right. Atany
rate, We might as well starve first as last
there's nothing else for U.S." said Karl,
gloomily.
Sobs almost choked Bettine's utter
ance, but she crushed them bravely
back, and said, hopefully, "Perhaps the
lady will be kind to us, Karl perhaps
she will give us something"
Give us something !" muttered Karl.
It's much more likely that she will
accuse us of having stolen the bracelet. +"
"Well, whatever happens, we shall be
sure we have done right. And do let us
hurry, Karl; for, if we don't. am afraid
can't help keeping it, when 1 see you
so ill, and pale, and discouraged"
And Bettine threw her arms round his
neck, and her tears wet his pale cheeks.
In short time they were ont of the
town, walking along the open country,
toward Norwood, and the very first
person OF whom they inquired told them
readily where General Faulkner lived.
1t was very nice house, with a winding
carIiageway, and graceful serpentine
walks leading up to it; and in front of
the house were beds of gay-colored
tulips, and a broad green lawn, with a
fountain in the middle, sending up mist
like spray.
As they stood on the steps, Bettine
waiting for courage to ring the bell, a
servant came out.
"Go away!" he said, angriiy, before
Bettine had time to tell what she wanted.
"We don't want any stragglers nor
organ grinders here.
" But we are not going to play" said
Bettine, meekly. 81 want to see Miss
Faulkner"
"See Miss Faulkner, indeed I" said
the man, sneeringly. "Did she tell you
to come and see herr"
"No," said Bettine. "But want to
see her for something very important.
I've found something that she lost"
Oh, that's it, is 1T said the man.
"Well, you can give it to me just as
WE'LL"
"No," answered Bettire sturdily GO
shall give it to Miss Faulkner, and 1
shan't give it to any one else."
Better let her go in, James," said a
maid, appearing at the door. "Miss
Faulkner lost bracelet this morning,
and she's making great fuss about it
because twas present to her. May be
this girl has found it"
Then the man let her in, but very re-
luctantly, and scowling fiercely at Kari,
who remained outside.
Bettine had to wait only few min
utes before Miss Faulkner appeared. 1t
was the very same lady she had seen
driven away in the carriage, and she
came toward her with such kind smile
that Bettine had not the least fear that
she would accuse her of stealing the
bracelet.
| 81 81
she said. "You dropped it when you
got into the carriage - and she drew the
bracelet from her pocket and put it into
the lady's hand, and was moving away
towards the door, but Miss Faulkner de-
tanned her.
90 / want you to tell me all about your
self" she said, "and how you knew
where to bring the bracelet"
Then Bettine told her her little story
as meekly and uncomplainingly as pos
sible. She did not mean to tell any OF
their troubles, but some way Miss Faulk-
ner asked her SO many questions and was
so kind and sympathizing that she could
not help it. And when she told about
Karl the tears would come into her eyes
and she felt veIy much ashamed until
sue iOOhtu III nl iSS Il uulhllcr ;tllu saw ncl
eyes full of tears too.
Then the lady left the room, and came
back III few moments with a gentle
mana benevolent-looking old gentle
maitland Bettine had to tell her story
over again to him. Then they sent fol
Karl to come III, and then, after the
gentleman had talked long time will
him, they were taken into another room
and had the incest dinner they had either
of them ever eaten in their lives. After
ward Gen. Faulkner sent them home il
q carriage, telling them he would com,
and see them the next day.
Bettine had to rub her eyes, every tw,
or three minutes after she had 90
home, to be sure she wasn't dream
ing, and by the next mornin.
she had got to feel quite sure that i
could have been nothing but dream
when she saw that same elegant carriax,
rolling into the little dirty narrow stree
where they lived and then such a stor
of good fortune looked in upon them
that Bettine began to fancy, rather, tina
the old, dreary days had been dream
and her present happiness the onl
realty.