The star of Pascagoula. [volume] (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1873-1878, 1877-06-15
. BELLA'S CHOICE.

!. CIVIL you lift your head, Isabel, an,
listen to me? We must see what is t
0 be done for you as quickly as possible.
The speaker, Caleb Arno, was a brave
=, carewern-looking mar of fifty-fve. H
had come to New York with his tire
D sisters to attend the funeral of a younge
' brother, and Ito inquire into the stat
of his affairs" Their rage and astonish
: ment when they learned that of tn
l property they had counted on sharing
| with his widow, not so much remained a
would furnish a shelter for herself ant
child, can hardly be described. Out
ragged as they felt with "Charles," al
united in laying the principal blame o
: his ruin on her. Her extravaganza il
: dress, her love of society and pleasure
all this was brought up against her, anc
her youth and inexperience (tor she wa
scarcely nineteen) seemed no excuse il
their eyes. Even Caleb, who had hi
feelings more under control, could moi
help an added share of severity in hi
voice as he addressed her.
Bella raised her head quickly. Poor
thing! She looked too young and ten.
der to meet such trials. And yet the re,
solution with which she choked back her
tears showed that the little creature had
considerable spirit after all.
cit is best they should understand the
state of affairs Bella, " Caleb went on.
"Charles has left absolutely nothing be-
hind hlm-not even the house belongs to
you. Now what are you going to do ?
As you have lost your aunt"
"And a nice one she was to bring up
a girl" broke in Mrs. Cotton. 81
don't believe Bella can so much as hem
a pocket. handkerchief! And me with
my seven daughters shaving our lives out
on this miserable farm! And the little
money | expected in return for all | had
done for CHI"
"Gently, Sarah, gently" interposed
Caleb, and his calmly authoritative
voice acted as a sort of stop-cock on
Mrs. Cotton's effervescing wrath, for
with one indignant gulp of protest she
was silent.
"Such talk does no good" he went
on. bella understands our circum-
stances, and that sister Wright is the
only one who hasn't a family on her
hands"
Ono family" put in "~sister Wright"
an a%cid-looking little woman. "And
we'll for me | havn't- it's all Job and |
can do to live now. Many's the time
I've gone to church in a calico dress,
when those no better'n me were rolling
about in their carriages; dressed up il
silk and feathers. No thought of sister
Wright them But when trouble comes,
and thara'c no npa alJa 10 urn tND
81 don't want to be a burden; you
don't understand me if you think so,"
Bella broke in. "And know I've been
extravagant and foolish, though | didn't
realize it before. But Pm willing to do
anything if | can only earn a living for
myself aud baby"
Tears, welled up in her eyes at the
thought of her child, but she brushed
them hastily away.
"You needn't worry about the baby"
said a voice that had been silent until
now.
All eyes turned toward Mrs. Buell..
She had had time for reflection during
the last few minutes, and had concluded
that matters might have been worse for
her. Her husband was wealthy, able to
supply her and her three daughters with |
every luxury. Absorbed in these rehec-
tions, she scarcely noticed the CONVERSE
ton going on around her, till the babv's
name fell upon her ear. This recalled to
her mind a talk with her husband, and
she unfolded her plans with the air of
one comforting an expected favor.
You needn't worry about Archie,
Belle | have a beautiful plan tor him
! think the best way | can help you will
be to take the boy off your hands. Rob.
ert will be willing | know. OF course it
will be quite a care, but we shan't mind
that if We can only be of service to you.
He shall have every advantage; we will
not make a bit of difference between him
and our own children. OF course you
can come to see him now and then"-for
looked petrified. 81 would ask
you to stay with lis, but you and Robert
did get on well together, you
NOW. And then it would be better for
he child.
"Give up my baby cried Belle,
bringing from the chair. "Do you
hink | have a heart of stone! Oh, it's
90 much p" A gush of passionate tears
hoked her voice. al may come to see
i'm no and them oh, how kind you
re. Mrs. BUELL. how well you under
tand a mothers yearning ever her
,
"BelIa," said Caleb, gravely. !
She turned and caught his hand, as if
of his sympathy.
"Oh, Caleb, wasn't it wicked to ask {
ne to give up nv child? I've been a
ain, foolish girl, but | always did love :
ny baby so! That she should think of !
UGH a thing, il hurts me, Caleb" d
She wept passionately, her head upon i,
is shoulder. Caleb waited till she was /,
uiet, then he said, in his grave moderate !
Il
Bella, be reasonable. If you really
I'VE your child, you will put his happi- C
ess before your own"
"You want me to drop it !" cried Bella.
be would have pulled her hands away, h
ut he held them firmly in. his. 81
"Be quiet, and let us talk it over y
sasonably." b
al was going TO say, when Bella in
me" said Mrs. Buell., that b
ebert and | would offer her a yearly
IN" al
Thank you | won't sell my own 81
,sh and blood for all the money in the 81
Drld."
LET us bring this to an end" said q
aleb, decidedly. Harriet has made eli
u a most reasonable offer, and if you B
.rsist in declining it, we must conclude ht
at you wish us 10 interfere no further &c
your affairs. We will give you half CT
hour to consider" dropping her hands.
And don't want five minutes" said A
lila, firmly. She stood quite erect JC