The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-05-04

mouth, with its impromptu mustache o.
chocolate and cream. Erasing her salute
in the manner peculiar to childhood, he
followed his particular friend, "Unclt
Joe," into the store.
"Are you well, Mrs. Arno? You
don't look so, said the old woman, after
they had talked few moments.
The tender sympathy in her voice
fairly overcame poor Bella. She strug.
gled moment then, hiding her face
on the bed, she broke into passion OF
tears.
"Poor child what is it9" asked the
old woman, laying her hand on the bowed
head.
That gentle, motherly touch made
Bellas tears flow the faster. 1t was some
minutes before she could look up.
cts too bad of me to trouble you, ~
she said; "but you spoke 80 kindly.
Nobody has spoken to me so since
Poor child |" repeated the old
woman :"tell me your troubles. It'll
ease your heart, perhaps"
Thus encouraged, Bella took heart
and went through her story, not without
many tears. The old woman cried with
her.
"That they should want to take your
baby from you-that darling baby! 1
don't wonder you felt heart-broken.
And so you thought the Lord had for
saken you? All, you'll know Him bet
ter when you've lived as long as me, poor
child |"
"Yes, aunty, Twas wrong but felt so
discouraged. 1 thought 1 had 80 many
friends; but when the time of trouble
came"
Bella's voice faltered. The old woman
lay silent, stroking the hand she held in
hers.
"And you want us to advise you9"
she said at last.
"Yes, 1 thought you might hear of
something / could do. don't sew nice
ly. I'm very sorry about that. But is
there's anything else"
"Poor dear lady To think of your
having to work for living! Why, you
look as if breath would blow you over
now.
"Oh, I'm stronger than You think. 1
can work" said Bella, earnestly.
The woman reflected.
"I've plan in my mind" she said,
looking up. 81 wish 1 could think of
something better for you; but Would
you mind asking my husband to step
here moment, Mrs. Arno, please"
What the "plan was viii be shown
hereafter.
eyes, sir, 1 call it the firm of Bella
and Baby, and I'd like to have it put on
the sign. There's a blessin' follered us
ever since they come into the house."
Mr. Bull, or "Uncle joe" as he is
generally called, leans forward in his
chair, his eyes fixed affectionately on
Bella. 1t is three years since we saw her
last, but she looks little changed, except
that the bloom has returned to her cheek.
"The blessing came because you and
Aunt Nancy were so good to us, Uncle
joe" she says, looking up from her
work.
Something glistens in her blue ey es
and the young man watching her from
an opposite corner feels more in love
than ever He is Frank Darrow, an old
friend of Bella's, who has visited here 80
often he seems like one of the family.
"And so you were in Europe at the
time of Bella's trouble ?" said the old
man, musingly. He is never weary of
talking about Archie and his mother,
and one of his hearers at least finds the
repetition of the theme an unending de-
light. But Bella seems rather uneasy.
"Did you ever think she'd turn out
such little business woman, Mr.. Dar-
rowe Why, the store as prospered as
it never did when / was running it alone.
But 1 was always sorry about her watch,
and she insisted so on our taking the
money
"Of course I did," broke in Bella.
" A pretty thing it would have been to
come upon you with my baby, and never
offer to Tighten the burden little ! Oh
dear, how warm it is !" she added, rather
pettishly, pushing back bronze ripple
of hair. Frank saw she felt uncomforta-
BILE, and rose to go.
"Will you come into the store with me
q moment, Bella?"
"Oh, / guess I'll say goodnight
here" said Bella. "I must finish my
work.
"Just five minutes" pleaded Frank,
and "Go, dear, 60, added the old man.
Bella hesitated moment. then did as
was told.
Goodnight, uncle" said Frank,
asping hi hand. Then, in whisper,
"You know what I'm going to ask her,
Uncle Joe?"
"Yes, yes. God bless you, my boy
She loves you, 1 know"
"He's worthy of her." he muttered, as
Frank walked off "I'm glad of it; but,
Lord help us, how we shall miss her and
the boy !" brushing away a tear.
Bella was waiting in the store, q
troubled but resolute look on her face.
Closing the door. Frank stood silent a
moment.
Bella, approaching her, "you know
what wanted to ask you?"
81 suppose so, Frank" said Bella,
quietly, but looking rather pale. 81
wish You wouldn't ask it, though"
"Oh, Bella, if you knew how love
you !" pleaded Frank. Cant you love
me little, dear?"
Listen to me, Frank" said Bella.
forcing back the tears. "It's impossible
for us to marry; it would make too many
people unhappy. Think of your family.