The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1877-06-21

Bella's voice faltered. The old woman
lay silent, stroking the hand she held In
hers.
And you want us TO advise you ?"
she said at last.
Yes, ! thought you might hear of
something | could do. | don't sew nicely.
Pm very sorry about that. But there's
anything else"
Poor dear lady! To think of your
having to work for living Why, you
look as if a breath would blow you over
now"
"Oh, Pm stronger than you think. /
can work." said Bella earnestly,
The old woman reflected,
GIVE a plan in my mind" she said,
looking up. al wish could think of
something better for you but--would
you mind asking my husband to step
here n moment, Mrs, Arno, please ?"
What the "plan" was will be shown
hereafter.
Yes, sir, ] call it the firm of Bella
and Baby, and I'd like to put il OF the
sign. There's a blessn' follered us ever
since they came into the house.
Mr. Bull or " Uncle joe" as he is
generally called, leans forward in his
chair, his eyes fixed atlcctionately on
Bella. 1t is three years since we saw
her last, but she looks little changed, ex-
cept that the bloom has returned to her
cheek.
"The blessing came because you and
Aunt Nancy were so good to us, Uncle
Joe," shesays, looking up from her work.
Something glstens in her blue eyes,
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 so often
he seems like one of the family.
And so you were in Europe at the
time of Bellas trouble ?" said the old
man, musingly. He is never weary of
talking about Archie and his mother and
one OF his hearers at lest 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, MIR. Dar-
row? Why, the store has proSpered AZ it
never did when | was running it alone
But | was always sorry about her watch
as she insisted so on our taking the
money -
"Of cours? | 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 u" she added, rather
pettishly, pushing back a bronze ripple
of hair. Frank saw she felt uncomIort-
able, and rose to 20.
"Will you come into the store with
me a moment, Bella"
ooh, guess 'll say good night here, y
said Bella. 81 must finish my work"
"Just five minutes" pleaded Frank,
and SEQ, dear, go, added the old man.
Bella hesitated a moment, then did as
she was told.
"Good night uncle" said Frank,
grasping his hand. Then, in whisper,
You know what | am going to ask her,
Uncle Joe"
"Yes, yes. God bless you, my boy.
She loves you, know"
He's worthy of her." he muttered, as
Frank walked off. "Im glad of it; but
Lord help us, how we shall miss her and
the boy, brushing away tear.
Bella was waiting in the store, a
troubled but resolute look on her face.
Closing the door, Frank stock silent a
moment.
Bella" approaching her, "you know
what | wanted to ask you %
~ suppose SO, Frank" said Bella,
quietly, but looking rather pale. +" /
wish you wouldn't ask it, though"
"Oh, Bella, if you knew how love
youw pleaded Frank "Can't you give
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. What would they say" faint
smile crossing her face, 3D." to your making
poor shop-girl your wife > And on my
side are dear Uucle Joe and his wife"
Bella, you don't know my mother
and sisters. Worldly as they seem, they
have warm hearts, and they couldn't
help loving you and your dear little boy.
As for Uncle Joe and his wife, they
shall suffer no loss. Our home shall be
theirs, my darling; we will care for them
together.
Frank, Frank, that generous heart
of yours is always getting the better of
your head. If my conscience would let
me bring such burden on you, do you
suppose Uncle Joe and Aunt Nancy
would be willing to give up their little
home and live dependent on another"
"Then they needn't leave their home,
Bella" persisted Frank, 81 will find
some one to take your place in the store,
though that shan't hinder your being
with them as much as you please. We
will both help them in every way
Frank, ] tell you it is impossible. If
we are to be friends, you must never
mention the subject again. And now,
in a softer tone, " | really cannot stay
any longer. Goodnight, Frank; | shall
always wish you well"
There was slight break in her voice
and turning, she went quickly out of the
room. Frank looked after her for mo
ment, then, with white, set face, he
picked up his hat and walked OFT.
Heartless little thing" he muttered
as he strobe fiercely homeward through
the rain, "Pll never give her anothe
thought. All, well, | can't help lovinl
her; she's the only woman in the worl'
to me. Poor Arno hadn't it in him t
love her as | do. Oh, my darling, HOY
can you be so hard to me"
Could he but have seen Bella half al
hour later, as she sat crying n her ow
little room.