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

him now and then.' Oh, how kind you
are, Mrs. Buell. how well you under
stand a mothers yearning over her
child 70
Bella" said Caleb, gravely.
She turned and caught his hand, as il
hopeful of his sympathy.
"Oh, Caleb, wasn't it wicked to ask
me to give up my child? I've been a
vain, foolish girl, but L always did love
my baby so That she should think OF
such thing, it hurts me, Caleb"
She wept passionately, her head upon
his shoulder. Caleb waited till she was
quiet; then he said, in his grave, moder-
ate tones:
"Bella, be reasonable. If you really
love your child, you will put his happi-
ness before your own."
"You want me to do it - cried Bella,
She would have pulled her hand away
but he held them firmly in his.
" Be quiet, and let us talk it over SEN
sibly."
"I was going to say, when Bella in
terrupted me, said Mrs. Buell., "that
Robert and L would offer her yearly
sum"
"Thank you; I wouldn't sell my own
flesh and blood for all the money in the
world"
"Let us bring this to an end, Bella"
said Caleb, decidedly. Harriet has
made you most reasonable offer, and, if
you persist in declining it, we must con-
clude that you wish us to interfere no
further in your affairs. We will give
you half an hour to consider" dropping
her hands.
"And / don't want five minutes" said
Bella, firmly. She stood quite erect now,
with scarlet cheeks and a defiant light in
her large blue eyes. 81 won't give up
Archie, and you can do as you please. !"
"Think q moment before you turn
your back on the only ones who can help
you, said Caleb's warning voice, arrest
ing her.
"God can help me, said Bella, pa
thetic tremble in her voice. "He gave
baby to me, not to any body else, and
He will help me take care of him I'm
sure"
She passed from the room without an
other word.
"No, ma'am, we cannot give you
cent more. The watch isn't worth il"
There was touch of insolence in the
jewelers. tone that called up faint flush
into the pale face regarding him. Bella
for it was she-stood hesitating a mo-
ment.
"Well, you may have it on your own
terms, then, though I'm sure it's worth
more," she said, with sigh.
YOU'RE in no danger of being taken
advantage of in this store ma am" said
Mr.. Marble, sharply, as he counted
eighty dollars into her hand.
Bella went out of the store, her
heart heavy as lead. The day when
she and AIchie would be turned home
less into the street was put off, but only
for time.
"My wedding ring-that will have to
go next" thought the poor child "And
then ~
A look of despairing anguish came
into her eyes, and she clasped the little
she held more firmly.
"It would kill me |" she murmured.
in ahusky voice.
"Do lone. mamma, do lone y cried
Archie. She released his hand, and he
trotted on before her. Though scarcely
eighteen months old, he was SO large of
his age he seemed like q child of two
years. His bronze hair curled tightly
over his head, he had his fathers ample
forehead and splendid black eyes. A
princely boy! No wonder Robert Buell.
coveted him, and would have been proud
to call him his son.
"Bull Bull p cried the little fellow,
pausing before a shop window, wherein
were displayed children's toys and few
jars of candy.
"No, dear, not to-day"
"Bull Bull - repeated Archie, i'm
periously, and his mother yielded, as
usual.
Mr.. Bull, little round-faced English
man, came in smiling from an adjoining
kitchen. He was glad to see the pretty
lady, who had come into his store like a
benefcent fairy some months ago.
Archie, too-his nurse had taken him
there once, and from that time the child
would never let her pass the door with
out going in. The old man learned to
watch for him, and his round face
would dimple with pleasure at the sight
of the boy.
ga pleasant day, Mrs. Arno," SYM
pathetic gentleness softening his voice
as he noticed her careworn looks. "You
are quite stranger. And how's curly
head ?" laughing down at the child.
"Give him q chocolate mouse, Mr..
Bull, said Bella, laying penny on the
counter. "And how is Aunt Nancy to-
daya"
"Oh, much the same as usual
Wouldn't you like to go in and see her,
ma'am 2-it would do her good"
"And me too," thought Bella, who
felt comforted somehow since she en-
tered the little store. eyes, indeed" I"
she said, aloud, as she followed the old
man. Archie trotted after, nibbling at
his mouse.
In chamber adjoining the kitchen lay
the old woman propped up by pillows.
She would never walk another step, but
her hands were busy knitting stockings
from morning till night, and the sale of
these added considerable to their house
hold store. Her sweet, pale face was
framed in silvery hair; there was an air
of refinement about her that her hus-
band lacked. Her eyes frightened at
Il. Il ~ IL 4