Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1877-06-16

her last, hut she looks little changed, cx-
cept 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 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 Bela's who has visited here SO often
he seems like one of the family.
And so you we're 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 thetheme an unending de-
light But Bella seems rather uneasy.
Did you ever think she'd turn out
such a little business woman Mr.. Dar-
row? Why, the store has prospered as it
never did when Twas running it alone.
But | was always sorry about her watch
as she insisted so on our taking the
money -
"Of course | 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 uncomf0rt-
able, and rose to 90.
" viii you come into the store with
me moment, BellaY
"Oh, | guess I'll say good night here"
said Bella 81 must finish my work."
Just five minutes" pleaded Frank,
and "Go, dear, 90, added the old man.
Bella hesitated moment, then did as
she was told
"Good night, uncle" said Frank,
grasping his hand. Then, in a 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, I'm glad of it hut
Lord help us, how we shall miss her and
the boy, brushing away a tear,
Bella was waiting in the store,
troubled but resolute look on her face.
Closing the door, Frank stock silent
moment.
" Bella," approaching her, "you know
what wanted to ask you ~
al suppose so, Frank" said Bella,
quietly, but looking rather pale. d"
wish you wouldn't ask it, though
"Oh Bella, if you knew how ] love
YOU pleaded Frank. Can'tyou give
me little, dear ?"
Listen to me, Frank said Bella,
forcing back the tears. cts impossible
for Us to marry it would make too
many people UNHAPPY. Think of your
family. What would they say" a faint
smile crossing her face, to your making
a poor ,hop-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 il always getting the better Of
your head, If my conscience would let
me bring such a 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?'
"Ihen they needn't leave their home,
Bella" persisted Frank, "l 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 softer tone, " | really cannot stay
any longer. Goodnight, Frank; | shall
always wish you we'll"
There was a slight break in her voice,
and turning, she went quickly ont of the
room. Frank looked after her for q mo.
ment, then, with white, set face, he
picked up his hat and walked of.
Heartless little thing ~ he muttered,
as he strobe iiercely homeward through
the rain, "Pll never give her another
thought All, well, | can't help loving
her; she's the only woman in the world
to me. Poor Arno hadn't ii in him to
love her as ! do. Oh, my darling, how
can You be so hard to me p
Could he but have seen Bella half an
hour later, as she 'at crying in her own
little room,
"I do love him-I dol" she sobbed out.
"The dear, generous hearted, noble fel-
low. Oh, wish he hadn't gone away
so angry with me-
"There, darling, take this from man.
ma, So, now; she will sit by you and
hold your own hand.
Nearly two weeks have passed since
Frank and Bella parted. She has not
seen him since. 1t cost her many tears
at first, but for the last few days She can
think of nothing bat her bov.
Archie has diphtheria, and is very sick,
the doctor says, He has gone away now
for awhile, and the child lies exhausted
on his pillow. How livid and sunken he
looks! You would scarcely know the
blooming face that lay here few nights
ago.
Poor uncle Joe! He could not keen
still moment, but hovered about the
mother and child in a nervous hutter of
fear.
Whose step is that at the door? The
old man looked up, and q flash of Joy
passed over his face. Going hastily
toward the new conner, he seized both his
hands,
"Thank God, you've come back, Frank
The child's been very sick, but | think
he is little BETTER" following Frank to
Bella's side.
She looked up with her white face, and
the fearless anguish in her eyes. ooh,
Frank" she said family, putting out
her hand.
Clasping it gently, he said in tone of
mild reproach : Why didn't you send
for me, Bella"
cts diptheria-you mustn't stay"
whispered Bella, motioning him off as he
bent over the crib.
"But | am going TO stay, Bella" he
replied, with such mild decision that she
felt remonstrance was useless.
YEARLY the time passed by, The doc
tor came and went, leaving little consol-
alton behind him. The old man, worn