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

your back on the ones who can help
you" said Caleb's warning voice, arrest
ing her.
"God can help me" said Bella, a. pa
thetic tremble in her voice. He gave
the baby to me, not to anybody else, and
He will help me take care of him, I'm
sure"
She passed from the room without
another word.
ono, ma'am, we can't give you a cent
more. The watch isn't worth it,"
There was a touch of insolence in the
jewelers. tone that called up a 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 Pm sure it's worth
MORE" she said, with a sigh.
you're in no danger of being taken
advantage of in this store, ma'am," said
Mr.. Marble, sharply, $ he counted
eighty dollars into her hand.
Bella went out of the store, her heart
heavy as lead. The day when she and
Archie would be turned homeless into
the street wa put of, but only for a
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 hand
she held more firmly.
at would kill me !" she murmured,
in a husky voice.
"Do lone, mamma, do 'lone?" cried
Archie. She released his hand, and he
trotted on before her. Though scarcely
eighteen months old, he was 50 large of
his age he seemed like a child of two
years. His bronze hair curled tightly
over his head, he had his fathers ample
forehead and splendid black eyes. A
princelv boy! No wonder Robert Buell.
coveted him, and would have been proud
to call him on,
"Bull! BULL" cried the little fellow,
p~ausing before a shop window, wherein
we're displayed children's toys and a few
Jars of candy.
"No, dear, not to-day"
"Bull! Bull" repeated Archie, inn
~periously, and his mother yielded, as
usual.
Mr.. Bull, a 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
.benefcient fairy some months ago.
Archie. too-his nurse had taken him
there once, and from that time the child
would never lether pass the door without
in. The old man learned to watch
for him, and his round face would dimple
with pleasure at the sight of the boy.
"A pleasant day, Mrs. Arno," a sym
pathetic gentleness softening his voice as
he noticed her care-wcrn looks. "You
are quite a stranger. And how's curly
laughing down at the child.
"Give him a chocolate mouse, Mr..
Ball." said Bella, laying a penny on the
counter. "And how is Aunt Nancy to-
lay? " Il
ooh, much the same as usual.
Wouldn't you like to go in and gee her,
ma'am? it would do her good"
"And me, too," thought Bella, who
comforted somehow since she entered
the little store. Yes, indeed" she
said, aloud, as she followed the old man.
trotted after, nibbling at his
mouse.
In a chamber adjoining the kitchen
lay the Ola woman proPPeu up py PHI
lows. She would never walk another
step, but her hands were busy knitting
Stockings from morning tili hignt' ana the
sale of these. added considerable to their
household store. Her sweet pale face
was framed in silvery hair; there was an
air of refinement about her that her
husband lacked. Her eyes frightened
at the sight of Bella, for the latter's good
and sociable ways had made her
rs great a favorite with the old couple as
her little boy.
"J,ear Mrs. Arno. how glad am to
,ee Won And the darling baby too!
nressinc = warm kiss on the uplifted
b with its impromptu mustacbe of
,hocolate and cream. Eraslng her salute
IN the manner peculiar to childhood, he
his particular friend. "Uncle
y into the store.
dare Won we'll, Mrs, Arno? You don't
so" said the old lady, after they
'ad talked a few moments.
The tender sympathy in her voice
,irlv oyercame moor Bella, She strug-
led = moment. then hiding her face
tho bod che broke into n passion of
,ars
"Poor child, what is it?" asked the
Il woman. LAYING her hand on the bowed
Fad.
That gentle. motherly touch made
elias tears flow the faster. 1t was ,
me minutes before she could look up.
"It's too bad of me to trouble you" !
le said, "but she spoke SO kindly. No 3
,dy has spoken to me so since"
"Poor child !" repeated the old wo. 9
an "tell me your troubles. It'll ease r
heart, perhaps" 6