The Russellville Democrat., 1877-06-21
BELLA's CHOICE.

carewern.looking man of fifty-fve. He had come to New York with his three sisters to attend the funeral of a younger brother, and {" to inquire into the state of his affairs" Their rage and astonish- ment when they learned that of the property theJ had counted on sharing with bis widow, not so much remained as would furnish shelter for herself and child, can hardly be described. Out
 ragged as they felt with "Charles," all
 united in laying the principal blame of
 his ruin on her. Her extravagance in | dress, her love of society and pleasure
 all this WAS brought up against her, and |
 her youth and inexperience (for she was
 scarcely nineteen) seemed no excuse in their eyes. Even Caleb, who had his feelings more under control, could not help an added share of severity in his
 voice as he addressed her.
 Bella raised her head quickly. Poor
 thing She looked too young and ten der to meet such trials. And yet the re-
 solution with which she choked back her
 tears showed that the little creature had
 considerable spirit after all.
 "It is best they should understand the
 state of affairs Bella" |" Caleb went on.
 Charles has left absolutely nothing be-
 hind hlm-not even the house belongs to
 you. Now what are you going to do?
 As you have lost your aunt"
 "And nice one she was to bring up
 grill" broke in Mrs. Cotton. "I
 don't believe Bella can so much as hem
 a pocket-handkerchief And me with
 my seven daughters slaving our lives out
 on this miserable farm! And the little | T xo1 czr all ko1
 done for Ch--"
 "Gently, Sarah, gently" interposed
 Caleb, and his calmly authoritative
 voice acted as a sort of stop-cock on
 Mrs. Cotton's effervescing wrath, for
 with one indignant gulp of protest she
 was silent.
 "Such talk does no good" he went
 on. "Bella understands our circum l. stances, and that sister Wright is the
 only one who hasn't family on her hands"
 "No familyr" put in "sister Wright" , an acid-looking little woman. And
 we'll for me havn't- it's all Job and , can do to live now. Many's the time 7 I've gone te church in a calico dress, when those no better'n me were rolling r about in their carriages; dressed up in 7 silk and feathers. No thought of sister 3 Wright then But when trouble comes, and there's no one else to turn to- ) q don't want to be burden; you 9 don't understand me if you think 50" f Bella broke in. "And know Eve been n extravagant and foolish, though didn't
 realize it before But I'm willing to do e anything if I can only earn living for d myself and baby"
 l, Tears, welled up in her eyes at the l. thought of her child, but she brushed h them hastily away.
 :'You needn't worry about the baby,'
 said voice that had been silent until
 now.
 e All eyes turned toward Mrs. Buell. l. She had had time for reflection during l, the last few minutes, and had concluded ,s that matters might have been worse fol n her. Her husband was wealthy, able tc y supply her and her three daughters with r. every luxury. Absorbed in these reflec n tions, she scarcely noticed the converse n tion going on around her, till the baby't 'r name fell upon her ear. This recalled tG k her mind talk with her husband, and n she unfolded her plans with the air ol Il one conferring an expected favor. d You needn't worry about Archie W Belle have beautiful plan for him ss think the best way can help you will it be to take the boy off your hands. Rob le ert will be willing know. Of course il ,r will be quite care, but we shan't mind a that if we can only be of service to you Is He shall have every advantage; we will l. not make bit of difference between him 1T and our own children. Of course you J. can come to see him now and then "-fol e Belle looked petrified. "I would ask h you to stay with us, but you and Rober, l. never did get on well together, you 0 know. And then it would be better foi e the child.
 d "Give up my baby" cried Belle k springing from the chair. "Do you t think have heart of stone Oh, it's d too much?' A gush of passionate tears e choked her voice. may come to see
 him no and then.' Oh, how kind you
 are. Mrs. Buell.! how we'll you under. stand mothers yearning ever her '.' child"
 t "Bella," said Caleb, gravely. > She turned and caught his hand, as if c hopeful of his sympathy. ooh, Caleb,was not it wicked to ask me to give up my child? Pve been a > vain, foolish girl, but I always did love e my baby so That she should think of e such thing, it hurts me, Caleb" l' She wept passionately, her head upon > his shoulder. Caleb waited till she was ,, quiet, then he said, in his grave moderate II tones
 a Bella, be reasonable. If you really love your child, you will put his happi- 5 ness before your own."
 T "You want me to dropiti" cried Bella. a She would have pulled her hands away, but be held them firmly in his. T "Be quiet, and let us talk it over reasonably"
 CT was going to say, when Bella in-
 terrupted me-" said Mrs. Buell., "that
 Robert and would offer her yearly Q sum"
 "Thank you; won't sell my own s flesh and blood for all the money in the r world"
 "Let us bring this to an end" said
 Caleb, decidedly Harriet has made a you most reasonable offer, and if you { persist in declining it, we must conclude , 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 f Bella, firmly. She stood quite erect now, with scarlet cheeks and defiant I