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

terrupted me- said Mrs. Buell., that
Robert and would offer her yearly
sum"
THANK you; | won't sell my own
flesh and blood for all the money in the
world"
"Let us bring this to an end" said
Caleb, decidedly. Harriet has made
you a 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
Bella, firmly. She stood quite erect
now, with scarlet cheeks and defiant
light in her large blue eyes. " / won't
give up Archie, and you can't do as you
please"
"Think a moment before you turn
your back on the ones who can help
you" said Caleb's warning voice, arrest.
ing her.
Good can help me" said Bella, a pa
thetic tremble in her voice. " lie gave
the baby to me, not to anybody else, and
lie will he lp me take care cf him, Pm
sure"
She passed from the room without
another word.
"No, ma'am, we can't give you cent
more. The watch isn't worth it,"
There was a 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 mo-
ment.
Well, you may have it on your own
terms, then, though Pm 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
Archie would be turned homeless into
the street was 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 despairng anguish came into
her eyes, and she clasped the little hand
she held more firmly.
at would kill me !" she murmured,
in 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 so large of
his age he seemed like child of two
wears. 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 son,
Bull! Bull! !" cried the little fellow,
pausing before a shop window, wherein
we're displayed chidren's toys and few
Jars of candy.
"NO, dear, not to-day"
"Bull. Bull" repeated Archie, inn
periously, and his mother yielded, as
usual.
Mr. Bull, little und-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
beneficient 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 without
going 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 gentIeness softening his voice as
he noticed her care-wCn looks. " You
are quite stranger. And hOw's curly
head?" laughing down at the child.
"Give him a chocolate mouse, Mr..
Bull" said Bella, laying penny on the
counter. And how is Aunt Nancy to-
day."
con, much the same as usual.
Wouldn't you like to go in and gee her,
ma'am it would do her good"
And me, .oo," thought Bella, who
felt comforted somehow since she entered
the little store. Yes, indeed" she
said, aloud, as she followed the old man.
Archie trotted after, nibbling at his
mouse.
In a chamber adjoining the kitchen
lay the old woman propped up by pit
lows. 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
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
nature and sociable ways had made her
as great favorite with the old couple as
her little boy.
"Dear Mrs. Arno, how glad am to
see you And the darling baby too. "
pressing a warm kiss on the upiftcd
mouth, with its impromptu mustache of
chocolate and cream. Eraslng her salute
in the manner peculiar to childhood, he
followed his particular friend, " Uncle
Joe" into the store.
"Are you well, Mrs Arno? You don't
look so," said the old lady, after they
had talked few moments.
The tender sympathy in her voice
fairly overcame poor Bella. She strug-
gled moment; then hiding her face
on the bed, she broke into a passion Of
tears.
"Poor child. what is it," asked the
old woman, laying her hand on the bowed
head.
That gentle, motherly touch made
Bellas tears flow the faster. 1t wa'
some minutes before she could look up
"Its too bad of me to trouble you,
she said, "but she spoke so kindly. No
body has spoken to me 30 since"
"Poor child !" repeated the old wo
man "tell me your troubles. It'll eas'
your heart, perhaps"
Thus encouraged, Bella took hear
and went through her story, not with
out many tears. The old woman crie'
: with her.
"That they should want to take you
haby from yOu-tlat darling baby