The Osceola times., 1877-06-16

"Be quiet, and let us talk II ovel
reasonably"
al was going to say, when Bella in
terrupted me-" said Mrs. Buell., "tha,
Robert and would offer her yearly
sum"
Thank you; | won't sell my 0wr
flesh and blood for all the money in the
world"
let us bring this TO an end" said
Caleb, decidedly. Harriet has made
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 hall
an hour to consider" dropping her hands.
"ADd don't want five minutes" said
Bella, firmly She stood quite erect
now, with scarlet cheeks and defiant
light In her large blue eyes. al won't
give up Archie, and you can't do as you
please"
Think n moment before you turn
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
tilCtlC ticululc III iiCI NOiCc. Ilc kdNc
the baby to me, not to anybody else, and
He will help me take care Of 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 H."
There was touch of insolence in the
jewelers. tone that called up faint flush
into the pale face regarding him. Bella
for II was she--stood hesitating q mo-
ment.
We'll, 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, 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
60 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 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 a child Of two
years His bronze hair curled tightly
over his head, he had his fathers ample
forehead and splendid black eyes. A
princels boy! No wonder Robert Buell.
coveted him, and would have been proud
TO call him son. s
"Bulll Bull =" 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
benefcent fairy some months ago
Archie, too-his nurse had taken him
there once, and from that time the child
would never lethe 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 bsy.
a pleasant day, Mrs Arno," SYM
pathetic gentleness softening his voice as
he noticed her care-worn 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?
"Oh, much the same as usual.
Wouldn't you like to go in and zee her,
ma am? it would do her good"
"And me, too," thought Bella, who
felt comforted somehow since she entered
the little store. I" Yes, indeed" 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 pill.
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 ewes frightened
at the sight Of Bella, for the lattor'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 upliftcd
mouth, with its impromptu mustache of
chocolate and cream. Erasing 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 peor Bella. She strug-
gled a moment; then hiding her face
on the bed, she broke into passion OF
tears.
"Poor child, what is it," asked the
old woman, laying her hand on the bowed
head.
That gentle. motherly touch made
Bella's tears flow the faster. II was
some minutes before she could look up.
"It's TOO bad of me to trouble you,"
she said, but she. spoke 30 kindly. No
bodv has sroken Ia ma so since-n
"Poor child" repeated the old wo.