The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1878-11-22

y
lost babes
1t was in vain that Berenice implored
and entreated. The old man grew
frantic, and in a few hours he died, his
lips shut close, the secret of her lost
babes untold.
"And she was his heir. All his wealth
OF houses and lands and thinking gold
he had willed to Berenice.
Her punishment was truly greater
than she could bear.
1.-Two years were added to the five.
She had done all that woman could
do, but no tidings had come to her of
husband or children. She was alone
with her great wealth.
"Two years, and Thanksgiving day
dawned upon Berenice in the great city
OF London. Heart-sick and desolate,
she wandered out for walk.
The yellow fog choked her, the winds
beat her back, the motley crowd jostled
her; but she kept on. Her heart lay
like lead in her bosom, dreary, half
formed idea in her half maddened brain
that she would wander on to the yellow
river and end her troubles, as so many
wretched creatures had done before her.
81 say, Tom, look at that window
Don't 1T make your mouth water?' isped
a child's sweet voice.
Something in the voice went to Bere-
nice's heart. She turned and looked ut
the little pair before the window-two
children, boy and girl, clad in rags
their little faces wan with want and blue
with cold.
"'See the jam-tarts,' said the boy
and oh! Nan, look at them hot cakes
Wouldn't one of 'em go down nice?'
"Berenice choked with tears as she
drew out her purse.
"'Come, my dears,' she said, taking q
hand of each; come in with me, and
you shall have all you want
"They followed her in wide-eyed won
der; but at the counter the boy drew
back.
"'Think of granny, Man, he said
then, turning to Berenice, he continued
Please, ma'am, we'll do without the
goodies, if you'll give us shilling for
granny. She's dying, granny is, and
and there's no fire, nor penny to buy
her loaf
"'You shall have the goodies, and
then I'll go with you and see about
granny said Berenice, something in
the boys frank, fearless eyes making
her heart thrill with absolute pain.
"She bought a great bundle, and
filed their eager hands, and then they
set out through the yellow fog to see
about granny
"They found her in miserable attic
on bed of straw; an old, shriveled
creature, with q racking cough.
80 That's granny said Tom, as they
entered the room; then he darted to the
bed. say, granny, we've had luck
this time; we've fetched fine lady to
see you
"'And she's brought lots O good
things, granny chimed in little Nan.
"The old woman struggled up to her
elbow, looking about her with hungry
eager eyes. , ,.,-.-.
~ thought you'd never come back !!
she cried, her voice hoarse and rat
thing. Give me a drink, Nan; my
tongues parched.'
- Nan poured some water from a
cracked pitcher, and held it to her lips
"'Ill go and get you some wine,' said
Berenice, drawing near and laying ner
soft hand on the old creatures head
The children told me you were i'll, and
I've come to see you. I'll go for nour-
ishment, and you shall have DOCTOR
"No-no, 1 don't want no doctor
I'm past help now. Don't you hear the
death-rattle in my throat? / sha'n't
live till sunset. Sit down. I'm glad
you've come. / sent the children out
to fetch some one, and you'll do as well
as any; there's something on my soul
and can't die till it's told
"Berenice sat down, and stroked the
sparse white hair from the wrinkled
brow.
"Tell me anything you WISH she
said, gently; L am willing to hear and
to help you. But you had better let me
get you some food; I've brought some
with me-
"Give it to the children, then; they're
hungry enough, poor little souls! They
haven't had bit or drop to-day. AS foi
me, want nothing. How cool and soft
your hand is Look at mine. You
wouldn't think that mine was ever like
yours. But it was-soft and white, and
all cOVeTeu WIFI SHINING rings. WAS u
pretty lass, folks said, and hearing my
fine looks talked of so much made me
vain.
Made me vain and, silly she went
on, laughing shrilly; and / broke my
promise to the lad who was to be my
husband. A good, honest lad he was
willing to work for me day in and day
out. L broke faith with him, and ran
away with rich man, who gave me fine
presents, and promised to make me his
wife,
HE didn't keep his word, of course
He made me his mistress instead, ca
ressed and flattered, and hung with
golden letters at first; later, his bond
slave, glad of kind word or a glance.
as Well, well, women are like spaniels
as a rule; the more their master kicks
and cuffs 'em, the better they like him
I was like the rest. 1 loved the man
who had deceived and ruined me, and
lived only to do his bidding.
"There's no need of dwelling on all
that, however, and breath's short. ]
did q great many shameful deeds at his