The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1878-02-07

stay and work it out-six weeks wa.
ges."
"Six pounds, did you say sir? It is q
most exhorbitant price at which to esti-
mate you loss. Never mind, Miss New
ell you need not be alarmed at the
prospect of working six weeks for moth
ing. will pay for it."
She laid down the money with her
naughty air that completely overawed
the mean, servile soul of the man.
THANKS, madam, for your kindess
to the young girl, who is an utter stran-
ger to you. Miss Newell, you find your
self relieved from the result of your &C
cident."
And Nellie, attempting to thank Miss
Dudley, was kindly stopped.
"NO, child, l don't want word. You
couldn't help it. You look pale and
tired, and ill. Surely It WAS my duty as
we'll as my pleasure to help tighten your
burden . little. l should say you were
not used to this life.
81 have only been here two weeks, and
I am not very strong. Bnt-fa,hcr died
and mother is not able to care for US
and there's folr children, and must do
something"
"You poor child. And hundreds Of
others, less worthy, rolling in luxury
Here is nv card. If you ever want a
friend, come to me-will your"
And taking her ,iny tissue-paper par.
col OF ribbon, Miss Dudley smiled as
few people-even her father-ever saw
her smile, and swept away to her car
riage, followed by more than one pair
Of admiring, envious eyes.
And followed by q pair of eyes that
were admirIng without being envious-
Sidney Escourt's who had been buying
gloves at an adjoining counter, and who
had witnessed the entire affair with
throbbing heart.
"GOd bless herr" he said to himself.
"She is not heartless and cold, as
thought her. How have wronged her
all this while, and how have wronged
myself My fair, beautiful! darling,
whom ], in seneiless Ignorance, thought
unworthy the love of true, warm,sym.
psthizing heart"
The library looked q delightful, cosy,
literary place, with mellow, bright lights,
shining over thousands of books Ia their
glass. encased shelves; and at the cen.
trail oval table sat Mr.. Dudley and Bella,
and Mr.. Sidney Escourt.
She was, Us usual, reserved; yet
charmingly pleasant triae unbent in
her demeanor toward Mr.. Escourt, the
glance of whose earnest, grave eyes had
conquered hers moro than once in tho
past few days, and whose quiet courte-
GUS, yet marked devotion, had been very
sweet.
Just now Bella had brief OF portunity
of watching him as he bent his head
over tho evening paper he was reading /;
and. somehow, her heart was thrObbing
faster than she had ever know it to do,
when he suddenly looked up and caught
her glance-just Us Mr.. Dudley discov-
cred he had to leave the room for few
minutes to attend visitor who had just
been announced.
Mr.. Estcourt laid down his paper as
the door closed on Mr.. Dudley, and went
deliberately round the table to the low
cushioned chair where Bella sat, a pic.
ture of grace and beauty.
"Miss Dudley, want to tell you some
thing l heard about you to-day. 1t came
very directly to me-from Nellie Newell
herself"
go, yes. That was of solittlc account
I would not mention it il ! were
you
"But 1 shall mention it. want you
to know now | admire and reverence
that modest charity, and womanly, un-
assuming benevolence of yours, that led
you to sacrifice so much to make Miss
Newell comfortable. No, don't tell me
to stop; must tell you l know how,
when the girl came to you yesterday, in
obedience to your request that she
should come if she needed friend, you
sympsthized with her pitiful story, and
know how you took a large sum Of
money you had been adding monthly,
as your charity fund.- and placed her
and her family where they can do for
themselves, where they will be happy
and"
"PIease say no more, Mr.. Estcourt. l
have only done
He interrupted her almost passion
ately.
"But there is more TO say. Bella,you
have commanded my admiration, my
respect, since 1 first knew you Lat
terly you have taught me to love you. .,
if you knew how | want you. BeIla,are
you glad love You, Will you tell me
you return 1t"
And, with her fair, proud face all
a-fush with loves triumphant glory,
Bella lifted her pure, sweet eyes to his.
"Mr. Escour,,if You think am worthy
of your love"
"If you are worthy My darling, il Is
I who am the worthless one Some day
will tell you how first learned where
your heart was. know now you have
given it TO me. my own
Old RSugh snd Ready.
- vivtoo hta .-arpiu,scep