Daily Republican., 1879-10-09
HONORA,s DECISION.

nora LolRu Wos oe"'ou oA w."
with one rosy child on her lap and two
or three others scattered round, her
fair cheeks erimsoned, I'D tke braids
of bronze-brown hair shining beneath
the cottage bonnet that she wore.
She looked up radiantly as her lovers
shadow fell across the tangled ferns OF
the woodland glade.
"Belton, is it you ?" she cried.
"Send the children away" said he,
impatisntly: 81 want to talk to you.'
"They will not distub u.s."
"Thev viii disturb me.'
A hook of pain came over Honora's
sweet, submissive face.
"Cllarley," said she to the eldest
lad. take Katie and Nell to where the
ulankberries grow. Johnny can carry
the baskets, and see how many berries
YOU can pick before ! come"
Charley obeyed without word; but
the defiant glance which he bent on Mr..
Black from beneath his knitted brows
showed that he comprehended the state
of affairs.
II hate that man. said he to Katie.
"Oh, Charley" cried out the inno-
cent child, "that's very wicked"
"I can't help it," replied Charley:
"He's cross and he scolds Nora, and
hate him" ,
In the meanwhile Bolton Black had
seated himself on the grass beside Hon
ora Leigh and thrown one arm around
her waist.
"Nora," said he, "I've made up my
mind"
"As to what"
She looked up fondly into his dark,
Castilian face.
"As to the propriety Of our being
married next month. Jennings says |
am to have partnership, and see my
way clear at once. have spoken to
the agent about the little house in Cliff
ton street, audi
ooh, Bolton, do you think that house
will be large enough" Interrupted To-
nora, with a troubled face.
"L large enough for what?'
"For the children. There are four
of them, you know, and"-
"No," said Mr.. Black, abruptly
81 don't think it will be large enough
III didn't mean that it should. You
surely can not intend, Honora, to bur
den our household with your aunt's
four children? They are nothing to
me, and they should be nothing to you.
| dare say can find some excellent in
stitution where"-
81 promised my aunt on her dying
bed that the children should never
lack a mothers care," said Honora,
who had grown very pale.
"And you have kept your word
broke in Black, impatiently. "For
two years you have fed, clothed and
supported them out Of your slender
earnings. It's all nonsense to keep up
this sort Of thing any longer. The boys
are big enough to work; the girls can
easily be provided for in an orphan
asylum"
"Oh, Belton--never ~
"Just as you please" said Mr.. Black,
his face growing as hard as adamsnt.
"BuI remember one thing, Nora
YOU must choose between me and
them"
Honora uttered sobbing cry.
"Bslton, Belton," walled she, Show
can you be so hard ~
si am sensible and practical"
"They are SO little, so helpless. Oh,
I cannot turn them over to the cruel
mercies of the world, "pleaded Honora.
"That must be for you to dscide.'
She sat for a minute looking at the
tiny child-fgures as they fitted about
on the edge Of the wood, listening to
their innocent laughter;then she looked
up into his face. ar
~ have decided" said she. " can't
leave the children"
Bolton Blacks brow grew dark as
Every WE'LL" said he, rising to his
feet; "you know all that that implies .
"Yes." in a low, tremulous tone.
"And you are willing to abide by it''
eyes" :,
"Good-bye, then," extending cold
hand.
"Good-bye, Belton.' -,
And her eyes followed him with q
vauue. fascinated gaze, as he strobe out
of The green glade aud was lost to view
"Baye done right?" she asked her
self with sharp pain at her heart
and then, as little Nelly came up, cry.
inc out, "Nora, Nora, me got form IN
!. me- finger /" and holding up the tiny
divit with tear-stained cheeks, she
, caught the child in her aims and soooe0
"God help me Yes. ! have done
right, tor these orphan little ones nave
no one but me-