The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1882-12-28


views pronounced by them unexception-
ally fine.
"You jes' go down an see the mill
| tomorrow" said his host, warming, as
they parted. ''If you don't call that a
spic-an'-span bit O scenery, Pm mis-
taken" and Maurice decided to 90.
When he reached his chamber the
clock struck nine, and Bella, evidently
having just reached the completion of
this duty, among the manifold ones as
signed to her, had made up the big
feather-bed, brought water and towels,
and now stood irresolute at window,
with bird-cage in her hand.
my bird, sir. I-I-suppose he will
trouble you"
''What! that little thing? Not at ALL"
replied Maurice.
His answer evidently pleased her.
81 am very glad. This is all the
Herod." -"
"Herod?"
"The cat"
The big, skulking black fellow in
the kitchenp'
Bella said yes, and carefully hung up
the cage again.
The fluffy, yellow ball on the perch
| stirred, removed his head from under
his soft wing, and looked sleepily at her
with small black eye.
''Goldy's very knowing" murmured
the girl, watching him.
The first smile that Maurice had seen
there frightened her cheek, and his
artist-eye noticed that her lips were
round and red as cherries. How for
lorn and down-trodden she was! He
put a kindly hand on her shortcut,
| nut-brown hair.
'What pretty hair you have! Who
| cuts it so short?"
''Mrs. Trevethick. 1t takes so much
time to take care of it, when it gets
long," she answered, gently, but re-
moving from his touch with an invol-
untary air which made him wonder how
old this poor child was, and in a mo-
ment she was gone.
He went down to the mill the next
day, and made up his mind to make a
sketch of the river there. He was
obliged to alter his plans to do so; but
the testimony of his brother artists was
not at fault-the view was lovely be-
yond compare.
For day or two he forgot everything
but his work. He noticed, however,
that the little bird in his window was
every day supplied with fresh seed and
water, and throve and sang. And dali
ly and hourly, when he was upon the
premises, he heard Mrs. Trevethick
scolding Bella.
He observed, at length, tumbler,
fresh-tilled every day with carnations
and velvety scarlet cardinal flowers,
which were placed upon the table in
his room, making a fine bit of color,
and wondered ut the unsupported taste
for beauty in Mrs. Trevethick
At the end of the fourth day his
sketch was completed. He was exceed
ingly pleased with it, and promised to
perfect from it delightful picture.
1t would prove a success to display to
his artist friends, and best OF all. his
mother. He had beloved mother,
who hoped ali things of her only son.
There was a girl, too, with a fringe
Of golden hair above her delicate eye
brows, who would smile, too, if he sold
his picture at 3 good price. Florence
Atherton liked success.
He came into the house that day, the
last of his stay at the farm, with a light
heart, which beat more slowly a. the
sound of Mrs. Trevethick' & high voice.
''Dinncr won't be ready in time! Look
sharp an get in the beef, an then peel
them potatoes. You could have got
everything going if you had liked in
half the time. Whatever was you
doin'? Gettin' few 1lowers? To
stick up in that artist feller's chamber,
of course! declare if you wasn't six
teen years old I'd box your ears"
Mrs. Trevethick's voice was raised to
such pitch that Maurice wisely de-
cided it best to put in an appearance,
and forthwith appeared upon the
scene.
He hardly liked to acknowledge to
himself that he feared the irate wo-
man would do the weak, friendless girl
bodily injury. but instinctively he
FASTENED to the door.
81 shall be obliged to leave before
dinner, Mrs Trevethick. Can / have q
lunch at haf-past eleven? Just glass
of milk, slice of your nice brown
bread and baked apple.''
For even Maurice's sound stomach
could bear no longer the rank vegeta-
bles and reeking fat of Mrs. Treve-
thick's table, and he ventured to sug-
gest what his repast should be. He
fortunately obtained it, and then tried
to speak a last kind word to poor
Bella
So she, poor little thing, had put the
flowers on his table. She sat in cor
ner, peeling the potatoes. He was
sure there were tears falling on her
hands as the shreds dropped from her
fingers. But she rose at last, wiped
them away, and put the potatoes to
cook over the fire.
When she had put some coal on the
fire, she sat down on an old chair by
the hearth. The light struck her young
cheek, and showed it deadly white. 1t
struck Maurice that she would die.
From the bottom of his heart he pitied
her, and longed to say something cheer
ing. Fortunately, Mrs. Trevethick left
the room for moment, and he went to
her side; but Bella did not look up, and
after an instant he laid gentle Land
on her bent head.
This pretty hair! Don't let Mrs.
Trevethick cut it off again, Bella, and
will bring you blue ribbon to tic it
with when l come back
Light words. but they seemed to
bring life back again to Bella. She
| looked up with strangely-radiant eyes.
care you coming back?''
Eyes; l shall stop here as l return"
Then Mrs. Trevethick entered.
Maurice went up to the Cumberland
Lakes, and was gone two months. 1t
was a profitable Summer for him,
| though letter from his mother we'll
nigh made it proftless.
''My dear boy, you will be surprised.
and 1 fear grieved, to learn of Flora
Atherton's marriage to Mr.. st. George.
She liked you l am sure; but you are
comparatively poor. Mr.. St. George is
worth half u million. They have gone
abroad. You will experience regret, but
! believe me, Maurice, time will prove
that this was all for the best. Believe
! your mother who loves you"
He did believe her, and wrenched
! Flora Atherton out of his heart He
worked hard; was little grayer when
he stopped again at the dreary home OF
poor little Bella. He had brought her
the ribbon and some books. and meant
l. -lN,, 10