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

And she went out and spitefully
J slammed the door.
J After an instant, in which Maurice
/ did some desperate thinking, Bella drew
/ a hair-pin from her hair, letting down q
| silky, nut-brown mass upon her shoul-
| ders.
1T is not cut off," she whispered
! He smiled, and praised the gold
bright ripples.
bella
But Mrs. Trevethick came back
He walked to the village that after
noon, bought some oatmeal, showed
Mrs. Trevethick how to prepare it.made
his supper off it, with a bowl of good
milk, and then told Bella to eat it.
'1t will make her strong, Mrs. Trey
ethick."
Law, Well, 1 hope it will! She
don't eat nothin'; an them that can't
eat can't work l can't keep her much
longer if she don't get to work pretty
soon"
Maurice wondered why. What heart
rounds this young girl!
81 will stay here day or two, Bella,
till l see You BETTER" he whispered to
her, the next morning, while she obe-
diently partook Of a cup of oatmeal and
milk.
She had brought Goldy down, and the
cage hung above her head. The bird
had suffered in a cold chamber from an
early frost.
At Maurice's solicitation, she crept
out into the open air for few mo-
ments, but the hot sun seemed too
much for her, and she came back to the
old lounge.
''lll knock a window out, and let in
some sunshine and air, at any rate"
said Maurice.
The window yielded to his strong
hand, and the balmy October breeze
blew in. This was decided improve
ment. And certainly there was a little
more color in Bella's waxen face.
He made a few sketches of autumn
scenery during the next few days
spots he remembered which had need
ed the Autumnal effects.
On the third day, Bella had gathered
strength to walk down the lane to see
the glory of the woods-a wondrous
display of scarlet and gold. She trem-
bled and sobbed.
"What is it, Bella?''
':Nothing! nothingr'
She would not tell him, and he thought
she had gone beyond her strength, and
blamed himself. He walked back to
the house with her, and Bella walked in.
A painful cry from within:
''Oh, Goldy! Goldyr'
Maurice had seated himself upon the
bench outside, but he sprang up. A
great, black form crouched upon the
window-seat-Herod. There was no
time to be lost.
The creature was trembling with ca
gerness, his great, green eyes fixed un-
erringly upon the flash of those golden
wings, as the bewildered canary flew
round and round the room. A spring,
scream, an explosion-all simultane-
ous-then a horrible cry, and Herod
fell to the ground.
.'Who has dared kill my cat?''
shrieked Mrs. Trevethick from within.
"Goldy was out of the cage; Herod
was going to kill him. Please don't be
angryr' faltered Bella's trembling
voice.
That miserable canary! I'll wiring
its neck
Mrs. Trevethick," said Maurice,
coming H. 81 am responsible. l sno5
the Cat. 1t was the only way OF saving
Bella's bird"
Perhaps, them" shrieked Mrs. Trey
ethick, you'll take the bird an Bella,
too, off my hands, you are SO mighty
ready to take up for herr'
81 will take her out Of your reach in
stantly, Mrs. Trevethick, if she will be
my wife. Bella, will you come with
me to my mother?"
"Law!' breathed Mrs. Trevethick.
He took the friendless little creature
in his strong arms. One look into her
eyes of joy was enough.
Mrs. Dering's brown eyes opened
wide upon the pale, forlorn girl that
her son brought to her; but when Bella
sobbed out, Il am not good enough to
be his wife know, l know-but oh, l
love him so!'' she took her in her arms
and kissed her.