Connecticut western news., 1883-04-11
VOL. XII.

A0ooto AouSCo Go say SOm6GuulS do David Downs went out, but the words seemed to stick in her throat, and he dared not say more lest he should be harsh and cruel, for his impulse was to do or say something violent. He made a long circuit and walked rapidly to work off his feelings before he ventured into the presence of Alfred Holmes, for, though he was accustomed to heartrend- ing scenes, he had never been so moved as now.
 "Well. Holmes,' he said, as he en- tered the drear and desolate apartment, "I suppose there is nothing left now for me to have. T."
 "H'm! What business is that of yours? Is the child coming with the drink ?"
 "No. have brought you the money and the pawn ticket. See; this will last some time,'' and he counted out the money as his companions dull eyes frightened
 "Ha!" he said. ''I told Der it was worth something. Why don't she come with the drink? I'm burning up and must have it.
 "HoW much do you want? will get 1t for you. Your child can't come."
 "Yes; get the drink But where is the child ?"
 eff you look at that card you'll see where the child is. She's in pawn"
 "H'm," said his companion, looking at him in dazed way.
 "Do you understand me ?" said David Downs, growing excited; ''the child is in pawn, and you have put her there. Yes, wretched being that you are! She would die sooner than give up what you wished her to. So she has done the next thing to it-she has put herself in pawn. You will have to sell your soul next. I am going for the drink" and before his companion could say anything he had left him.
 When, a few moments later, he re- turned, Alfred Holmes was crouching in corner, his whole body shaking as though he had a chill. David Downs handed him the drink without word, but, instea ad of raising 1t to his lips, he put 1t down on the floor in such way that it slowly spread itself around and about him, as he held out the pawn ticket and the money, saying:
 'You can send the child back. I want her."
 "What for? To lead the life she has led lately? No; it is too late for that See; the money is -net-al here, for I have spent some for that miserable stuff you have sold your child for.''
 "You must send her back" said the wretched man. "I will do anything you ask me if you'll only send her back. In pawn! in pawn!''
 He half rose as he spoke, and trem- bled more and more as he tried to catch hold of the pawnbroker, who only looked down on him with 8 frown, saying:
 ''It is too late, tell you. I cannot send her back now, and you need never come to claim her till you can bring proofs that you can support her com fortably and do something to make her happy. Goodbye, Alfred Holmes. You need not come to my place for your child now, as you will not find her."
 Before he could get out of the room a wild figure sprung toward him, and talk ing him by the arm, said excitedly:
 My child my child Send her back I have got the shivers p and looking about him and speaking as though he were afraid of being heard, he added ''I am afraid to stay alone"
 ''There p said David Downs, shaking him off; 'I will send some one to stay with you; but you cannot have you child"
 For the first time in the memory O. the oldest inhabitants the establishment of the pawnbroker was closed for a whole afternoon. Indeed, David Downs could attend to no business until he had take1 Bessie to the home he had in his owl mind chosen for her. He left her witl a kind, motherly woman, who soon mad, her open her young, sad heart and talk, in the love and sympathy for want o which 1t was starving.
 For three years Bessie heard nothing of her father, save that he was alive, fo whatever else David Downs knew o him he kept to himself; but at the en, of that time stranger presented himsel to her who told her he could give he some tidings of her father if she cared t hear them.
 An eager though sad look came int her face as she turned to ask the questio she almost feared to put, but there wa something in the face that looked dow at her so longingly that made her, i spite of the snow-white hair, throw he1 self into the strangers arms crying e1 citedly:
 ssFather Oh, father p
 Bessie" said Alfred Holmes, later the day, handing her roll of money "there is the money"
 Bessie knew what money he me al but looked up simply and asked: " Hay you the ticket?'
 "No. David Downs has 1t. "
 "Then-then I am not"
 "No, Bessie, you are not in paw now, and you can do what you choos with that money"
 " Then, father" said Bessie. putting her arms about his neck, "we will giv It to David Downs. He will know ho to do good with it better than we'' "What Is 1t ?-my hair p he asked. 2