Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1883-05-17

work OFF his feelings before no vontur-
into the presence of Alfred Holmes
for though he was accustomed TO heart
rending tales and scenes, he had never
boon so moved rs now.
We'll, Holiness" he said as he en-.
tered the drear and desoiate apartment,
II suppose there is nothing left now
for me to have. /"
HIM! What business is that OF
yoursp 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.
"Har he said. Il told her it was
worth something. Why don't she come
with the drink I'm burning up and
must have it,
"How much do you wantp Twill get
it for you. Your child can't come"
Yes; get the drink. But where is
tho childp"
IF you look ut that card you'll see
where the child is. She's in pawn"
Him." said his companion, looking
~ III ~ luLttt way.
"Do you understand meP" said David
Downs, growing excited; "the child is
in pawn and you have put her there
Yes, wrotched being that you are She
would sooner die than give up what you
wished her to. So she has done the next
thing toit-sho has put herself in pawn.
You will have to sell your soul next. l
am gong for the drink" and before his
companion could say say anything he
had left him.
When, q few moments later, he return
ed, Alfred Holmes was crouching in
corner, his whole body shaking Us
though he had chill. David Downs
handed him a drink without word, but,
instead of raising it to his lips, he put it
down on the floor in such way that it
slowly spread itself around and about
him, as he hold out the pawn ticket and
tho money, saying:
"You can send the child back. l
want her."
"What for? To lead the life she has
led latelyp No, it is too late for that.
See; the money is not all here, for have
spent some for that miserable stuff you
have sold your child for.'
:'You must send her back" said the
wretched man. II will do anything
you ask me if you'll only send her back.
Ia pawn! in pawnr'
He half rose as he spoke, and trem-
bled more and more as he tried to catch
hold of the pawn broker, who only look
ed down on him with frown, saying:
at is too late, tell you. / 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, az you will not find her."
Before he could get out of the room a
wild figure sprung toward him, and TAX
ing him by the arm, said excitedly:
my child! my child! Send her back.
| have got the shivers!' and looking
about him and speaking as though he
were afraid of being heard, he added:
81 am afraid 10 stay alone"
"There!" said David Downs, shaking
him off; II will send some one to stay
with you; but you cannot have your
child"
For the first time in the memory of
the Oldest inhabitants the establishment
OF the pawnbrOker was closed for
whole afternoon. indeed, David Downs
could attend to no business until he had
taken Bessie to the home he had in his
own mind chosen for her. He left her
with kind, motherly woman, who soon
made her open her young, sad heart and
take in the love and sympathy for want
of which it was starving.
For three years Bessie heard nothing
of her father, save that he was alive,
for whatever else David Downs knew of
him he kept to himself; but Mt the end
of that time n stranger presented him
self to her who told her he could give
her some tidings of her father if she
cared to hear them.
An eager though sad look came into
her face as she turned to ask the ques-
ton she almost feared to put, but there
was something in the face that looked
down at her so longingly that made
throw herself into the strangers arms,
crying excltedly:
''FatEer . father!'
"BeSsle, SAID Alfred Homes, later IN
the day, handing her roll of money,
'there is the money"
Bessie knew what money he meant,
but looked up simply and asked: ''Have
you the ticketsP'
mo. David Downs has it."
'Then-then / am not"
mo, Bessie, you are not in pawn
now, and you can do what you choose
with that money"
''rhen, father" said Bessie, putting
her arms about his neck, "we will give
it to David Downs. He will know how
to do good with it better than We"
"What is it?--my harp" he asked, az
he saw her looking at him curiously.
1t turned white like this the first month
l was alone in the world, Bessie. But
you and must never talk of that time,
little girl"
A year later it was rumored that
David Downs was fast making q bank
rupt of himself and turning his place of
business into a charitable institution.
Wise ones shook their heads and said he
would soon want home himself,
but there was always one who spoke up
when he was near and said:
mo, no. David Downs shall never
want home nor means of support 30
long as Alfred Holmes mas two strong
arms to use in his behalf"