The Osceola times., 1885-12-05
HONORA'S DECISION.
Her Wise Choice Between Duty
and Lover.

that met Belton Blacks gaze as he
paused among the clustering birches OF
the wood. Nora Leigh was seated on the
grass, with one rosy child on her lap
and two or three scattered around. her
fair cheeks crimson and the braids OF
bronze-brown hair shining beneath the
cottage bonnet that she wore. She
looked up radiant as her lovers shadow
fell across the tangled ferns of the wood
land glade.
"Belton, is it you?" she cried.
"Send the children away" said he,
impatiently; II want to talk to you"
They will not disturb us"
They will disturb me"
A look of pain came over Honora's s
sweet, submissive face.
Charley" said she to the eldest lad,
stake Katie and Nell to where the black
berries grow. Johnny can carry the
basket, and see how many berries you
can pick before | come"
Charley obeyed without word; but
the defiant glance which he bent on Mr.
showed that he fully comprehended the
situation of things.
IL hate that man. he said to Katie.
"Oh, Charley!n cried out the innocent
child, THAT is very wicked
II can't help it," replied Charley.
"He's cross, and he scolds Nora, and
hate him!h
In the meantime Belton Black had
seated himself on the grass beside Homo
ra Leigh. and thrown one arm careless
ly around her waist.
Mora, said he, 81 haye made up
my mind"
"As TO what?"
She looked up fondly into his dark,
handsome Castiian face.
LAS to the propriety of our being
married next month. Jennings says
that am TO have partnership, and
see my way clear at once. I've spoken
TO the agent about the little house in
c. street, and"
"Oh, Bolton, do you think that the
house will be large enough?" interrupted
Honora. with troubled face.
Large enough for whatP"
"For the children. There are four of
them. you know. and"
NO" said Mr.. Black, abruptly II
don't think that it will be large enough
i didn't mean that it should. You
surely can not intend to burden our
household with your sunt's four chill
drenp They are nothing to me. and
they should be nothing TO you. ! dare
say can find some excellent institution
where"
IL promised my aunt on her diving
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 sup
ported them out of your slender earn
ings. 1t Is all nonsense to keep up this
sort of thing anynonger. 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 adamant.
"But remember one thing Nora--you
must choose between them and your
lover"
Honora uttered sobbing cry.
..Belton, Belton!" walled she, how
can you be so hardp'
II am only sensible and practical.
.sThey are SO little. so helpless. Oh,
can not turn them over to the cruel
mercies of the world" pleaded Honora.
THAT must be for you to decide.
She sat for q minute looking at the
tiny child figures that fitted about on
the edge of the wood, listening to their
innocent laughter; then she looked up
into his face.
II have decided said she. 81 can
not leave the children"
Bolton Blacks brow grew as dark az
night. -,
Every WELL" said he, rising to his
feet; ''you are aware what that I'M
pliesp"
"Yes," in low, tremulous voice;
"Are you willing TO abide by itP'
"Yes." :,
"Good-by, then." extending a cold
hand.
"Good-by, Belton."
And her ewes followed him with I
vague, fascinating gaze, as be strod'
out of the green glade and was lost u
view.
"Have l done rightP" she asked her
self, with q sharp pain at her heart
and then, as little Nell came up crying
out: Mora, Nora, me got form in m,
finger" and holding up the tiny digi
with tear-stained cheeks she caught Tn
child In her arms and sobbed out: go
kalu mai Wa I have dime right. 10