The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1885-12-05

can not turn them over to the cruel
mercies of the world" pleaded Honora
THAT must be for you to decide"
She sat for 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. II can
not leave the children" \
Bolton Blacks brow grew as dark as
night.
Every WE'LL" said he, rising to his
feet; 'you are aware what that i'm
phes?"
Eyes" in low, tremulous voice.
"Are you willing to abide by itP"
yes"
"Good-by, them extending a cold
hand.
"Good-by, Belton.'
And her eyes followed him with a
vague, fascinating gaze, as he strobe
out of the green glade and was lost to
view.
"Have / done rightP" she asked her
self, with sharp pain at her heart,
and then, as little Nell came up crying
out: mora, Nora, me got form in my
finger" and holding up the tiny digit
with tear-stained cheeks she caught the
child in her arms and sobbed out: "God
help me! Yes, have done right, for
these ones have no one but me"
So Honora Leigh went back to her life
of patient drudgery and ceaseless toll
once more. And the rich gentleman on
the first floor, who saw her go in and
out with her little music roll, asked the
landhdy who she was.
"It's Miss Leigh, sir" said the
woman; "a daily governess, and one Of
the sweetest, most self-denying young
ladies as ever gave up her life for the
benefit of Others"
"Humph!'' said the rich gentleman.
"There's not many such in the world. !"
"No, sir; indeed there's not" said
Mrs. Moore.
How the rich gentleman on the first
floor became acquainted with the daily
governess-how the children began to
run in and out of his room and ask him
to tell marvellous stories of America,
from whence he came-and how at last
Epretty Nora went back to America with
him as his wife, would make too long a
recital in detail. Suffice it to say that
such was fact.
"God bless the little ones!" Mr.. Bon
field said; "there's room asd to spare
for them in my house. And to my
} thinking there's no sweeter sound about
{ the house than children's voices"
, And if anything could have made
!, Nora love her husband more dearly than
she had done before, it would have been
those words of his.
And the years went by, and the little
D children grew up into health and beauty.
, and Nora, in her satins, had almost for
, gotten the sore straits of her early girl
hood, when one day the past was re-
called to her by a most unexpected &C
cident.
IF you please, Mrs. Bonfeld," said
the cook one day, Tim says there's 8
poor family settin' down in the old cot
tage by the gates as is almost stayvin'
Sure, says / to Tim, why don't you
tell the MISUSE Says he: What fol
would be botherin' her and they nuth
in to herP' Says l. The hand of hel
was never closed agin the sick and the
= poor, and I'll tell her, Tim, if you
. DON'T"
u "You are right, Mary" said Mrs. Bon
field. II will go this evening and in
= quire into the case"
!. And with Charley carrying basket
. in which was piled goodly supply o.
Jelly, wine, home made bread and hot
house grapes, Nora walked to the ruined
I. cottage at dusk. On the hearth lay .
~ gaunt form outstretched On heap o
straw, with fever-glowing cheeks anC
7 eyes rolling restlessly in their sunkel
! sockets, while by the door sat fade,
! woman rocking child to and fro il
- her lap.
> 'Ihope we're not intruding, ma am ;
> said she, with something Of lady
courtesy and accent; "but my husban,
y could go no further. We are on GU
way to Omaha, where he thought b
could get employment"
- "You are quite welcome TO stay here,
u. said Mrs. Bonfeld, gently; land vii
y send you some things from the house t
u make you more comfortable. You
! husbands name is"
- BLACK, ma'am-Belton Black. View
III had bad luck, and we thought perhap
- we might do better here" sighed tn
:, ls woman. "But I heartily wish we ha
~ stayed in England"
Nora Bonfield's heart beat violently 9
=, she advanced pace or two toward tn
VI wretched head Oh the straw where tn
~ yellow flicker of the candle family illum
= mated face which she would scarcel
= have recognized-the face of Belto
~ Black.
" He died the next day, and new,
u knew that the eyes of his old sweethea
~ had rested pityingly upon him in h
70 last hour. And the simple headstor
IN that was reared over his remains in Il
| caunefarv WAS nlaeed thara th,,oa,ob n