Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-07-16

ssMabel fordet, an' dc black man catch her an make her tell tories" This last with an evident appreciation of her own imaginative effort.
 Augusta, how can you steel your heart against heri" ,aied the elder lady, gathering the little, satisfied mite close and kissing the top of her curly head.
 1T don't, mother" answered Mrs. Lee, with tears in her eyeS "I love her too we'll, I am sometimes afraid. But blood will tell,' yo, know, and too much indulgence will be sure to spoil her. I am afraid the responsibility will be too much for me, and that Imust send her back in the end"
 The child slipped down from her place and stood before Mrs. Lee with folded hands.
 "Mabel be dood now" she said gravely, "Mabel love oo-dont send Mabel 'wayr Her lip quivered ominously.
 ''Poor child," said Mrs. Lee, moved against her will "No, Mabel shall stay if she will be good"
 The next afternoon the ladies left the house to pay promised visit, leaving Mabel seated on the floor quietly engaged with a new pic ture book, with big Bruno for company.
 '"Es, Mabel be dood," she said in reply to Mrs. Lees query, ''she loves oo."
 "What is your opinion now, Augustar' asked her mother as they walked along. "Just what it always was, mother" replied Mrs. Lee, smiling. There cannot but be a difference between a child with the noble blood of generations in her veins, and one | with the inheritance of the ignoble traits of as many generations. Now, Elsie would have had as great horror of deceit and dishonesty | as have myself" Mrs. Lee sighed deeply. But you must admit that there are excep- | tions, Augustag" Exceptions that prove the rule. No, mother, it would take some stronger argu- ment than you can produce, am afraid, to | make me change my opinion" It was dark when they reached home. An | excited servant met them at the door. "The | doctor said it must be kept quiet, ," she whis- pered.
 "What is it-what has happenedp cried both ladies in breath. pearance.
 r .Will she die, doctorF' asked Mrs. Lee, clutching at the railing for support. "No, madam, mo-" said the doctor "She l is not at all hurt-only frightened a little. | It seems you had told her not to leave the 1 room, and after the lamp was lighted the dog ran against the table and tipped it over. It didn't break the lamp, but the flame l caught the muslin drapery, and when the l servant returned after q short absence she l found the child standing in the middle of the floor crying for 'Auntie,' while the dog had l fled down stairs. She will be all right by to- l morrow"
 Mrs Lee did not hear this last assurance, being already half way up the stairs. Mrs. Taunton was not far behind her.
 "Auntie," cried the little one as Mrs. Lee entered the room, ''tant Mabel have her ownty mamma nows Mabel was dood- B'uno was bad doggie. Please, aunty," she l pleaded
 Mrs. Lee held out her arms. "My dar ling,n she said, II will be your mamma, your 'ownty' mamma Say mamma darling, she cried, the tears running down her cheeks
 My ownty mammal Mabel so happy Mabel so srepy." The blue eyes closed, an6 they left her sleeping with a smile on hel lips. The servant met them in the hall.
 "Please, ma'am, there's poor body wait ing to see you. was sort O 'fraid O her mann, and didn't want to let her in, but sht said twas important business"
 Mrs. Lee followed her down stairs.
 What can do for you, my good womanf she asked.
 "Yer can't do nothin' fer me-" said tn, woman, roughly, ''but kin do fer you Thar's some clus what belongs ter ye: they'r yer young un's."
 l "Mammai' cried a little voice. "Me ant my new mamma Ont"
 A childs scream of terror. Bad woman send way, mammal Mabel fraid." She hit her face in Mrs Lees dress.
 "Wha-what do you means" cried she breathlessly.
 II mean, mum, thet stole 'er an then gu, Ter away. 'Ere's Ter things she he'd on. Thet' what I mean, mum-shes yer own. Goot day, num-"
 The hardened woman closed the door softl, behind her, wiping shamed tear from he eye at thought of the picture she had left il the hall behind her; the figure of sobbini woman kneeling on the cold stones, an' clasping close to her thankful breast little wondering child.
 What do you think of your theory, now AugustaF asked Mrs Taunton, when she ha' heard the whole story.
 IT think I haven't any, mother" sh said, laughing through happy tears.-Kat A. Bradley in Detroit Free Press.