The morning call., 1891-11-28

not come. Perhaps she's dead; perhaps
married It's not likely she needs 1t as
| do"
But still she sat where she had thrown
herself down, incapable of going to spend
the money that it seemed to her fate had
made her steal.
The shadows grew longer. The side of
the factory, with its many closed WINDOWS,
looked down on street that was no
thoroughfarr. No one came that way OUT
of hours. Opposite was ouiv the storing
ground of a lumber-yard. Great boards,
piled one above another, constantly threat
end to topple down into the real below,
but never did. Solitude AS deep as can De
found in a city reigncd there after Work
time.
So Bell, staring up the street, watched
without interruption a woman's figure that
came hurrying down at its best speed, now
and then putting it, hand to her heart and
pausing, but running on again the faster
afterward. 1t came 10 pause opposite the
great door and glared at 1t; then sank
down, with its face in its hands.
CLOSED! Ciusedl Closed!' it moaned.
And | tried so hard to get here! l tried so
hsrd-so hard!"
1t was middle-aged woman, once pretty,
still not plain, with gray IN her balr, that
had been of a splendid glossy black-a
woman shabby as Bell herself, and with
the same sort of DELEGATE, Swaying figure;
As the girl looked atsher. she looked up and
spoke:
"Have they all gone homer"
Eyes" said Bell"
Then there's no chance of my getting
my wages" sighed the woman. II tried 10
get here, but I've been sick and | tainted.
l shall starye unless l beg-5tarYe! DO you
work here?"
your name. please?'
Isabella Belt" said the woman.
''What was coming to you|' asked Bell:
Not five dollars but it was life 10 me,
said the woman.
Bell put her hand in her pocket.
That's your money" she said. Bella
Belt, they called. III tell you the truth"
She told her all, and the woman listened.
A strange look was on her face; strange
light in her eyes.
IL used to read novels when was girl ="
she said. "rhis is stranger than novel.
You're good girl-good! Wen share the
me, too, don't you, only you're young and
She took Bela's hand. They sat so
awhile, the money on the stone between
them.
Let us go and get something to eat" said
the woman, Mt last, and they were rising to
go when something arose from behind Il
great, rusty boiler that lay near the steps
that petrifed both women with horror, a
tramp, red-faccd, with long, trouse!ed hair
and beard, with filthy rags upon h9ure
that resem5led that OF a gorilla, and I'll
soft, heavy football of his kind.
Silently the two Bellas, Young and old,
clung together as he leaned over them, his
hot breath on their faces.
Give us the money" he said. Give us
the money. gu nave the money? GU
had money; give ii.
Then he saw it. seized it. counted it,
dropped the change. picked it up, struck a
blow toward them, hitting nothing, and
stumbled away.
Thank God" cried the women together
Then they looked at each other piteously.
hungrily, and began to cry.
d" It's not safe, here" said the elder
woman.
IF we could only get into the factory
We might do it; old Peter the watchman,
doesn't always lock the gate at once Up
Sunday, and even find scrap or two to eat
Of lunches left over. Wen go to the gate"
Hand in hand they made their way TO the
little wooden passage that was left open for
Peter The old man sat with his back to
them, eating his supper. They crept past
him, and up and out of sight. In a room
overhead they sat down near window,
and the elder Bella, leaving her companion
there, searched everywhere and found few
crackers, fragment OF cheese hRlf-eaten
apple.
Better than begging" she said.
They munched the scraps. and night fell
and the moon arose, and they kept beside
the window and close to each other.
After while the elder woman asked
question of the younger
Have you mother?" she said.
There's wicked woman somewhere. If
she is not dead, who left me on a doorstep
in q basket once" Bella answered. "A
good old woman took me in. She is dead
Had you anything your real mother
could know you by?' asked the older
Bella.
MY name and a cameo brooch marked
B. B., " the girl answered; "but she never
wanted TO know me; not She"
Then silence fell, and after a while the
two women gathered together some cotton
waste and canvas and lay down to sleep
together.
'Do you pray" asked the elder Bella of
the younger, as she drew the canvas over
her.
Yes" sighed Bella.
Then pray for me-" said the other; "pray
for me, sinner"
Later, two tramp5. s0dden and hideOus
staggered bick to the factory side and lay
there smoking
Later yet policeman heard a shrlll old
voice crying Fire! Fire." and rushed to
meet feeble old man, with lantern in his
hand-Peter, the Waterman.
IT'S BIeeze's factory" he cried ats
more"
ANY one there?" asked the policeman.
Thank God, not soul!' said Peter.
But up in the room into which the moon
no longer shOne, where the air was dense
and thick with black smothering smoke,
two women felt their way toward a window
g Do you hear me?" asked the elder
Bella.
- Yes" said the younger
don't think we can be saved / must
tell you, Bella, am your mother, the wicked
woman who left you at the BAKERS door
But, Bella, l loved you. / was starving
that woman had good home and loved ba-
bies. meant to come back for you, but it's
been poverty, suffering, misery ever since
ever slnce-ever since, Bella, that's why l
did not come. l thought you rich and happy
never knew-Bella-"
" Mother" sobbed a faint voice in reply :;
on, mother, l believe you and l love you. "
And they lay clasped in each others arms.
They found them so next day clasped in
each others arms. The fire had not
touched them. and their faces were almost
happy when they laid them side by side to-
gether.-New York Ledger.