The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-08-01

very grateful 70 you. 1Ou have gen.
erous heart. But 1 could not join you
You see, Mr.. Beaded. / have been brought
up to think that rObbing is wrong in H.
self; and even if we were totally with
out food, starving to death, neither of US
would touch a penny we had not come
by honestly. Your ideas and mine are
different Mr.. Beaded 1 do not wish to
offend you; but 1 must give you my hon.
est opinion"
I'm sorry, sir 1t strikes me. sir,
you're bit sOft-'eaded. That isl mean
dang 1t. what do gentlemen call it?'
That's it, 1 s'pose. But there's nc
mora 10 be said, | guess.
"Nothing-only that my wife does not
want any reward for what she did She
felt it her duty to help her neighbour
"Ahl that's out O the bible. reckin'
That books right about some things I've
cared. 1 s'pose that's why you can't see
your way to joinin me?"
Yes; L cannot, because 1 believe it is
wrong"
well, I mighty sorry. I wish 1 could
have your respected parent in the back
yard for five minutes. though; L might
knock sense an i'm. Does e believe the
bible, mister?"
HE does not follow it, said Bertrod
with a sad smile.
The next day was the beginning OF a
darker and more bitter time for the
ing most probably, sickened again. and it
seemed as if the shadow of death was
resting upon her. II was no positive i'll
ness, only the wasting of all health and
strength, brought on by anxiety and care
and insufficient nourishment Bertrod
not knowing where the money was to
come from, called in a doctor. He gave
his opinion with brutal frankness; She
must get to a warmer climate at once
the south of France l should recommend.
1t is her only chance"
81 earn twelve shillings a week, doc
tor; L cannot well send her on that"
Il am sorry" said the doctor less
curtly: ''but she will die here, directly
the cold weather sets in"
1t was now the beginning Of Novem-
Der. Bertrod stamped his feet in agony.
His father. he had learned, for more
than a year had had a house in town,
and another at Henley, for he was nurs-
ing the riverside constituency. Once he
made up his mind to take pistol and
confront his father. Money for my
darling's life, or your life" He gave
up the idea in saner moment, and also
the idea that he would accept BeadeTs
offer. and in their place arose the idea
that grew stronger and stronger, MY
darling will die. and it will be better
for her 1 will keep sixpence for
laudanum. and we Will be happy to-
gether where fathers are unknown"
but the cup OF bitterness was not quite
drained. His mind was so unbalanced
that he failed at his work, and one day,
making a big error. he was given three
days paw and told to be gone. He went
with a curse in his heart, bitter smile
on his lips. He pawned his watch and
best suit, and then went home to sit by
his wife, who did not know the new
horror that had been added.
Mrs Beaded did all she could for the
woman who had been so kind to her.
But she was not marked out for a nurse.
willing though she was. She and Jim
talked earnestly over their neighbors'
affairs, and many a dainty did they get
for the sick woman, giving it to her
with the fiction that they were just hav-
ing a bit o. dinner, and thought she
might like a bit.
Four days did Bertrod wander through
the streets seeking work and finding
none. He had three shillings and two
of port wine for his darling.
The Beadels never asked, but they
guessed pretty shrewdly the state of
affairs. and their conversation gener-
ally resolved itself into a committee of
ways and means for their neighborS.
And that night. while Bertrod was cast
ing longing eyes on the Thames, Jim
sprang up crying: Il ave it ave it."
''What?" said Liza.
Il ave it. Wait till L come back,
'Liza-wait." -
1t was the following morning about 2
o'clock and Bertrod had just sunk into
an easy slumber, when he was reused
by Beaded knocking loudly at the door
He reused himself at once. Quick,
dress yourself whispered Jim eXcitedly,
and come into my room. Quick's the
word now"
In five minutes he had joined them.
Husband and wife were standing. Liza
with her arms thrown round her hus-
bands neck.
ION, / beg pardon" Bertrod began
Come in, come in; good news. mister -
Good newsi Then it was not for him.
I've been TO your fathers. sir" Jim
began nervously. looking steadily away
from his face. CT 'ope you'll excuse
i'm for the liberty Liza put in) Il
said: Look ere; your son wants some
tin tremendous bad: is wife's dyin', un-
less she goes abroad, doctor says. If
you're man, give i'm Somethin'.''
Bertrod's head seemed almost burst
ing as Jim paused. GO on" he whis-
pered.
well. sir, e looked at me, and 1
reckin e saw 1 meant business. Then
e took out a pocket-book. "Ere's four
hundred and fifty in notes. SEES e, take
1t to 'em. They've got nice friends, SEES
e. But never let me ear from 'em
again; not another penny from me will
they get l curse 'em with this "
Curse 'em again and double the
money ses 1; but e looked so black,
picked up the fiimsy and come away"
My father sentr' said Bertrod. his
breath coming in gasp5.
Didn't 1 say SOP asked Jim half
petulantly you must take her to
France this very day Take her, for you
need it almost as bad"
When Bertrod realized the truth. ma
ture asserted herself. and he fell back in
faint Jim always kept brandy at
hand; and, restored by a draught, Bert
and wife sobbed together such tears as
they had not wept for many a day
But there was work to be done; and
Bertrod was rushing about all day max
ing purchases and preparing for their
journey. Hope is a powerful stimulant
and even Rhoda laughed merrily.
They left by the evening mail, in
tending to rest a day in Paris. Bertrod
vainly endeavored TO give a little of his
housebreaker and his wife steadily re-
fused the proffered gift. NO, sir" said
jim stoutly: its a shame to insult me
So When l wants tin, | works for it."
Forgive me-" said Bertrod. Il did
not mean to insult you. But my wife
and 1 will never forget your kindness
never" gl.st
Rhoda kissed Liza as she went, which,
she afterward said. was the one thing
she was the proudest of, of any in her
life
Bertrod laughingly said that his fell
passengers would think. If it were
not for the baby, that they We're cou-
pie just off on their honeymoon and one
or two seemed greatly scandalized at
their gayety. But they did not know
that the pair had passed from death to