Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1894-01-18
[CHAPTER II-CoNT1NuEp.7

Apparently he did, for he was smiling
and ntdding and nalf closing his google
eyes, as if in enjoyment Of some piece
of humor
"Rcll, it is no use your ranting, my
dear said Mrs. Lilly i'll her unmoved
voice. You know very we'll that you
could cure all this bother i'll the twink
ling of an eye. You have but to say
the word and get rid OF all your money
troubles together
Bell shrank back in her chair. and q
weary, Respondent look came over her
bright young face. You mean. if !
were to consent to the arrangement you
proposed" She said, slowly.
The best arrangement possible for
my grandchild," said Mrs. Lilly. You
and she come and live in perciyal
House as part of our family. You are
rent free and board free. The child is
brought up in proper way-and
must say, Bell, that it would be be-
coming and respectable for you at your
Sge, instead Of living in n lodging by
yourself with no experienced person to
control you.'
Mrs. Jack was bordering, with her
face buried in her hands.
1t seems hard to give up the bit OF a
home have" she said at length, Hook.
ing up piteously. II have been used TO
be mistress, you see, Mrs. Lilly. My
darling husband was so indulgent TO me
always"
A tear ran down her cheek. and fell
and glistened on the rusty black Grape
Of tler sleeve.
Il should have thought YOU would
have considered your child before Your
self" said Mrs. Lilly. coldly.
$50 do! You don't imagine haven't
thought of my precious pet? But
just on her account-she is used to her
liberty. She toddles about in the fields
all day when it's fine, and at home
there is lot a corner in all the house
she may not go into. She is welcome,
everywhere; and then, above all, there
is Biddy. 1 think it would break the
child's heart to part from Biddy. She
is so fond Of her. And, Mr.. Lilly, you
told me before, wouldn't consent"
Mr. Lilly would not consent to have
Biddy in Percival House." put in the
gentleman, finishing the last sip of his
cool drink and rising from his chair
No, that he would not! No Irish need
apply, Ell? No paddywhacks. By-bye.
Bell. My love to Hopsy." And Mr..
Lilly walked away to his office, beam
ing and jocular.
Mrs. Jack sat with her hands in her
lap and the tears streaming down her
cheeks. II done know what to do"
she said, looking wistfully at her moth
er-in-law.
:. : DO as 1 tell you, of course" replied
Mrs. Lilly, undoubtingly. Take adj
vantage Of the opportunity while YOU
have it. I wouldn't answer for Mr..
Lilly being willing to receive you IL
there if there is much more Of this
Silly -shally.''
DO you think he has quite made up
his mind not to allow me anything?'
Quite. You may put that idea out
of your head "
1t seems so unreasonable. He gave
when we didn't want it half SO much. y
MIR. Lilly is master of his own
actions, Bell
would you-would you give me a
little more time to consider the pro-
posal ~. C..
You have had year to consider It,
Bell. remember preached the SUBJ
ject to you full twelvemonth ago."
Yes; but then thought would try
to live, on my income. I didn't know
how far it would CO."
You have tried and you have failed.
You are no manager, Bell. You haven't
the least idea Of economy. You waste
a great deal Of money in buying use
less trash for your little girl. I've no
doubt you are robbed and cheated right
and Left
Il don't believe anybody robs me. I
am sure, certain, positive that Biddy
does not; nor yet my landlady."
"Ha! accuse nobody by name. I
should consider it sinful. But it is
quite certain that you don't understand
how to make the most Of a shilling.
You are very thoughtless You have
no more experience in some matters
than child of six years old"
Ihus, and much more, said Mrs.
Lilly. She went on uttering the most
unpleasant truths with perfectly in
different face and in a perfectly in
different voice.
Truths! Yes; poor Mrs. Jack ac-
knowledged to herself that there was a
great deal Of truth in what her mother
tn-laW said. But it was not the less
hard to bear on that account. She
took her leave, with q promise to give
q final answer to Mrs. LilIy's PROPOSE
ton by the end of the week.
i suppose" she faltered you don't
think-do you think that Mr.. Lilly
could be persuaded to let Biddy come
4 3 e
and an excellent servant; and there
would have to be some sort of nurse
maid for the child, and I'm sure you
couldn't find better. would pay
Biddy myself, out of my own money,
Il Mr.. Lilly would let her stay with
Popsy.
am quite sure Mr.. Lilly wouldn't
allow 1t, Bell. Won't you come up
stairs again to Emma? She is at home.
hear the piano."
''N-no, thank you; I think not MY
eyes are red, and I don't want Emma
to see that I have been crying" said
Mrs. Jack, simply.
Oh! don't think Emma would no
tice It. But do as you like. Good-by.''
Mrs. Jack drew down her veil and
& walked back along the High street.
Her pace was as quick as ever. She
wanted to get home and think things
over" That is how she phrased it in
her owns mind. But what she was
longing for at the bottom of her heart
was to hug her little girl and cry over
y her HI 5t1f