The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-19

was not feeling particularly amiable, Tor she caught him while he was coming from an interview with Mr. Venus.
 In this interview, which the worthy proprietor of human various had sought he had told Mr. Boffn of the discovery of the will, the intentions of Silas Wegg, and then had washed his own hands of the whole business Neither would he have any reward from MT. Boffin for betraying his partner. MT. Venus was naturally and honest man, and Wegg's s ingratitude and villainy had become too strong for him. He promised Mir Boffin, however, that he would still keep up an appearance of being in 1t, and. needless to say. Bofin later found a way of smoothing Nensus' path in life.
 So, going to his home fresh from the interview with Vensus and the interview with Mrs. Lammle, the Golden Dustman. in the presence of his wife and Bella, called fiercely; Send RolSesmith here,
 Don't be alarmed said he to Bella. 'I'll see you righted," and then, as John Rokesmth entered, Mr. Boffin turned on him and shaking his fist at him. cried out How dare you, sir, tamper un- known to me with this young lady? It was sheer insolence for you even to think of this young lady. This young lady was lying in wait, as she has right to, Tor money. You have no money. This young lady was lOOklnB dDoul III lhe Hiai NSt for a good bid; she isn't to be snapped up by fellow like you."
 .'Oh," cried Bella. pray say some thing for me, Mrs Boffin.'
 "Old lady. hold your tongue, said MT. Boffin. "Pll right you my dear
 But you don't right me- sobbed Bella.
 Don't be distressed. Miss Wilfer" said Rokesmith. "It matters very little now.
 Here Mrs. Boffin began crying, and MT. hon ,aty pack up; get out. The quicker the bet tern roared the Golden Dustman to the secretary, and all the time Bella was sobbing and begging John to forgive her.
 Hardly had the secretary gone before Bella dried her tears and broke out In wrath upon MT. Boffin Then she kissed Mrs Boffin, ran to her room. put on her dress and the bonnet she had worn when she first came to the Boffn home and hurried off on foot to her father at his office in Mincing lane-an office de- serted at this hour of the afternoon by every one except Rumpty.
 She had scarcely finished telling her story to her Cherubic Pa-who kissed her and praised her and comforted her-when who should appear but John Rokesmith "l Knew you would come directly to your father" he said, "and so followed you
 
 time was not rejected. When Bella fln- ally raised her head from Johns shou- der, the eX-secretary remarked: MT Will fer I am going to marry your daughter.
 "Heml" said Rumpty. "so-T-er-gath- eredf' Then they had a feast of bread and tea from the neighborng coffee house and went home as happy as three children. where that Tragic Muse, Mrs. Wilfer. was thrown Into such state of astonish- "a qbp gnpppblpgg and could only glare.
 All that Bella thought necessary to tell her mother was that she had left the Botfins for good. and that MT. Rokesmith ha,. been discharged But few days later there was a quiet little wedding at Greenwich. A pew opener acted as Bella s bridesmaid, and a disabled sailor, who happened to be strollng by, came in and formed the congregation. Rumpty gave away the bride and dined with Mir and Mrs. Rokesmith afterward.
 Mrs Wilfer had not been invited-the Tragic Muse is no doubt, an estimable person, but seldom pleasant as com panion on festal occasions. But Bella sent her mother a nice little note announcing the happy event and the fact that she and her husband wore going to house keeping in wiittIe cottage in the suburbs. John having obtained a position "n a China house in the city"
 She did not betray Rumptys part in the transactions of the day; so when the Cherubic Pa came home the Tragic Muse informed him in a hollow tone that his daughter had become a Mendi- cant's Bride.
 While Bella was getting married MT. Boffin was having his nose put to the grindstone" by Silas Wegg. The Golden Dustman somehow had not employed MT. Lammle to fill the place of the discharged Rokesmlth so there was no secretary to stand between MT. -;offin and the grind stone.
 "Boffn," MT. Wegg was saying, you now know the contents of this here will And these are our terms: You5lI divide the property into three parts; you'll keep one and hand over the other two. There's something else. You've been a-squander- ing this property-you've bought house. It shall be charged to you. You'll leave me in sole charge of this place here of Bolfin's bower until all the mounds are carted off. If any waluables should be discovered. I'll take care of em. And there's something else. You was seen to dig up a Dutch bottle. What was In that bottle?"
 Mr. Boffin replied only by a groan. MT. Wegg said decidedly: "Very well. It shall be charged to you at a thousand pounds. Now, what do you say? Yes or no?"
 "Oh, I can't help myself" cried Mr. Boffin. "I suppose II have to accept"
 "Of course. you will" said Wegg, "or I'll split Now go home, and when the mounds Is all carted off we'll have our settlement"
 The work of carting off the mounds went on with remarkable slowness-it took months and months. for they were many and large. the accumulations of years but MT. Wegg could afford to wait Meantime, Bellas married life gllded on smoothly and happily Sometimes John would ask her If she did not want to be rich, but Bella had almost forgot ten what an avariclous feeling was and scarcely understood him.
 only once was the current of her life interrupted in it's peaceful tenor. That was when she received a letter from Lizzie Hexam. to whom she had written announcing her marriage. asking Bella to come to her. Another tragedy had entered into Lizzes life. Eugene Wray- burn had al last. by briblng the doll dressmakers bad boy" obtained xnowl- edge Of Lizzies whereabouts and had fol- lowed her Bradley Headstone had fol- lowed Eugene, and, tracking him along the river bank after an interview with Lizzie. had come on him from behind.