The Washington herald., 1913-05-18


ledger, she treated him almost with con-
tempt.
Yet he would not tell her who he was,
for he did not want her to marry him
merely because of the money it would
bring her. She hurt his feelings often,
but in spite Of it she could not help be-
ing attracted to him. He had a way, too,
of looking at her that made her feel how
proud and unjust she was, and sometimes
made her quite despise herself.
But having had taste of the pleasures
and comforts that wealth would bring,
Bella had quite determined when she mar
ried to marry nobody but very rich
man. Mr.. and Mrs. Boffin both noticed
: how changed she was growing from her
own sweet self and regretted it, for they
liked Bella and the secretary, too, and
they could easily see that the latter was
in love with her.
One day Mrs. Boffin went to the secre-
tarys room for something. As she en-
tered, Rokesmith, who was sitting sadly
over the fire, looked up with peculiar
expression that told the good woman
all in fash who he was.
Il know you now" she cried, you're
little John Harmon
In the joy and surprise she almost
tainted, but he caught her and set her
down beside him. Just then in came
Mr.. Bofin, and the secretary told them
the whole story, and how he now loved
Bella, but would not declare himself be-
cause of her contempt
Both Mr.. and Mrs. Boffin were so glad
to know he was really alive they fell to
crying with joy. The Golden Dustman
declared that, no matter how the last
I'll. 81 A.
for his own. Rokesmith Cor Harmony
at first refused to do this. but Mr.. Boffin
swore that If he did not he himself would
not touch the money and it would have
to go to the Crown anyway. So at last
it was agreed that Mr.. Boffin should keep
a small portion for his own, but that tn !.
other should take all the rest.
Mr.. Boffin wanted to tell everybody the
truth at once, but John would not let
them. You see he wouldn't marry Bella
for anything unless she loved him for
himself alone And she was growing so
fond of riches that there seemed little
chance of this happening
Nevertheless they believed that at heart
Bella was good and sweet, if they could
only get to her real self, so Mr.. Boffn
that moment made a plan.
He determined to show Bella how much
unhappiness misused riches could cause,
and how too much money might some
times spoil the kindest and best people.
'As lesson to her in this he was to
pretend gradually to turn into mean,
hard-hearted miser. They agreed that he
should begin to treat the secretary harshly
and unjustly in Bella's presence, feeling
sure that her true self would stand up for
him when he was sighted, and be kinder
to him when he seemed poorest and most
friendless.
The Golden Dustman began the new
plan that very night. Every day he made
himself act like regular brown bear
and every evening he would say, "I'1l be
grislier old growler tomorrow" He
made the secretary slave from morning
till night and found fault with him and
sneered at his poverty and cut down his
wages.
Each afternoon, when he went walking
with Bella, Mr.. Boffin would make her
go into bookshops and inquire if they had
any book about miser. II they had,
he would buy it, no matter what it cost
and lug it home to read. He began to
drive hard bargains for everything he
bought, and all his talk came to be about
money and the fine thing it was to have
it.
$50 in for money, my DEAR" he would
H. Al. Il NJ