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mouth Miss Bayles immediately filled with a tart.

"I know all about it," answered Matthew, the eldest, bringing his fist down on the table; "the boys hollered at me, when I came out the grocer's, 'Your pa's in jail! Hooray! he's took up for knockin' Bill Connelly on the head, and he's got to swing-hooray!' Miss Bayles, what is got to swing'?"

"Never mind what the boys say, Matthew. Your father has been arrested; but I do not believe he has done any thing wrong. Innocent persons are frequently sent to prison on false accusations. It will come all right in a few days, and you must keep your temper, and not mind the boys. Don't trouble your mother with questions; she is tired and sick, and I wish her to drink her tea."

With gentle artfulness Miss Bayles persuaded Mrs. Bellows into her second cup, and was glad to observe that something of the wildness disappeared from her manner under the effect of its warmth and stimulus. She drew the mother's attention to the wants of the children, helping prepare them for bed, and smothering Toddle's call for "papa" under a shower of kisses.

As they were washing up the dishes, Mrs. Bellows broke forth again:

"I can't feel to forgive him, Miss Bayles; you wouldn't, if you was in my place. He's weak, Abel is. He's broken his promise more'n once, and this is what comes of it. Oh, Miss Bayles, whatever else you do, never marry a weak man, a man that can't hold himself and his family up, but is allers breakin' down in the wrong place."

"Every body has some one weak point."

"Well, a man ought to be a man. If I'd a stayed single and stuck to vestmakin' in my native town, I'd a been better off to-day "—and she looked discontentedly about the room.

"Would your heart have been satisfied with vest-making? Can you imagine a life without your children,—without meek little Abbey's smile and Toddle's fat cheeks and dimples?"

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Oh, if you will be so very good,” shuddering. "I allers was cowardly. I never rested well when Abel wasn't to home. And this evening, somehow, I'm dreadful nervous."

It was a great sacrifice on the part of the young artist to forsake her own room and share the bed of the angular and unhappy woman, but her kindness would not permit her to do otherwise; so she locked her own door, bringing forth her night-dress and a bit of sewing, and saying,

"You look ill and tired. Go to-bed now, if you feel like it. I will sew an hour or two, and then follow you."

"I'm too fidgety to sleep yet. I'll set here and watch you sew. What on earth I should do, if it wasn't for you, Miss Bayles, I don't know. You're as good as a sister—better'n some. I'll never forget your conduct this evenin'. Abel allers declared there was nobody like you. I must wind up the clock. Only eight. It seems to be six days instead of six hours since them officers come in here and begun turnin' things over." Wearily, with sighs, she wound up the old clock, whose busy pendulum had ticked away so many sad and happy hours of her life. When that was done, she looked about: "There's every thing

in that bureau tumbled-up as they left it," she said; and as she went to it, to straighten its tossed contents, the sight of it, perhaps, reminded her of another good friend.

"I wonder if Mr. Dassel won't come to see me, when he hears about it? He was always so fond of Abel and the children."

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"Oh, Lordy," she added, suddenly, sitting down, now I remember it, them men said something about Mr. Dassel,-that it was him saw the lace behind the drawer, when he fixed the lock for me, the other day." The hands of her listener dropped into her lap, and she looked up eagerly, at this, while Mrs. Bellows wailed on :

"It never struck me what it meant till now. It must be that Mr. Dassel discovered it, and told of it. I did not think he would do it. No, for my sake, and little Toddle's, I should not have thought he would have done it. He knew how much trouble I had already; he was so friendly. If it had been you who found it, you would not have ruined us, I know,-and I thought so much of him!"

The tone of this complaint, in a woman less practical and more sentimental than Mrs. Bellows, would have betrayed a dangerous depth of interest in the man; but Miss Bayles understood it and the woman who uttered it, and whose tears again were falling in big drops over her sharp chcek-bones.

"He may have acted as he felt it his duty to act, no matter how personally painful such a course might be. He certainly appeared to think a great deal of your family. Have you seen your husband since he was arrested?"

"No, I couldn't leave the children. Some of the neighbors went with the officers to the police-court; they told me he was reg'larly committed to await his trial. I didn't ask 'em the particulars."

"Well, I shall stop, on my way uptown to-morrow morning, and see if they will permit an interview. I wish to hear what Abel has to say for himself, and to tell him that you will visit

him as soon as you can get away from home."

"As to that, I'll think it over,” answered the wife. All the dissatisfaction of years was stirred up in her heart, and though moments of tenderness overwhelmed her indignation, her prevailing mood was more of pity for herself and little ones than for him who had brought them into this wretchedness.

And, indeed, there was plenty of reason for her self-pity and anxiety. She knew that an unpaid note of a hundred dollars threatened to sweep off their furniture, much of which had been her marriage-portion, and to which her pride clung as the proof of respectable "bringing-up." She had no relative to whom she felt free to apply for aid. The rent was behind; and had it not been, she could not pay rent in so good a house as this, should she be compelled to earn support for herself and three children. Then, the disgrace! Keenest trouble, sharpest pang of all!

It was a long time before she arose from her chair, and mechanically rearranged the contents of the bureau; then, with a deep sigh, she withdrew into the sleeping-room, and Miss Bayles heard her weeping beside her children's bed.

A new direction had been given to this lady's thoughts by some revelation made by the owner of the bureau. She had been wakeful before; but now new thoughts and suspicions crowded upon her so closely, that she felt it impossible to sleep. It was midnight when she laid down her sewing, and crept to-bed, without awakening the unhappy woman, whose heavy breathing showed that she had found transient relief from the care and sorrow which must beset her in the morning.

Miss Bayles breakfasted early, that she might not lose too much time in her purpose of seeing the prisoner. One of the line of cars which passed the Tombs was not much out of her ordinary path, and as she alighted before it and ascended the steps of that barbaric building for the first time, she realized something of the shame, wickedness, and despair

which hung about it and over it like a stifling atmosphere.

Obtaining permission to see Abel Bellows, she was ushered into the damp room, by whose grated door the prisoner was sitting.

66 Oh, is it you, Miss Bayles," he said, holding out his hand and smiling; yet she knew that, pleased as he was at seeing her, his first thought had been of his wife. "I might have known it. You're not made of the stuff that fades in washing."

"I come to bring you your wife's love, and to say that she will be around to see you as soon as she can get some of the neighbors to mind the children." "She don't believe it, then?"

Her eyes sank before his eager look; she was truth itself, and could not declare that the wife did not accuse her nusband.

satisfied to go to-bed without papa, last night."

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Nobody to say 'Blow the Bellows' to him-poor little man! This Bellows is blowed up, at last, Miss Bayles. I know who has done it, and I know he may prevail,-'twon't be the first time an innocent man has suffered." "Who first accused you or suspected you?"

"Mr. Dassel. It seems he suspected me from the first. You can find the whole thing in the morning-papers, I s'pose. Read the report, and tell me, next time you come, what you think of it. He had reason to suspect me, from some slight betrayal I made, and he pretended friendship with my family, in order to have an opportunity to watch me, and prove or disprove his suspicions. It seems he had a pair of sleeve-buttons stolen from his desk at

"She hopes it is not so,- -so we all the time, and he learned that I had one do, Mr. Bellows."

"Hope-hope!" said the man, sarcastically," do I look guilty? Don't Don't be afraid! Look at me well, and say, -for you are honest and true, Miss Bayles, the best woman I know."

She did look full into his eyes, and answered him,

"You do not look guilty, Mr. Bellows, and I, for one, do not think you so. I have come to offer my services,-to ask what I can do for you. Shall I get you a lawyer?"

"Be kind to my wife and babies, Miss Bayles. I know I have left them in a tight place. If I should be kept here long I don't know what in the world they'll do ;-starve, I suppose."

"Not while my purse holds out. You don't know how rich I am, Mr. Bellows. I've earned a good deal of money at Mrs. Grizzle's, and I certainly shan't let my friends come to hunger, while there's any left."

"Thank you; I believe what you say;"-there was a choking in Abel's throat, which he got rid of by a little cough, and then asked, the tears in his eyes, but laughing-" How's Toddle? and the other young ones?"

"All well. Toddle would hardly be VOL. II.-13

of them, if not both. He found the button in the clock, when he went to wind it up, and in fixing the locks of the bureau, at my wife's request, he detected a piece of lace hidden between the draw and the back. In the meantime he had discovered that, though not otherwise dissipated, I spent a great deal on lotteries, and had got myself in debt. Borden & De Witt believe I'm guilty. They believe every thing Mr. Dassel says."

"He has the gift of winning people's hearts."

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Not yours, Miss Bayles."

"No, indeed," blushing; "but I have admired him, and been singularly interested in him."

"So have I. The next time you come I want to talk it over."

"But I must go now. What can I do for you?"

"You've done all you can, in being good to my family,-and God bless you for it. There's front seats up above for such as you, Miss Bayles."

Miss Bayles had reasons for believing in the porter's innocence of which he was not aware. Disagreeable as it would be for her, a lady, to appear upon the witness-stand, she resolved that she

would do it, if her testimony was likely to benefit Abel, as she believed it would. In the meantime, with the generosity of a most noble and womanly nature, she took his family under her protection.

CHAPTER XIV.

A CAMELIA IN THE HAIR MEANS "YES,"

WHEN the family-circle is once disturbed, either by the withdrawal of one of its precious links or the addition of a stranger, how seldom is it again perfectly reunited in the same happy perfection as before! The Camerons had dwelt peculiarly in an atmosphere of love and peace. The parents, setting the example of mutual love and attention, bringing the rich stores of taste and cultivation into the service of their home, to beautify and spiritualize it, had drawn forth all the wealth of affection of which their children were capable.

Then, as we have seen, the misfortune of the youngest daughter had singled her out for the zealous and never-wearying service of love. Even the old servants fell under the influence of the universal spirit, performing their duties con amore, as far as the household was concerned, whatever their private wranglings may have been. The air of the house was so pervaded by this delightful influence, that no one could cross its threshold without becoming aware of the charm. People always liked to visit the Camerons. Some said Mrs. Cameron was a good housekeeper; others that the gentleman of the house was so efficient in helping to entertain company; and again, that "they were such a sweet family;" but, however each one explained it to his or her satisfaction, the fact was there-it was a pleasant home, the abode of happiness.

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ence which had so early fallen upon Elizabeth's warm, truthful nature. They felt momentary spasms of hate and aversion for the man who had caused her mortification and suffering, which, again, would leave them, under the irresistible influence of his candor, the spell of his accomplishments and grace; while, even had the feeling of dislike been permanent, they would have fought against it for Milla's sake.

Whether Louis Dassel were worthy or not; whether, as Lissa had begged her mother to observe, he had a selfish object in view, or really loved, as he seemed to, the fragile and exquisite creature who clung to him like the morning-glory to its pillar, certain it was that Milla's existence was bound to his, and that she would wither like that delicate vine if torn from the embrace. into which her nature had grown.

At first they had designed to be very prudent, very reserved-to hold Milla in check, and permit no sudden ripening of her attachment; but the foothold which Louis had established in the family, and maintained for so long, made it difficult to adopt another manner to him now, unless the friendship were absolutely broken. For a few days he had remained grave, pressed down by sorrow and embarrassment, scarcely venturing to call; and then Milla had grown languid, lost her new bloom, and was so evidently dissatisfied and ill, that the anxious parents were fain to encourage Louis to resume his former relations. The feelings of Elizabeth must be sacrificed to the welfare of that frail blossom which had drawn already its bloom and perfume from the soil of their self-abnegation.

And thus the change came into the home atmosphere-still loving, more devoted than ever, but no longer peaceful.

Only a mother can enter into Mrs. Cameron's trials, and comprehend the conflicting feelings with which she strove to make up to Elizabeth, by the doubling of her own tenderness, for that indulgence which she was compelled to extend to Milla.

Milla's education, doubtless, had not been what it should have been. Her friends had erred, through too much love; Mrs. Cameron saw the error too late to remedy it. Sheltered, with extreme and jealous caution, from every cold breath of the outside world which might breathe upon her sensitiveness, she was unfitted for the least adversity. Repaying the fond attentions of her relatives by a passionate, impulsive affection, they had not been able to see that they had fostered the weed of selfishness along with the heavenly flower, until her conduct in this new phase of life betrayed it. Even now it seemed so much the thoughtless waywardness of a child, that they loved her and pitied her, and could not bring themselves to train her to the stern realities of duty. If Louis did love her, if she was so blessed in his society, it was, after all, a happier fate than they had dared to anticipate for her. Surely, Louis-no boy, but a man tried in suffering, knowing himself and her, patient, calm, wisely tender-would be a husband out of ten thousand for their afflicted darling.

Thus with trembling hopes the parents solaced their fears. Elizabeth, too, putting aside her own feelings, looked at the matter in the same light, praying secretly that such might be the truth. Cheerfully, gladly would she have given up all to Milla, though her life had gone with it, did she feel unfaltering confidence in the man she had once, and still, loved. The vague uneasiness which she felt, which lay about all her thoughts like a cloud, she could not show to others. She could only watch and pray.

Elizabeth was not quite a saint. Noble and generous to a fault, she was mortal, and felt the pangs of jealousy, the loneliness of unmated youth. There were times, as we have said, when her mood was reckless or despairing, as on the day of the invitation to Miss Bulbous' party. How could she bear it? Had not he borne her over all the rough places of a foreign tongue, and taught her soul to float on the river of Goethe's song? They had read "Faust" together, with

the marvellous skill of Louis interpret ing each separate character, and giving to the poet's utterance even more than its own rich meanings. Was she a statue to sit near and hear them discoursing to each other the impassioned tendernesses of Faust and Margaret ?— and, somehow, as she mused, Dassel seemed not Faust, but Mephistopheles, and she thought of her brother's communication, and shuddered.

Mingled feelings like these had sent her forth on that impetuous drive and into the very arms, as it were, of Sam Grizzle's declaration. Now she stood in her own chamber, panting, like a hunted deer, while Sam, slamming the gate loudly in the strength of his sudden exultation, stood before his mother, luminous as a pumpkin-lantern.

"For the lord-sake, Sammy, how did you and Miss Lissa happen to be out a-ridin' together? I thought I saw you goin' off with Miss Bulbous ?

"So you did, mother. But she got tired of me, and shoved me off on to Miss Cameron."

"You seem to think it a good joke." 66 Golly, mother, it is the luckiest thing that ever happened to me."

"No! you don't say? I declare, Sam, you hain't really had the spunk!"

"You don't think I'm such a fool as to let a chance like that slip? When a fellah's alone with the girl he likes, he'd be a ninny not to take advantage of that circumstance."

"Of course, Sammy. But I r'ally did not think you had the face. How'd you get along?-what did you say? You ought to have been as flowery as them dahlias and crysanthemuns-said something r'ally genteel and nice. I hope you wasn't awkward, as your pa was when he asked me. Laws, how well I remember it! We was settin' on • the horse-hair sofa with brass nails in the front parlor,-I'd been expectin' it for six weeks, and was all of a tremble with its being eleven o'clock at night, and he not speakin' for an hour, and thinkin' every minute that pa'd rap on the chamber-floor, and all of a sudden says he 'Malvina!' and 'Oh dear,'

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