CHAPTER VI.

_BELLE._

"Yes indeed, mamma! I must, I must have that prize for composition," said Maggie, after she and Bessie had told their mother of all the events of the morning.

"And do all the others think they must have it too, Maggie?"

"Well, yes, mamma, I believe they do; at least most of them want it very much, and Gracie and Fanny Leroy are very anxious for it. We were talking a little about it, before I went to my music-lesson; and when Dora put us in mind that all but one would have to be disappointed, somehow I did not feel so very happy about it. But I do not feel as if I could give up trying for it. Do you think it is selfish in me, mamma?"

"No, love, not at all. So long as you are willing that the others should have an equal chance with yourself, and take no unfair advantage of them; and that, I am sure, my Maggie would not do."

"No indeed, mamma; I hope I would never be so mean. Then you think it is quite right for me to try for the prize?"

"Yes, dear. God has given to each one of us certain powers or talents which He means us to use for His service and our own improvement. Only let us be sure, 'whatsoever we do, to do it to the glory of God,' and not simply to gain some praise or some fancied good for ourselves. For although we may succeed, even with such a motive, yet it will not bring a blessing. Do your very best, not with the sole purpose of being _first_, or of carrying away the prize from others, but that you may please your Father in heaven, and make the most of the opportunities He has given you. Then you will be sure of the best of rewards--that of a good conscience, and the smile of God; and if the earthly reward is won too, well and good, but that is not the chief thing."

"But I'm afraid I _did_ think it was the chief thing," said Maggie, gravely shaking her head; "and I'm afraid the reason I would like the prize so much, was because I wanted every one to say I made the best composition. I don't think I thought a bit about glorifying God. Mamma, I hope you do not think I had better not try for the prize."

"Not at all, dear," said her mother. "I should be very sorry if you did not try to gain it. Do your very best, only do it with love to God and your neighbour; not feeling jealous or envious if another does better, or too much puffed up if you should be the one to receive the prize."

"Well, I will try not to be too very anxious about it, mamma," said Maggie.

But Maggie _was_ very anxious about this prize; _so_ anxious, so bent upon gaining it, that her mother was almost sorry it had been offered by Miss Ashton's uncle. Morning, noon and night, it seemed to be upon her mind; everything that pleased or interested her was talked over as "a subject;" and Mrs. Bradford was not a little amused one day to find in Maggie's room, the following:--

"LIST OF PRIZE SUBJECTS.

"Elephants; Doing unto Others; Potry; Mind your own Business; A Fabel; Sunset; Dolls; Churches; Vegitables; School; A Letter; A Story; Christmas; What can't be cured, must be endured."

It had been arranged that the prize papers were not to be begun before the 1st of April, but that meanwhile the children were to do all they could to improve themselves, not only in composing, but also in writing and spelling. Miss Ashton gave them a composition to write during school-hours, one day in each week; but this did not satisfy Maggie, and at home she was constantly scribbling and reading aloud her productions to the admiring Bessie, till her mamma, who thought she was too much taken up with it, and that she scarcely gave herself time enough for play in her excitement and anxiety, forbade her to write more than half an hour each day, whether in school or at home; and this in spite of Maggie's plea that she was "only exercising her ideas."

So the days and weeks passed by, bringing nearer the Christmas holidays, when there would be no school for a fortnight; and about this time a very pleasant thing happened to our two little girls and their new friend Belle.

As you were told before, the three children had become very intimate, Belle being often invited to pass the day with Maggie and Bessie; and she dearly loved to go. Colonel and Mrs. Rush, with whom the children had "brought her acquainted," took a great interest in her, and sometimes, when Maggie and Bessie came to see them, would send over to Mr. Powers' rooms for Belle to come and join her young playmates.

She was a sweet-tempered and truthful child; but she was not as obedient as Mrs. Bradford's little girls, and was in some things rather spoiled. She would argue and fret when told to do a thing which did not suit her, and sometimes she would deliberately disobey. Her mother had been ill for a long time before her death, and not able to do much for her child; and her father perhaps humoured her more than was good for her, so that Belle had not had much training, and generally thought her own way was quite as wise and safe as that of older people. Mr. Powers himself became fond of dropping in at the Bradfords' pleasant home, where he always found a warm welcome.

One day, shortly before Christmas, Belle went home from school with Maggie and Bessie, and spent the rest of the day with them, and in the evening her father came to take her home. He sat down in the library with Mr. and Mrs. Bradford, while the three little girls in the other room were talking over some very important holiday arrangements.

"I fear my poor pet will not wear as bright a face to-morrow as she does to-day," said Mr. Powers, as he looked through the open doors at the happy little ones.

"Why?" asked Mrs. Bradford; "there is no trouble in store for her, I hope."

Mr. Powers shook his head sadly.

"Yes," he said: "I shall have to leave her for a while; and, what is more, so will Daphne, her old nurse. Daphne's son is very ill in Savannah, and the old woman, of course, is most anxious to see him before he dies. She is too helpless and ignorant to be allowed to go alone; and, as I have business in Savannah which must have taken me South in a few weeks, I shall go a little sooner, and see Daphne safely there. But we must travel day and night, if we are to be in time; and such a journey would be too much for my poor baby. I shall be forced to leave her behind, and it will go near to break her little heart. We must start to-morrow at noon, and I shall have to tell her in the morning."

"But what do you mean to do with her?" asked Mrs. Bradford.

"To leave her with Miss Ashton, if she will take charge of her, as I think she will. I shall go and see her this evening after I have taken Belle home. She will be well cared for there, I am sure."

"Yes," said Mrs. Bradford; "but I fear she will be very lonely after school-hours are over. There are only Miss Ashton and her mother; and, though I do not doubt she would receive every kindness, it will be dull for the little thing. Suppose you let her come to us: she will bear your absence better if she is with our children whom she is fond of."

Mr. Powers' melancholy face lighted up with pleasure; but the next moment he shook his head doubtfully.

"It would be the very thing for her," he said, "but quite too much to ask from you. You are not strong yet, and it would not be right to give you the charge of another child."

But Mrs. Bradford would not listen to this, as long as Mr. Powers was satisfied to have his child with her. Belle was not much trouble, she said; and nurse and Jane would readily do for her as for the others. So, after a little more talk, it was settled, greatly to the father's satisfaction. Mrs. Bradford said it would be well to tell Belle now, while she had the other children at hand to console her, and make her feel she might enjoy herself even though her father and nurse were away; and the little girls were called in.

"Belle," said Mrs. Bradford, "how would you like to come and stay with Maggie and Bessie for a while?"

"What! do you mean to stay all night and sleep here?" said Belle, with wide-open eyes.

"Yes, dear, for several nights, for three or four weeks. Would you not have pleasant times?"

"Yes, if papa comes too," said Belle, drawing herself from Mrs. Bradford's arm, and springing to her father's knee, where she clung to him, as if she feared she were to be parted from him by force.

"But papa cannot come too, my precious one," said her father. "I have to go on a journey; and Mrs. Bradford has kindly said you may stay here with her little girls till I come back."

"I shall go on a journey too; yes, I shall, I _shall_!" was Belle's answer.

"But you cannot, darling," said Mr. Powers; and then, as cheerfully as he could, he told his little girl why he and Daphne must go away, and what a pleasant arrangement had been made for her during their absence.

Belle did not make the outcry which Mrs. Bradford had expected, but every time her father paused, repeated, "I _shall_ go a journey too."

Poor child! she was not accustomed to a ready obedience; and she knew that, if she persisted, she could often carry her point with her father; while he, feeling that this time, at least, he _could_ not yield, feared each moment to hear her break out in cries and sobs when she found she could not have her own way. To all his coaxings and promises she made the one quiet but determined reply, though each time her voice became more choked.

But now Bessie came softly behind Mr. Powers, and, gently trying to disengage one of the little hands which were tightly clasped about his neck, said in a low tone,--

"You would not make a trouble for your papa, when you say you are 'his little comfort,' Belle, would you?"

"I _shall_ go a journey with him," said Belle, in the same old tone.

"Oh no!" said Maggie, coming round to the other side; "you will stay here with us, and have such a lovely, lovely time. We are a very nice family to stay with," she added persuasively.

"Belle does not doubt that, I believe," said Mr. Powers, smiling rather sadly; "but she and I have no one but one another to pet, and it comes pretty hard to part, even for a time."

"But we are going to try and make her very, very happy, even if you are away, sir," answered Bessie.

"And, Belle, next week Christmas will be here, and if you go on a journey you will not see our tree; and we have a great many nice things to do in the holidays."

"We have some of our presents to buy yet," said Maggie, "and we want you to help us, and we have money to buy you a present too; and papa and mamma will give you presents if you stay: will you not, mamma?"

Mrs. Bradford said, "Certainly;" but all these promises only drew forth the same answer.

"And we are all to go to Riverside in grandmamma's sleigh, and spend the day there," said Bessie; "and you will go too, and if there is not enough of room I will let you have my place."

"Why, how much you will have to tell me of when I come back," said Mr. Powers cheerfully. "You must be sure and remember all these pleasant things, so that I may hear about them."

"I _shall_ go a"--began Belle; but before she had time to finish the old sentence, Maggie broke in with,--

"Oh, she could write to you about them, Mr. Powers. She can make up a letter every day, and I will write it for her, and she can put it in the lamp-post herself. Will not that be nice, Belle?"

"I couldn't make up so much," said Belle.

"Oh yes! you could do enough," said Maggie. "You could tell your father you was alive, any way, and he'll be glad to know that. Yes, we'll send him a letter every day."

This proved to be a most happy idea, and was the first thing which brought any consolation to poor little Belle; and her father, seeing that she was at last interested, improved it by saying,--

"Dear! dear! I shall have to leave behind me quite a fortune in postage-stamps to pay for so many letters. Let me see if I have enough."

And he pulled out his pocket-book, and, taking from it a quantity of stamps, began to count them over; while Belle, after submitting to let Bessie wipe the tears from her eyes, watched him with eager interest, as did the two other little girls.

"There is one for the day after to-morrow," said Mr. Powers. "You will not think it worth while to write to-morrow, I suppose."

"Oh yes! I think they had better begin at once," said Mrs. Bradford, who saw that this writing of letters to her papa was likely to divert Belle's mind from her grief at parting with him.

"Very well," replied Mr. Powers; and he counted out a postage-stamp for each day as far as his stock would go. "Here are only enough for two weeks."

"We shall have to stop and buy some as we go home, Belle."

"And here, Belle," said Bessie, "you may have this box of mine to keep them in. You may have it for your very own to keep all your life."

"And you will write her letters for her; will you, Maggie?" asked Mr. Powers.

"Yes, sir. Mamma lets me have half an hour for writing every day, and I will give it to Belle."

Mrs. Bradford was glad to hear Maggie say this. She had feared that the little girl was too eager and anxious for the composition prize; but this proved that the desire for it had not made her selfish, and that she was willing to lessen her chances of it for the sake of being a help and comfort to her motherless little friend. She did not tell Maggie that she might still "exercise her ideas" during the allowed half-hour, and take some other time for writing Belle's letters. Since the dear child was willing to make the sacrifice, she thought it just as well to let her do so.

So Belle was pacified, and made to believe that she might, after all, be able to bear the separation from her father; and this letter-writing did indeed prove to be a great source of comfort and amusement to her.

Mr. Powers did not send her to school the next morning, but kept her with him till the last moment taking her himself to Mrs. Bradford's house, and leaving her in the kind lady's care. When Maggie and Bessie came home, they found her sitting on the sofa beside their mother, her head in her lap, and looking the very picture of woe. She brightened considerably, however, when she saw them, and asked Maggie if she was ready to write her letter for her, saying she was "only going to tell her father that she was going to die of grief."

Mrs. Bradford made no objection to this, but said that the children must all have their dinner before they did anything else; and, as she expected, by the time Belle had made a good meal, and chatted, as she ate it, with her happy, merry little companions, she thought better of her intentions of "dying of grief."

Then the letter was written; but as it was so short a time, only two hours indeed, since Mr. Powers had gone, there was not much to tell; and it contained only these words:--

"DEAR, DARLING PAPA,--I think I better not die of trouble of your going away, 'cause Maggie says then all the postage-stamps will be wasted.

"YOUR DEAR LITTLE BELLE."

The most important, part of these letters, according to the thinking of the little ones, was the postage-stamps, and the putting them into the lamp-post boxes; and these Belle always insisted on doing herself.

On this day they all went out to walk together, and when they reached the first box the children paused to put the letter in. The box was far above their heads, and a gentleman was there before them, putting letters through the slide.

"Shall I put in your letter for you, my dear?" said he to Belle, who held the precious message to papa fast in her hand, while she waited her turn.

"No, sir," said Belle. "I want to send my own letter to papa my own self. He won't like it so much if somebody else sends it."

"Oh, that is it!" said the stranger; "but you can scarcely reach up here. Shall I lift you?"

Belle agreed, and the gentleman lifted her, and let her slip the letter into the box herself, telling her he was sure her papa would be much pleased with it; and Belle went on her way well satisfied.

"Do you think dear papa has my letter yet?" she said to Bessie, when, an hour later, they returned home.

"Oh yes, long ago!" answered Bessie. "Why, we took a long walk, Belle; and it's a great while since you sent it."

"Maybe he's sitting in the cars, reading it," said Belle; to which Bessie replied, "Course he is," and since neither of them knew it, neither of them was disturbed by the fact that it would take three or four days for the letter to reach Mr. Powers; and Belle was made quite happy when she received the next morning a little note from her papa, written in the cars and posted at the first stopping-place on his way.

She and Bessie made another droll mistake one day. Maggie had gone out with her Aunt Annie, and so was out of the way when it was time for the others to take their walk; and lo, the daily letter was not written, forgotten for the first time! Bessie and Belle were both in a great way about it. Mamma, too, having gone to ride, there was no help to be had from her.

"Do it yourself, can't you?" said Bessie: "you can print a little."

"Yes," said Belle, seizing on a sheet of paper. "But what shall I say? I haven't much to tell to-day."

"And we haven't time for much thoughts about it," said Bessie. "Nurse has baby 'most ready, and she don't like her to be kept waiting. You might tell him you are alive. Maggie said he would like to know that."

"Yes," said Belle, and she began to writs; but a new difficulty arose.

"How do you spell 'alive'?" she asked,

Bessie thought a moment.

"I don't know," she said slowly. "Oh yes! _life_ is in one of the Bible texts, and it's l-i-f-e. I guess that's the way you spell 'alive,' only to put a _a_ in front of it."

Belle took it all in good faith, and printed out,--

DEAR PAPA,--I am alife.

"So Good-bye."

Then it was put into the envelope.

"But I don't know how to put papa's name," said Belle.

Bessie had not thought of this trouble. "Shall we ask nurse or Jane?" she said.

"No," said Belle. "I don't believe they know how to write papa's name, or where he has gone to."

"But won't the postage-stamp make it go all safe?" asked Bessie.

"Oh, to be sure!" said Belle, and the postage-stamp was put on; and, nurse and Jane appearing at that moment with the other children, they set out, Belle in great glee at having contrived to "do" her letter all by herself, and reached the familiar lamp-post, where she was lifted up by Jane, and dropped it in, neither of the nurses observing that it had no address; and both the little girls firmly believing it would go in the proper direction with that important postage-stamp on it.

After all, Belle continued to be very happy while her father was away. She would have been very ungrateful if she had not been both happy and good when so much was done to please her. The Christmas holidays came and passed, and she shared in all the enjoyments which were provided for Maggie and Bessie, and was treated quite as if she were one of the family; while Mrs. Bradford could not help thinking that she had improved a little, being more obedient and far less wilful. The example of such a prompt obedience as was shown by the other children had done her good.

And now the holidays were over, and they were back at school once more, while the time for Mr. Powers' return was drawing near.