Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1854-12-07
5flnt Galf.
BERTH A.

At an unfrequented watering place on TN
south coast of England, dwelt MIR Bertran'
Fitxsimon. poor relation of an aris tocrru a,
family. But though poor, he was proud IN
family was one of the oldest in England Z
course he held aloof from the gentry of tue
watering-place. except the few who were un-
Occasionally rich.
There was one exception to this. however
Mr.. Edgar, . Young man, of fve-and-twenty,
of whom. nothing literally was known, was a
welcome visitor at the. Rosery. He owed this
TO having been the fortunate means of saving
the life Of Bertha, Mr.. Fitzsimon's daughter,
who would, most probably. have been drown
ed but for his exertions. What more was ne
cessary to procure him an introduction to the
family3 No questions were asked about his
pedigree. They saw he was gentleman In
manner; they knew that he had saved their
daughter from watery grave, and neither
Mr. nor Mrs Fitzsimon objected to his visits
He became as one of the family-and Mr.
Fitzsimon soon discovered that he had money
at command, and was not 10th to lend it.
Fitzsimon on his part, was not 10th to borrow
Ia characteristic which human nature will
sometimes retain In spite of the longest pedi-
gree
There was something peculiar about Mr..
Edgar, however, which the Fitzsimon's ere
long perceived. In spite of his cheerful air,
his extensive. acquaintance with books, and
with the wider page of Life, and the openness
of his manner, there was scrutiny in his look,
q guardedness of expression, power to repel
inquiry when anything that had the appear
ance of even leading to it was attempted, that
was not satisfactory. But the strangest thing
of all to the minds of both Mr. and Mrs. Fitz-
simon, was the insensibslity he displayeaato
Bertha's charms This question had been
much debated. Mr. Fitzsimon's hope of sue
ceeding to the family estate was remote. The
possessor was man of his own age, and be-
tween them were three younger lives with a
claim prior to our friends. 1t was evident to
him that Mr.. Edgar was at all events rich
He had borrowed three hundred pounds from
him, and the last hundred was lent as wiling
ly as the first Mr.. Fitzsimon saw that this
would not be bad match for his daughter !;
Mrs Fitzsimon conceded in his opinion; but
Mr. Edgar showed no sign of falling in love.
1t is true he accompanied her in many walk
over the sands; that he had overcome her fear
of boating. But according 70 Mrs. Fitzsimon
there was no love in the business and the
husband cha srined that he should have enter
tanned the thought of condescension which
was not likely to be appreciated, coiled him
self up in more rigid exclusiveness than
ever
The most unlikely things will sometimes
happen in this world. One morning, news
came that the Fitzsimon in possession had
broken his neck in steeple chase. Within
a month from this time, one by one, the three
intervening lives departed this earthly scene,
and Fitzsimon found himself owner of two es-
tates. All was now hustle at the Rosery.-
Fitzsimon proceeded to Herefordshire to take
possession. and Mrs and Miss Fitzsimon were
charged to prepare for speedy departure to
the metropolis. A week passed. Fitzsimon
retnrned to the Rosery to conduct his wife
and daughter TO town. The day came, and
Edgar called to bid them goodbye He found
Bertha quite alone.
- You will be glad to go to London" said
he, after the usual greeting had been exchang-
ed; you have not spent season there yet!'
j.. "No," answered Bertha, laconically.
You have much to see then, !" said Edgar.
-.a new life and a very different one from that
which you have hitherto led in this retire.
ment- You viii find much to amuse you
xauea to delight the eye. the senses; much
to admire in the brilliancy of fashion, the
works Of art, The displays of genius. the the
atres, the opera, and those attractions for
which the metropolis is famous"
:. Yes" said she. melancholily, faint
smile curling her lip into one of its many pha-
ses of beauty mo
You will also find much -" He paus-
ed But why should / render that taste
less to you on which your heart is perhaps
set There was an expression in his face as
he said this. which Bertha had remarked be-
fore, an expression partlysad, but more stern.
stNo, no, tell me-" cried she, for the first
time since he had entered the room seeming to
be cognizant of what was passing '' tell me
what else shall find p
Too much that is hollow and insincere," !"
was the reply, notwithstanding fair outside.
Do not think that in changing this wild life
amongst rocks and cliffs. and with the storms
of winter ever and anon raging before your
eyes, that all will be gain
- would rather remain here" she replied;
have been happy in the midst of nature" !"
And are there no attractions in the world
that claim your affection ?''
" Indeed" replied Bertha. artlessly, 81
shall never forget the friends I have loved