Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1859-11-17
Il MORNING NOVEMBER II. e1859t

shortly followed the passage of my let
ter, and arrived few days after its re
CENT.
l was received with open arms by
Claude who called me brother" and
gave me the warinest welcome to his
home on the banks Of one of the sunniest
rivers Of the land of art.
Sometimes we see by the minds eye,"
he answered." the spiritual"
Yes. l remember" l added, gazing
upon him now glowing with health and
beauty, " l remember how sirgularly this
picture affected YOU"
Very" he answered, gaily. Ny
whole soul was absorbed by the spirit of
your cousin"
Then l related the terrible disappear
ance of her body and its supposed fate.
Claude shuddered and closed his eyes,
while visible pain ran over his features.
No, no !" he said quickly and vehe
mently-" not 50, not so, my friend! By
heaven. the thought is maddenng!'
Before could speak he had rushed
out into an inner room, and as the door
remained ajar, distinctly heard the
voice of an infant, and the dove-like tone
of the mother bird in soft endearment.-
Claude returned, still agitated.
Are you married 2" asked, abruptly
and shall he intrusive?"
No, no but can you bear surprise ?
Come with mel"
Before | could answer | was drawn
hastily within that inner room. aud pre-
sented to the wife and mother.
Gracious God p l exclaimed anG
sank down in terror before Bertha.
Philip and the living form of Der
tina folded my neck in her embrace. anc
her lips pressed my icy brow. Don
be angry, Philip" she blended. as | wept
Angry! 0, God Of Heaven, thank
thee !" | cried, and madly kissed back
, the JOY Of my heart. " Bertha darling
} how could you deceive us SO p
She gently disengaged herself, and with
glowing face and fearful eyes, stretching
her hands to Claude, said
" He saved my life, Philip Ny Claude
How could | help loving him p and the
fond arms of Bertha folded his manly
form and her head sank upon his breast
I" My Bertha my own wife y wits
pered Claude, softly.
"Truly, my beloved y she murmured
back, else l had not been here. Philip
my brother-my cousin-nothing more
but that all that!' holding a friendly
hand to me.
J, "Blest sister blest cousin Y ! cried
Philip asks no more, SO that Bertha
lives. and is a happy wife"
, Thanks, thanks, my brother = anG
Claude extended his generous hand.
The beautiful baby of happy love wa,
: folded to my heart-Bertha's babv-anC
while Claude listened with joyful eyes
, Bertha related the experience Of her sup
; posed death and recovery first asking
, of her bereaved father saying that hel
t fear was greater than her love. or sht
should have revealed herself after he
: resuscitation, for he had better think he
dead than rebelious to his wishes, ant
: her life belonged alone to him who ha(
preserved it.
5 But. oh, Philip" she went on, he
2 face assuming a look of terror, aud he
dark eyes deepening, how can believ
5 all this real-myself living and not dea(
: and transported to Paradise? But fo
the assurance Of Claude and baby. coult
: not.realize it; and yet, believe me, cous
in. Philip, ! never for moment los
: sensation. | knew ali-all that every
body said and did. | seemed to suddenl'
freeze to an. iceberg when Mr.. Clinton
my affianced. took my hand in his as til,
NH iStp OH n
could not love him !"
Bertha shuddered. and hid her face OF
the shoulder of Claude, who softly
smoothed her silky hair, and kissed hel
brow, saying tenderly:
Don't love, if it pains you too sadly
Philip will excuse you"
No, dear Claude, no. Philip is wait
ing; it is but dream, now, and this i,
reality. l froze, Philip, that was the
sensation. Every pulse ceased throbbing
t They thought | had tainted for a long
| time, and tried every means to restore me
| tried to speak, to move, but could not
| thought myself dead, and was so con
vinced when | was laid upon the couch
and the physicians said unanimously tina,
| was dead past doubt, and all further
applications were useless, that had sud
, denly fallen victim to on organic disease
of the heart, aggravated by uncommon
excitement. This believed, and tho't
;; with horror on the coffin aud grave, with
all the consciousness Of life. Oh. Philip.
cannot dwell upon these awful terrors
aud but for Claude nothing could have
saved me-
!. God sent me, darling! We know
that. Bertha-you and | !"
! Yes, yes, Claude! God sent you tc
care for me in life and in death y Their
she went on: " How | tried again te
speak as my poor father rained his tear,
upon my senseless facet But 10, couc
not break the icy bond which circled my
> brow and heart but | shrank farther
away, aud grew colder when Mr.. Clinton