Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1859-11-17
NO. 3.


happy, and it was far better to be lying
dead than living a life of mockery.
Then they bore me to the bridal
chamber and arranged me for the picture
heard Mr.. Clinton speak to father
about it before had been dead tw"
hours. 1t was very strange to hear the
remarks of people as they came to look
upon me! 1t is almost worth while
cousin Philip, to he dead a little while,
and vet living, to get at the real meaning
of things and the opinions of people"
Nay. dearest, YOU have had little
faith in humanity since, l think T. said
Claude.
In you Claude, truly is all nv faith
I GO not beyond. Ny world, nv life ex.
tends no farther than yours r Again
Bertha continued =
Then you came Philip. and oh did
try to speak to you, my good brother!
knew you would see me if you could =
That l would, Bertha, with my own
life !" I said.
Yes. knew it," Bertha sighed soft
ly; then added, lest ni8took her true
feeling: You was all knew then. Phil.
ip, that could rely upon and con6de in
as brother"
| bowed assent
Not that we loved, Philip. though |
some times thought so. l did not know
the true sensation of love. then. had
not seen the spirit of its beauty nor felt
its power-but knew when a stranger
entered the room with Mr.. Clinton, and
l felt his ardent gaze burn in upon my
| soul as he exclaimed:
Great God, how could so much beau
tV die !" Dost remember. love?" and
Berthas beautiful face cleaned with ran
t ture as he gazed again upon her. He
nodded and kissed her pretty hand, which
( he toyed with, and caressed alternately
" | was never unhappy after that night,
Philip, for Claude remained. and all night
long he sat there, aud all day, until nv
| spirit grew in harmony with his and
loved him before | looked uDon his face
He knew was not dead Claude whom
! God sent = and the tears raned over the
, fair cheeks of Bertha.
Claude wiped them away, and cheered
her once more to finish her task.
My story is nearly told, Philip. Yon
saw Claude, and you saw me move -
Claude thrilled me with his hand and
with his lips that pressed my brow, and
his voice saying:
Awake my beloved. and rejoice in
newneSs of life! Bride Of my soul, thou
art mine as | am thine y
L could have walked, then but he said.
peace, be still !! and slumbered ] do
| not remember anything more until I
a~oke in the arms of Claude far away
: from my fathers house and place of nv
| birth, and | entreated Mr.. Clinton not
to carry me back. so much feared Mr.
Clinton and my fathers influence, and !
; loved Claude too we'll to desire sepera
tlon, aud so we were married and come
2 to dear lta'y, where you find MS Philip.
r But how did it happen Philip? and what
r dld they say when disappeared ?"
/ asked Bertha innocently.
/ Why" | answered as truthfully, "it
was three months after you were buried !"
r " Nay. nay" interposed Claude. hastily.
clasping the terrified Bertha.
e But she family said
! 80! then | was buried and you,
p Claude, took me from the tomb!'
/ Well, well, darling! it has long
since passed, and you have no reccolec,
t ton of it; don't tremble now, as the
danger is past" he answered.
y ." No, | have no cause beloved and
shall never foar to de- SO you are by
q me-"
| Bertha composed herself, vet regarded
Claude with even more tenderness than
before.
| told her of my sad regret as stood
before her lifeless form.
Claude saved me-" she murmured.
this boy is his love and blessing. Tell
my father when you return, to come and
look upon Us in our home of joy.r
And how asked of Claude "did
you convey Bertha from the tomb in such
utter secresy 2"
" Love conqures all things ?" he said.
" L had carriage in waiting and did
everything myself. SO there was none to
reveal, What Bertha herself, when re.
stored to consciousness, entreted me not
to make known and the utter selishnesS
of my JOY left me no choice aside from
hers. She was mule, had earned her
But Tor me, the tomb of her race would
now retain her ashes"
Thank Heaven, Claude, for your
spirit eyeSl' | exclaimed, as l elias ped
his hand. May she he yours devoted
y for ever and ever =
Amen! !" lie answers fervently.
conld not persuade Bertha to visit
again the home of my father, but he con.
sented to my making known 10 him her
resuscltation and marriage WITH her pre-
server, and | had the happiness Of Oohol-
ding their reunion at no distan: day.
Dead at the alter is still preserved,
as work Of art and warning to those
who hastily decide on orgaulc diseases