Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1859-09-15

| continually sought her society / passed
the largest portion of every day in her pres
ence She was an early riser, aud often, even
| before the summer sunrise | went through the
narrow path and little wicket gate which d-
vded our garden from hers to persuade her
| to join me ia q ramble in the delicious morning
twilight
There was ole scene of which we never
! tired | have never seen it anywhere but in
! Ryefelds In the Valley of Quinebaug, the
mist rises so blue and dense that from a hill
| overtoppiug it at miles distance it looks like
some strange inland sea, whereupon, perchance,
! Curtis Flying DutcamaH might take his long
and wonderful cruise. or phantom Maid Of
! the lLst, sailing at dawn out of some silent
cove might cut the phantom sea with her phan-
! tom keel, and 90 back with the sunrise into
/ silence and shadows. On one of those over
/ topping hills Bertha and | watched the slow
J coming of many a summer morning. 1t was
/ in one of those enchanted hours that first
/ learned that woman's heart, strong and pas
sionate as it was pure, Slumbered beneath the
/ calm reticence of her external life
/ We had been watching as usual. the sea of
mist, and specializing idly about the phantom
| bark and lis strange crew Then we stood
Z q
| the mist, and looking at her dilating eyes,
/ growing so large. so solemn, so full of thought.
! At last, she turned with quick and sudden
motion
Who would think, Frank, TO see this pros
| pect now, that underneath this seeming sea
lay smiling the greeneSt and lovelest valley in
! Connecticut | was thinking how Ike it was
TO some human exiStence-men and women
. II nj =
impeuetrabIe than the mist over the valley,
screening the throbbing passionate, yet silent
heart from human vision. And vet there
comes time when the vailed heart will assert
itself See, the sun is rising now the mist
looks ike SouHdleSS sea no longer it is be-
ginning to curl away in golden wreaths soon
We shall see the fair valley with its three white
houses its waving trees, its little becks of
bright waters. Sometimes, even thus, from
all prond hearts, the mist. will roll goldenlY
away, aud We shall see as we are seen, and
know as we are known--if not here there
She paused, aud looked at her inspired
face did not wish to break the silence
which followed her words | started, and led
the way down the steep hill After little, |
looked round to see if the same morning sun
rise fingered in her eyes. l caught my foot in
the same iucautious step, against the roots Of
tree from which the spring rains had washed
away the earth. | was thrown headloDg and
violently TO the ground. was stunned for
moment
Ny first sensation Of returning consciousness
was pleasant one / felt Bertha's cold hand
upon my forehead. She had run swiftly to q
neighboring spring and with quick presence
of mind had saturated her handkerchief and
mine, and she now was bathing my brow With
the water | did not open my eyes at first
/ 1t was so pleasant to lie there aud receive her
pleasant miuistrsicnS. At length | felt her
ear close to my lips, By a resolute effort
held nv breath. | wished to try her She
thought | was dead She did not shrek or
moan only as if against her will, cry, low
and sorrowful escaped
/ Oh Frank, darling, darling =
/ slowly opened nv eyes and met hers
There was a look in them | have never seen in
any other woman'S before or since, Then |
. knew Bertha PaySoU could love that she loved
NE with love that not one woman in ten
thousand could even understand.
] saw that underneath the marble heart her
! passionate womau'S heart was fame, bat it was
a fame as pure as the heaven kiHdcd fires on
/ the altar OF the God of the Hebrews | knew
/ she loved NE, and in the same momeut, that
with all the might of my heart loved her
that she alone was the woman 10 whom mind
and soul cou!d do homage, and say. have
found nv Queen"
But did not speak of love then | knew
she must have read my glance as had read
hers, but she only said very quietly.
Thank God that You are alive | mHst
leave yOu now to see about getting some one
to take you home.
No, | can walk if you will help me-
/ made the effort but could not rise. Tie
least attempt TO move caused NE such exQuis-
ite pain that began to think nv injuries must
be severe. l said reluctantly,
am very sorry Be,ha. shall have TO
let you 90. l see it is impossible tor me to
walk"
She drew light summer shawl from be-
shoulders, aud arranged il 50 as 10 make the
position in which my head was lying a little
easier. Then she tripped away. aud lying
there | watched, half dreamiugIy. her light
figure go out Of sight. down tie h.ll side
The time of her absence seemed yerv short
Except when | attempted to move | felt lit
Z tie pain. and never had been nv soul so food
ed with happiness. | loved Bersha-I was
beloved by her. felt too weak TO speculate
about the future. only rejoiced in the pres
eUt
Soon Bertha returned with the village doc
/ tor, and two or three stardY assistants. Ar
ranging hastily constructed litter they start
ed 10 bear me down the hill At the first jolt
/ the motion caused me intense pain. With 8
longing sympathy. | stretched out nv hand
I Bertha understood me, snd laid her own hand
/ IN II /; and so With her walking beside ne,
was born home. No boues we're broken bY
/ NY fall. Ny injuries we're al internal, though
/ not dangerous bnE my conTslescence vas te-
/ dioRs In all this tima Rartha VAS Ike an