Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1873-04-03
gu Original Storg.
Written for the Yorkville Enquirer.
FLORIMOND;
DIVORCE OR No DIVORCE.
BY MRS. CLARK WARING.
CHAPTER XIV.

CHAPTER XIV.
THE DOCTOR GIVES NEW PRESCRIPTION FOR
BERTA.
When DR.. Eglinton made his professional
call at Mrs. Ravenswood's the next day, he
was received by Mrs. Edmunds, who accom-
panied him to the sick room, and listened to
his instructions in regard to Berta. Mrs.
Ravenswood was not visible. It was the same
thing the next morning but on the third day,
after seeing the child, DR.. Eglinton asked par.
ticularly for short interview with Mrs. Ra-
venswood. They met with a certain degree
of embarrassment, which had never before
characterized their intercourse.
81 am sorry to annoy you, Mrs. Ravens
wood" said the doctor, "but Berta's condition
does not please me at all. She has not gained
an inch of ground in the last week. On the
contrary, she is much weaker, more feeble in
every respect"
doctor, know it is true. Oh what shall
do ?" and all reserve now vanished and was
swallowed up in anxiety.
II would recommend change of air. said
the doctor. "That is frequently beneficial
where medicines fail"
"And when must go?'
mediately-to-morrow; or she might
become too weak to travel.
"What pity" exclaimed Florimond, Il
have just inaugurated arrangements for
grand ball next Friday night, thinking, by
that time, Berta would surely be sufficiently
restored for me to pass an evening down
stairs"
"Weli, Mrs. Ravenswood," said the doctor,
regarding her keenly, if you prefer your ball
to your child's health"
"What injustice you do mel" exclaimed
Mrs. Ravenswood, returning his look of sur.
prise with one ofreproach. "To tell the truth,
look upon this ball more as great bore
than anything else !; but society ha' been so
uncommonly lavish of her favors to meme,
almost an entire stranger-that I feel like
owe society some return, and I wanted to get
it over with as soon as possible. But when it
comes to clashing of society's claims and
Berta's claims, then"
81 retract words and look" said the doctor,
smiling. ut was most unjust, well know.
Well, where shall you go?"
"I do not know where to go-I know moth
ing about this part Of the world"
eff you will allow me to suggest"
"Allow you! I expect you to take the
whole responsibility of the move"
"Most willingly. Well, I know of beau
tiful spot, south of the city, where the climate
is temperate and equable. 1t is only about
two hours ride from here on the cars, and
trains passing dozen times during the day
and night. In a case of sudden emergency,
you have thus easy access to the city. 1t is
secluded, and yet not dull situated in warm
valley, surrounded by framework of pic
turesque hills, and sheltered from the piercing
winds of the lake. Near to the house where
I shall take you to board, is an Artesian we'll,
the water of which will, no doubt be bene6-
cial to Berta adjacent runs the river, noble
stream wendingits unchanging course through
lovely dells and wild ravines, its crystal wa
ters overhung by dropping willows and pop
lars. Many an island of verdure is to be seen
from it's pleasant banks. The climate is so
soft, compared to this, Berta will imagine she
is restored to that sweet southern land, for
which she pines so much"
"Not more than myself" said Florimond,
sighing. ri do not like these piercing winds
from the lake, the long, dreary winters"
"Then, why don't we 60 back to Claire
mont, mamma ?" asked Berta.
"Well, I don't know, DEAR" said Mrs. Ra-
venswood," an inscrutable expression on her
face. "Things are so different in the South
nowhere is so much political excitement
and such confusion in government, one does
not feel secure. Besides, my child, there are
so many things to awaken regret, so many
past and lost delights
Against which years have beat blanchingly
With their rains!
The old time is changed, 3erta.'
"Never mind, Berta," said the doctor, cheer
ingly, "never mind! When you have tasted
once of the nectareous essences and Olym-
plan dews of this new Eden have painted
for you, you will no longer regret Claire
mont"
"And can we not 60 there just now7" asked
Berta
1--WE can 60 on the eleven o'clock a. m.
train tomorrow, if that hour suits your moth
er," said the doctor. Berta looked dissatis-
fed-disappointed- the doctor per-
ceiving, he proceeded to say
"Why, mon enfant, you have all these books
and toys to pack up, and surely you do not
intend to leave behind her wax doll ladyship.
You have all her wardrobe to collect and see
after"
II shall get her all ready in time," said
Berta, picking up the doll, and addressing it,,
she said "Come, Marguerite, I shall ask
Mrs. Edmunds to make you a bran new dress
to wear on the cars tomorrow"
"Why, is that her name?" asked the doc.
tor; "what a sweet name d! Did you baptize
her, Berta?"
Berta was on the point of saying she had
named her for Madame Ignatius, whose name
was Marguerite, when Mrs. Sutherland
knocked at the door and entered without GER
emony.
The doctor conversed with her for few
moments on the intended journey, and then
arose, saying
Having now arranged everything satisfac-
noI