Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1873-03-27
CHAPTER XIV.
BERTA FINDS A ROSARY.

Berta improved but slowly. So for num-
Der of weeks Doctor Eglinton paid very fire.
quent visits to Mrs. Ravenswoods house. He
became very fond of his little patient, as no
one who had drop Of human kindness in
their composition, could fail to do, thrown so
constantly with child at once so attractive
and interesting. Berta was of naturally quick
parts, and having never enjoyed any compan-
ionship, except that of mature and intellectu-
al people, she displayed, both in conversation
and mental requirements, remarkable pre-.
cocity of intellect. The doctor would often
sit for an hour or more, listening to her quaint
remarks, drawing out her bright young mind,
telling her fairy tales and nursery rhymes,
and otherwise making himself agreeable, both
to child and mother. With such constant in
tercourse, he became necessarily established
on quite footing Of ofintimacy with the family.
As Berta became stronger, he would even call
for her to ride in his stylish two-horse turnout,
taking her on long drives into the country,
where she could drink in strength with TIE
pure, fresh country air. He loaded her, too,
with presents beautiful fairy books, delicious
fruit, lovely fowers-until,. as Mrs. Suther-
land remarked, with sly look from Berta to
Berta's mamma, lit was quite astonishing
what remarkable attachment Doctor Eglin-
ton seemed to have formed for his little pa
tient!"
And it must be said, on Berta's side, that
next to her mamma, there was no one whom
she liked half 80 we'll as the doctor. She
watched for his coming, and enjoyed his soci'
ETY., and at the dreaded moment of departure,
clung to him with very childlike, touching
and sweet devotion.
One day, when Doctor Eglinton called to
make his usual daily visit, Mrs. Ravenswood
met him in the hal, with distressed look on
her face. The doctor was so interested in
what she was saying he forgot to release the
hand she had extended in salutation, but
held it for several seconds while Florimond
proceeded to explain her reasons for thinking
that Berta was not decidedly so we'll as on
the day before.
II guess it is only your fears which magni-
fly everything" said the doctor, gently; "but
come, we will 90 up and see."
81 cannot 60 up with you now," said Flor-
mond, Withdrawing her hand "there is a
horrid man in the drawing-room."
"Beg to be excused" suggested the doctor
II have excused myself to him every day
for the last three weeks" said Mrs. Ravens.
wood, making wry face.
"Why, who is it?"
"One of your particular friends" she said,
laughing.
"WelI, confusion to him, whoever he may
be-" said the doctor, 81 wish he would stay
at home"
Berta was sitting, or rather reclining, in a
large chair, propped up with pillows, a book
of highly -colored illustrations in her lap, and
innumerable play things and various toys Of
every description, scattered around. She
greeted the doctors appearance with bright
smile, and held out her hands appealingly to
him. He took the little creature in his arms
she was an uncommonly small child-kissed
her affectionately, and placed her on his knee
"How is this, ma petite 2" he asked; "mam-
ma says you are not so we'll to-day"
II am so tired" said the child, "and my
head aches and it is so cold here. l do not
think this is half so nice place, as where we
lived before grandmamma died. There l
PLAYED out of doors all the time, and was
never cold"
"And where was that?" asked the doctor,
looking down into her up-lifted eyes, living
counterparts of her mothers.
"It was in Clairemont," said Berta.
"Clairemont," exclaimed the doctor; "is
that where you formerly lived? But it must
be different place Was there convent in
Clairemont ?"
"Yes," replied Berta," a great tall house
with high wall all around it, and great big
trees full of mocking-birds, and a garden with
beautiful flowers, and little gate at the side
where"
"Mon Dieu" interrupted the doctor, "the
very spot. Why, what a remarkable child
you are to remember so we'll, and describe so
mamma and myself often talk about it"
said Berta sand besides, mamma has made
me picture of it." She slipped from his
knee, and making her way, as we'll as
weakness would permit, reached a small table
standing near, on which was placed mother
ofpearl writing desk. Opening this, she
searched among its contents until she found