Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1873-05-15


for its height and beautiful proportions.
"There is no cleaning to be done here" re
marked Mrs. cambridge; $50, Berta, accom-
pany James, first to grandmamma's and ther
to Madame's grave. Show him what to do
when you have finished, James, you need moi
wait When have decorated the other graves
Berta, will join you at Madame's"
Berta and James departed to follow these
directions. The cleaning was done, james
dismissed, and Berta sat down on the slab tt
await her mothers coming. She had scarcely
taken her seat when she heard a footstep, anc
turning, had on her tongues end to say
"Why, mamma, have you come already? ?
VIII en- she perceived it was not her mother, bu
gentleman. The spot was retired and little
frequented, so Berta regarded his appearance
in some surprise, and stared very hard at him
In return, the gentleman stared very hard a
Berta. He came up to the identical grave or
which the child was sitting, and having ex
amined the name on the inscription, looked al
her again very intently and then spoke, ex
tending his hand.
II perceive the little girl sitting on my
mothers grave, in whom recognize an ole
friend, does not recognize me. Eh! Berta
have you forgotten uncle Ralph?"
"No, indeed, 1 have not but l did not ex
pect to see you"
II hope you are very glad to see me" said
Ralph, smiling; and not waiting for an answer
he went on, "and how do you, Berta? and
how have you been since we parted that long
long time ago?"
"Why has it been so long, uncle Ralph p
asked the practical Berta, who was disposed tc
regard the literal rather than the seeming
"It has not been such dreadful long time
since we were at Saratoga, and mamma told
me she met you one evening there-and it was
not long before that, we came back to Claire
mont"
"My dear child" exclaimed Ralph, "com
putting time by days and months and years
what you say is very true, but computing by
my own sensations, it has been quite an eter'
nifty since that very evening you recall to my
mind. By the way, mon enyant, how is your
mammal"
"She is not very we'll" said Berta, "she is
always so sad, and she grieves so much fol
papa"
"And is your father still sick?"
"Still sick?" cried Berta. EDO you moi
know, uncle Ralph, that my papa is dead
1t was very soon after we came home from
the Springs last summer"
dead p repeated Ralph, and then mutter
ing something which sounded very much like
"The deuce he is !" relapsed into profound 81
lence
Berta sat little nearer to him, and look
ing up inquiringly and afectionately into his
face, asked
"Have you come to see mamma, uncle
Ralph?"
"To tell you the truth, Berta, did moi
come to see her, because" and breaking of
abruptly, he at last said, II only came by
here to visit my mothers grave for the last
time, as am leaving the country, perhaps
forever"
Il only thought" said Berta, "as you used
to be always wanting mamma to marry you
perhaps you still wanted her. And now as
papa is dead'-
"And now that your father is really dead,
repeated Ralph, gloomily, "don't you suppose
as is usual with all human affairs, there is
some other impcdiment in the way?"
II did not suppose SO" said Berta, "but the
other day was talking about you, and won
dering where you were, and why you did not
come to see us, and mamma said, Hush
child-hush! You don't know what you are
talking about Why should he come to SEE
me? He has forgotten me long ago; in fact
my child, he never cared for your poor mother
at ALL And, uncle Ralph, she cried all day
and am sure shall never, in my life, men
ton your name to her again.
"Great God" cried Ralph, excitedly, chow
could she talk so? She knows how passion
ately loved her. 1t is who should say, she
never cared for me, or else she would never
have deserted me, even for your father, Berta. ,
To this Berta made no reply, and the two
sat in heavy silence, broken by the sound Of
crushed leaves, under approaching feet, and
voice which said, in close proximity
"Well, Berta, did you get tired waiting fol
me?"
Ralph arose in haste and agitation, just as
Mrs. cambridge appeared from behind the
tall tombstone. Ralph, this time, had the ad
vantage. Poor Florimond was astonished and
utterly overwhelmed with confusion at the
sight of him. In his old, impulsive fashion
he caught both of her hands and looked joy
fully into her pale face and seeing she could
scarcely stand, said
"Take seat here, on this slab. Berta tell:
me you have not been so we'll. I am, indeed
truly sorry"
Seeing she could not yet speak, he wen
"You cannot fancy how gratifed l am tt
meet you this evening. I wish to thank yor
for taking such beautiful care of my deal
mothers grave. All these flowers growing
around it so luxuriantly, making it spot o.
such enchanting loveliness, suppose, were
planted by your hand. Words fail me tt
thank you appropriately. I came many long
miles out of my way on pious pilgrimage tt
this sacred spot. could not leave Americs
without coming but l did not dare hope fol
the happiness Of meeting you here"
Florimond's eyes fell before his glance, anc
she only faltered-
MMhoro- -uharn q arn unu trninn 2V