Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1873-03-27

"Here it's, she Sald, hanQl1g ltt tne uoctoi'
"The identical spot p exclaimed the doctor.
He looked at it long time, and seemed un-
accountably moved.
"And you say ycarmother made this SKETCH
Berta ?"
eyes"
"And did you ever 60 inside the convent?
"No, not inside the convent, but"
"Berta," said the doctor, suddenly, "would
you mind giving me this picture?'
"No, would not mind i" said Berta, "but
it is not nice enough for you. Mamma says
I must make you very handsome present.
for YOU have been so kind to me-"
"I do not want handsome present." said
the doctor, emphatically, "I would rather have
this sketch of St. Eustache than the most
costly present you could buy. There are so
many reasons why I should prize this. Will
you give it me, Berta ?"
eyes, Of course" said the child, putting her
arms around his neck and kissing him.
"See," said the doctor, having thanked her
appropriately, II shall lay it away here snug
ly in the top of this tall beaver, until 1 get it
safely in my Office"
A few moments after, the doctor asked
"Berta, do you know how long your father
has been dead Z"
"My papa is not dead" said Berta, giving
him startled look "he is not dead, but let
me tell you something strange: he has never
seen me, and never saw him. But l have his
hair and his picture Would you like to see
them ?"
eyes, indeed" said the doctor, with lively
interest.
Berta unclasped the delicate chain, which
looked like a thread of gold around her
white neck, and opening the antique locket
attached to it, handed it to him. Doctor Eg-
linton regarded the picture, and even the hair,
with the most profound interest
"You are something like your father, Ber-
ta," he said, at last "but more like your
mother. This is an exquisite painting. l
suppose you do not know the name Of the ar
tist."
Mamma painted it" said Berta, proudly.
"Is it possible p said the doctor, in surprise.
"It is beautifully DONE"
"There is writing inside" said Berta, and
taking it from his hand she pressed spring
and showed him the reverse side. In Flori-
mond's hand was written, dead since 23rd
October, 1866" And underneath, these
words-"Painted from memory for Berta."
"You see, your papa has been dead some
time," said the doctor, apparently quite re-
joicing in the fact.
,"I tell you my papa is not dead" persisted
the child, almost angry; mamma says ne still
lives"
"She means my child" said the doctor,
"that his soul still lives in Heaven. You
know the soul never dies but even when the
body has turned to dust and"
The door opened and Mrs. Ravenswood en-
tered
"Mr. Bainbridge has gone at last" she
said, "and now, Doctor, what do you think of
Berta"
"Oh mamma" cried Berta, "the doctor
will keep on saying that my p"
"H-u-sh! Hush!" whispered Doctor
Eglinton, his face coloring violently, and then
aloud: "Berta, you have forgotten to search
my pockets as usual
."Yes," acquiesced Berta, completely divert:
ed "what have you brought me to-day,
wonder?"
Nothing there!" cried the doctor; "try
another"
"Yes, but there is" said Berta, drawing out
long string of beads with a cruciix attached.
II perceive you are Roman Catholic, Doc
tor" said Mrs. Ravenswood.
"My mother was, but do not belong to
any church"
"And is that her rosary?
eyes, the one she used constantly for years,
and since her death it has never left my per-
son. tits safeguard, and when have this
about, it seems to me her spirit hovers over
me, a protection from all harm"
"The dearest friend ever had," said Mrs.
Ravenswood, heaving deep sigh, "was a
Roman Catholic. All! such woman as she
was-so beautiful, so accomplished, such a
heavenly heart"-and Florimond, overcome
with recolections, hid her face in her hand
kerchief Presently she took the rosary from
Bertas hands and carried it to distant cor.
ner of the room, where she examined it closely,
shedding some quiet but bitter tears. Doctor
Eglinton, with a regretful face and contin-
ual glance toward Florimond, was peeliDg
one of the oranges Berta had found in his
pocket. "
"She used to have one just like this" said
Mrs. Ravenswood handing the rosary to the
doctor. ut was wrought of carved cedar of
Lebanon and had been blessed by the Pope"
"Some such history is attributed to this"
said the doctor; but I am only too sorry that
Berta ever broughtit to light. Ithasrevived
painful recollections, and made you sad and
I cannot bear to see you sad.
"And have you ever seen me otherwise =
asked Mrs. Ravenswood, with mournful
smile; II am always sad, except under great
excitement when I sometimes feel that reck.
less mirth which Lord Lytton calls the in.
toxication of grief To me, even,
Joys zest
Is salted with touch of woe.'"
"say not so, dear lady," murmured the doc
tor, in great agitation; "it pains me to the
heart to hear you speak so. I know what it
is to grieve for lost loved ones. Under pecu-
liar circumstances of sorrow I lost my mother,
to whom I was devotedly attached, and for
time there seemed great darkness over the
earth. But Time has somewhat healed that
wound, and though I feel her loss is as ire.
parable as ever, still there are other fountains
of love-other springs of hope-welling up in
my heart, which gives to life brighter tinge--
a more surprising joy-than ever existed"
"'Tis not so with me, ," replied Mrs. Ravens.
wood, coldly. "There is hopein my heart
no joy-and never can be again"
"No! no I will not believe that" cried
the doctor, eagerly, his fathomless blue eyes
concentrated on Mrs. Ravenswoods face. 81
know you possess a compassionate, womanly
heart, and suppose that those lost objects of
love could be replaced by another object.
whose love for you would be tenfold more de-
voted, more immeasurable, than what you
have lost-than any love you have ever con-
ceived or dreamed possible-a love human in
its warmth. divine in its unchangeableness -